Islamic State 'leader' al-Baghdadi appears in first video since 2014, refers to Lanka attacks
New York, Apr 30 (IBNS): Days after Islamic State claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday claiming over 250 lives, the dreaded terrorist group, which was in retreat after losing ground in Syria, has released a video where a man could be seen claiming to be its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
According to Al Jazeera, though it was unclear when the video was shot, but "Baghdadi purportedly refers to Sri Lanka attacks and fight for Syria's Baghouz."
According to AJ, Al Furqan media network of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS as they are referred) published the video message from its leader, in which he said the group would seek revenge for the killing and imprisonment of its fighters.
In the video, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could be seen making reference to the Sri Lanka attacks.
1) BREAKING: #ISIS’ Furqan issues new video showing leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, marking the first time he is shown in a video since his July 2014 sermon at the Great Mosque in #Mosul pic.twitter.com/cDgOmx7Mhn
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019
" BREAKING: #ISIS’ Furqan issues new video showing leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, marking the first time he is shown in a video since his July 2014 sermon at the Great Mosque in #Mosul," Rita Katz, Director of SITE Intelligence Group, tweeted.
Abu has not been seen since 2014.
In a video released in 2014, he had proclaimed from Mosul the creation of a "caliphate" across parts of Syria and Iraq.
"In this new footage, Baghdadi acknowledges defeat at Baghuz, the group's last stronghold in the region," reported BBC.
Image Caption: Various faces of the ISIS leader
Rita spoke on the attack and said: "The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred). He talks about war against "Crusaders" and about battles in #Baghouz #Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently."
2) The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred). He talks about war against "Crusaders" and about battles in #Baghouz #Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently. pic.twitter.com/BPqLP8QWSU
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019
On the Sri Lankan attack, she said: "In the vid, titled “In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers,” Baghdadi praises #SriLanka attackers over images of the attackers/attack (though not in the visual interview section; the audio may have thus been added via a later recording)--calling it revenge for Baghouz."
3) In the vid, titled “In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers,” Baghdadi praises #SriLanka attackers over images of the attackers/attack (though not in the visual interview section; the audio may have thus been added via a later recording)--calling it revenge for Baghouz pic.twitter.com/VbRe2YblLJ
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019
5) There is serious danger not only to the fact that Baghdadi, #ISIS’ so-called Caliph, is still alive--but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the group’s us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group. pic.twitter.com/BbqFGM78O8
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019
She said: "There is serious danger not only to the fact that Baghdadi, #ISIS’ so-called Caliph, is still alive--but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the group’s us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group."
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.