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September 16, 2022 Special Announcements No. 1248

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: September 10-17, 2022

September 16, 2022
Special Announcements No. 1248

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: Jihadi Palestinian Commentator: The September 11 Attacks Were Not A Western Conspiracy; They 'Quenched The Thirst Of Every Free And Devout Person For Revenge Against The American Enemy'

On September 11, 2022, the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, a jihadi Gazan commentator and expert on international affairs, posted a short article on his Telegram channel praising these attacks. He wrote that, despite the criticism they evoked in the Muslim world, the attacks had satisfied the desire "of every free and devout person for revenge against the American enemy," and proved that the Islamic nation is capable of "breaking the strength of the occupiers and completely humiliating them."

 

EXCLUSIVE: Book By Al-Qaeda Veteran Provides Insights Into 9/11 Attacks, Does Not Indicate Whether Author Is Alive Or Dead

On September 11, 2022, the media arm of Al-Qaeda Central Command, published a 271-page book titled "The 11th Of September Operations – Between Fact And Uncertainty." The book was written by 'Abdallah Ahmad 'Abdallah, aka Abu Muhammad Al-Masri, Al-Qaeda's second-in-command, who was reportedly assassinated in Tehran in August 2020, although Al-Qaeda has not confirmed his death.

 

EXCLUSIVE: On The 21st Anniversary Of 9/11, Al-Qaeda Releases Message By Unnamed Leader Glorifying Attackers

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

On September 10, 2022, Al-Sahab, the media arm of Al-Qaeda Central Command released a message marking the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, titled "Gains – The Day Of Criterion, The Day Of Badr, And The Criterion Of The Age On The Day Of September."

 

EXCLUSIVE: New Pro-Al-Qaeda Media Group Declares Goal Of 'Defending Oppressed Muslims,' Inciting Jihad Against The U.S., Claims 9/11 Demonstrated Al-Qaeda's Defeat Of America

On September 9, 2022, the pro-Al-Qaeda Al-Fajr News forwarded a post by a new media group, announcing its intent to issue a statement declaring its establishment on September 11, 2022, the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks perpetrated by Al-Qaeda.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Pro-Al-Qaeda Media Foundation Publishes Posters To Celebrate 9/11 Anniversary

On September 11, 2022, a pro-Al-Qaeda outlet published a poster in Arabic, Pashto, Urdu and English on its Twitter, Telegram and Chirpwire channels to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The posters depict Osama Bin Laden and the Twin Towers on fire following the Al-Qaeda attack on September 11, 2001.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) Official Media Outlet Celebrates 9/11 As Genesis Of Global Jihad, Paving Way For Establishment Of ISIS Caliphate

On September 11, 2022, the official media outlet of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), published a Telegram post in English commemorating the 9/11 attacks. The post claims the attacks inflicted a lasting blow to the U.S. and marked the beginning of a new phase in the conflict between Islam and its enemies, which would culminate in the establishment of ISIS' caliphate.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Jihadis Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Passing, Claim She Was 'Spiteful' Toward Islam

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

Salafi-jihadis online published varying reactions the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with many celebrating the Monarch's passing. The following JTTM report compiles these responses.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Pro-ISIS Preachers In The West Claim Queen Elizabeth Will Burn In Hellfire For Not Converting To Islam, Lash Out At Muslims Who Mourn Her

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

In the days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, two pro-Islamic State (ISIS) channels based in the West claimed that Queen Elizabeth II would "burn in Hellfire" for not converting to Islam, and shared their criticism of those Muslims who expressed sorrow over her death.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Amid Reports Of Queen Elizabeth's Deteriorating Health, Telegram Outlets Affiliated With Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Celebrate Her Death

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

On September 8, 2022, and upon emerging news reports suggesting that the health condition of Queen Elizabeth II is deteriorating and that she is currently under medical supervision, Telegram channels affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq shared several posts anticipating and announcing her death.

