An audiotape allegedly recorded by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has been released on social media, days after he was reportedly killed or wounded.
His 17-minute message makes no reference to the airstrike last week near Mosul, Iraq, which supposedly harmed him, but it includes mention of a pledge of allegiance to IS by the Egyptian militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which took place Monday.
The global security firm Flashpoint Intelligence said the audiotape appeared genuine, NBC News reported Thursday.
"Oh soldiers of the Islamic State, continue to harvest the soldiers. Erupt volcanoes of jihad everywhere. Light the earth with fire. America and its allies are terrified, weak, and powerless," Al-Baghdadi says.
The reclusive leader also said IS fighters would "never stop fighting," adding, "they will be triumphant, even if only one man is left standing." The tape also calls for the downfall of Saudi Arabia, describing Saudi leaders as "the head of the snake."
