ISIS releases purported audio recording from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
ISIS released, what it claims to be, a new audio recording from its chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In the 46-minute long recording, Baghdadi appears to praise the sacrifices made by ISIS fighters, despite the loss of Mosul and vows to continue the fight. Russian officials had earlier said that Baghdadi may have been killed in an air strike. Here's more about Baghdadi.
What did Baghdadi say?
In an audio recording released by ISIS news agency, Al-Furqan, Baghdadi slammed Syrian government and other forces fighting them. "They wouldn't last an hour without the air cover provided by the Russians and the Americans," he stated. He lauded ISIS fighters for bravely defending Mosul and pointed to numerous ISIS-inspired attacks in Europe and the US, as a sign of the group's growing effectiveness.
Who is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was born Ibrahim al- Samarrai in 1971 near Samarra, Iraq. He grew up in a religious family, holds a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a PhD in Islamic Studies. In 2003, he joined Salaafi jihadist insurgency when the US-led coalition invaded Iraq. He was captured by US forces in 2005 but was released later.
Baghdadi separated from al-Qaeda to form ISIS in 2010
Baghdadi emerged as the al-Qaeda leader in Iraq but he parted ways with it to form the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in 2010, which later came to be known as ISIS. His reputation as a ruthless battlefield tactician made him popular among young jihadists. Under him, ISIS went from relative anonymity to the single-most powerful terrorist organization in the world.
Baghdadi declares himself 'caliph' in June 2014
In June 2014, after ISIS captured the major Iraqi city of Mosul, Baghdadi proclaimed himself "caliph" or leader of all Muslims. In 2015, at the height of its power, ISIS-controlled territory ran from northern Syria through towns and villages across the Tigris and Euphrates valleys, all the way till Iraqi capital Baghdad's outskirts. ISIS has inspired several terrorist attacks across the world.
Is Baghdadi alive?
In June 2017, Russia said that it was "highly probable" Baghdadi may have been killed in a Russian airstrike, outside the Syrian city of Raqqa on May 28. Iraqi media later reported that ISIS had confirmed Baghdadi's death and was looking for a new leader. Although similar claims have surfaced in the past, audio recordings from Baghdadi have obviously popped up in response.
