ISIL recording lists Canada as one of its enemies; threatens civilians | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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ISIL recording lists Canada as one of its enemies; threatens civilians

This image made from video posted on the Internet by Islamic State militants and provided by the SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S. terrorism watchdog, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, purports to show British aid worker David Haines before he was beheaded.
Image Credit: AP Photo/PA Wire

TORONTO - The Islamic extremist group that has occupied parts of Iraq and Syria has issued a new threat against western countries including Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

In an audio recording distributed on social media, Abu Muhammad Al-Adnani of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant urges supporters to kill westerners from countries who have joined efforts in northern Iraq, whether they're military or civilian.

The Canadian government has not said whether it views the recording as authentic, but the French government appeared to be treating it as authentic, as did SITE, a Washington based think tank that analyzes terrorist groups.

The Harper government has taken a hardline against ISIL. Last week Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird compared the fight against ISIL to the struggles against communism and facism.

Canada has announced it's sending 69 special forces personnel who will serve as advisors to Iraqi forces struggling to combat ISIL militants.

Responding to al-Adnani's statement, France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said he is confident in the country's security.

"This threat to kill civilians, added to the execution of hostages and to the massacres, is yet another demonstration of the barbarism of these terrorists, justifying our fight without truce or pause," Cazeneuve said Monday. "France is not afraid because it is prepared to respond to their threats," he added.

The Islamic State statement was released in Arabic by the Islamic State group's media arm, Al-Furqan, and appeared on militant sites used by the group. The Associated Press reported the speaker sounded like that of previous recordings attributed to al-Adnani.

Image Credit: AP Photo/File

The audio statement is nearly 42-minutes and was released online late Sunday. In it, al-Adnani said the coalition will not be able to defeat the jihadis. He called on Muslims everywhere to kill anyone whose country takes part in the attack.

"Oh, believer, do not let this battle pass you by wherever you may be. You must strike the soldiers, patrons and troops of the tyrants. Strike their police, security and intelligence members," al-Adnani said.

"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European — especially the spiteful and filthy French — or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that joined a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him in any manner or way however it may be," he said.

A transcript, distributed on social media late Sunday night, also seemed to accuse countries like Canada and Australia of meddling in affairs that is none of their business.

"What threat do you pose to the distant place of Australia for it to send its legions towards you? What does Canada have anything to do with you?"

Its release comes two days after a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the threat of ISIL. Baird was invited to address the meeting.

The Canadian government has insisted that Canada's role in Iraq will be non-combat, but has provided few specific details. It has also provided two military transport planes that are delivering weapons and supplies to Kurdish forces.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said the deployment will be reviewed within 30 days.

The NDP has expressed its opposition to the government's decision, but Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has given his support.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2014
The Canadian Press

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