ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s releases new audio message, rallies jihadist fighters for the battle of Mosul

Islamic State, leader, affiliated media, the Al-Furqan media group on Thursday released an audio message purportedly featuring the voice of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in which he expressed his confidence of a victory in Mosul, the jihadist group's stronghold.

The first of such messages since late 2015 comes as thousands of Iraqi forces poised to enter the city of Mosul begins to gather around the city, where Baghdadi publicly announced the creation of his “caliphate” in 2014.

In the 32 minutes audio message, Baghdadi expressed confidence in victory as the battle for Mosul intensifies.

“This … total war and the great jihad that the Islamic State is fighting today only increases our firm belief, God willing, and our conviction that all this is a prelude to victory,” the voice purporting to be that of Baghdadi said.

“Do not retreat ... Holding your ground with honour is a thousand times easier than retreating in shame,” it added.

“To all the people of Nineveh, especially the fighters, beware of any weakness in facing your enemy,” he said in reference to the northern Iraqi province which Mosul is the capital.

Baghdadi also rally ISIS-affiliated fighters across the world warning jihadists against "conflict and disagreement."

"You need to be one and united in your fight against your enemy. You should seek to raise the word of God on Earth," he said.