ISIS starting to reassert itself in Middle East heartlands, UN warns

The new leader of Isis is believed to be Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi, who is also known as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi. He is one of the group’s founding members and led the enslavement of Iraq’s Yazidi minority and oversaw operations around the globe.

The UN report says that the general strategic direction of Isis is unlikely to change but the new leader’s Turkmen ethnicity suggests he might only be a temporary choice until the group finds a more legitimate “emir”, potentially a direct descendant from the Quraysh Hashemite tribe who could command the full support of more remote “provinces” or affiliates of the group.

One challenge for Isis will be to rally supporters behind the new leader if security concerns prevent any direct communication.