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June 3, 2022 Special Announcements No. 1208

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: May 28 - June 4, 2022

June 3, 2022
Special Announcements No. 1208

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: The Evolution Of ISIS Views On Attacking The State Of Israel – Part II: Ideological Position On Palestine During The Baghdadi Era

By: Y. Kerman

Since its founding, ISIS – as well as its forerunners Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) – has expressed its desire to wage war on Israel and conquer Palestine. The organization's rhetoric has included threats to Israel and to Jews, similar to the discourse of other jihadi and Islamic groups.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Infographic Poster By Pro-ISIS Media Group Discusses Weaknesses Of U.S.-Made Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

On May 29, 2022, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) outlet released an Arabic-language infographic poster discussing the features and weaknesses of the U.S.-made Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), also known as the M2 Bradley.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Reacting To Texas Shooting, ISIS Supporters, Syria-Based Jihadis Celebrate Death Toll, Claim U.S. Authorities Would React Differently If Shooter Was Muslim

Following the May 24, 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, jihadis published posts online celebrating the attack and claiming that the only reason the "hypocritical" U.S. authorities have not classified the attack as an act of terrorism is that the shooter was not Muslim.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Anti-ISIS Jihadi Telegram Channels Publish Photos Allegedly Showing Newly-Appointed ISIS Caliph Following Unconfirmed Reports Of His Arrest By Turkish Authorities

On May 27, 2022, jihadi Telegram channels that oppose the Islamic State (ISIS) commented on a news report published on a Turkish website claiming the Turkish authorities arrested Abu Al-Hassan Al-Hashimi Al-Qurayshi, the newly-appointed Caliph of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Istanbul last week.

 

ISIS Escalates Arson Of Farms Owned By Iraq's Shi'ites, Tribal Forces; Pro-Al-Qaeda Outlet Accuses ISIS Of Increasing Suffering Of Sunni Farmers

Over the past days, the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for several arson attacks in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, targeting farms owned by Shi'ites and members of the Yarsani sect.

 

ISIS Weekly: The Concepts Of Nationalism, Humanism, And Interfaith Dialogue Are Part Of A 'Comprehensive War Against Islam' Which Must Be Counteracted With Jihad

Issue 340 of the Islamic State (ISIS) Al-Naba' weekly magazine, released on May 26, 2022, includes an editorial which attacks "the distortion and corruption of the Islamic faith" by means of Western ideas, such as nationalism, humanism and interfaith dialogue.

 

ISIS Continues Its Escalation Of Attacks In Mozambique By Burning Christian Homes

In recent days, ISIS perpetrated several new attacks in Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique. On May 29, ISIS operatives attacked a Christian village, burning residents' houses.

 

Prominent ISIS Supporter Rejects Rumors Of ISIS Leader's Arrest In Turkey As Lies Spread By 'Unbelievers'

On May 30, 2022, a prominent Islamic State (ISIS) supporter published a "notice" on their Telegram channel warning that the "unbelievers" often spread false rumors pertaining to "jihadi personalities with important and sensitive roles," in what is apparently a reference to recent unconfirmed reports that ISIS leader Abu Al-Hasan Al-Hashemi Al-Qurashi was captured by Turkish authorities in Istanbul.

 

On Rocket Chat, Anti-Islamic State Channel Claims Slain ISIS Spokesman Was Killed In November 2021 U.S. Airstrike In Aleppo, Not Alongside Top ISIS Leader In Atma In February 2022

On May 23, 2022, an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) channel on the Al-Qaeda-operated server claimed that ISIS slain spokesman Abu Hamzah Al-Qurayshi was not killed in a February 3 U.S. airstrike with top ISIS leader Abu Abu Ibrahim Al-Hashemi Al-Al-Qurayshi in Atma near Idlib, Syria, as ISIS claimed in a March 10 audio message.

