memri
August 12, 2022 Special Announcements No. 1234

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: August 6-13, 2022

August 12, 2022
Special Announcements No. 1234

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.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Afghan Taliban-Affiliated Outlet: ISIS In Khorasan Or Iranian Regime May Have Tipped Off The U.S. On Al-Zawahiri's Location In Kabul; Taliban Involvement Is Unlikely

A Telegram channel which disseminates news of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the ruling Taliban jihadi organization), published an article claiming the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Khorasan or Iran tipped off the U.S. military about the location of Al-Qaeda's leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who was killed in a U.S. done strike in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 31.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Afghan Taliban Government's Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi On Al-Zawahiri Killing: 'The Only Thing We Know For Sure Is That A Drone Attack Has Taken Place, Which Is Against International Law And The Doha Agreement'

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.

Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the ruling Taliban jihadi organization) has said that the U.S. drone attack on a safe house in Kabul city on July 31, which killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, violates both national sovereignty and the Doha Agreement, according to an Afghan media report.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Anonymous Pro-Al-Qaeda Source Provides Insight Into History Of The Organization, 'Al-Qaeda's Four Stage Plan' To Cope With Al-Zawahiri's Death Based On Inside Information

In a post published on its blog on August 4, 2022, an anonymous "journalist" who claims to have close sources to Al-Qaeda, discussed the implications for the organization of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri's death in the U.S drone strike on July 31 in Kabul, Afghanistan, anticipating some of the latter's next steps, including selecting a new leader to succeed Al-Zawahiri.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Jihadi Ideologue Defends Afghan Taliban's Statement Denying Knowledge Of Al-Zawahiri's Presence In Kabul, Says: War Is Deception, Muslims Are Permitted To Lie To Evade America's Hostility

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.

A Jordan-based pro-Al-Qaeda ideologue continued to comment the U.S. drone strike that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 31. In recent tweets, the jihadi cleric defended statements made by Afghan Taliban officials saying they had no knowledge of Ayman Al-Zawahiri's arrival and stay in Kabul.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Pakistani Media Report: Senior Leaders Of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Killed In Eastern Afghanistan, Omar Khalid Khorasani Carried U.S. Reward Of $3 Million

A Pakistani newspaper reports that several top leaders of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (the Movement of Pakistani Taliban, TTP) were killed in a roadside blast caused by a mysterious IED in eastern Afghanistan.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Al-Qaeda-Associated Writer Questions Al-Zawahiri's Death, Claims U.S. Orchestrated 9/11 Attacks, Calls For Jihad Against 'New U.S. Occupation Of Afghanistan'

In early August 2022, an Al-Qaeda associate and writer published a three-part series of articles titled "Welcome to the Doha Agreement," in which he linked the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan, a peace agreement signed by the U.S. and the Taliban in February 2020, with the July 31, 2022, U.S. airstrike that targeted and killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Kabul, Afghanistan.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Albanian Jihadi Group Disseminates Content On Website, Telegram Documenting Its Syria-Based Activities, Celebrate Afghan Taliban's Takeover Of Afghanistan, Demonstrate Connection With Other Northern Caucasus Jihadi Groups

A jihadi militant group operating in the Syrian city of Idlib and its surrounding areas is comprised of ethnic Albanians. In the past few weeks, the groups published a wide range of promotional content on Telegram documenting the activities of its fighters. The group's website also includes promotional content, as well as video tutorials for using weapons and videos of jihadi lectures.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Image Of Slain IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani Displayed At Shi'ite Ashura Holiday Procession In Central London

On August 9, 2022, a Telegram channel supporting Iran-backed militias in Iraq published photos of a procession on London's Oxford Street, held in honor of the Shi'ite holiday Ashura on August 8. Among the photos was one showing attendees displaying photos on the window of his vehicle of IRGC Quds Force Commander General Qasem Soleimani and of the Iraqi deputy leader of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.

