AN ISIS war chief has declared himself supreme leader of the evil jihadist cult after the death of former boss Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, it has been reported in Iraq.

GETTY LEADERSHIP BATTLE: Abu Haitham al-Obaidi has appointed himself new supreme leader

Abu Haitham al-Obaidi, deputy mayor in the North Iraq town of Hawija, is reported to have appointed himself as “Caliph” of the terrorist group. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed yesterday it “had information” that al-Baghdadi was killed in a Russian airstrike in Raqqa, Syria. War chief Al-Obaidi is said to have “dissented” from the group and staked his claim to power in the wake of al-Baghdadi’s death. Jabbar al-Maamouri, a leader of Iraqi-government backed militia Popular Mobilization Forces, spoke of the leadership struggle in a statement to Alsumaria News.

They got him! Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the evil leader behind ISIS – in pictures Vile extremist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the formation of the caliphate at a mosque in Mosul in 2014. Since then, many thousands have died as a result of war and terrorism, and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced across the world as they fled conflict. ISIS have officially announced his death. 1 / 11 Getty Images An image grab taken from a video released on July 5, 2014 by Al-Furqan Media shows alleged Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi preaching during Friday prayer at a mosque in Mosu

NC FACE OF TERROR: Baghdadi is believed to have been killed in an airstrike

He said: “Abu Haitham al-Obaidi, deputy to the [ISIS] mayor of Hawija, dissented from the group and named himself a new Caliph after Baghdadi’s death reports were confirmed.” Al-Obaidi – a senior military leader – made off with dozens of his loyalists to the west of Hawija, al-Maamouri said. He is preparing for a “decisive” battle with other leadership contenders as ISIS look to regroup after being defeated in Mosul, he said. He said: “Hawija is bracing for a bloody infighting among IS members, the most violent since the group took over Hawija in June 2014.”

“Hawija is bracing for a bloody infighting among IS members.” Jabbar al-Maamouri, a leader of Popular Mobilization Forces An ISIS broadcast service in Hawija is reported to have announced the death of al-Baghdadi and plans to name his successor. But moves to officially appoint a new leader appear to have been thrown into chaos as senior ISIS figures break ranks and prepare to mount their own bids. Al-Baghdadi’s death lead to the arrest of dissidents and a curfew in Hawija after infighting broke out between senior ISIS members, Alsumaria News reported.

GETTY VICTORY: Iraq security forces have defeated ISIS in Iraq

Rami Abdel Rahman, director for the SOHR, said al-Baghdadi’s death was confirmed by “top tier commanders”. He explained: “We learned of it today but we do not know when he died or how.” Last month Russia claimed it had taken out the Daesh leader in an airstrike on the death cult’s de facto capital of Raqqa in northern Syria.

Iraqi PM visits Mosul as ISIS jihadis DEFEATED Iraqi police have been photographed in the Old City of Mosul celebrating with a captured ISIS flag as their part in the battle to reclaim the city is completed. While the battle against ISIS continues in other parts of the ancient city, it is believed the will be defeated within days 1 / 38 AFP/Getty Images The Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, shakes hands with police and army officers as he visits Mosul