The following report is a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
On June 23, 2015, the Islamic State (ISIS) media company Al-Furqan released an audio recording by ISIS spokesman Abu Muhammad Al-'Adnani. In it, Al-'Adnani congratulates Muslims on the commencement of Ramadan, the month of conquests, and calls upon them to join the jihad and attain martyrdom.
Al-'Adnani's message focuses on the Shi'ite's ill-treatment of Sunnis, primarily in Iraq. It also deals with the Shi'ite's danger to Sunnis in other Arab countries. In that regard, Al-'Adnani lists the various crimes committed by Shi'ites against Sunnis in Iraq, and calls upon the latter to join ISIS in the face of that threat. Al-'Adnani also calls upon Sunnis in Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to join the jihad against the Shi'ites, while warning them of the looming danger Shi'ites pose to their countries.
Al-'Adnani reiterates that victory was promised to the mujahideen, and directs a message to President Obama and coalition countries, promising them defeat and "surprises" in the future. Al-'Adnani also tells ISIS soldiers to not be affected if they end up losing territory, for ISIS, he says, will regain any lost territory in the future.
Al-'Adnani also welcomes the recent joining of Caucasus mujahideen to ISIS, and names an ISIS wali (governor) for that province.
Al-'Adnani's message is 28:39 long, and was released on the Shumoukh Al-Islam forum.
Below are the message's main points:
Al-'Adnani begins his message by reiterating the characteristics and duties of those chosen by Allah (i.e. ISIS and its men) to establish His religion, noting, inter alia, that victory is on their side; that they must show determination in implementing the shari'a despite any criticism they might receive; and that they must show allegiance to other believers while completely disassociating from the unbelievers.
Speaking on the occasion of the month of Ramadan, Al-'Adnani sends congratulatory message to all Muslims. Further, he urges Muslims to join the jihad and to attain martyrdom during this month, for it is the month of conquests and raids. "The best [act to bring one] closer [to Allah] is jihad, so hurry up to it, and make sure to [carry out] raids in this virtuous month, and to expose [yourself] to martyrdom in it," Al-'Adnani says.
Moving on to the topic of Iraq, Al-'Adnani notes the many crimes and ill-treatment of Sunnis by Shi'ites, and says that they have been part of the Crusaders' decision to leave the scene free for Shi'ites and Kurds to take over the country at the expense of Sunnis. "This is the real Crusader strategy in their fight against the caliphate," he notes. Al-'Adnani also speaks of a systemic cleansing of Sunnis from Shi'ite areas as part of that plan. He also notes Shi'ite ill treatment of Sunnis who collaborated and aided them [i.e. Shi'ites]. Thus, Al-'Adnani directs a message to all Sunnis, especially those who left Al-Anbar in fear of ISIS retaliation, to come back to their homes. He also promises Sahawat, police and military personnel a "last chance" opportunity for repentance, as long as they surrender their weapons.
Al-'Adnani also addresses Sunnis in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, urging them to "awaken" from their slumber, and to rise up against their governments and rulers. He also warns them of the looming danger of Shi'ites, which, if not responded to accordingly, will end up consuming them. In that regard, Al-'Adnani calls upon Sunnis there to join ISIS to fend off the Shi'ites before they reach their respective countries. He also provides Yemen as an example where the lack of timely response by Sunnis, coupled with a weak government, led Shi'ites (Houthis, in the case of Yemen) to become powerful.
Addressing militant groups in Syria and Libya that have been engaged in fighting ISIS, such as the recent clashes between jihadi factions and ISIS in the Libyan city of Derna, Al-'Adnani urges those fighting ISIS to reconsider their actions, and to not fall prey to various anti-ISIS fatwas. He also reminds those groups of the ill fate of those who have opted to fight ISIS before them, most notably, the Iraqi Sahawat. Al-'Adnani also questions why they are fighting ISIS to begin with: "What is it with you and fighting the [Islamic] State? Do you crave to dig your own grave? Or have your head cut off? Or house destroyed?"
Al-'Adnani also directs a message to President Obama and the U.S.-led coalition, threatening them with "surprises" and defeat: "We promise you with many defeats in the future... and surprises followed by more surprises. So await [those], for we are awaiting [them as well]."
Addressing several mujahideen groups in the Caucasus who recently joined the Islamic State,[1] Al-'Adnani welcomes their move, and announces that their pledge of allegiance was accepted by ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. He also names Abu Muhammad Al-Qadari as ISIS wali there.
Moving on to the mujahideen in Khurasan, Al-'Adnani urges those who haven't joined ISIS to do so. He also warns that ISIS will show no mercy towards those mujahideen who cooperate with the Pakistani intelligence (ISI).
Al-'Adani concludes his message with a morale boost directed at ISIS soldiers, reiterating that victory is on their side, and that even if they lose territory, they will regain it, and much more, in the future.
Endnote:
[1] See MEMRI JTTM report Mujahideen From The Caucasus Pledge Allegiance To ISIS, June 22. 2015.
