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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The fugitive former powerful deputy of Iraq's executed President Saddam Hussein has released an audio recording urging all Iraqis to join efforts to “liberate” the country and praised Sunni militants who led last month’s dramatic offensive through northern Iraq.

The recording features a 15-minute speech in a raspy voice purported to be that of 72-year-old Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who was Iraq’s vice-president when U.S.-led coalition forces invaded in 2003.

The recording, which could not be immediately confirmed to be that of al-Douri, was released on a website loyal to Saddam’s ousted Baath Party.

“Join the ranks of the rebels who liberated half the country,” said the voice on the recording, which sounded much like previous tapes released in Douri’s name.

“The liberation of Baghdad is around the corner. Everyone should contribute, to the extent of his ability, to complete the liberation of the beloved country, because there is no honor or dignity without its liberation.”

The voice in the recording also praised the “heroes and knights of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS)” as well as other groups fighting the “Persian, Safavid colonization” of Iraq, a reference to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

But he also hinted at the increasingly evident divisions among the various groups fighting Maliki’s forces, saying it was important to put off their differences in the interests of unity.

Within three weeks of taking control of the northern city of Mosul, ISIS militants began arresting senior ex-military officers and members of the Baath Party, residents and relatives said.

*Agencies