Video of ISIL leader giving sermon at mosque released

World Today

Iraqi government officials are investigating the authenticity of a video showing the leader of the insurgent group giving a sermon in the city of Mosul.

The 21 minute-long recording, according to Iraqi officials, shows Abu al-Baghdadi speaking at a mosque in Mosul. Before this recording, there were few photos of al-Baghdadi available. As the Associated Press’s Ryan Lucas says, this is a sort of “coming out” for the Islamic State that al-Baghdadi has declared.

Video of ISIL leader giving sermon at mosque released

Iraqi government officials are investigating the authenticity of a video showing leader of the insurgent group giving a sermon in the city of Mosul. Ryan Lucas has the latest update.

Another top Shia cleric is calling for the nomination of a candidate for prime minister, to replace Nouri al-Maliki. This comes one month after the city of Mosul was captured.

For more analysis on what the Baghdadi video says about the Islamic State, CCTV’s Malini Wilkes spoke with Cole Bockenfeld, Director of Advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy.

Twitter: @ColeBockenfeld

Cole Bockenfeld on the Islamic State

For more analysis on what the Baghdadi video says about the Islamic State, CCTV's Malini Wilkes spoke with Cole Bockenfeld, Director of Advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy.