Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Isis releases audio message claiming it downed Russian plane in Sinai, says it will reveal method ‘soon’

The message challenges Egyptian authorities to ‘prove’ Isis didn’t do it – but officials question the militant group's claims

Adam Withnall
Wednesday 04 November 2015 12:12 GMT
Comments
The debris of the Russian airliner which is being examined by Russian and Egyptian experts
The debris of the Russian airliner which is being examined by Russian and Egyptian experts (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Isis’s militant branch in the Sinai Peninsula has released an audio message claiming it brought down the crashed Russian Metrojet plane - and challenging Egyptian authorities to “prove we did not”.

Wilayat Sinai (Sinai Province) said it would reveal its modus operandi in due course, in a recording entitled: “We downed it, so die in your rage”.

Some experts have questioned the militant group's claim of responsibility, pointing out it has failed to provide any proof. The Amaq news website, which publishes information from Isis sources, reported Isis’s original claim within hours of the plane coming down.

Officials have poured scorn on suggestions the crash was an attack carried out by Isis, with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi describing such claims as “propaganda”.

Egypt: Russian crash investigators search Sinai for victims' belongings

Wednesday’s audio message was believed to carry the voice of Wilayat Sinai’s Abu Osama al-Masri, who has made recordings for the group in the past.

In it, Mr Masri claims the group will reveal “soon” how they downed the plane, and points to the fact the crash occurred a year after the group first pledged its allegiance to Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in