 

ISIS Spokesman: Attacks On Prisons Are Top Operational Priority; Praises Prison Breaks In Africa, Calls On Muslims In East Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Africa To Join ISIS

On September 13, 2022, the media arm of the Islamic State (ISIS) Central Command released an audio message by the group's spokesman. Titled, "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah [i.e., Quran], and be not divided among yourselves," the speech praised recent prison breaks conducted by ISIS operatives in Nigeria on July 5 and another in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on August 10, highlighting that these raids were carried out based on directives issued by ISIS leadership.

 

Turkey Announces Arrest Of ISIS 'Senior Executive' Who Is Rumored To Be ISIS Caliph

On September 8, 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that a "senior executive" of the Islamic State (ISIS) was captured in Istanbul, Turkey. According to reporting by the state-run Anadolu news agency, Turkish intelligence and Istanbul Police conducted a joint operation which resulted in the arrest.

 

ISIS In Syria Claims Capture, Execution Of Six SDF Militiamen In Eastern Syria

On September 11, 2022, ISIS's Syria Province declared that it had captured and executed six members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Deir Al-Zour governorate in eastern Syria, in retaliation for the SDF's "crimes" against women and children in the SDF-run Al-Hol camp east of Al-Hasakah.

 

Editorial In ISIS Weekly Claims Attacks On 'Crusader' Embassies Are Legitimate

On September 8, 2022, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 355 of its weekly Al-Naba' newsletter, which included an editorial titled "Emirate of Embassies," criticizing the Afghan Taliban and other jihadi reactions to the September 5 attack on the Russian Embassy in Kabul. It argued that "Crusader" embassies remain a legitimate target, and that the Taliban's pursuit of international legitimacy is equivalent to defeat.

 

Cover Article In Issue 12 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Accuses Afghan Taliban Of Abandoning Shari'a By Accepting Nationalism

In a cover article in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), the Islamic State has criticized the Afghan Taliban for deviating from shari'a principles by accepting the territory-based idea of Afghan "nationalism," obeying the Western "infidel" nations, and protecting the non-Muslim communities of Afghanistan.

 

Article In Issue 13 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan': 'All Over The History, We See The Muslim Armies Prevailing Over The Armies Of Kuffar [Unbelievers] That Were [Many] Times Greater, More Equipped Than Muslim Armies'

An article in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), reminds readers of how Muslim armies have defeated more numerous and well-equipped enemies.

 

Article In Issue 13 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Urges Indian Muslims To Join ISIS: 'The So-Called Largest Democracy Is Enabling Genocide [Of Indian Muslims] Under The Nose Of UN And So-Called Civilized Western Powers'

An article in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), calls upon Indian Muslims to join the Khilafah ("caliphate," i.e., the Islamic State) to fight Hindu injustice against Muslims.

 

Article In Issue 13 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan': 'After A Year The U.S. Is Still Licking Its Wounds' In Afghanistan... We Say To [U.S. President Joe] Biden, His Taliban Mercenaries... You Will Be Defeated And Humiliated'

In an article in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), the Islamic State narrates a number of attacks by its fighters in Afghanistan since the Taliban captured power on August 15, 2021.

 

Report In Issue 13 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Eulogizes Indian Fighter Who May Have Been Given A Pakistani Passport, Helped Plan 2008 Mumbai Attacks, Worked In Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Al-Qaeda Before Joining ISIS-K

A report in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), eulogizes Indian engineer Ismail Al-Hindi.

 

Cover Article In Issue 13 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan': 'Muslims... Unfortunately Have Made Nationalism As A Standard Of Relations And Have Become The Prey Of Jews And Christians'

The cover article in the latest issue of ISIS-K magazine "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), argues against nationalism, saying that the mujahideen's goal is to break this "idol," which has caused the formation of borders within the world of Islam.