 

Overview Of Islamic State East Asia Province (ISEAP) Activity In Philippines Since August 2021 – Part IV: East Asia Knights (EAK) Media Group And Its Connection To ISEAP

By Y. Kerman

Following is the fourth part of a five-part report focusing on Islamic State East Asia Province (ISEAP) activity in the Philippines over the past year, since August 2021. Using the data available, it suggests how the ISIS branch in the Philippines might be expected to develop and what the official and unofficial media produced by this branch can tell us about its trajectory.

 

In Video, ISIS-K Threatens Participants In Taliban-Organized Islamic Clerics' Conference In Kabul, Slams Afghan Taliban Leaders For Supporting Western 'Unbelievers' And Shi'ites

In a video, the Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K) threatened Afghan Taliban officials and participants in the recently held grand jirga ("council") of pro-Taliban Islamic clerics and tribal elders of deadliest attacks.

 

ISIS Editorial Exploits Iraq's Intra-Shi'ite Political Conflict, 'Diminished' Role Of U.S., Urges Sunnis To Join The Ranks Of Jihad

On August 4, 2022, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 350 of its weekly newsletter Al-Naba', which features an editorial titled "The Rafidhi Infighting In Iraq." The editorial warns Iraqi Sunnis to expect no good changes from the country's Shi'ite ruling and political class, arguing that jihad is the only way to bring about change.

 

Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) Claims Two Attacks Against Shi'ites In Kabul Ahead Of Ashura Holiday, Causing Up To 50 Casualties

In early August 2022, the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility for two attacks on Shi'ites in Kabul.The attacks came as Shi'ites worldwide are preparing to celebrate Ashura, a major holiday for the Shi'ite branch of Islam, which falls this year on August 7-8.

 

Celebrating Prison Break In Democratic Republic Of The Congo (DRC) Presumably Organized By ISIS Affiliate, Supporters Hope For Liberation Of Women From Syria's Al-Hol Camp

On August 9, 2022, about 80 armed men attacked a prison in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), freeing more than 800 prisoners. The prison director stated that of the 874 inmates who had been in the facility, only 58 remained after the attack.

 

Pro-ISIS Channel Shares Malian Army Statement On Alleged ISIS Attack, No Official Claim By ISIS To Date

Between August 7 and August 9, 2022, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram channel shared news reports by different sources, including the Malian Army, about two alleged ISIS attacks which ISIS has not officially claimed.

 

ISIS In Mozambique Makes Video Address To Mozambique President, Vows To Keep Fighting Against Army, Christians

On August 9, 2022, an ISIS outlet released a one-minute 14-second video of ISIS fighters delivering a message in Arabic to the Mozambican government, army, and Christians.

 

Poster By Pro-ISIS Media Group Reports Organization Killed About 190 African Christians Over Two Months

On August 8, 2022, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) outlet released a poster in English and Arabic versions titled "Harvest of African Christians," summarizing the "outcomes of the operations of two months (June & July) which targeted villages and cities of Christians" in Africa.

 

Pro-ISIS Foundation Recruits Mauritanians To Join ISIS

On August 9, 2022, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) outlet released a poster for the recruitment of new ISIS members in Mauritania.

 

Pro-ISIS Media Group Publishes Recipe For Cyanide On Justpaste.It

On August 8, 2022, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) outlet published a two-page guide in Arabic for producing homemade cyanide on the Justpaste.it website.

 

Anti-ISIS Channel: 'Uncoordinated Media Releases By ISKP Exposes ISIS Central Media Office's Lack Of Control Over Its Afghanistan Media Branch'

On July 30, 2022, an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) channel on the Al-Qaeda-operated Rocket.Chat server argued that the ISIS Central Media office was losing its grip on the official media outlet of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).

 

Following Israeli Operation In Gaza, British Pro-ISIS Preacher Accuses Western And Arab Countries Of Defending Israel, Claims They Should Support Gaza As They Support Ukraine

On August 5, 2022, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) British preacher published a post on his blog, titled "What's the Difference Between Ukraine And Gaza?"

 

Escalating Attacks, Al-Shabab Claims Shelling Somali Presidential Palace, Assassinating Government Officials, Killing Or Wounding Over 30 Soldiers In Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopian Border

Between August 6-8, 2022 the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), reported 14 new claims of attacks by Al-Shabab operatives in Somalia, Kenya, and on the Somali-Ethiopian border.

