Islamic State calls for "all-out war" on West during holy month of Ramadan

Islamic State has called on its followers to launch an ‘all-out war’ on the West during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Saturday.

The call comes after the deadliest Ramadan on record last year when more than 400 people were killed and 700 injured in various attacks around the globe.

In a statement posted on YouTube, the Islamic State called on their “brothers” to attack “infidels” in the West.

“Muslim brothers in Europe who can’t reach the Islamic State lands, attack them in their homes, their markets, their roads and their forums,” read the statement.

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And it said those who committed atrocities would receive their reward in the after-life: “Do not despise the work. Your targeting of the so-called innocents and civilians is beloved by us and the most effective, so go forth and may you get a great reward or martyrdom in Ramadan.”

This week’s deadly attack in Manchester, which saw 23 people killed including suicide bomber Salman Abedi, was claimed by Islamic State.

Last year there were several notable attacks during Ramadan, including the killing of 49 people in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub, Pulse, in Orlando, USA. Another 50 people were injured.

Also that month, 45 people were killed at Istanbul’s main airport.

And there was also a shocking incident in France when an Islamic State member stabbed to death a policeman and his wife in front of their young child.

The final global body count during Ramadan was 421 dead and 729 wounded.