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Deadly appeal ... The Islamic State have been sucessfully recruiting Western Muslims through a slick social media campaign. Source: AP Source: AP
NEARLY one in four Australian jihadis fighting in Syria and Iraq has been killed as key battlegrounds have been transformed into “graveyards’’ for gullible foreign fighters duped by Islamic State.
The Australian reports today that five or six Australian jihadists have been killed in recent fighting around the city of Kobane on the Syrian-Turkish border.
‘Cannon fodder’ ... Abdullah Elmir, a 17-year-old who told his family that he was going on a fishing trip with a friend before leaving Australia to join the conflict in Syria and Iraq. Source: Supplied Source: Supplied
It reports the total number of casualties in Syria and Iraq has reached about 20. About 90 Australians are believed to be fighting for the Islamic State on the front lines.
It’s a figure confirmed by Federal Attorney-General George Brandis. He’s told The Australian that the Islamic State is using Australians as â€cannon fodder, bombers and propaganda toolsâ€.
“The government is aware of around 20 Australians who have died in the conflict in Syria and Iraq,†Senator Brandis said.
Dead or alive .... There are conflicting reports that Islamic State recruiter Mohammad Ali Baryalei has been killed in combat. Source: Supplied Source: Supplied
Confirmed killed ... Zia AbdulHaq, otherwise known as Abu Yusseph, who was killed while fighting with Islamic State in Syria on October 3. Source: Twitter Source: Supplied
One of the deaths cited is high-profile recruiter Mohammad Ali Baryalei — though the Department of Defence recently stated that it doubted he was dead.
The most recent confirmed death was that of Queenslander Zia Abdul Haq, 33. He died in fighting in October.
OF KNIGHTS AND CALIPHS: The Islamic State explained
Recent Islamic State propaganda efforts have included 17-year-old, ginger-haired Abdullah Elmir from Bankstown in Sydneys western suburbs. He’s been paraded on video while surrounded by armed, black-clad jihadists.
“Australian youths, and many young men and women from Western countries, are being lured by the falsehood of a noble battle against an oppressive enemy,†Brandis told The Australian.
“In reality, they are merely taking part in acts of thoughtless violence, in many cases against innocent civilians, on behalf of ISIL, which is intent on recklessly enslaving, raping and murdering those with a contrary view to their own.â€