Isil Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'Releases Audio Message'

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isil, addresses his followers
in Mosul in July 2014 - his one and only public appearance

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Islamic State leader has not been seen or heard from in months, amid rumours of his death or severe injury in a US-led air strike

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), appeared to urge Muslims to emigrate to his self-proclaimed “caliphate”, in what would be the jihadist leader’s first audio recording in six months.

“And we call upon every Muslim in every place to perform hijrah (emigration) to the Islamic State or fight in his land wherever that may be,” the voice, which cannot be verified as Baghdadi’s, said.

The recording calls Islam a “religion of war”, adding that “coexistence with Jews and Christians” is impossible. » | Louisa Loveluck, Cairo | Thursday, May 14, 2015

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