Summary of Information on Jihadist Websites The Second Half of September 2015
This report summarizes notable events discussed on jihadist Web forums during the second half of September 2015. Following are the main points covered in the report:
Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, criticizes the establishment of the Islamic Caliphate by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and emphasizes that it is not legally valid and, therefore, Muslims are not obligated to swear allegiance to it. According to him, it is of considerable importance at the present time to unite the ranks of the mujahideen and to exercise caution when declaring takfir on Muslims. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of focusing the war effort against the West, especially the United States, Israel, secular Arab regimes, Iran and its allies.
Khalid bin ‘Umar Batarfi, a senior leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, praised the wave of knife terrorist attacks by Palestinians against Jews in Israel. He justifies these attacks as a response to Israel’s harsh oppression of the Palestinians and its efforts to Judaize Al-Aqsa Mosque. According to him, it is a religious conflict closely related to the Muslim Nation and in order to free Palestine, they must fight against the Jews, the Christian West (especially the United States), and the Arab regimes surrounding Israel that abandoned the Palestinian problem and are interested in strengthening their relationship with Israel.
Yusuf al-Anabi, a senior leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, accuses regimes in North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, of oppressing Muslims interested in implementing shari’a and of collaborating with the enemies of Islam, led by France, against the mujahideen and the Muslim population. In light of this, he appeals to Muslims around the world to wake up and fulfil the commandment to wage jihad as well as wage a public relations campaign denouncing the repressive policies of Western countries. According to him, efforts should be focused on carrying out terrorist attacks on western soil against its capital cities, political and economic institutions, and companies that employ workers of different nationalities around the world.
The Islamic State launches a comprehensive propaganda campaign aimed at discouraging residents from leaving the territories under its control and migrating to Europe. Several videos published by the organization and the media institutions that support it describe such migration as prohibited by religious law and explain the hardships facing refugees as well as Western society’s harsh treatment of Muslims.
Abu Bakr Shekau, the leader of the Islamic State in East Africa (formerly Boko Haram), denies reports of his death and emphasizes that they were part of the false rumor mill operated by the Nigerian regime. In addition, he clarifies his allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State, and to the Islamic Caliphate.
