A new message purporting to come from the spokesman of the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group calls on followers to launch attacks on the United States and Europe during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins in early June.
“Ramadan, the month of conquest and jihad. Get prepared, be ready ... to make it a month of calamity everywhere for the non-believers ... especially for the fighters and supporters of the caliphate in Europe and America,” said the message, suggesting attacks on military and civilian targets, Reuters reported.
The authenticity of the audio clip, purporting to be from Abu Muhammad al-Adnani and distributed on Saturday by Twitter accounts that usually publish IS statements, could not be verified.
“The smallest action you do in their heartland is better and more enduring to us than what you would if you were with us. If one of you hoped to reach the Islamic State, we wish we were in your place to punish the Crusaders day and night,” Adnani said.
The militant group, which seeks to establish a caliphate across the Middle East and beyond, has claimed deadly attacks over the past year on civilians in France, Belgium and the United States.
But the message made no mention of the EgyptAir flight that crashed into the Mediterranean on Thursday in unexplained circumstances, amid speculation by Egyptian, French and American officials that a militant attack was the most likely cause.
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US President Barack Obama decried “very distorted impression” of Muslims at a White House Ramadan Gala in 2015.
