Born in 1986, Omar al
Shishani, was a close military adviser to IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi - not
least because of his experience fighting as a Chechen rebel against Russian
troops.
Agency closely affiliated
with Islamic State has said one of the terror group's top military commanders
has been killed in combat.
In March, the Pentagon had
said Omar al Shishani, described as the extremist organisation's "minister
of war", had likely been killed in a US airstrike in Syria.
Although this is the first
time IS appears to have confirmed his death, the Aamaq news agency said the
fighter, who was born in Georgia, was "martyred" in the Iraqi city of
Mosul.
IS supporters have
expressed praise for al Shishani, who had a distinctive ginger beard and was a
visible member of the group.
He was also known as Omar
the Chechen.
Some social media users
have vowed to launch a fresh offensive in his honour.
Islamic State had denied al
Shishani's death in March but failed to provide proof he was still alive.
Observers say this may have
been an attempt to allow time for the terror group to appoint his successor.
He was one of America's
most wanted militants before his death, with officials offering a reward of up
to $5m for information that would lead to his removal from the battlefield.
The Pentagon says it is
aware of the Aamaq agency's report on al Shishani, but refused to confirm or
deny its authenticity.
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