Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Islamic State Promises Big Announcement

Jeff Seldin

   WASHINGTON - One of the Islamic State terror group's media divisions is
   promising supporters that a major announcement is on the way -- the
   first of its kind since the death of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,
   in a U.S. raid on Sunday.
   IS's Al-Furqan Foundation started promoting the announcement at midday
   Wednesday.
   "Coming Soon ... By the Willingness ofAllahthe Almighty," the
   announcement said, without sharing details.

     In first significant announcement since Baghdadi's death ISIS teases
     a forthcoming release from its Al Furqan media foundation- the media
     wing responsible for the most important releases (such as the
     Baghdadi video and audio earlier this year)
     [1]pic.twitter.com/9PASdNIPI3
     -- jihadoScope (@JihadoScope) [2]October 30, 2019

   The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist communications,
   said supporters quickly began distributing the poster on social media
   platforms, with some expressing hope that Baghdadi was still alive
   while others were preparing to celebrate his martyrdom.
   IS official media operatives have beenissuing their usual news updates
   on operations in Syria, Iraq and around the world, but theyhave been
   silent so far about the fate of Baghdadi, who was killed by U.S.
   special forces in a raid on a compound inBarishain Syria's Idlib
   province.
   U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Baghdadi's death in a White House
   speech the same day.

   U.S. officials also confirmed the death of IS spokesman Abu Hassan
   al-Muhajir in a follow-on operation a day later in Jarablus, near
   Syria's border with Turkey.

   Impact of killings
   Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper have described the death of
   Baghdadi and one of his top lieutenants as a significant blow to the
   terror organization, while promising to hunt down other top officials.

References

   1. https://t.co/9PASdNIPI3
   2. https://twitter.com/JihadoScope/status/1189543620443037701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

.