The group, which had been maintained silence since Baghdadi was reported killed in a weekend raid by US special forces, has finally confirmed that its leader had been killed.
The Islamic State confirmed Baghdadi’s death in an audio tape posted online, and said that a successor, Abu Ibrahim Al-Hashemi al-Quraishi, had been appointed as the group’s leader.
Not much is known about Hashemi, whose name has not been mentioned before by the group.
Meanwhile, the group also confirmed the death of its spokesperson Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir.
The new spokesperson for the group is Abu Hamza Al-Quraishi, who sent a warning to Americans in one of his first messages.
In a statement announcing Baghdadi’s successor, the Islamic State stated, "Do not rejoice America, the new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beholden…and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet.”