Introduction

Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi was the fourth caliph of the Islamic State (ISIS), serving in this role from November 30, 2022, until his death on April 29, 2023. Here are key details about his leadership and demise

Rise to Power

He was appointed as ISIS leader following the death of his predecessor, Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.

Allegedly, Abu al-Hussein joined ISIS in early 2013, making him a veteran member of the group.

He received pledges of allegiance from all ISIS provinces and supporters in around 40 countries by January 19, 2023.

Leadership and Characteristics

Abu al-Hussein was reportedly the first Syrian to serve as ISIS caliph.

Unlike his predecessors, he was not part of the group that founded ISIS, representing a new generation of leaders.

Little was known about him beyond his nom-de-guerre, as ISIS leaders have been trying to maintain low profiles to avoid counterterrorism efforts.

Death and Controversy

On April 29, 2023, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkish intelligence had killed Abu al-Hussein in an operation in Jindires, Syria.

According to Turkish reports, Abu al-Hussein detonated a suicide vest to avoid capture during the operation.

However, ISIS did not confirm his death until August 3, 2023, claiming he was killed in clashes with the rival group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Idlib province, Syria.

The discrepancy in these accounts has led to some confusion about the exact circumstances of his death.

Succession

Following Abu al-Hussein’s death, ISIS announced Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi as the new leader and caliph of the Islamic State on August 3, 2023.

Hashemi's name is not known to security forces, and is believed to be a nom de guerre.

IS did not provide many details about the new leader or release a photo, but it did describe him as a "prominent figure in jihad".

The statement also claimed Hashemi was a veteran jihadist fighter who had fought against the US in the past.

With the name "al-Qurashi", the group also made clear that he claims to be descended from the Prophet Muhammad's Quraysh tribe - something generally held by pre-modern Sunni scholars as being a key qualification for becoming a caliph.

Background and Identity

Little is known about Abu Hafs’ true identity or background, continuing the trend of IS leaders maintaining a low profile.

He is considered the third in a line of “caliphs of the shadows” or “faceless caliphs” due to the limited information available about him.

Speculations about his identity have been largely dismissed by researchers and analysts.

Leadership and Support

Abu Hafs quickly received pledges of allegiance from various IS provinces and supporters across approximately 40 countries.

His appointment was supported by citations from medieval Islamic scholars, possibly to bolster the legitimacy of his leadership.

Current Status

As of December 2024, Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi remains the incumbent leader of the Islamic State.

Despite ongoing pressure on IS in Syria and Iraq, the group’s central command, including Abu Hafs, appears committed to remaining in the Middle East region.

Significance

Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi’s leadership comes at a time when IS, though significantly weakened, continues to pose a threat through its global network and attempts to rebuild its capabilities.

Conclusion

Despite the death of Abu al-Hussein and other recent setbacks, U.S. military and intelligence officials continue to view ISIS as a long-term threat, capable of rebuilding its ranks through coordinated actions such as prison breaks.