Islamic State releases audio of “caliph” Baghdadi refuting death rumors

In the 17-minute clip, a man implied to be the IS leader vowed that the group will continue to expand in the region despite the international aerial campaign, and that it will draw its opponents into a ground war.

“Be assured, O Muslims, for your State is good and in the best condition. Its march will not stop and it will continue to expand. Soon, the Jews and Crusaders will be forced to come down to the ground and send their ground forces to their deaths and destruction”, the male voice in the recording said. The identity of the voice has not yet been independently confirmed.

US President Barack Obama has declared plans to double its personnel in Iraq to 3,100 to train and advise Iraqi forces, a move the recording claimed was the beginning of a ground war.

The message was the first message from Baghdadi since a video in July of the leader delivering a Friday sermon in Mosul, shortly after the group proclaimed the IS “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq. The clip seemed to be aimed at dispelling speculation about Baghdadi’s health, and didn’t mention any strikes against the leaders of the group. The clip did reference Ansar Beit al-Maqdis’ pledge of allegiance to IS and Baghdadi, which was announced after the air strikes against IS.

The US has said that international coalition launched airstrikes targeting IS leaders near their northern hub of Mosul last Friday, setting off rumors that Baghdadi was killed or wounded. Meanwhile, reports pointed to another strike near the Iraqi-Syrian border, saying that Baghdadi was hit there and not near Mosul. However, officials in both the US and Iraq have made clear that Baghdadi’s fate is still unknown.