ISIS Media Teases “Big Announcement” As Pentagon Warns Revenge Attack Imminent

As US officials say they are bracing for some of kind of ISIS revenge attacks after the successful American special forces raid which killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and as speculation abounds over just who will be named as successor to head the terror group, a prominent ISIS media channel is promoting that a “big announcement” is imminent. 

Islamic State’s Al-Furqan Foundation, which has according to terrorism analysts released statements over the years only related to major developments, on midday Wednesday issued an Arabic statement which reads, “Coming Soon … By the Willingness of Allah the Almighty,” but did not reveal any further details. 

BREAKING – #ISIS‘s high-level media channel, al-Furqan, says an announcement is forthcoming.

– #Baghdadi news & successor announcement, I’d assume. pic.twitter.com/R0RLuI8Eo5

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) October 30, 2019

According to VOA News, the message has been shared widely on jihadist social media platforms, and is considered authentic:  

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist communications, said supporters quickly began distributing the poster on social media platforms, with some expressing hope that Baghdadi was still alive while others were preparing to celebrate his martyrdom. 

A number of Middle East analysts said they believed the announcement relates to naming a successor to the ‘caliphate’ and that a statement on the terror group’s future is likely to be included. 

ISIS spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir was also identified as having been killed in a follow-up operation near Syria’s border with Turkey. Muhajir was believed one of a likely list of candidates to replace Baghdadi. 

U.S. Central Command’s General Kenneth McKenzie, who oversaw the Saturday operation to kill Baghdadi, told reporters this week that he’s under no illusion that this marks the final demise of the terror group. “ISIS is first and last an ideology, so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to go away because we killed Baghdadi,” the top general said. “It will remain.” 

Nearly 24 hours later, still waiting for the announcement teased by #ISIS‘ al Furqan media wing… https://t.co/yRDQPPuDF3

— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) October 31, 2019

Crucially McKenzie echoed the Pentagon belief that a revenge attack is coming, though without saying they had any concrete intelligence over anything in the making.

“We suspect they will try some form of retribution attack, and we are postured and prepared for that,” he told reporters at a Pentagon briefing.