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 jttmsubs@memri.org with "Membership" in the subject line.)
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 media@memri.org. Please include your name, title, and organization in your email.
On May 25, 2016, Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, Jabhat Al-Nusra (JN), released a video titled "Continuing to Support You," in which one of its officials, 'Abd Al-Rahim 'Atwan, aka Abu Abdallah Al-Shami, delivers a statement on behalf of the group. The statement is a response to the recent U.S. airstrike on the Abu Al-Zuhur airbase in northern Syria, in which senior JN commanders were killed. 'Atwan accuses the U.S. of supporting the Assad regime and of abetting its crimes, and vows that the Syrian people will punish the U.S. for targeting JN and helping their enemies.
EXCLUSIVE: AQIM Releases Photos Of Organization Fighters In Azawad
On May 26, 2016, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) released a video, some 4:30 minutes long, titled "Pictures from Azawad." The video, which was released by the organization's media wing, Al-Andalus, and posted on the jihadi forum Al-Fida (alfidaa.info), is a slide show of still photos showing AQIM fighters in Azawad (northern Mali).
EXCLUSIVE: Pro-ISIS Libyan Media Activists Post Images Threatening Paris, Rome
On May 24, 2016 the pro-ISIS Libyan media group Libya Wa'z Al-Khilafah published a series of graphic images containing threats to Paris and Rome. The group, which publishes on Telegram, also previously operated on Facebook and Twitter and published content in support of ISIS's Libya branch.
A Facebook page and two Telegram channels allegedly operated by female German ISIS members currently residing in Syria and Iraq provide detailed reports about their emigration and life in ISIS held territories. The channels regularly distribute ISIS-related media publications and aim to recruit supporters and activists from among German-speaking Muslims.
EXCLUSIVE: U.S.-Born Media Activist Interviews French Ex-ISIS Fighter In Syria
On May 25, 2016, U.S.-born media activist in Syria Bilal Abdul Kareem shared, via his Facebook and Twitter accounts, an installment in the series of video news reports called "Face the Truth,", which is an On The Ground News production. In this video, Kareem interviews a former Islamic State (ISIS) fighter from France named Abu Mohammad.
EXCLUSIVE: Jihadi Tech Group Releases Video Warning Jihadis About U.S.-Led Mass Surveillance
On May 12, 2016, the pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Electronic Horizon Foundation (EHF) group released a video warning jihadis about the extensive U.S. surveillance of their online activities and communications, and urging jihadis to acquire the technical know-how to protect these.
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ISIS Releases Images Of Fighters Based In Khurasan
Following are images released by the Islamic State (ISIS) of some 20 jihadis who belong to ISIS's Al-Zubayr bin Al-'Awwam Brigade, which is based in Khurasan (Afghanistan-Pakistan region).
British ISIS Widow Sally Jones Tweets Encouragement To Women In UK To Target Enemies During Ramadan
After a brief Twitter hiatus, on May 24, 2016, the widow of ISIS hacker and fighter Junaid Hussain returned to the social media platform, issuing threats and providing several updates. Jones posted eight tweets on May 24. In addition to the threats, she mentioned that she was in Iraq, expressed her desire for martyrdom, and offered words of encouragement to ISIS supporters in Bangladesh. Earlier this month, Jones tweeted to UK Prime Minister David Cameron's Twitter account, hinting that there would be retribution from ISIS for the attacks on it.
British ISIS Fighter, Recruiter, Fundraiser Shares Experiences In Islamic State On Facebook
A 26-year-old British ISIS fighter is active on Facebook, and has repeatedly stated that individuals who would like to donate money to ISIS can do so through him. In one post he included his username on various encrypted applications, so that users can contact him securely. He does not reveal a lot of personal information about himself.
On May 23, 2016, the Islamic State (ISIS) issued a statement claiming responsibility for killing more than 150 "polytheists Nusairis [Shi'ites]" and wounding hundreds in attacks by booby-trapped cars and suicide bombers in the coastal cities of Tartus and Jableh.
On May 22, 2016, Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi announced the launch of a military operation, by the U.S.-backed Iraqi Army together with Shi'ite militias, to recapture the city of Fallujah from the Islamic State (ISIS). The start of the operation triggered an immediate online media response from Sunni Muslims worldwide in support of the city's population.
ISIS Claims Responsibility For IED Attack Against Philippine Soldiers
On May 20, 2016, the Islamic State (ISIS) released a statement claiming responsibility for the previous day's IED attack against soldiers in Basilan, an island province of the Philippines.
Jihadi Publishes Indonesian Translation Of ISIS Video
On May 19, 2016, a member of leading ISIS forum Shumoukh Al-Islam posted an Indonesian-language transcription or a recent ISIS video.
The video, which was published in April by the media office of Al-Furat province, was titled "Guardians of the [Islamic State] Citizens" and showcased the function of several departments within the Islamic State that deal with law and shari'a enforcements.
ISIS Supporters Around The World Launch Campaign In Anticipation Of 'Adnani Speech
On May 21, 2016, ISIS's media company Al-Furqan announced the upcoming release of a new audio recording by the organization's spokesman, Abu Muhammad Al-'Adnani, titled "That They Live by Proof." The recording was released later that day.
Tajik Fighter In Khorasan Join Local ISIS Affiliate
On May 26, 2016 the Islamic State (ISIS) in "Khorasan Province" (Pakistan-Afghanistan) released a five-minute video in which a group of Tajik fighters pledges loyalty to ISIS and to its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.
On May 24, 2016, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) took responsibility for a Grad missile attack on a French mine in northern Niger. The mine, located in the industrial town of Arlit, is run by the French company Areva.
Umar Khalid Khorasani is the emir of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan - Jamaatul Ahrar (TTPJA), based in the border region of Pakistan. Although Umar Khorasani left the TTP over the succession issue after Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in November 2013 and later rejoined it, the TTPJA, which he heads, has functioned mainly as an independent group in recent years.
Abu Sayyaf Group Releases Ultimatum Regarding Hostages From Canada, Norway, Philippines
The Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf jihad group has released another video of the three Western hostages it is holding, delivering a final warning that its ransom demands must be met or it will execute them.
Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) In Syria Releases Song Glorifying Martyrdom
On May 22, 2016, On May 22, 2016, the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) branch in Syria released a new video featuring fighters in Syria singing a nasheed (Islamic chant) titled "Go Forth Oh Mujahid." The video was produced by the group's media wing Voice of Islam and distributed by the Al-Qaeda media group Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) on Telegram and Twitter. The song is in Uyghur, and it is subtitled in in English and Arabic.
