The world's most wanted terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in an airstrike, according to reports.

Unverified reports from Syrian state television say the leader of Islamic State was killed in Raqqa.

However the reports are unconfirmed and previous claims of Bakr al-Baghdadi's death have proven unfounded.

In 2014 Bakr al-Baghdadi took over the city of Raqqa and declared an Islamic caliphate.

Today IS has claimed responsibility for several terrorist incidents across the globe including recent attacks on Manchester and London Bridge.

Syrian activists, Raqqa24, did report an airstrike in Raqqa killed at least seven civilians on Saturday, although there was no mention made of al-Baghdadi.

Bakr al-Baghdadi, who has a $25million bounty on his head, had been believed to be hiding out in the desert outside the besieged city of Mosul in northern Iraq after fleeing Raqqa in March.

However, intelligence suggests he left the city recently.

Baghdadi himself has not released a recorded speech since early November, two weeks after the start of the Mosul battle, when he called on his followers to fight the "unbelievers" and "make their blood flow as rivers".

IRAN

Menwhile Iranian authorities claim they have killed the alleged mastermind of twin attacks last week claimed by the Islamic State group.

The official IRNA news agency on Sunday quoted intelligence minister Mahmoud Alavi as saying the suspect left Iran for a neighbouring country after the attacks, but "was sent to hell" by Iranian intelligence agents and " fellow intelligence services".

Mr Alavi did not provide further details or offer any evidence.

Five attackers stormed Iran's parliament and a shrine to revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday, setting off clashes with security forces and killing at least 17 people.

Iran says the attackers, who were all killed, had fought for the IS group in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. It says dozens of people have been detained.

Online Editors