New tape by ‘dead’ IS boss

A NEW audio recording of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been released, casting doubt on reports the IS leader had been killed.

The 54-minute tape is the first from him in nearly a year. He admits to defeats in Iraq and Syria but urges supporters to “persevere”, and refers to recent events.

Russian claims last year that Baghdadi had likely died in an airstrike in Syria were doubted by US chiefs.