IS calls for jihad, martyrdom during Ramadan
IS calls for jihad, martyrdom during Ramadan
Islamic State (IS) group spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani called on Tuesday for Muslims to "engage in jihad" and become martyrs during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
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IS displaced more than 275,000 Iraqis from the Ramadi area between April and mid-June (Getty)
As Muslims across the world fast in the holy month of Ramadan, IS spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani exploits the occasion to further his group's terrorist ambition by asking Muslims to "engage in jihad" and become martyrs.
Ramadan, which began last week, is the holy month in the Muslim calendar during which believers observe a fast from dawn to sunset every day. Over one and a half billion Muslims across the world uphold the values of forgiveness and compassion with the poor during Ramadan.
Under that excuse, Adnani also announced an amnesty for people who fought against IS in Iraq's Anbar province, and called on residents who had fled violence there to return home.
"The best acts that bring you closer to God are jihad, so hurry to it and make sure to carry out the invasion this holy month and be exposed to martyrdom in it," Adnani said in an audio message posted online.
"These are your weapons and this is Ramadan."
Adnani repeated a call by IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi for those who fled Anbar, where IS seized provincial capital Ramadi last month, to return.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 275,000 people fled the Ramadi area between April and mid-June.
Adnani also announced a "last chance" for tribesmen, soldiers and police, calling on them to "repent" and surrender their weapons as a sign of good faith.
He singled out the Jughaifa tribe that is besieged in the town of Haditha, saying it faces utter destruction if it does not surrender.
If they do not "repent", then "for generations those passing Haditha will say: 'The Jughaifa were here, and their houses'."
As IS has previously executed hundreds of security personnel and tribesmen who opposed the group, it is unlikely that many will take up the offer.
IS launched a brutally effective offensive last June that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad.
Iraqi forces have made major gains in Diyala and Salaheddin provinces north of Baghdad, but much of the country's west is still in IS hands.
Ramadan, which began last week, is the holy month in the Muslim calendar during which believers observe a fast from dawn to sunset every day. Over one and a half billion Muslims across the world uphold the values of forgiveness and compassion with the poor during Ramadan.
Under that excuse, Adnani also announced an amnesty for people who fought against IS in Iraq's Anbar province, and called on residents who had fled violence there to return home.
"The best acts that bring you closer to God are jihad, so hurry to it and make sure to carry out the invasion this holy month and be exposed to martyrdom in it," Adnani said in an audio message posted online.
"These are your weapons and this is Ramadan."
Adnani repeated a call by IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi for those who fled Anbar, where IS seized provincial capital Ramadi last month, to return.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 275,000 people fled the Ramadi area between April and mid-June.
Adnani also announced a "last chance" for tribesmen, soldiers and police, calling on them to "repent" and surrender their weapons as a sign of good faith.
He singled out the Jughaifa tribe that is besieged in the town of Haditha, saying it faces utter destruction if it does not surrender.
If they do not "repent", then "for generations those passing Haditha will say: 'The Jughaifa were here, and their houses'."
As IS has previously executed hundreds of security personnel and tribesmen who opposed the group, it is unlikely that many will take up the offer.
IS launched a brutally effective offensive last June that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad.
Iraqi forces have made major gains in Diyala and Salaheddin provinces north of Baghdad, but much of the country's west is still in IS hands.
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