IS releases tape claiming to be leader's voice

'패망 임박' IS, '사망설' 수괴 음성 공개••• "끝까지 싸우라“ The Islamic State Group has posted an audio recording online that to claim that its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was rumored to have been killed... is actually alive and well. Ro Aram reports. The message released on Thursday was Baghdadi's first purported audio communication in almost a year during which his jihadist group lost much of its self-proclaimed “caliphate.” Washington says it has yet to verify the tape, but has no reason to doubt its authenticity. Western intelligence agencies and Iraq's government have always been skeptical of Russian claims of killing him in an air strike. The voice is certainly similar to that of Baghdadi, and the speaker urges militants to fight on. (Arabic) ~ SOV [Reuters - Edit No 4213] "My dearest, beware of retreat or feeling defeat, beware of negotiations or surrender. Do not lay down your arms for Islam rises above everything and a believer does not humiliate oneself, for god has blessed them with unification and jihad." Also, references to recent North Korean threats against Japan and the U.S. and Russian military activity in Syria may provide proof that Baghdadi is still alive. The recording is likely to give IS militants a small morale boost, but is unlikely to make any strategic difference. IS has been facing increasing defeat on the battlefield over the past year. The group has lost almost all of its territory in Iraq and has lost major strongholds in Syria, including its self-proclaimed “caliphate" in Mosul. The United States has offered a 25 million-dollar bounty for information that would locate Baghdadi, who officials believe could take years to capture, if he is still alive. Ro Aram, Arirang News. Arirang News Facebook:   / arirangtvnews   ------------------------------------------------------------ [Subscribe Arirang Official YouTube] ARIRANG TV:    / arirang   ARIRANG RADIO:    / music180arirang   ARIRANG NEWS:    / arirangnews   ARIRANG K-POP:    / arirangworld   ARIRANG ISSUE:    / arirangtoday   ARIRANG CULTURE:    / arirangkorean   ARIRANG FOOD & TRAVEL :    / arirangfoodtravel   ------------------------------------------------------------ [Visit Arirang TV Official Pages] Facebook:   / arirangtv   Twitter:   / arirangworld   Instagram:   / arirangworld   Homepage: http://www.arirang.com ------------------------------------------------------------ [Arirang K-Pop] YouTube:    / arirangworld   Facebook:   / arirangkpop   Google+: http://plus.google.com/+arirangworld