Daesh’s second-in-command killed in airstrike, Iraq says


Ayad al-Jumaili, the man believed to be the deputy of Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been killed in an air strike, Iraqi State TV said on Saturday, citing Iraq's military intelligence.

Jumaili was killed with other Daesh commanders in a strike carried out by the Iraqi air force in the region of al-Qaim, near the border with Syria, the channel said, without giving the date of the raid.

The TV described Jumaili as Daesh's "second-in-command" and "war minister". Two other Daesh members were also killed in the strike, the statement added.

The spokesman of the U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition couldn't immediately be reached for comments.

Iraqi forces have launched an offensive in January to recapture several towns in the western province of Anbar, including al-Qaim, as part of its onslaught against Daesh militants in the country.

In recent months, the extremist group has suffered military setbacks and lost ground in Iraq, including its key stronghold of Mosul, where Baghdad has been reporting advances against the militants.