"Islamic State" declared a holy war between Russia and the United States

The Islamic State (IS) released a statement from Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, who serves as the terrorist group's spokesman. In a statement, the closest aide of “caliph” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi calls for a “holy war” against Russia and the United States.

“Today we are stronger than ever. I call on the Islamic youth of the whole world to start jihad against the Russians and Americans, these crusaders waging war against Muslims. Russia will be defeated,” he said.

Al-Adnani also confirmed the death of a second person in the IG command hierarchy, Abu Mutaz al-Kurashi. The appeal says nothing about the circumstances of his death. Perhaps he was in a convoy attacked by the Iraqi Air Force.

The target of the attack was the leader of the IG, but it is not known whether he was injured and whether he was even in this convoy. Subsequently, it was reported that eight representatives of the high command of jihadists were killed.

At the same time, the United States reported the death of al-Kurashi 22 more August. According to American intelligence, Abu Mutaz, whose real name is Fadhi Ahmad al-Hayali, headed the IS in Iraq, and was also responsible for the transfer of reserves and armaments between the Syrian and Iraqi fronts.

A day earlier, Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, declared jihad against Russia. Its leader Abu Muhammad al-Jilani called on Caucasian Muslims to attack both Russian civilians and military personnel.

30 September Russia launched its first air strike in Syria, near the city of Homs.

As a result of the air strike, 33 civilians died, including three children and one volunteer of the Syrian civil defense, writes «The Independent».

Witnesses of the raids also reported that the strikes were made on a territory that is not controlled by the militants of the "Islamic State". The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the strikes were inflicted on the military targets of the IG.

On the eve of the Federation Council agreed on the use of air forces of Russia in Syria. According to the head of the Russian presidential administration, Syrian President Bashar Asad turned to Vladimir Putin with a request for military assistance.

Previously appeared messages that Russia demanded that the United States remove planes from Syria, but Russian officials did not give geographic information about where they planned to strike.

Previously "Forum" писал six factors that need to be aware of the Russian invasion of Syria and which will help explain what is really happening and what Russia’s entry into the war means.