Foreign Affairs

Intel Group Reveals Photos Allegedly Of ISIS Leader Not Pictured Since 2014

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SITE Intelligence Group revealed photos Monday allegedly of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, an Islamic State leader who has not been pictured since July 2014.

The ISIS propaganda group Al-Furqan released a video allegedly of al-Baghdadi in which he discusses recent ISIS losses in Syria, praises the Sri Lanka attacks and promises a “long battle” to come, according to The Associated Press.

Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence Group, tweeted Monday that ISIS’s Al-Furquan group released the video.

“ISIS’ Furqan issues new video showing leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, marking the first time he is shown in a video since his July 2014 sermon at the Great Mosque in Mosul,” Katz tweeted.

1) BREAKING: #ISIS‘ Furqan issues new video showing leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, marking the first time he is shown in a video since his July 2014 sermon at the Great Mosque in #Mosul pic.twitter.com/cDgOmx7Mhn

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019

“The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred),” Katz continued in a thread. “He talks about war against ‘Crusaders’ and about battles in Baghouz, Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently.”

2) The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred). He talks about war against “Crusaders” and about battles in #Baghouz #Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently. pic.twitter.com/BPqLP8QWSU

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019

“In the vid, titled ‘In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers,’ Baghdadi praises Sri Lanka attackers over images of the attackers/attack (though not in the visual interview section; the audio may have thus been added via a later recording)–calling it revenge for Baghouz.”

3) In the vid, titled “In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers,” Baghdadi praises #SriLanka attackers over images of the attackers/attack (though not in the visual interview section; the audio may have thus been added via a later recording)–calling it revenge for Baghouz pic.twitter.com/VbRe2YblLJ

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019

“Baghdadi also accepts pledges from BurkinaFaso and Mali, directly mentioning Abu Walid al-Sahrawi and praising him and his attacks against French forces and their allies. This marks ISIS’ most significant endorsement/embrace of Sahrawi to date.”

4) Baghdadi also accepts pledges from #BurkinaFaso and #Mali, directly mentioning Abu Walid al-Sahrawi and praising him and his attacks against French forces and their allies. This marks ISIS’ most significant endorsement/embrace of Sahrawi to date. https://t.co/L0MSUoe2gm

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019

“There is serious danger not only to the fact that Baghdadi, ISIS’ so-called Caliph, is still alive–but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the group’s us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group.”

5) There is serious danger not only to the fact that Baghdadi, #ISIS‘ so-called Caliph, is still alive–but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the group’s us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group. pic.twitter.com/BbqFGM78O8

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019

The U.S. will give $25 million to anyone who can reveal information on Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to Fox News.

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