The leader of the Islamic State has released an apparent audio statement warning Western nations not to send military into their territory and threatening Israel.
This is the first audio statement from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in seven months. It is about 20 minutes long.
“Crusaders and Jews don’t dare to come on the ground because they were defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said in his 23-minute statement, The Telegraph reported.
The leader of the terror group is believed to have been injured in an airstrike by Iraqi forces in October.
“Be confident that God will grant victory to those who worship him, and hear the good news that our state is doing well. The more intense the war against it, the purer it becomes and the tougher it gets,” he said.
After calling on Saudi citizens to rise up against their government, he claimed the Islamic State will soon be in the Palestinian territories.
“Jews, soon you shall hear from us in Palestine, which will become your grave,” Baghdadi’s purported voice says. “The Jews thought we forgot Palestine and that they had distracted us from it,” he added. “Not at all, Jews. We did not forget Palestine for a moment. With the help of Allah, we will not forget it.”
The message also asserts a U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, with help from Russian airstrikes, have not weakened the group.
“The more intense the war against it, the purer it becomes and the tougher it gets,” Baghdadi said in the message, dubbed an “alternative Christmas broadcast” on social media.
The last audio statement issued by the Islamic State came in May, when Baghdadi urged supporters around the world to join the fight in Iraq and Syria or carry out attacks at home.
