Islamic State 'leader' al-Baghdadi appears in first video since 2014, refers to Lanka attacks

According to Al Jazeera, though it was unclear when the video was shot, but "Baghdadi purportedly refers to Sri Lanka attacks and fight for Syria's Baghouz."

According to AJ,  Al Furqan media network of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS as they are referred) published the video message from its leader, in which he said the group would seek revenge for the killing and imprisonment of its fighters.

In the video,  Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could be seen making reference to the Sri Lanka attacks.

" BREAKING: #ISIS’ Furqan issues new video showing leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, marking the first time he is shown in a video since his July 2014 sermon at the Great Mosque in #Mosul,"  Rita Katz, Director of SITE Intelligence Group, tweeted.

Abu has not been seen since 2014.

In a video released in 2014, he had proclaimed from Mosul the creation of a "caliphate" across parts of Syria and Iraq.

"In this new footage, Baghdadi acknowledges defeat at Baghuz, the group's last stronghold in the region," reported BBC.

Image Caption: Various faces of the ISIS leader

Rita spoke on the attack and said: "The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred). He talks about war against "Crusaders" and about battles in #Baghouz #Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently."

On the Sri Lankan attack, she said: "In the vid, titled “In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers,” Baghdadi praises #SriLanka attackers over images of the attackers/attack (though not in the visual interview section; the audio may have thus been added via a later recording)--calling it revenge for Baghouz."

She said: "There is serious danger not only to the fact that Baghdadi, #ISIS’ so-called Caliph, is still alive--but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the group’s us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group."