The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock – among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to [email protected] with "Membership" in the subject line.)
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Note to media and government: For a full copy of these reports, send an email with the title of the report in the subject line to [email protected]. Please include your name, title, and organization in your email.
In New Letter, Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi Endorses Jabhat Al-Nusra, Criticizes Salafi-Jihadi Groups For Mishandling Arab Spring, Rebukes Al-Tartousi's Criticism
Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi
On April 2, 2013, the Salafi-jihadi website Minbar Al-Tawhid wal Jihad (MTJ) published a new letter from leading cleric and jihadi ideologue Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Jordan. The 10-page letter, dated December 4, 2012, is titled "From Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi To His Brothers The Monotheists In This Country And To Whomever It Reaches In The Land Of The Muslims." In it, Al-Maqdisi addresses a range of issues, with a focus on the Salafi-jihadis' reaction to the upheaval in the Arab world brought by the Arab Spring; this is Al-Maqdisi's first detailed reaction to the Arab Spring. Most prominently in this letter, Al-Maqdisi voices his endorsement of the Al-Qaeda-linked group Jabhat Al-Nusra, praising a group of "mujahideen" fighting in Syria that "have raised a pure banner." Although MTJ reported in recent days that Al-Maqdisi is now in solitary confinement, the letter is the fourth text by Al-Maqdisi to be published by the website in the past week.
Jabhat Al-Nusra Leader Over Beheaded Corpse Of Syrian Army Officer: This Will Be The Fate Of All The Arab Tyrants
Following are excerpts from footage of the beheaded corpse of a Syrian commander, next to which a Jabhat Al-Nusra leader delivered a speech. The footage was posted on the Internet on March 26, 2013.
Jabhat Al-Nusra activist: "Send a message to Bashar.
"Film this. [the camera focuses on beheaded corpse in military uniform.]"
Jabhat Al-Nusra leader: "In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad, and upon his companions, his family, and his followers.
"We declare that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
"Oh people, Allah said in his exalted book: "Fight them. Allah will torment them at your hand. He will humiliate them, and will grant you victory over them. He will remove the fury in the hearts of the believers. Allah turns in forgiveness to whomever he wills."
Exclusive Images From Al-Qaeda In Iraq Documenting Training Exercise, Operations, Published On Leading Jihadi Forum
On April 2, 2013, the leading jihadi forum Shumoukh Al-Islam posted exclusive images of dozens of masked mujahideen armed with AK-47s in Sheikh Abi Ibrahim military camp during a training exercise. Posted by the forum's administrator, the images, which were probably taken from an upcoming propaganda video, show a number of different operations such as bombing vehicles and attacking Iraqi soldiers and facilities.
Weapons Experts Publishes 'Al-Qaeda Airlines' IV, Dedicated To Chemical Warfare, Home Manufacture Of Cyanide
On April 2, 2013, the fourth issue of the online Al-Qaeda Airlines magazine was published on the Shumoukh Al-Islam jihadi forum. The magazine, authored by "'Abdallah Dhu Al-Bajadin," a prominent weapons and explosives expert, offers detailed information on the home manufacture of Cyanide.
Saudi-American Al-Qaeda Supporter Announces Via Twitter That She, And Three Others, Have Joined Jihadis in Yemen In Retaliation For Her 'Sisters In Saudi Prisons'
On April 1, 2013, Arwa Baghdadi, a Saudi-American woman accused of supporting terrorist groups and whose husband is imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on terrorism-related charges, announced via Twitter that she has joined the jihadis in Yemen along with her brother, his wife, and her niece, in retaliation for the imprisonment of women in Saudi Arabia.
On Leading Al-Qaeda Forum, Jihadi Rallies Hackers To Join Tunisian, Al-Qaeda Cyber Armies In Targeting U.S.'s 'Vital' Points
On March 25, 2013, a general invitation to hackers to join a cyber-attack campaign against U.S. websites was posted on the Al-Fida' jihadi forum. The invitation, posted by member "Bahith2" ("Researcher2"), called on hackers to join the recently launched "opBlackSummer" campaign.
'Irish' Jihadi Raises Possibility That Al-Qaeda Is Responsible For Alleged Cyberattack Against Open Source Center
On March 30, 2013, 'Abd Al-Hamid Al-Irlandi ("The Irish"), a Shumoukh Al-Islam forum member, posted in the forum his musings on whether Al-Qaeda was behind an alleged cyberattack that targeted the U.S. government website Open Source Center (OSC).
AQIM Launches Its Official Twitter Account, Threatens To Kill French Hostages
On March 28, 2013, Al-Andalus Foundation for Media Production, the media wing of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), announced its official Twitter account in a statement posted on the leading jihadi forum Al-Fida'.
AQIM Threatens Further Executions Of Hostages, Attacks On French Civilians
On March 24, 2013, the Mauritanian news agency Nouakchott (ani.mr) published segments from a new communiqué by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The communiqué confirms that AQIM has executed French hostage Phillipe Verdon, and explains that this was a response to France's attacks on AQIM's bases in Mali. It states further that the other French hostages AQIM is holding are safe for now, but urges their families to increase their pressure on the French government to withdraw its forces from Mali – otherwise the group will not be able to vouch for their safety. AQIM also threatens to attack French citizens in retaliation for France's intervention in Mali, explaining that they bear responsibility for their government's actions since they elected it freely.
Center: Phillipe Verdon, French hostage executed by AQIM
On Taliban Video, TTP Commander Khalid Haqqani Justifies Execution Of Pakistani Securitymen
TTP commander Sheikh Khalid Haqqani appears on the video with face obscured
A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) video in Urdu language, released by a jihadi internet forum, shows Taliban militants executing Pakistani security forces on the outskirts of Peshawar, and shares an anti-Shi'ite message. The timing of the video is unclear.
AQAP Re-Releases 'Jihad Of A Nation' Film – Including Previously Omitted Segment Promising Reward For Killing U.S. Ambassador, Troops
On March 27, 2013, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released the full version of its propaganda film "Jihad of a Nation," a partial version of which had been released on jihadi websites on December 24, 2012.
