On 5 May 2011, al-Baghdadi claimed responsibility for an attack in Hilla, 62 miles south of Baghdad that killed 24 policemen and wounded 72 others.
On 2 December 2012, Iraqi officials claimed that they had captured al-Baghdadi in Baghdad following a two-month tracking operation. Officials claimed that they had also seized a list containing the names and locations of other al-Qaeda operatives. However, this claim was rejected by the ISI.
On April 8, 2013, he announced the formation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
According to sources, Al-Baghdadi receives private financing from citizens in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.