1986: Omar al-Shishani (Omar theChechen), real name Tarkhan Batirashvili, born in ethnic Chechencommunity in Georgia’s Pankisi Valley – former militant stronghold

2006-2010: Serves in Georgian army, sees action in 2008 war with Russia. Promoted to rank of sergeant.Deemed unfit for military duty and discharged in 2010 after being hospitalized with tuberculosis

2010: Arrested by Georgian police for illegal possession of arms. Freed from prison in early 2012 due to deteriorating health after serving 16 months of three-year jail term

2012: Joins fight to topple SyrianPresident Bashar al-Assad. Leads jihadist group Jaish al-Muhajireenwal-Ansar (JMA), largely composedof Chechen fighters

Aug 2013: First shows battlefieldprowess when his fighters provepivotal in taking Menagh airbasein northern Syria

Nov 2013: Swears loyalty to Abu Bakral-Baghdadi, head of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)

Jun 2014: Becomes ISIS military chief after death of Iraqi militant leader Abu Abdulrahman al-Bilawi

May 2015: U.S. offers $5 million reward for Shishani’s capture

Mar 4, 2016: Shishani likely killedin U.S.-led airstrike near Al Shadadi

IS (ISIS) control

TURKEY

SYRIA

Mediterranean Sea

Damascus

LEB.

JORDAN

Al Shadadi

100km 60 miles

IRAQ

Source: Wire agencies

Pictures: Associated Press

© GRAPHIC NEWS