Islamic State leader hiding from coronavirus plague as terrorists move underground

The Islamic State frightened leader is likely to be hiding away from the coronavirus as the terror group moves its operations underground, it has been claimed.

The death cult has previously called Covid-19 a “plague” dispatched on “non-believers”.

ISIS has also urged its jihadis to keep washing their hands and warned them to stay out of Europe.

Its leader Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi may now be self-isolating to shield himself from Covid-19, a terrorism expert has claimed.

David Otto, counter-terrorism and organised crime expert at Global Risk International, told Daily Star Online: “Most terror groups have now gone underground.”

He added: “Terrorist attacks are only significant if there is a target – with Covid-19’s total or partial lockdown measures, there are no visible targets for ISIS and there is increased people and security as more people stay indoors and more security clear the streets.

“ISIS attack plans will now be disrupted because these plans did not envisage the impact of the Covid-19 virus.

“Terrorist leaders will maintain social distancing with anyone out of their close circle – they will impose self-isolation of those protecting them and external visits will be highly limited.

He believes terror leaders will apply “very strict measures among their fighters” to ensure they’re not infected.

ISIS fragmented after losing its final territory in eastern Syria last year to US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

In October, its former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi blew himself up during a raid ordered by US President Donald Trump, before al-Salbi took over.

The extremist scholar, also known as Haji Abdullah, was ISIS’ chief legislator and reportedly directly involved in gay men being thrown off roofs and adulterous women being stoned.

He also helped free thousands of jihadi prisoners to build a new army during the Turkish invasion of Syria.

A report released earlier this year warned the ISIS is reasserting itself in Iraq and Syria.

Compiled by a UN Monitoring Team that tracks terrorism worldwide, it warns the jihadis still have almost the equivalent of £77 million in reserves.

The report says the terrorists have mounted “increasingly bold insurgent attacks” under the command of the new leader.

Source: Daily Star