Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Leader of Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Full Name: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Nationality:

Iraqi

Profession: Leader of Islamic State
Why Famous: Militant sunni jihadist who led the Iraqi section of al-Qaida before announcing the formation of the so-called Islamic State in Iraqi 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.

Born: July 28, 1971 (46 years old)
Star Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Samarra, Iraq

Historical Events in the Life of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

  • 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

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