Top ISIS Spokesperson Killed In Syria

ISIS spokesman Mohammad al-Adnani, the terrorist group’s most recognizable face, has died from unknown causes in the most high-profile killing yet of an Islamic State member.

According to a statement from ISIS’ Amaq news agency, al-Adani was inspecting military operations in or near Aleppo, Syria, although they did not release information on his cause of death, reports CNN.

“After a journey filled with sacrifice and fight against non-believers, the Syrian Gallant knight, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, joined the convoy of martyr leaders,” ISIS said in the statement.

The head of external operations, al-Adnani was best known for having his operatives attack countries allied with the U.S. to fight ISIS.

“To the filthy and coward non-believers and to the holders of the Christ emblem, we bring the good news, which will keep them awake, that a new generation in the Islamic State … that loves death more than life … ” the ISIS statement read. “This generation will only grow steadfast on the path to Jihad, stay determined to seek revenge and be violent toward them.”

The Islamic State spokesman was reportedly injured during a U.S.-led coalition airstrike in January, although coalition representatives have not yet commented.

There are several conflicting reports on how al-Adnani died. One senior Syrian rebel official said that he was likely killed during an airstrike in the ISIS-held city of al-Bab, which he was reportedly visiting to raise morale in the face of hardship for the Islamic State. Iraqi security analyst Hisham al-Hashimi said that al-Adnani​ may have died from injuries he sustained in an Aug. 17 coalition strike north of Aleppo, reports Reuters.

An alliance of Kurdish and Arab military forces, Turkey-backed Syrian rebels and Syrian Democratic Forces backed by the U.S. have gained significant ground in the Aleppo area in recent months and have successfully cut off ISIS access to the Turkish borders and nearby supply lines.

One U.S. counter-terrorism official said that losing al-Adnani​ will hurt the terrorist association “as the group loses more and more of its caliphate and its financial base … and turns to mounting and inspiring more attacks in Europe, Southeast Asia and elsewhere”.

Sources: CNN, Reuters / Photo credit: Day Donaldson/Flickr