ISIS promote Sydney man Abu Yahya ash Shami to military commander in northern Iraq

AN AUSTRALIAN jihadist has reportedly risen through the ranks of military group ISIS to be promoted to a senior military leadership role in northern Iraq.

A SYDNEY Jihadist has reportedly risen through the ranks of military group ISIS to be promoted to a senior military leadership role in northern Iraq.

ASIO is investigating reports that ISIS has appointed an Australian who goes by the name Abu Yahya ash Shami as the military commander for the town of Jalula, according toThe Australian.

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The 40-year-old Sydney man is believed to be one of as many as 60 Australians fighting in Iraq and Syria.

His appointment as a military commander reportedly comes after he apparently proved his allegiance to the terrorist regime by beheading four people.

“The Australian was fighting in the front of Deir al-Zour (in Syria) before arriving to Jalula,” a local source told the Iraqi website.

“The new commander beheaded four militants belonging to different factions (who) were detained a week ago because they refused to swear allegiance to Baghdadi.”

The report has not been verified, as The Australian points out, and there is a possibility it is a case of mistaken identity, since the nom de guerre quoted was also used by Zakaryah Raad, an 22-year-old Australian man believed to have been killed while fighting with Islamic State.

ASIO is believed to be investigating the claim as concern grows that Australians in Iraq and Syria are becoming more involved taking up senior positions in jihadist groups, and more supporting ISIS from home ground.

Among them is a Queensland father, who the Sunday Mail yesterday revealed was brainwashed into joining the terrorist organisation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has agreed to a US request to transport arms and munitions to Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State militants in the war-torn country.

SAS troops will reportedly fly on Australian Air Force transport planes when Australia delivers arms and munitions to Kurdish fighters in Iraq.