Explained: Who was Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and what does news of his death mean?

If confirmed, the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State, will be the biggest success of US global anti-terror operations since Navy SEAL commandos eliminated Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

Explained: Who is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and what does news of his killing mean?

A man purported to be the reclusive leader of the militant Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi makes what would be his first public appearance at a mosque in the centre of Iraq’s second city, Mosul, on July 5, 2014. (Photo via Reuters)

US President Sunday announced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died during an overnight raid led by US military forces in Syria, a major victory as he fights a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry. Baghdadi killed himself by igniting his suicide vest, he said.