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ISIS Releases Video of Reclusive Leader ISIS Releases Video of Reclusive Leader
(about 2 hours later)
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Islamic State released a video on Monday of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who praised the bombers who killed more than 250 people in Sri Lanka on Easter and vowed that his group would keep fighting until “Judgment Day.”BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Islamic State released a video on Monday of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who praised the bombers who killed more than 250 people in Sri Lanka on Easter and vowed that his group would keep fighting until “Judgment Day.”
The video was the first time Mr. al-Baghdadi has shown his face while addressing his followers in five years, since the early days of the terrorist group’s rampage through Iraq and Syria.The video was the first time Mr. al-Baghdadi has shown his face while addressing his followers in five years, since the early days of the terrorist group’s rampage through Iraq and Syria.
In an 18-minute video released by an Islamic State media group and distributed by the SITE Intelligence Group, Mr. al-Baghdadi sits on the ground in an Arab-style sitting room, his elbow perched on a pillow as he calmly speaks to a group of unidentified followers with an assault rifle at his side.In an 18-minute video released by an Islamic State media group and distributed by the SITE Intelligence Group, Mr. al-Baghdadi sits on the ground in an Arab-style sitting room, his elbow perched on a pillow as he calmly speaks to a group of unidentified followers with an assault rifle at his side.
He acknowledges that the group has lost its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria but says that the group’s battle with the West and its allies was far from over.He acknowledges that the group has lost its so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria but says that the group’s battle with the West and its allies was far from over.
“Truthfully, the battle of Islam and its people with the crusader and his people is a long battle,” he said. He called on his followers to continue pursuing their enemies “with all of their abilities.”“Truthfully, the battle of Islam and its people with the crusader and his people is a long battle,” he said. He called on his followers to continue pursuing their enemies “with all of their abilities.”
“Our battle today is a battle of attrition, and we will prolong it for the enemy, and they must know that the jihad will continue until Judgment Day,” he said.“Our battle today is a battle of attrition, and we will prolong it for the enemy, and they must know that the jihad will continue until Judgment Day,” he said.
[Where the U.S. won the battle against ISIS, it risks losing the peace.][Where the U.S. won the battle against ISIS, it risks losing the peace.]
The Islamic State lost the last of the territory it controlled in Iraq and Syria, the town of Baghuz, last month, but the group is believed to still have thousands of fighters there who have gone underground.The Islamic State lost the last of the territory it controlled in Iraq and Syria, the town of Baghuz, last month, but the group is believed to still have thousands of fighters there who have gone underground.
As it lost territory in the Middle East, the Islamic State has expanded abroad, turning to its international affiliates to carry out attacks further afield. The coordinated bombing attack in Sri Lanka last week was one of the group’s deadliest, causing nearly twice as many deaths as the 2015 Paris attacks did.As it lost territory in the Middle East, the Islamic State has expanded abroad, turning to its international affiliates to carry out attacks further afield. The coordinated bombing attack in Sri Lanka last week was one of the group’s deadliest, causing nearly twice as many deaths as the 2015 Paris attacks did.
The authenticity of the video released Monday could not be independently confirmed but most counterterrorism experts who have reviewed it concluded that it was. The authenticity of the video released Monday could not be independently confirmed but most counterterrorism experts who have reviewed it concluded that it was authentic.
The video was Mr. al-Baghdadi’s first video message to his followers since 2014, when he mounted the pulpit of the Nuri Mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul to claim his title as caliph, or leader of the world’s Muslims, after the group had declared the caliphate. The Islamic State was then near the height of its power, when it ruled a territory the size of Britain with a population of millions of people.The video was Mr. al-Baghdadi’s first video message to his followers since 2014, when he mounted the pulpit of the Nuri Mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul to claim his title as caliph, or leader of the world’s Muslims, after the group had declared the caliphate. The Islamic State was then near the height of its power, when it ruled a territory the size of Britain with a population of millions of people.
The toll of the years since then show on Mr. al-Baghdadi’s face. In the video, he appears to have put on weight, and gray has spread throughout his beard, its ends dyed auburn with henna.The toll of the years since then show on Mr. al-Baghdadi’s face. In the video, he appears to have put on weight, and gray has spread throughout his beard, its ends dyed auburn with henna.
The video appeared to be an effort to to demonstrate that despite his group’s tremendous losses, it is still active and he is paying attention. He made passing references to the Israeli election and the toppling of longtime strongmen in Sudan and Algeria.The video appeared to be an effort to to demonstrate that despite his group’s tremendous losses, it is still active and he is paying attention. He made passing references to the Israeli election and the toppling of longtime strongmen in Sudan and Algeria.
