Summary of Information on Jihadist Websites August 2017
Highlights
· The leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, emphasizes that the Taliban will continue to act for the sake of Afghanistan’s independence and for the establishment of an Islamic government in Afghanistan, and that it is willing to initiate peace talks. He urges US President, Donald Trump, to withdraw US military forces from Afghanistan and stresses that the organization is not interested in harming other countries. Nevertheless, he threatens to attack any invader that would undermine Afghanistan’s sovereignty, including US military forces.
· Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri eulogizes Abu ‘Umar Khalil, a member of the organization’s Shura Council, and Abu Dujana al-Pasha, a senior leader of the organization and the son-in-law of al-Zawahiri. Alongside to the eulogy, he issues harsh criticism against the Pakistani army and accuses it of tendentious persecution against jihadists and Muslim civilians in Pakistan. In addition, al-Zawahiri reveals that al-Pasha had fulfilled a central and important role in the establishment of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent under the auspices of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan thanks to his efforts to unite several jihad factions in the region. He also reveals that Sheikh Kahlid Muhammad, one of the planners of the 9/11 attacks who is currently incarcerated in an American prison, was one of the founders of Al-Sahab media institution, which serves as a platform for the official publications of Al-Qaeda.
· Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind, a new jihadist group in Kashmir led by Zakir Musa, declares its intention to wage a steadfast war of jihad in Kashmir and India until their liberation from the Indian regime and the application of an Islamic regime based on shari’a. The group calls on Muslims in Kashmir and around the world to help with jihad against India, either by physically joining the battle or through financial support.
· Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideencalls on Muslims in Kenya to avoid voting in the upcoming elections to take place in Kenya. The organization further claims in the video that Muslims in Kenya are being oppressed and encourages them to move to Somalia and join Al-Shabab.
· Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula calls on its supporters through the pages of its magazine, INSPIRE, to carry out terrorist attacks against public transportation in the West, especially against trains. The organization directs attention to a unique and easy-to-assemble device that can be placed on the railroad tracks in order to divert a train from its course. According to the organization, attacks of this kind cause enormous economic and strategic damage to enemy states and widespread panic among the public.
· The Islamic State claims responsibility for terrorist attacks in Spain, including a ramming attack on La Rambla, Barcelona. Against the backdrop of these attacks, supporters of the organization publish a series of threats to continue carrying out attacks against Spain due to its military and logistical assistance to the war against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
· The Islamic State praises the capture of the city of Marawi in the Philippines by its fighters. As a result of the takeover, its fighters in the Philippines threaten to attack Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, and call on Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore to move to Marawi in order to fight against the Philippines regime.
· An Islamic State fighter of Australian origin encourages Muslims in Australia to join the battle alongside the organization in Marawi, in the Philippines, and attacks the Australian government for supporting the Philippines regime against the mujahideen. He advises Australian Muslims who cannot reach the Philippines to carry out terrorist attacks in their home country by crucifying with a nail gun, ramming into a crowd using a truck, and setting houses on fire using gas.
· The Islamic State encourages the execution of terrorist attacks against embassies and diplomats belonging to coalition countries that are operating against the organization throughout the world. According to the organization, attacks against the embassies are likely put pressure on the infidel governments in light of the severe damage to their interests. According to the organization, the embassies also serve as centers for gathering intelligence, spying and organizing operations against enemies and the opposition: “The embassies constitute a smaller form of their governments outside their lands.” Therefore, an attack against embassies and diplomats, the takeover of embassy buildings, and the taking hostage, kidnapping or execution of embassy staff should be of great service to jihad fighters. In light of this, the organization calls on its Muslim supporters around the world to attack embassies and diplomats.
· The Taliban in Pakistan launches a new magazine for women called, Sunnat -e-Khaula (“The Way of Khaula”). The magazine is written by women, including female members of the organization, and includes the personal stories of women who joined the organization, an interview with the first wife of the organization’s leader, and a call on women who are unable to move to areas of jihad to contribute to jihad against the infidels in various ways, including through the media.
This article is part of the RED-Alert project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation Programme under grant agreement No 740688.