IS releases 'al-Baghdadi message'

An audio message purportedly from the Islamic State group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has been released, months after he was last heard from. In the recording, Baghdadi urges Muslims to emigrate to his self-proclaimed caliphate.

An image grab taken from a propaganda video released on July 5, 2014 by al-Furqan Media allegedly shows the leader of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (AAP) Source: AL-FURQAN MEDIA

The leader of the Islamic State militant group that controls swathes of Syria and Iraq issued an audio statement on Thursday in which he called on supporters to join him or to take up arms wherever they live in the world.

"There is no excuse for any Muslim not to migrate to the Islamic State ... Joining (its fight) is a duty on every Muslim.

We are calling on you either join or carry weapons (to fight) wherever you are," Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi said in the statement, issued by the group's al-Furqan media outlet and posted on several websites.

 

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio or its date.