Islamic State urges supporters not to flee Iraqi flashpoint town of Tal Afar

An Islamic State flag is seen in this picture illustration taken February 18, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

CAIRO (Reuters) - A newly identified spokesman for Islamic State urged sympathisers around the world to carry out a fresh wave of attacks, singling out Turkish diplomatic, military and financial interests as the Islamists' preferred targets.

Abi al-Hassan al-Muhajer, whose role as the group's mouthpiece was disclosed for the first time on Monday, also told Islamic State fighters to stand their ground in the town of Tal Afar, where they are threatened by Iraqi forces bearing down on the city of Mosul, the group's last major Iraqi stronghold.