Islamic State leader Al-Baghdadi appears in new video for the first time in five years

The leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has appeared in a new video for the first time in five years  published by the Islamist terror group on Monday.

In the 18-minute clip, a bearded man is seen sitting in casual conversation with three other people, whose faces are blurred.

He discusses recent events, including the battle for Baghouz ending. IS was defeated there last month.
He also praises the Sri Lanka attacks earlier this month, although only his audio is heard in that section.

In the video, he says the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka were revenge for IS' defeat in Baghouz, the group's last stronghold in Syria.

"Your brothers in Sri Lanka have healed the hearts of monotheist Islamic State members with their suicide bombings, which shook the beds of the crusader Christians during Easter to avenge your brothers in Baghouz," he said.

"This is part of the revenge waiting for the crusaders."

It is the first time he has appeared on video since he declared a caliphate in Syria and Iraq five years ago.

However it is unclear when or where the video was filmed. Text at the start of the video dates it to earlier in April.

Watch video below: