An audio recording released yesterday by the Islamic State urges ISIS operatives to continue fighting on internationally.
The recording was uploaded on Islamic State social media accounts to coincide with the Muslim feast Eid al-Adha, and purports to be spoken by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
In the recording translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Baghdadi praises ““lions who have struck in the land of the cross, in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere, for their good deeds in support of their brothers.” ISIS claimed responsibility for the most recent mass shooting in Toronto, that left two people dead and 13 injured, however, Canadian intelligence sources have questioned the credibility of the claim.
Baghdadi has been reported injured and even deceased after recent operations which saw inroads being made into Islamic State territory. His current whereabouts are unknown.
In a call to arms against the West, including Canada, Baghdadi calls for his supporters to “use whatever means you have … and carry out the kind of strikes that terrorise the heart”.
“ A piercing shot, a deep stab that penetrates the body, the detonation of a car bomb in your [Western] lands is equal [in its impact] to a thousand operations here, and do not disregard [the option of] running over people on the roads.” says Baghdadi.
The recording is the first message of the year from the leader since ISIS lost large swathes of territory in both Syria and Iraq.
The leader also urges followers to kill secular people, apostates and atheists, and calls for the citizens of Jordan and Saudi Arabia to overthrow their governments.
At only 3% of the population, it seems that their itinerary has been amended to push on ahead faster.