Why Famous:Militant sunni jihadist who led the Iraqi section of al-Qaida before announcing the formation of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Islamic State forces took over the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2014. Al-Qaida then rejected any association with Islamic State.
In June 2014 al-Baghdadi controversially declared a worldwide caliphate with himself as caliph that at its peak covered large parts of Syria and Iraq.
Died: October 26, 2019 (aged 48) Cause of Death: Detonated a suicide vest after he was cornered by US special forces
Historical Events
2011-10-04 US State Department lists Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (ISIL) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist with a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture
2014-06-29 Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announces establishment of worldwide "caliphate" at the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul, Iraq
2016-12-16 US State Department increases reward for information on Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to $25 million
2019-10-26 Raid by US Special Forces kills ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria
Haider al-Abadi
Saddam Hussein