ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi forced through ‘corridor of death’ as he flees terror city Mosul – but how DID Iraqi troops allow him to escape?

HAVING ruled over Mosul in a barbaric two-and-a-half year reign of terror, maniacal ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has cemented himself as the world's most wanted man.

But despite being targeted by the most sweeping intelligence agencies on the planet and having a $10 million bounty on his head, it has emerged he is believed to have escaped Mosul.

Spies claimed he was living in the city for months prior to the recent military invasion and it was from Mosul's Great Mosque that he gave his now infamous address calling on all Muslims to obey his bloodthirsty demands.

However, Iraqi and Kurdish troops, along with Shia militia, encircled the city last month ahead of their final push to liberate the local population.

UK Defence Secretary Boris Johnson admitted yesterday al-Baghdadi was no longer present in the embattled city.

He told parliament: "It is a cruel irony that some of the intelligence we have, you may know, suggests that the gentleman in question has actually vacated the scene himself and is nonetheless using internet media to encourage people to take part in violence."

It means the evil ISIS warlord has been ferreted out - most likely through the so-called 'corridor of death'.

This is the one route out of the city (to the west) which has not been closed off by Iraq-led coalition forces.

Military leaders claim they will use airstrikes to wipe out jihadis seen fleeing along the route towards Syria.

Just yesterday audio emerged of al-Baghdadi giving a desperate rallying call to his warped followers — telling them they will WIN the battle of Mosul.

In his first message for over a year, the self-declared ‘caliph’ told jihadists to make infidels’ blood “flow like rivers”.

"Do not retreat," he said. "Holding your ground with honour is a thousand times easier than retreating in shame."

Another avenue of escape he may have utilised is ISIS's tunnelling systems.

Using makeshift drills, desperate fighters have created a labyrinth of underground tunnels with entry and exit points all across the city.

The networks of tunnels span miles and form a second city underground, providing an opportunity for al-Baghdadi to move without being seen by satellite or at risk of drone strikes.

Iraqi soldiers now claim he has retreated to the border near Syria - from where he will continue living in the shadows and directing the terror group's bloody rule.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.