Islamic State releases new recording of ‘dead’ leader

The Islamic State militant group has released a new audio recording of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the first such message from him since November 2016.

“The 46-minute tape, released on Thursday, was the first from the reclusive Baghdadi in nearly 10 months, and gave several clues that suggest Iranian and Russian claims that he was killed in May were incorrect,” The Guardian says.

In his message, Baghdadi said: “The North Koreans have begun threatening America and Japan with nuclear power, and the Americans, Russians and Europeans live terrified in fear of strikes from the mujahedeen.”

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The recording also references the recapture two months ago of Mosul by US-backed Iraqi forces, and a recent battle between Iranian-led militias an IS for control of Hama, in west-central Syria.

Despite the claims that Baghdadi was killed in an air strike near Raqqa in May, the US maintains an £18.5m bounty for information leading to his capture or whereabouts.

“We are aware of the audio tape purported to be of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and are taking steps to examine it,” the US defence department told the BBC. “While we have no reason to doubt its authenticity, we do not have verification at this point.”