Abu Muhammad al-Furqan
Dr Wa'il Adel Hasan Salman al-Fayad (died 7 September 2016), known as Abu Muhammad al-Furqan, was an Iraqi man and senior leader in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, who served as the head of its central media department and was on the group's shura council.[1]
History
Little is known of his biographical details, but he was one of the few remaining first generation leaders of IS who were also members of the group's earliest incarnations. He is known to have led the media department for most of his time in the group. He was instrumental in setting up the group's now infamous media products such as Dabiq magazine and Amaq News Agency. He got his name "al-Furqan" from his founding of the al-Furqan Media Foundation, the central media which releases the group's most important releases, such as messages from its leaders.[2]
Death
He was killed on 7 September 2016 in Raqqah, Syria in an airstrike reported on September 16 by the US Pentagon.[3] According to Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook, he was "one of the most senior leaders" of IS and "one of the very few leaders with direct access" to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.[4][5] IS later confirmed his death.[6]
References
- ^ "Islamic State confirms death of propaganda chief: statement". Reuters. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ "IS confirms death of propaganda chief Abu Mohammed al-Furqan - BBC News". Bbc.com. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ "Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike Against ISIL Senior Leader > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > News Release View". Defense.gov. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ Starr, Barbara (16 September 2016). "US says it killed ISIS information minister in drone strike - CNNPolitics.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ "ISIS Information Minister 'Dr. Wa'il' Killed in Airstrike in Syria: Pentagon | NBC 7 San Diego". Nbcsandiego.com. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ Moore, Jack (11 October 2016). "ISIS Confirms Death of Media Emir Abu Mohammad Al-Furqan". Newsweek.com. Retrieved 21 April 2017.