ISIL leader Baghdadi warned US of plans back in January

On Friday evening, CNS News reported that ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had warned the US of his plans as early as January. While Baghdadi is known for his secrecy and rarely makes public statements, an audio message delivered on 26 January warned that the group, which already controlled parts of neighbouring Syria, intended to "be in the frontlines against the Shia, and march toward Baghdad and the South, keep the Shia busy in their own areas.

"Know that the entire Sunni population and the brothers in Syria are watching you,” he said in the statement. 

The message also warned of impending attacks on the US. 

“Our last message is to the Americans. Soon we will be in direct confrontation, and the sons of Islam have prepared for such a day,” he said. “So watch, for we are with you, watching.”

The message was first made known on 5 February when Brett McGurk, deputy assistant aecretary of State for Iran and Iraq, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and presented ISIL's agenda to lawmakers.