The leader of ISIL Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has expressed confidence in victory in his first message after Iraqi forces started an offensive to retake Mosul from the jihadists.<br /><br /> In a recording purporting to be his voice, Baghdadi urged ISIL militants to fight to the death. He also called for attacks against so-called non believer regimes, naming Saudi Arabia and Turkey.<br /><br /> For audio message purporting to be from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi click here.<br /><br /> IS leader confident in victory, in first message about Mosul battle https://t.co/m2djp4UjLs— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) November 3, 2016<br /><br /> Rumours have abounded about the Iraqi jihadist leader’s health and movements but his whereabouts are unclear.<br />Latest unconfirmed reports say he is still in Mosul where in 2014, after jihadist fighters had swept across swathes of Iraq, Baghdadi declared the creation of an Islamic “state”.<br /><br /> Two years on and Iraqi forces were holding their positions on the eastern outskirts of Mosul as operations continued to take back the city.<br /><br /> Other troops were said to be headed towards the town of Hammam al-Alil, to the south of Mosul where aid groups claim ISIL has executed dozens of prisoners.<br /><br /> The offensive that began on October 17 with air and ground support from a US-led coalition and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters has so far made swift progress.<br /><br /> But retaking new parts remains a challenge as troops are under constant threat from ISIL sniper and mortar fire. Some troops have also been delayed by having to clear a path littered by explosive devices.<br /><br /> Even so as the offensive advances on three main fronts, families who live in the area are finally beginning to emerge from hiding.<br /><br /> As military officials pause the fight for Mosul, hundreds of civilians flee the battled city https://t.co/ikYi0OAIVh pic.twitter.com/kLHRIXN2AK— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) November 3, 2016<br />
