ISIS news agency founder killed: Kin

Beirut, June 1: The founder of the Islamic State group news agency was reportedly killed in an airstrike in eastern Syria, activists and his brother said.

The militant group itself has not reported the death of the founder of Aamaq news agency, Baraa Kadek.

But his brother, Hozaifa, posted on his Facebook that Kadek and his young daughter were killed in an airstrike in Mayadeen town in Deir el-Zour province.

Other Syrian Opposition news outlets, including Halab News Network and Qasioun news agency, reported Kadek’s death on late Thursday. But it was not immediately clear where Kadek was killed or when. His brother said he was killed in his home.

Halab News Network, an activist-run media platform where Kadek previously worked, said he was killed with his daughter in his car. All said he was killed on Thursday in a suspected airstrike by the US-led international coalition fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

There was no immediate comment from the coalition. Last week, the coalition said that it had carried out a series of airstrikes on May 25 and 26 targeting ISIS media infrastructure and “propaganda facilities.” It said at the time that targeting such facilities “degrades” the group’s abilities and inspiration of foreign attacks.

Aamaq news agency has become the group’s fastest and most reliable source of information, using it to post videos and claims of attacks. It has remained online despite bans from social media platforms. — PTI

HIS BROTHER, Hozaifa, posted on his Facebook that Kadek and his young daughter were killed in an airstrike in Mayadeen town in Deir el-Zour province.