He also called out a number of the group’s leaders by name, mentioning fighters and operatives from Belgium, Australia and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the multinational organization it has become.He also called out a number of the group’s leaders by name, mentioning fighters and operatives from Belgium, Australia and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the multinational organization it has become.
“He’s exhibiting his ‘humble and modest’ self, unlike his last appearance where he is portrayed in what may be referred to as glorious standing, empowered by his group’s achievements, essentially standing at the top of the world,” said Laith Alkhouri, senior director of Flashpoint, which tracks global terrorism. “In today’s video, he appears defeated, but for his base he’s uplifting.”“He’s exhibiting his ‘humble and modest’ self, unlike his last appearance where he is portrayed in what may be referred to as glorious standing, empowered by his group’s achievements, essentially standing at the top of the world,” said Laith Alkhouri, senior director of Flashpoint, which tracks global terrorism. “In today’s video, he appears defeated, but for his base he’s uplifting.”
In a portion of the video where Mr. al-Baghdadi speaks but is not seen, he mentioned more recent events than the loss of the group’s territory in Syria: an attack on a security office in Zulfi, Saudi Arabia, and the bombings in Sri Lanka, which his group had already claimed.In a portion of the video where Mr. al-Baghdadi speaks but is not seen, he mentioned more recent events than the loss of the group’s territory in Syria: an attack on a security office in Zulfi, Saudi Arabia, and the bombings in Sri Lanka, which his group had already claimed.
He said the attacks were carried out ”in revenge” for the loss of Baghuz. He said the attacks were carried out “in revenge” for the loss of Baghuz.
Terrorism experts saw little reason to doubt that the man in the video was Mr. al-Baghdadi and said his appearance sought to rally his followers for the future.Terrorism experts saw little reason to doubt that the man in the video was Mr. al-Baghdadi and said his appearance sought to rally his followers for the future.
“This strikes me as an attempt to shore up global community in the face of territorial losses,” said Joshua Geltzer, who served as the senior director for counterterrorism on President Obama’s National Security Council. “This strikes me as an attempt to shore up global community in the face of territorial losses,” said Joshua Geltzer, who served as the senior director for counterterrorism on President Barack Obama’s National Security Council.
The Islamic State has not used frequent videos to create a cult of personality around its leader the way that Al Qaeda did with Osama bin Laden, but it could be heading in that direction, Mr. Geltzer said.The Islamic State has not used frequent videos to create a cult of personality around its leader the way that Al Qaeda did with Osama bin Laden, but it could be heading in that direction, Mr. Geltzer said.
“I guess they considered the payoff worth it to show the organization hasn’t truly been defeated, even in its core manifestation,” he said.“I guess they considered the payoff worth it to show the organization hasn’t truly been defeated, even in its core manifestation,” he said.
It was unclear when or where the video was recorded but the fact that the most recent events were addressed in audio and not video suggested that it may have been filmed weeks ago, with the audio portions citing recent attacks added later.It was unclear when or where the video was recorded but the fact that the most recent events were addressed in audio and not video suggested that it may have been filmed weeks ago, with the audio portions citing recent attacks added later.
Despite being one of the most wanted men on the planet, Mr. al-Baghdadi remains shrouded in mystery.Despite being one of the most wanted men on the planet, Mr. al-Baghdadi remains shrouded in mystery.
He is believed to be in hiding somewhere in the sparsely populated desert spanning the border between Iraq and Syria, where he avoids the use of technology like cellphones that could help his many enemies track him. Multiple attempts by the United States and its allies to kill him have failed.He is believed to be in hiding somewhere in the sparsely populated desert spanning the border between Iraq and Syria, where he avoids the use of technology like cellphones that could help his many enemies track him. Multiple attempts by the United States and its allies to kill him have failed.
While he has not released a video message in years, he has often addressed his followers through audio. Last August, the Islamic State released an audio recording said to be of him.While he has not released a video message in years, he has often addressed his followers through audio. Last August, the Islamic State released an audio recording said to be of him.
Although the group has lost its territory in Iraq and Syria, it still claims a caliphate, which it considers a global project.Although the group has lost its territory in Iraq and Syria, it still claims a caliphate, which it considers a global project.
Hinting at the group’s global ambitions, the video ended with a follower handing Mr. al-Baghdadi files in plastic covers about the group’s different “states,” in Yemen, Somalia, Turkey and elsewhere.Hinting at the group’s global ambitions, the video ended with a follower handing Mr. al-Baghdadi files in plastic covers about the group’s different “states,” in Yemen, Somalia, Turkey and elsewhere.