A video that was published on an Islamic State media network purported to show the leader of the Islamic State praising the heinous bombings in Sri Lanka, where the extreme Muslim group conducted a massacre against Christian worshipers celebrating Easter Sunday, claiming the lives of more than 250 people and injuring more than 500.
In the video, a man purported to be the leader of the Islamic State admitted ‘partial defeat’ against the Western forces targeting his aspired caliphate. That said, he vowed to continue Islam’s battle against Christians all over the world, for an indefinite period of time. “The battle between Islam and its people with the Cross and its people is long. The (Islamic) battle of Baghuz (the U.S.-led offensive) had ended and in it the barbarity and savagery of the nation of the Cross towards the nation of Islam was clear. At the same time, the bravery, steadfastness, and endurance of the nation of Islam was evident. This steadfastness tore apart the hearts of the Crusaders,” said alleged Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
It is important to note that there continue to be many conflicting reports over whether the Islamic State leader is still alive; and the CIA had no immediate comment on the video.