FEARED Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been critically injured in an airstrike, according to local reports.

The bloodthirsty terror mastermind was said to have been wounded after a US-led coalition bombing raid in Al-Ba'aj in northern Iraq.

4 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has reportedly been critically injured in US-led coalition airstrikes Credit: AP:Associated Press

But it isn't the first time reports have emerged claiming that al-Baghdadi has been either hurt or killed.

The Pentagon said last month it believed the IS leader was still alive, despite repeated efforts by US forces to take him out.

If the coalition managed to kill the feared jihadi, it would come as a huge blow to the terror group, which is already losing its grip on the Middle East.

4 The IS leader is one of the world's most wanted men

The Pentagon says US spy agencies believe he is alive and running the terror group

Last month, the US government increased the bounty for the chief from $10 million to $25 million.

It will be handed over to anyone who comes forward with information on his whereabouts that will lead to his capture or death.

Baghdadi has kept a low profile after announcing himself as leader of a renewed Muslim caliphate in Mosul.

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But in November, the deluded leader made a desperate rallying call to his warped followers — telling them they will WIN the battle of Mosul.

In his first message for over a year, the self-declared ‘caliph’ told jihadists to make infidels’ blood “flow like rivers”.

4 The only known video footage al-Baghdadi is from a sermon he gave in 2014 Credit: Reuters

But in December, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson admitted al-Baghdadi was no longer present in the embattled city.

He told parliament: “It is a cruel irony that some of the intelligence we have, you may know, suggests that the gentleman in question has actually vacated the scene himself and is nonetheless using internet media to encourage people to take part in violence.”

Having ruled over Mosul in a barbaric two-and-a-half year reign of terror, maniacal ISIS leader al-Baghdadi has cemented himself as the world’s most wanted man.

Iraq-born al-Baghdadi sleeps underground in a suicide vest and is becoming increasingly paranoid, ordering executions whilst under attack from Iraqi and Peshmerga troops.

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