 

Coverpage Article In Issue Six Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Criticizes Taliban Over Its Ties With Iran And Shi'ites, Says: 'The Taliban Permitted A Ceremony To Celebrate The 43rd Anniversary Of The Victory Of The Islamic Revolution Of Iran'

The coverpage article in the latest issue of the "Voice of Khurasan" – which is published by the Islamic State (ISIS) – attacks the Afghan Taliban's growing alliance with Iran and friendship with Shi'ites in Afghanistan.

 

Article In Issue Six Of Islamic State (ISIS) Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Slams The West For Using Media As 'Psychological Weapon,' Says: 'Their War Is Against Islam And All Muslims Who Believe In Bringing Back Islam As A Way Of Life'

An article in the latest issue of the "Voice of Khurasan," titled "The Media War upon the Islamic State," accuses the West of using international media to downplay the strengths of ISIS fighters and to sow seeds of discord among them.

 

Article In Issue Six Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Rejects Territorial Nationalism, Tells Palestinians: 'Unless You Leave The Fight For... The Taghut [i.e., Tyrant] Of Hamas, And Make Your Fight For The Sake Of Allah, For The Sake Of His Religion, You Shall Remain Humiliated At The Hands Of The Jews'

An article in the latest issue of the "Voice of Khurasan" – which is published by the Islamic State (ISIS) – criticizes the concept of territory-based nationalism, advocates the idea of religion-based caliphate, and declares Afghan Taliban of Afghanistan, Hamas of Palestine, and Ikhwanis (Muslim Brotherhood) of Egypt as apostates, i.e., those who have left Islam.

 

Prominent Islamic State (ISIS) Supporter Launches Campaign Against Women's Support For The Organization On Social Media, Prominent Female Supporter Responds

In recent days, prominent Islamic State (ISIS) supporter has been leading a campaign against female supporters, warning against accounts on Telegram and other social media platforms that subscribe to pro-ISIS channels run by women, promote such channels, or post video clips featuring women, even if they are fully covered in Islamic dress.

 

London-Based Pro-ISIS Preacher Calls For Jihad Against China

On May 30, 2022, London-based pro-Islamic State (ISIS) preacher posted an article on his website titled "Jihad: The Only Solution to China's War against the Muslims!"

 

Condemning Boris Johnson’s Parties At Which Alcohol Was Served During COVID Lockdowns, British Pro-ISIS Preacher Exalts Islamic Political System, Calls For 'Alternative System Of Governance' In UK

In a press release issued May 29, 2022 on his blog, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) British preacher discussed the Sue Gray report, a government report compiled by a senior British civil servant, investigating the parties held at the official residence of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during Covid lockdowns.

 

Al-Shabab Claims Simultaneous Attacks Against Military Targets In Southern Somalia And Mogadishu

On May 30 2022, Al-Qaeda's Somali affiliate, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), reported that on May 29 its operatives carried out six simultaneous attacks against six military bases of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Somali Armed Forces in the capital city of Mogadishu and in other cities.

 

Al-Shabab Video Shows Distribution Of Zakat In Somali Provinces, Recipients Praising 'Islamic Rule Of The Mujahideen'

On May 31, 2022, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's Somali affiliate Al-Shabab released a video titled "Excerpts From Sharia: Distribution of Livestock Zakat [Almsgiving] In Islamic Provinces During The Year 1442 [Hijri, corresponding to the year 2021] — Part One."

 

Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric Calls On Libyan Authorities To Free Migrant Jihadis "Wrongfully" Accused Of ISIS Membership

On May 25, 2022, a Canada-based pro-Al-Qaeda idealogue published a post on Telegram calling on supporters to exert pressure on Libyan authorities to free imprisoned jihadis, whether they are Libyan nationals or immigrants from Tunisia Egypt, and Algeria, who have been wrongfully accused of being members of the Islamic State (ISIS).

 

Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Announces Completion Of Exercise Involving All Military Branches On All Frontlines

On May 30-31, 2022, the official media outlet of Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) reported that the units in all the branches of its military had undergone a series of training exercises and that its forces are now in a state of "high readiness."

 

Pro-Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Video Warns Operatives Against 'Enemy Drones,' Provides Precautionary Tips

On May 31, 2022, a pro-Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Telegram channel published a short video titled "Meet the Silent Killer," highlighting the danger posed by drones operated by Russian forces supporting the Syrian regime, which target rebel factions.

