ISIS Calls Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa a “Soulless Puppet,” Calls for Fresh Attacks

Image: Jihad Watch

The Islamic State (IS) group has sharply criticized Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al‑Sharaa, describing him as a “puppet without a soul” allegedly influenced and controlled by Western nations. The group further claimed that his political future would ultimately mirror that of the country’s former leader, Bashar al‑Assad, who was removed from power after years of conflict and instability.

In an audio message released late Saturday, the organization’s spokesperson, identifying himself as Abu Huzaifa al‑Ansari, urged IS supporters across the globe to carry out attacks against Jewish and Western targets, echoing calls the group has made repeatedly in previous years. During the message, al-Ansari also conveyed greetings to IS fighters on behalf of the group’s current leader, Abu Hafs al‑Hashemi al‑Qurayshi, who was announced as the head of the organization in August 2023.

This recording marks the first public communication from the extremist group in several months. Its release comes amid renewed concerns over IS activity, following a series of attacks in recent months across multiple regions, including Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan, where incidents attributed to the group have resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)