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IS Leader Al-Baghdadi Tasks Followers To Keep Fighting

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, aka Caliph Ibrahim, adressing Muslim worshippers at a mosque in the militant-held northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Baghdadi, who on June 29 proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Syria and Iraq, purportedly ordered all Muslims to obey him in the video released on social media. AFP PHOTO / HO / AL-FURQAN MEDIA == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / AL-FURQAN MEDIA " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS FROM ALTERNATIVE SOURCES, AFP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIGITAL ALTERATIONS TO THE PICTURE'S EDITORIAL CONTENT, DATE AND LOCATION WHICH CANNOT BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED ==

Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has called on his followers to keep fighting.

His recent message would be the first in over a year with the message being according to an alleged audio released by the extremist group’s media outlet.

“You have no choice, if you want to live in dignity, then you return to your religion and fighting your enemy,” said al-Baghdadi, addressing his followers in Syria.

“It is not only about carrying weapons, but also … do not accept anything but sharia law and die in order to achieve this,” he added, in a 55-minute long message.

He also attacked the U.S., Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for supporting the fight against Islamic State.

“Supporters of the caliphate everywhere, in the media or in the field, we tell you the state is fine,” he said, telling his followers not to worry about losing the cities they controlled in Syria and Iraq. Dpa could not independently verify the authenticity of the message.