The propaganda arm of ISIS also confirmed the death of another top ISIS official, a former spokesman. In an audio message released through its central media operation, the group's new spokesman announced that Baghdadi's successor is a man named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi.

The announcement came a day after the US Defense Department released a video from the raid in northwestern Syria that resulted in the death of Baghdadi and other ISIS fighters. The black-and-white aerial video from Saturday’s raid shows US special operations forces closing in on the compound and US aircraft firing on militants nearby. The most dramatic shot showed a massive black plume of smoke rising from the ground after bombs levelled Baghdadi’s compound.

Al-Baghdadi's remains were buried at sea in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict within 24 hours of his death.