IS’ Abu Bakr al Baghdadi addresses militants, “warns of difficult times”

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria finds itself under growing pressure on several fronts, facing battlefield setbacks in both countries. In a new audio message Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State, has warned of difficult times ahead, saying "the whole world" is united against the Islamic State, CNN News reports.

Al-Baghdadi's 24-minute message -- his first since May -- appears to have been recorded in the past two weeks. The ISIS leader talks of a "general war" in which the "caliphate" is up against the West, Russia and their Arab allies -- specifically Saudi Arabia. The recording was released Saturday by ISIS' Al-Furqan Media.

"Do not be amazed by the meeting of the nations of disbelief and groups against the Islamic State," says al Baghdadi. "If we are killed and the wounds are numerous and the problems amassed against us and the hardships are great, then it is no surprise either."