IS confirms killing of number two in US air strike

[JihadiJohn]

IS confirms killing of number two in US air strike

Krystal Johnson and AFP
October 14, 2015, 4:43 am

The Islamic State group's spokesman confirmed the killing of the jihadist organisation's second in command in a US air strike earlier this year.

"America is rejoicing over the killing of Abu Mutaz al-Qurashi and considers this a great victory," Abu Mohammed al-Adnani said in an audio recording posted on jihadist websites.

This is Abu Mohammed al-Adnani (R) an Islamic State’s spokesperson and is blurred from a picture released by a jihadist media outlet. Photo: AFP/Getty

"I will not mourn him... he whose only wish was to die in the name of Allah... he has raised men and left behind heroes who, God willing, are yet to harm America," he added.

Adnani did not say, however, in what circumstances Qurashi died.

Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali, was killed on August 18 in a US air strike near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Photo: Al Jazeera

"America is rejoicing over the killing of Abu Mutaz al-Qurashi and considers this a great victory," Abu Mohammed al-Adnani said. Photo: AFP/Getty

But the White House, in an announcement on August 22, said that Qurashi, whose real name is Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali, was killed on August 18 in a US air strike near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

It said the strike targeted a vehicle and also killed an IS "media operative" known as Abu Abdullah.