 

Al-Shabab Claims Attacks On Presidential Palace In Mogadishu And On Seven Military Bases In Kenya

On August 6-7, 2022, the official news outlet of Al-Qaeda's Somali-affiliate Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), published a series of claims of responsibility for a number of attacks in Somalia and Kenya.

 

Al-Shabab Suicide Operation Against Somali Military Base Reportedly Kills Dozens, Including General

On August 5, 2022, Al-Shabab's media arm released a news bulletin reporting that the group carried out a suicide attack on a Somali military base that killed or wounded over 42 people, including a Somali general.

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate In Sahel Escalates Attacks On Malian Security Forces In Sikasso, Captures One Soldier

On August 8, 2022, the media arm of the Mali-based Al-Qaeda affiliate, Jama'at Nasr Al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), or the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), released a statement claiming the killing of five Malian soldiers and the capture of one in southern Mali.

 

Al-Qaeda Supporters Discuss Which Shari'a-Governed Regions Are Best To Travel To: 'Currently Palestine, Syria, Yemen Are The Best' Choices

On August 4, 2022, on the Al-Qaeda-operated Rocket.Chat, an Al-Qaeda supporter shared a post in English inquiring about which destinations would be suitable for hijra (i.e., traveling to wage jihad and live under shari'a). Asking whether the Levant, the Indian subcontinent, or Africa would be the best choice as a destination, the user asked others on the platform to message him directly with information.

 

Syria-Based U.S.-Born Jihadi Reporter Interviews Prominent British Hizb ut-Tahrir Member, Who Hails Restoration Of Caliphate As Solution For Problems Facing Muslim Countries

On August 3, 2022, a media outlet operated by a Syria-based U.S.-born jihadi reporter posted a 48-minute video on its YouTube and Twitter channels featuring an interview with a prominent member of Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK.

 

Syrian Jihadi Cleric: Feminism Promotes Homosexuality And Atheism; Action Should Be Taken Against Feminist Associations and Activists

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.

Issue 39 of the Balagh magazine, published by a group of independent jihadi clerics and preachers based in Syria's rebel-controlled Idlib region, was released on August 6, 2022. This latest issue includes an article by an independent Syrian jihad warning of the danger that feminism and these women pose to Islamic society.

 

Pro-Jihadi Twitter Account Promotes Fundraising Campaign Soliciting Donations Via PayPal For Syrian Refugees, Palestinians In Gaza

On August 3, 2022, a pro-jihadi Twitter account promoted several fundraising campaigns through PayPal, saying the funds will aid Syrians held in refugee camps and Palestinians in Gaza whose homes were destroyed during "Israeli bombardment."

 

New Gaza-Based Jihadi Group Claims Several Rocket Attacks Against Israel

A new group apparently based in Gaza claimed firing several rocket barrages at Israeli targets between August 5 and 7, 2022, in response to Israel's killing of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander.

 

Syrian Opposition Website Publishes List Of Iranian UAV Bases In Syria, Highlights Danger Of Iranian Drone Warfare Across Middle East

On August 8, a Syrian opposition website, published an article reporting the presence of three Iranian UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) bases in Syria.

 

Syrian Opposition Website: For The First Time, Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement Opens Military Course For Women

On August 8, 2022, a website affiliated with the Syrian opposition reported that for the first time in its history the Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement militia has opened a military training course for women.

 

During Escalation Between Israel And Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Iran-Backed Shi'ite Factions In Iraq Vow To Support PIJ, But Fail To Deliver

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.

On August 5, 2022, Israel targeted several top military commanders from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) organization – starting with Taysir Al-Jabari, who was the northern Gaza commander of PIJ – and commenced operation Breaking Dawn. The eliminations of the commanders and some PIJ operatives took place following several days of tension and high alert sparked by information about the organization's intention to fire anti-tank weapons at vehicles travelling on roads in Israel from the nearby Gaza Strip.

Share this Report: