Story highlights New tape, purportedly from ISIS leader, references recent events and urges fighters not to retreatLast public utterances attributed to the ISIS leader came almost a year ago(CNN) ISIS' media arm has released audio purportedly featuring its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in which he says he's "confident of victory" in Mosul, the group's Iraqi stronghold. Addressing the estimated 5,000 fighters holed up in the city, he said that "holding your ground in honor is a thousand times better than retreating in disgrace." The tape was released by ISIS' media wing al-Furqan as the battle for Mosul intensifies, with Iraqi troops poised to enter the cityIt's the first recording reportedly of al-Baghdadi released since late 2015. The sectarian tone and animosity toward Shia Muslims and other, non-Muslim groups is more vicious than in previous recordings.

Source: CNN November 03, 2016 03:48 UTC