\\\'Baghdadi message\\\' issued by jihadists

MOSUL, Nov 14 (BBC):  Islamic State has released an audiotape it says was recorded by its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, days after reports that he had been killed or injured.In the recording, released via social media, the speaker says IS fighters will never stop fighting "even if only one soldier remains", reports BBC.
BBC analysts say the message is probably also intended to counter the claim that Baghdadi has been killed.
 The IS leader was said to have been caught in a US-led air strike near the Iraqi city of Mosul last week.
Thursday's 17-minute recording makes no direct reference to that air strike, but does mention some developments that have occurred since then.
 An English transcript of the recording was also released.
 Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US-led coalition fighting IS was making progress, but must "prepare for a long and difficult struggle".
 The IS audiotape mentions US President Barack's Obama decision to deploy an extra 1,500 troops to Iraq - a move announced shortly after the air strike on Mosul.
 BBC Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher says the tone of the recording is characteristically defiant and incendiary, and the cadences and language do sound like those of the Islamic State leader.