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IS video urges Muslim militants to wage jihad in Marawi
[Telegraph] The Islamic State has released a new video calling on Muslim militants in southeast Asia to wage jihad in the besieged city of Marawi, while denouncing America and Australia for aiding the Philippine military. Its release comes as the battle between IS-linked militants and government forces in the southern Muslim city of Marawi enters its fourth month.

In the seven-minute long video, produced by IS's Al Hayat media, a militant identified as Abul-Yaman from Marawi, appeals to Muslim brothers in east Asia, particularly those in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore to migrate to the city “to perform jihad.”

The graphic and chilling footage, which depicts dead Philippine soldiers and so-called martyrs dying in battle, is accompanied by an American-accented narrator who condemns the “subjugation” of Muslims in the Philippines.

It opens with scenes of young men engaged in fierce fighting amid the city ruins, brandishing AK-47s through incoming mortar fire and air strikes. In scenes reminiscent of the destruction of Mosul, it then cuts to the destruction of a Catholic church, showing militants tearing down a cross, smashing statues of the Virgin Mary and ripping up posters of the pope. A masked militant shouts, "We will make revenge ...We will be in Rome, inshallah."

The terrorist group then turns its wrath on Philippine President Duterte, for running to “his masters, the defenders of the cross, America, along with their regional guard dog Australia” to beg them for help. It accuses Philippine allies of aiding Duterte in “a malicious air campaign” against the Islamic State.

The fighting in Marawi has put Canberra on edge, with rising concerns that the growth of IS in the region could herald more terrorist attacks in Australia. In June, Australia deployed two surveillance planes to Mindanao to help the Philippine military in the battle. Earlier this week, Australian intelligence chief Nick Warner also met President Duterte in an unusually public visit to discuss progress.

Regional neighbours are also worried. Malaysia’s top terrorist officer, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, said that the new video was “powerful” and would “inflame the passions” of Muslim fanatics. He said, "Since the Marawi siege started, we have seen increased activities from IS cells in Malaysia trying to enter into the southern Philippines."
Posted by: ryuge 2017-08-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=495995