Baghdad: The leader of a the Islamic State addressed worshippers in the militant-held Iraqi city of Mosul, ordering Muslims to “obey” him and calling for global jihad, in a video distributed online. The appearance by the hitherto elusive Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at a mosque in Mosul for Friday prayers marked a significant change for the shadowy jihadist whose group has led a swift offensive that has overrun swathes of territory across five provinces north and west of Baghdad.
“I am the wali (leader) who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me,” said the man, purportedly Baghdadi. “If you see that I am wrong, advise me and put me on the right track, and obey me as long as I obey God.”
“The mujahedeen have been rewarded victory by God after years of jihad, and they were able to achieve their aim and hurried to announce the caliphate and choose the Imam,” he said. Text on the video identified him as “Caliph Ibrahim”, the name Baghdadi has gone by since the group on June 29 declared a pan-Islamic caliphate. The video is the first ever official appearance by Baghdadi, according to Aymenn al-Tamimi, an expert on Islamist movements.
IS destroys shrines, mosques in Mosul
Jihadists who overran Mosul last month have demolished ancient shrines and mosques in and around the historic northern Iraqi city, residents and social media posts said. At least four shrines belonging to Sunni Arab or Sufi figures have been demolished, while six Sha mosques, or husseiniyahs, have also been destroyed, across militant-held parts of northern Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital.
Pictures posted on the Internet by the Islamic State showed the Sunni and Sufi shrines were demolished by bulldozers, while the Shia mosques and shrines were all destroyed by explosives. The photographs were part of an online statement titled “Demolishing shrines and idols in the state of Nineveh.” Local residents confirmed that the buildings had been destroyed and that militants had occupied two cathedrals as well.
