A man purported to be the reclusive leader of the militant Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi makes his first public appearance at a mosque in the center of Iraq's second city, Mosul, according to a video recording posted on the Internet on July 5, 2014. Reuters
The Independent: Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ‘hiding in Mosul’ as Iraqi forces reach city
Exclusive: Senior Kurdish official says they have information the head of the terror group is within the city – and his killing would be a death blow to the so-called Islamic State
The Iraqi Army has entered Mosul for the first time in over two years at the start of a battle which is likely to end in a decisive defeat for Isis. The significance of the fight for Mosul will be all the greater for Isis because its self-declared caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is believed to be still inside the city, a senior Kurdish official has told The Independent.
Fuad Hussein, chief of staff to Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, said in an exclusive interview that his government had information from multiple sources that “Baghdadi is there and, if he is killed, it will mean the collapse of the whole [Isis] system.” Isis would have to choose a new caliph in the middle of a battle, but no successor would have the authority and prestige of Baghdadi, the leader who surprised the world by establishing the caliphate after capturing Mosul in June 2014.
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More News On Reports That Islamic State Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Is In Mosul
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is hiding in Mosul: Kurdish official -- The Straits Times
ISIS boss al-Baghdadi ‘trapped’ in Mosul as Iraqi army gears up for takeover – reports -- RT
IS leader thought to be inside Mosul as Iraq forces fight way into city -- i24news
ISIS leader Baghdadi reportedly in Mosul, 'followers will fight to death' -- Jerusalem Post
IS chief Baghdadi surrounded by Iraqi Army inside Mosul -- The Hindu