BAGHDAD, Oct. 17 (MNA) – ISIL group ringleader Abu Bakr Baghdadi escaped an airstrike in the Iraqi campaign to liberate the northern city of Mosul minutes ahead of an attack, local security sources told Sputnik on Monday.

"Baghdadi escaped at the last moment from the airstrike on a meeting among commanders in Mosul," the sources said without clarifying whether the strike was conducted by Iraqi forces or the US-led coalition.

Al-Baghdadi's movements are known only by his inner circle, with the leader constantly changing location in Iraq and Syria to avoid airstrikes.

SPUTNIK/MNA