I took that as trying to throw us off his trail - trying to get us to think twice about hitting him in a Muslim crowd.
Sure did not slow us down much this last time. I suspect that the persons that ratted him last time are still alive, yet in someone elses custody. He will be readily located by following the trail of bodies. This is problematic for him and the other remaining leadership. Family and tribal bonds have been fractured because of the mistrust, and permanent silencing of suspected traitors.