Spokesman encourages potential fighters to go to Africa if they can not get to Iraq or Syria . Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 's spokesman congratulated `` our jihadi brothers '' in western Africa . The Islamic State has been fighting for years against the government of President Bashar Assad, who is backed by Iran and Russia.
Spokesman encourages potential fighters to go to Africa if they can not get to Iraq or Syria . Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 's spokesman congratulated `` our jihadi brothers '' in western Africa . Boko Haram 's leader had extended his pledge to be an ally in an audio message last week .