THE GUARDIAN UK 23 SEPT - ISIS INSTRUCTS FOLLOWERS TO KILL AUSTRALIANS AND OTHER 'DISBELIEVERS'

The Islamic State (Isis) has called for members to take retribution against the coalition of countries heading to northern Iraq and Syria to fight them, specifically instructing members to kill – without question and by any means necessary – civilians and soldiers in countries including Australia, France, Canada and the US. A lengthy video address and a written English translation attributed to Abu Muhammad al-Adnani was released on Monday, which called for “muwahhidīn in Europe, America, Australia, and Canada” and across the world to defend the Islamic state against the “dozens of nations...gathered against it”. “If you can kill a disbelieving American or European – especially the spiteful and filthy French – or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him in any manner or way however it may be,” said al-Adnani. “Do not ask for anyone’s advice and do not seek anyone’s verdict. Kill the disbeliever whether he is civilian or military, for they have the same ruling. Both of them are disbelievers.” The speech is the first release from al-Adnani since his June declaration of the establishment of a caliphate and that Isis would be known as Islamic State. In Monday’s speech he specifically addressed the coalition of nations now seeking to defeat Isis and congratulated followers for the fear the group has created across the world. “Why have the nations of disbelief entrenched together against you? What threat do you pose to the distant place of Australia for it to send its legions towards you?” Last week Australia committed a 600-strong military force to the US-led coalition of more than 40 countries and airstrike campaign against Isis. While prime minister Tony Abbott said there would be no boots on the ground in Iraq, he left open the possibility that the mission could extend into combat operations. Mocking Barack Obama’s air strike campaign, al-Adnani criticised the US and allies for ignoring the deaths of Muslim people in Syria and around the world, until Isis appeared “to defend them.” “America and the crusaders started shedding crocodile tears for the sake of a few hundred rāfidī (shiite) and nusayrī criminal soldiers that the Islamic State had taken as prisoners of war and then executed. The hearts of America and its allies were broken by the Islamic State when it cut off the rotten heads of some agents, spies, and apostates.” In recent months Isis extremists have killed a number of western journalists and aid workers, filming the act and posting it online. Monash University professor Greg Barton said the release is “significant” and speaks to a shift in Isis’s operations. Until now the group has waged a “careful, long-term military campaign” focused on consolidating strength in Iraq and the Syrian civil war. “Al-Adnani doesn’t make these official statements very often,” Barton told Guardian Australia. “They’re lengthy, they’re very eloquent, they’re couched very much as fatwa. They’re not just a normal press release, they’re an inspiring call to join together in action, and they have the sort of tone of religious authority.” Barton said the speech indicated that Isis appeared to be trying to go in the same direction as al-Qaida in encouraging home grown extremism. “This is the first official statement that now is the time for their foreign fighter community, their support base and and anyone who’s listening to them to take on not just the military coalition in Iraq and Syria but also also where they come from, at their source,” he said. The release comes just days after the largest counter-terrorism raids in Australian history, with police arresting 15 individuals over an alleged plot to commit an act of terror. While it was not clear if the accused were members of Isis, Barton said al-Adnani’s release showed that the group is seeking to recruit people from across the world, but in a formalised way. Adnani said “claimants” had entered the ranks of Isis and so it would be necessary to “purify the ranks”. “I think [Isis] is a quite hierarchical structure, it has a very military ethos,” said Barton. “This is a very formal thing, but they are of course hoping to pick people up who are otherwise not yet connected to them but acting in their name. They want to both tap into their support network but also encourage anyone to seize the opportunity and respond.” Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday morning “no one is safe” in the presence of Isis. “Our agencies are treating this threat as genuine and it’s quite apparent [Isis] is prepared to take on anyone who doesn’t share their views,” she told ABC radio. The defence minister, David Johnston, is currently in Iraq and has met with the Iraqi prime minister and senior government officials in Baghdad. “It’s in Australia’s best interests that we stand ready with the world – now in a coalition of more than 40 nations – to help the new Iraqi government to disrupt and degrade the [Isis] death cult and to regain control over its own country,” he said in a statement. The federal government is in talks this week looking at amendments to proposed counter-terrorism laws. Abbott signalled on Monday that there would be increased pressure on Australian citizens and that some freedoms would have to be curtailed to ensure people’s safety. “The delicate balance between freedom and security may have to shift,” he said. There may be more restrictions on some, so that there can be more protection for others.” The White House declined to comment on the video. “O (supporters) in Europe, America, Australia and Canada ... you who consider yourselves from amongst its soldiers and patrons. Do not let this battle pass you by wherever you may be. You must strike the soldiers, patrons and troops ... Strike their police, security and intelligence members, as well as their treacherous agents. Destroy their beds. Embitter their lives for them and busy them with themselves. “If you can kill a disbelieving American or European especially the spiteful and filthy French or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him in any manner or way however it may be. “Do not ask for anyone’s advice and do not seek anyone’s verdict. Kill the disbeliever whether he is civilian or military.” LINK: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/23/islamic-state-followers-urged-to-launch-attacks-against-australians