Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Leader of Islamic State 'appears in first video sermon':
Video footage emerged on YouTube of a man reported to be Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, at Friday prayers at Mosul's Great Mosque. "I am the wali (Leader) who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me," He said, dressed in a black turban and robe. Ref. Source 3
Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi (Hover)
Aide to Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed near Falluja:
Iraqi TV: State television identified the man as Abu Huthaifa al-Yamani. It did not say when the strike took place or give further details. It was not immediately possible to confirm the death or whether Yamani was an aide to Baghdadi. Ref. Source 5
Isis Bans Beheading Videos? 'Show Only Slitting of Throat and Decapitated Head,' Says Baghdadi:
Baghdadi has ordered Isis militants to only show the initial slitting of the prisoner's throat and the final scene of the victim's head placed on the body, the Al-Quds al-Arabi daily has reported. Ref. Source 1f
U.S. Offers $25 million reward for information on Islamic State leader:
The U.S. State Department's Rewards for Justice program previously offered $10 million for information on Baghdadi, announced in October 2011. The increase was announced in a statement on Friday. Ref. Source 7w.
Islamic State leader Baghdadi abandons Mosul fight to field commanders:
U.S. And Iraqi officials believe the leader of Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has left operational commanders behind with diehard followers to fight the battle of Mosul, and is now hiding out in the desert Ref. Source 9f.