'Ginger jihadist a stupid idiot': Aussie family says
The family of an Australian teenager who appeared in a chilling Islamic State propaganda video says he is stupid.
In the video, 17-year-old Abdullah Elmir from Sydney made threats against Australia, America and Britain, warning the terrorists can't be stopped.
It is believed to be the first time Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been explicitly mentioned by name in an Islamic State propaganda tape.
"To Obama, to Tony Abbott, I say this: These weapons that we have, these soldiers we will not stop fighting, we will not put down our weapons until we reach your lands."
Elmir, who is also known as the 'Ginger Jihadist', threatens revenge against western leaders over airstrikes on Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.
A relative of Elmir's, who did not want to be named, has condemned the video.
"What a stupid idiot," they told The Daily Telegraph.
"We never associated with him, that guy was brainwashed, I don’t know what these kids get into."
The teen left his Bankstown home in June and apparently said he was "going fishing". His parents have not seen him since and believe he has been brainwashed.
Opposition frontbencher Tony Burke has expressed sympathy for Elmir's family.
"I do feel for the family members who look at someone who they have known as a child being raised in Australia and just ask the question: 'How on Earth does this happen?'"
"Obviously fighting in that sort of force is something that's illegal in Australia and so it should be," Mr Burke told the ABC.
In the two-minute clip posted online on Monday night, Elmir, who is dressed in military attire, holding a rifle and flanked by fellow jihadists, warns: "This message I deliver to you, the people of America. This message I deliver to you, the people of Britain, and I deliver this message to you, especially, the people of Australia.
"Bring every nation that you want to come and fight us. It means nothing to us. Whether it's 50 nations or 50,000 nations, it means nothing to us. Bring your planes. Bring everything you want to us. Because it will not harm us. Why? Because we have Allah."
He goes on: "To the leaders, to Obama, to Tony Abbott I say this; these weapons that we have, these soldiers...we will not stop fighting. We will not put down our weapons until we reach your lands, until we take the head of every tyrant and until the black flag is flying high in every single land."
He vowed the group will not stop fighting until it has conquered the west and the black flag is flying above the White House and Buckingham Palace.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott's office and Australia's Muslim leaders have condemned the video.
A spokesperson for Mr Abbott said the video only reinforces Australia’s military involvement in Iraq.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced on Wednesday that Australia will provide an extra $15 million dollars for shelter, food and medicine to help those displaced by Islamic State militants.
