Periodical Review – Summary from the Jihadi Forums – The First Half of March 2016
This report summarizes notable events discussed on jihadist Web forums during the first half of March 2016. Following are the main points covered in the report:
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claims responsibility for a terrorist attack that three of its members carried out at the Grand Bassam tourist resort in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. According to the organization, the attack was carried out in response to the “Crusaders” attacks on Muslims, and was intended to send a message to Ivory Coast not to cooperate with France and to the countries involved in the French invasion of Mali to retreat.
Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria, calls to settle the armed conflict the erupted between its members and the “Division 30” group, a unit within the Free Syrian Army, in Idlib Province, by establishing a shari’a court to resolve the conflict. According to Al-Nusra Front, the sides must show restraint and tolerance since the only one that benefits from the conflict is the Alawite regime.
Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent increases its PR activities by launching a new series of publications titled, “Al-Hadid”. In the framework of the series, the organization publishes propaganda materials regarding its members’ activities and criticizing the Pakistani regime, which it accuses of slaughtering its citizens and persecuting them.
Jihadist media institutions that support the Islamic State and writers who identify with the organization publish several articles against the backdrop of the organization’s attack on the Tunisian city of Bin Kardan. Although the organization failed in its attempt to seize control of the city, the attack earns praise and encouragement to carry out more terrorist attacks on Tunisian soil.
The Islamic State calls on the Sunni population in Lebanon to join its ranks, calls on the Christian population to convert to Islam, and calls on Lebanese soldiers to defect from the army. In addition, the Islamic State threatens to strike the Shi’ite Hezbollah organization and the Alawite Syrian regime.
The Islamic State in Caucasus Province calls on Muslims in Russia to join its ranks. According to the organization, if one is unable to do so then he should get a weapon and attack the “infidels” throughout Russia, even using a knife.
