Periodical Review – Summary of Information on Jihadist Websites The First Half of May 2016
This report summarizes notable events discussed on jihadist Web forums during the first half of May 2016. Following are the main points covered in the report:
Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, praises the popular revolution in Syria and Al-Nusra Front, and emphasizes that it is the only revolution among all of the Arab Spring revolutions that adhered to the correct path of dawah and jihad despite attempts by the West to thwart the revolution. In addition, al-Zawahiri calls for unity among the ranks of jihad fighters in Syria in order to enable them to topple the Bashar al-Assad regime, establish an Islamic regime, liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Jews and establish an Islamic Caliphate. In addition, he levels harsh criticism at the Islamic State for its denial of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, its establishment of a false caliphate led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and its improper use of violence against Muslims who do not follow the path of the Islamic State.
Hamza bin Laden, a senior Al-Qaeda figure and the son of Usama bin Laden, calls on the Islamic Nation to focus on jihad in Syria and unite the ranks as the entire world is mobilizing against Muslims. According to him, the path to liberating Palestine is through Syria, and the battle for Jerusalem is a battle between faith and heresy. In his opinion, Muslims around the world need to take part in the Palestinian Intifada by killing Jews and attacking their interests around the world, as well as those of their allies in the West through, among other things, “lone wolf” attacks.
Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, threatens to attack army officers and soldiers taking part in the battle against the organization in the framework of the Saudi-led coalition. According to the organization, the wives and children of the officers and soldiers could get hurt by virtue of the organization’s desire to execute revenge attacks.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula publishes a new issue of its magazine, INSPIRE, in English. The issue mainly focuses on encouraging “lone wolf” attacks by Muslims living in the West, by assassinating senior public officials in their homes and replicating the knife attacks taking place in Israel in the United States.
The Islamic State provinces in Syria, Iraq and Libya publish a series of propaganda videos regarding the organization’s Sinai branch. The videos include support for attacks against Egyptian security forces, threats against Israel, and calls on tribes in Sinai to support the IS.
