A video posted online Saturday claims to show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State extremist group ISIS that has overrun much of Syria and Iraq, giving a speech at a mosque in Iraq.
The video appeared on at least two websites known to be used by the group, and a senior Iraqi intelligence official told the Associated Press that after an initial analysis he believes the man in the video is al-Baghdadi.
The beginning of the video shows the leader slowy walking to the Mosque's pulpit. The video was filmed in Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, which ISIS seized in June in the beginning of its offensive that scattered much of the Iraqi army.
"The mujahedeen have been rewarded victory by God after years of jihad, and they were able to achieve their aim and hurried to announce the caliphate and choose the Imam," al-Baghdadi says in the video.
"It is a burden to accept this responsibility to be in charge of you. I am not better than you or more virtuous than you. If you see me on the right path, help me. If you see me on the wrong path, advise me and halt me. And obey me as far as I obey God."
Several dozen men and boys stand in the mosque for prayer next to a flag of the Islamic State group. One man is seen standing guard, with a gun holster under his arm, the AP reports.
At one point the video shows what appears to be women praying, but they are blurred out.
The Iraqi intelligence official told the AP that after ISIS seized Mosul, cellular networks went down in the area. He says the cellular signal returned after the convoy left the mosque.
A Mosul resident confirmed to the AP that cell networks were down around the time of Friday prayers, and then returned a few hours later.
In recent weeks, ISIS has advanced across Iraq, seizing cities near the Iraq-Syria border and killing dozens in sectarian attacks.