This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
On October 31, 2019, the Islamic State (IS) confirmed the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a US special forces raid in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.
Baghdadi, who led IS since 2014 and was the world's most wanted man, was killed in the raid on October 27, 2019.
The group's legislative and consultative body, the shura council, convened after Baghdadi's death and agreed on a replacement, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi.
In a seven-minute audio message, the IS spokesman described President Donald Trump as 'a crazy old man' and warned the US that its supporters would avenge Baghdadi's death.
'Do not rejoice America,' the spokesman warned, 'the new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beheld... and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet.'
