BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb 22, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Islamic State group on Saturday urged its fighters to confront Syria's new authorities, in its spokesperson's first audio message in two years. In a recording posted online, Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari said IS members in Syria must fight "the new Syrian regime, with its secular government and national army" and "make that their priority". IS swept across Syria and Iraq in 2014, committing massacres and forcing women and girls into sexual slavery. Backed by US-led forces, Iraq proclaimed the defeat of IS in 2017, followed two years later by its defeat to Kurdish-led forces in Syria. A camp that once held relatives of IS fighters has now been emptied -- residents either left or were moved to a new location by the Syrian authorities.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 22, 2026 02:32 UTC