Pentagon bekräftar: Jagad IS-ledare död

Tarkhan Tayumurazovich Batirashvili (Georgian: თარხან ბათირაშვილი; born January 11, 1986), known by his nom de guerre Abu Omar al-Shishani (Arabic: أبو عمر الشيشاني‎, Abū ‘Umar ash-Shīshānī , "Abu Omar the Chechen") or Omar al-Shishani, is a Georgian Kist jihadist who currently serves as a commander for the Islamic State in Syria, and a former sergeant in the Georgian Army. A veteran of the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, Batirashvili became a jihadist after being discharged from the Georgian military and served in various command positions with Islamist militant groups fighting in the Syrian Civil War. Batirashvili was previously the leader of the rebel group Katibat al-Muhajireen (Emigrants Brigade), also known as the Muhajireen Brigade, and its successor, Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (Army of Emigrants and Supporters). In May 2013, Batirashvili was appointed northern commander for ISIL, with authority over ISIL’s military operations and ISIL’s forces in northern Syria, specifically Aleppo, al-Raqqah, Latakia, and northern Idlib Provinces. As of late 2013, he was the ISIL amir (leader) for northern Syria and was located in and around Aleppo Province. He was also in charge of fighters from Chechnya and elsewhere in the Caucasus. Units under his command have participated in major assaults on Syrian military bases in and around Aleppo, including the capture of Menagh Airbase in August 2013. He is considered "one of the most influential military leaders of the Syrian opposition forces". As of mid-2014, Batirashvili was a senior ISIL commander and Shura Council member based in al-Raqqah, Syria. The US Treasury Department added Batirashvili to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists on 24 September 2014. On 5 May 2015, The U.S. State Department Rewards for Justice Program announced a reward up to US$5 million for information leading to his capture. As of 2016, Abu Omar leads the special battalions of the Islamic State, in particular a unit named as 'the group of the central directorate' which appears to be the primary special forces strike force of the Islamic State.