U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis: U.S. Cannot Prove Islamic State Chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Is Dead

Baghdadi and ISIS militants who were killed before him. (Supplied)

Reuters: U.S. cannot prove Islamic State chief is dead: U.S. defense secretary

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday the United States could not prove that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was dead.

Earlier this week, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had "confirmed information" that Baghdadi had been killed, but Western and Iraqi officials have been skeptical.

"If we knew, we would tell you. Right now, I can't confirm or deny it," Mattis said. "Our approach is we assume that he's alive until it is proven otherwise, and right now, I can't prove it otherwise."

Mattis added that a ceasefire in southwestern Syria was holding so far.

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WNU Editor: The Islamic State has still not announced his replacement .... Who will succeed Baghdadi as ISIS leader? (Al Arabiya).