Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Friday he cannot confirm whether or not Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead, after reports from Syria that the jihadist leader had been killed.
"If we knew, we would tell you -- right now, I can't confirm or deny it," Mattis said.
"Our approach is we assume he's alive until it's proven otherwise, and right now I can't prove it otherwise."
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a longtime conflict monitor, said earlier this week it had heard from senior IS leaders in Syria's Deir Ezzor province that Baghdadi was dead.
There was no official confirmation or denial of the news on IS-run social media outlets.
GMT 21:55 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Trump to meet May, Netanyahu, Kagame in Davos: White HouseGMT 21:53 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as technology shares gainGMT 21:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Venezuela's Maduro says ready to run for second termGMT 21:49 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Trump to tell Erdogan of concern over Syria offensiveGMT 21:47 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Trump says NAFTA talks are 'moving along pretty well'GMT 22:13 2018 Monday ,22 January
Senate votes to end US shutdown, bill heads to HouseGMT 22:12 2018 Monday ,22 January
Dow, S&P, Nasdaq finish at records as US goverment shutdown endsGMT 22:10 2018 Monday ,22 January
Turkish soldier killed in Syria operationMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©