Abu Omar al-Shishani, born Takhan Tayumurazoch Batirashvili, was killed during an air raid south of Mosul. The news was issued by Amaq, a news agency linked to the Islamic State. Al-Shishani "would have achieved martyrdom" near the Iraqi city of Shirqat, at 100 km from the Mosul stronghold. The Pentagon is verifying these statements.
The man had been pronounced dead several times in the past. In November of 2014, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also declared the death of al-Shishani. The US Department of Defense had put an 5 million dollar bounty on its head. The latest news on al-Shishani dates back to a few months ago, when he was promoted to the new commander of the Islamic State in Libya.
Considered one of the most skilled recruiters of the Islamic State, Abu Omar al-Shisani was one of the most sought after Chechen terrorists in the world. Born January 11th of 1986 in Birkiani, he was trained by Georgian land forces where he achieved the rank of sergeant. A highly decorated veteran of the Russian-Georgian war in the 2008, he distinguished himself in reconnaissance in hostile territory.
Resigned in the 2010 because he was no longer fit for military service, he was deeply shaken by the death of his mother due to cancer. Arrested a few months later for illegal possession of firearms, he consecrated his desire for Jihad in prison. Upon reaching Syria, he became commander of the brigade muhajirins in the 2012, also coordinating some operations of the al-Nuṣra Front against some missile bases of Assad. The consecration to the caliph occurred at the end of the 2013.
Abu Omar al-Shisani was considered one of the best Chechen commanders of the Islamic State. Known for its red beard and summary executions ordered in northern Syria. A few hours after his arrival in Sirte, local authorities published two lists containing the names of those who would have been mutilated or executed for violating the laws of the Islamic State.
If the death were officially confirmed, the messages on the channels close to the terrorists seem to be unequivocal in this sense, Libya would currently be without commander in chief.
