The Islamic State (IS) promised this Sunday, April 17, 2022 “take revenge” their former leader, who died in February, and urged his supporters to use the war in Ukraine to resume their attacks in Europe.
On February 3, US President Joe Biden announced the death of former ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hachimi al-Qurachi, who blew himself up during a US special forces operation in northwestern Syria, a jihadist-controlled region had.
His death, along with that of the group’s former spokesman, was confirmed by IS on March 10.
The war in Ukraine, a “chance” for Daesh
“In trust in God, we announce a blessed campaign of revenge” Abu Omar al-Muhajir, the group’s spokesman, said of the death of the IS leader in an audio statement attributed to them, which was broadcast on Telegram on Sunday.
The IS also called on its supporters to continue their attacks in Europe through confiscations “Opportunity” from “Battle Between Crusaders”, Referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Little has been said about Abou Hassan al-Hachimi al-Qourachi, the new leader of the radical Sunni organization, the group’s third since its inception.
The Islamic State has a presence in certain areas
After a meteoric rise in power in Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014 and the conquest of vast territories, IS has seen its power “Caliphate” self-proclaimed to be overthrown under the blow of successive offensives in those two countries in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
But the Islamic State “maintains a largely clandestine presence in Iraq and Syria and leads an ongoing insurgency on either side of the border between the two countries”according to a UN report published last year.
“10,000 Active Fighters”
The jihadist organization is based in these two countries “total 10,000 active fighters”, according to the same source.
IS has also claimed responsibility for attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and jihadist groups close to it also operate in Africa.
The Islamic State wants to avenge the death of its leader and is planning attacks in EuropaEXPAND