 

Media Outlet Run By U.S.-Born Jihadi Journalist Releases Video Featuring Syrian Jihadi Cleric Declaring Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Leader Al-Joulani An Illegitimate Ruler

On May 30, 2022, a media network supporting the Syrian jihad run by a U.S.-born journalist and other published a video clip from its "Fatwas on the Air" program featuring a pro-rebel cleric.

 

Syrian Opposition Website: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Transfers Weapons To Syria In Convoys Of Shi'ite Pilgrims

On May 31, 2022, a Syrian opposition website reported that as part of its efforts to disguise its weapons shipments to Syria, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has recently adopted a new approach, as it capitalizes on the convoys of Shi'ite pilgrims making their way to Syria.

 

Report On Syrian Opposition Website: Iran-Backed Al-Nujaba Movement Holds Surface-To-Surface Missile Exercise In Syria

A Syrian opposition website reported that on May 25, 2022, the Iran-backed Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement held training exercises in the use of short- and long-range surface-to-surface missiles south of Al-Raqqah.

 

Syrian Opposition Websites: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Stores Drones, Rockets And Other Weapons At Deir Al-Zour Military Airport

On May 25, 2022, a Syrian opposition website posted an article which it claims, "reveals, for the first time, information about the large military presence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) at the former civilian airport which is now part of the military airport at Deir Al-Zour."

 

Syrian Opposition Website: Iran Recruits Syrians To Fight Alongside Houthis In Yemen

On April 18, 2022, a Syrian opposition website reported that Iran had begun to recruit Syrian Shi'ites who reside in eastern Syria to fight alongside the Houthi Ansar Allah movement in Yemen.

 

Iran-Backed Group Claims Responsibility For Second Attack In A Month On Ayn Al-Assad Airbase In Iraq

On May 30, 2022, a group an Iran-backed group claimed responsibility for launching six 122 mm Grad rockets (BM-21 "Grad") at the Ayn Al-Assad Airbase in Iraq.

 

Celebrating Iran's Seizure Of Two Greek Ships, Telegram Channel Affiliated With Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Tells IRGC: Terrorize Allah's Enemy

On May 27, 2022, a Telegram channel affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq reported that Iran has seized two ships bearing the national flag of Greece in the Persian Gulf.

 

Taliban Builds Dome Of The Rock Replica in Kabul To Express Solidarity With Palestine, ISIS Supporters Criticize Project

On May 21, 2022, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban) published their official Arabic-language monthly magazine, Al-Somood. The editorial on the third page of the issue is titled "Afghanistan: The Beating Heart of the Islamic Nation."

 

Anti-Taliban Group National Liberation Front (NLF) Claims Bombing Of Ceremony Honoring Slain Taliban Leader, Says Afghan Taliban's Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Was Wounded

On May 22, 2022, the National Liberation Front (NLF) for Afghanistan, a newly established anti-Taliban armed organization, claimed to have killed and wounded several Taliban leaders in an attack targeting the ceremony in Kabul commemorating the anniversary of the death of Taliban emir Akhtar Mohammad Mansour.

 

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Video Shows Jihadi Fighters Using 'Laser Guns' Against Pakistani Soldiers; Pakistani Government Freed About 30 TTP Fighters

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (the Movement of the Pakistani Taliban, TTP) has released a video featuring "laser gun" attacks against Pakistani security forces in the restive North and South Waziristan tribal districts of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

 

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Criticizes Pakistani Politicians And Military Generals, Says: 'Pakistan Is An Ideological State And The Aim Of Its Establishment Is The Enforcement Of La Ilaha Illa Allah [There Is No Deity But Allah]'

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (the Movement of Pakistani Taliban, TTP), which is in peace talks with the Pakistani government, has sought to intervene in the political situation in Pakistan, which was set off by mass street protests led by former prime minister Imran Khan and demanding that the current government headed by Shehbaz Sharif announce dates for general elections.

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