Islamic State calls for attacks on Europeans

The Islamic State terrorist group has issued a formal call to its supporters to kill Westerners.

"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European – especially the spiteful and filthy French – or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him in any manner or way however it may be”, IS spokesman Muhammad al-Adnani ash-Shami said in the speech uploaded to the web as an audio file.

The speech comes days after security forces conducted anti-terrorism raids in Australia and in the midst of calls by US president Barak Obama for the formation of an international military coalition to combat the insurgent group in Iraq and Syria.

The speech marks a significant tactical shift for the militant group, which previously had made few references to staging attacks outside Syria and Iraq.

In an attempt to sideline the influence of moderate Islamic clerics, the statement tells its followers that they need no further permission from a Muslim cleric to kill nationals of these nations. "Do not ask for anyone's advice and do not seek anyone's verdict. Kill the disbeliever, whether he is civilian or military, for they have the same ruling. Both of them are disbelievers."

The group attempts to intimidate the West by threatening to conduct offensive operations abroad. "We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women, by the permission of Allah, the Exalted," it says. "If we do not reach that time, then our children and grandchildren will reach it, and they will sell your sons as slaves at the slave market."

 “Why is it that the world has united against you?” it asks its followers, “what threat do you pose to the distant place of Australia for it to send its legions towards you? What does Canada have anything to do with you?"

Al-Adnani is regarded as the most authoratitive spokesman at Islamic State, also known as ISIL.

A spokewoman for Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, speaking earlier today, said that the statement is considered to be an authentic statement from the terror organisation. 

"ISIL will claim that our involvement in this international effort is the reason they are targeting us, but these people do not attack us for what we do, but for who we are and how we live" she said.

The primary enemy of IS remains the US, however. Adnani, calling Obama a "mule of the Jews" and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry an "uncircumcised old geezer" said the terror group will force Obama to abandon its current strategy based on U.S. airborne assets and make the U.S. send more ground troops.

"You claimed today that America would not be drawn into a war on the ground. No, it will be drawn and dragged. It will come down to the ground and it will be led to its death, grave and destruction."