Terrorists belonging to the Islamic State murder 11 Christian men in response to the death of their former leader, Abu Bark al-Baghdadi; Western Africa is seeing an increase in attacks on Christians by the Islamic State; ISIS Soldier: This is a message to Christians all over the world.

Near Christmas, the Islamic State released a video wherein they appear to brutally murder 11 Christian men in Nigeria. It is believed that this attack was intentionally planned to be at Christmastime. Additionally, it is reported that in the video, one Islamic militant can be heard stating, “This is a message to Christians all over the world.” One of the men was shot before the other 10 were beheaded.

The militants are claiming that this attack was primarily in response to the death of their former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who committed suicide back in October after the United States Special Forces tracked him down into a dead-end tunnel. Whether this was truly their motive are not, ISIS has always capitalized on the opportunity to slaughter Christians throughout Africa and the Middle East.