DAMASCUS, Syria, May 15 (UPI) -- In an audio message posted online Thursday, a voice that may belong to the leader of the terrorist Islamic State in Syria encouraged followers of his group to strike anywhere they can to advance their common cause.
In the message, the voice, perhaps Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, asks recruits worldwide to "fight in his land or wherever that may be."
The tape mentions an event that occurred March 26, CNN reported, which might confirm that al-Baghdadi survived a coalition airstrike in Northern Iraq earlier this year -- an assault that reports said seriously wounded him.
"This is obviously ISIS trying to say, 'Yeah, yeah, you thought you got him but you didn't. Keep dreaming,'" former CIA analyst Buck Sexton said in CNN's report.
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Al-Baghdadi's health is relevant to U.S. and coalition intelligence, especially after Iraqi authorities said Abu Alaa al-Afari, his top deputy, and a senior ISIS security figure named Akram Qirbash were recently killed in an airstrike.
It wasn't immediately known whether U.S. intelligence officials have authenticated the recording. CNN reported that its Arabic speakers believe the voice is similar to one from a previously recording believed to include al-Baghdadi's voice.
The recording, titled "March Forth Whether Light or Heavy," may be intended to inspire aspiring militants or supporters, Britain's the Guardian reported, rather than outline any new strategy for the group. It asks for all Muslims to join the side of the Islamic State.
"O Muslims go to war everywhere. It is the duty of every Muslim," the voice on the tape says.
The recording also criticizes and denounces the Saudi government and pledges to free Islamic State prisoners that are being held in Saudi jails, the Guardian report said.
