On September 29, the leader of Daesh, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asked his followers to stay strong and keep fighting. The undated recording released is the first after nearly a whole year during which the Daesh/ISIS have lost most of their caliphate.
The recording is 46 minutes long and when it was recorded is unclear. However, Baghdadi talks about recent events like North Korea’s threat to Japan and America. In the recording, he also speaks of the recent battle where U.S., backed Iraqi forces reclaimed the city of Mosul.
Baghdadi was heard saying, “Beware of retreat, or the feeling of defeat, beware of negotiations or surrender. Do not lay down your arms.” He went on to address all his followers in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and parts of Africa. “Oh Soldiers of the Caliphate, fan the flames of war on your enemies, take it to them and besiege them in every corner, and stand fast and courageous.”
He went on to attack the western media, “Oh soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centers of the infidels, and where they wage their intellectual wars, among your targets.”
Losing Mosul in July this year for the Daesh was a hard blow as it was the largest city under their control.
Baghdadi’s recording also stated, “With God’s will and his strength, we are staying determined, patient…The abundance of killing will not stop us.”
Officials have reported that capturing or killing Baghdadi will not be an easy task and could take years. It is believed that Baghdadi is hiding in the desert between Mosul and Raqqa where attacking drones can be spotted easily.
The United States has put a bounty of $25 million for any information regarding Baghdadi’s whereabouts.