 

Article In Issue 12 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Says Attributing False Meanings To 'Allah' Could Invalidate One's Islam: 'It Is Obligatory Upon Every Sincere Muslim To Recognize Allah In The Light Of Koran And Sunnah'

An article in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), dissects Islamic theological concept to argue that digressing from the concept of tawheed by assigning wrong attributes to Allah can make one cease to be Muslim.

 

Article In Issue 12 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Cites Hadith To Highlight Rewards Of Martyrdom: 'If You Carry Out Five Mine Planting Operations, You Will Be Rewarded With 300 Years Of Worship Of Another Non-Mujahid Muslim, By The Will Of Allah'

An article in the latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), cites many hadiths (sayings and deeds of Muhammad) to define martyrdom.

 

Issue 12 Of ISIS-K Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Republishes Guidelines For Current Generation Of ISIS Leaders From Slain Jihadi Commander Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir

The latest issue of "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by the media arm of Islamic State's Khurasan Province (ISIS-K), has republished a 16-point set of guidelines from Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir, the Egyptian successor to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi, "sheikh of the slaughterers" and head of Al-Tawheed wal-Jihad in Iraq, a precursor of the Islamic State (ISIS), who was killed in a U.S.-Iraqi operation in June 2006. Al-Muhajir was killed in a U.S.-Iraqi operation in April 2010.

 

Pro-ISIS Media Outlet: The Afghan Taliban Is 'Apostate' For Maintaining Ties With 'Unbeliever' Governments

On September 7, 2022, an anti-Afghan Taliban channel on the Islamic State (ISIS)-operated Rocket.Chat server criticized the Afghan Taliban for espousing a nationalistic "un-Islamic" model by engaging in talks with foreign parties and minorities.

 

Australian Pro-ISIS Preacher Endorses YouTube Channel Featuring Cartoons Geared To Muslim Children

On September 14, 2022, an Australian pro-Islamic State (ISIS) preacher posted on his Telegram channel: "Assalamualykum brothers and sisters, I have been introduced to the main creators behind... a channel dedicated to making children's cartoons for Muslims."

 

Al-Qaeda's Official Outlet Publishes Al-Zawahiri Video, Mixed Messages About Whether He Is Alive Or Dead

On September 12, 2022, Al-Qaeda's official media outlet released a video featuring an audio lecture by the organization's slain leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul on July 31.

 

Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Claims Killing Of 21 Yemeni Soldiers In Attack On UAE-Backed Security Belt Forces

On September 12, 2022, the media arm of the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), issued a claim of responsibility for an attack carried out by the group on September 6.

 

Telegram Outlet: Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Attack On Yemeni Security Belt Forces Killed 24 Soldiers

On September 8, 2022 a pro-Al-Qaeda Telegram channel reported that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) carried out an attack on a checkpoint manned by the UAE-backed Yemeni Security Belt Forces on September 6, 2022.

 

Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Denies Yemeni Government Claim That It Recaptured 'Dangerous AQAP Operative' After Prison Break

On September 11, 2022, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), issued a statement denying the September 9 claim by the Yemeni Ministry of Interior that a "very dangerous Al-Qaeda operative" was captured after a prison break in April 2022.

 

Al-Qaeda's Sahel Affiliate Claims Countering Wagner Group Offensive, Killing Malian Soldiers In Central, Southern Mali

On September 13, 2022, the media arm of the Mali-based Al-Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel GSIM (Group for Support of Islam and Muslims, or in Arabic, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin) issued claims of responsibility for the killing of "several" Malian soldiers in two separate attacks in central and southern Mali.

 

Mali-Based Al-Qaeda Affiliate Releases Video Showing Attack On Burkinabe Gendarmerie, Highlights Senior Al-Qaeda Leaders' Call For Jihad

On September 11, 2022, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's Mali-based affiliate in the Sahel the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) – known in Arabic as Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) – published a nine-minute video documenting an attack on a Gendarmerie convoy in Burkina Faso in February 2022.

 

Al-Qaeda Sahel Affiliate Claims Mortar Attacks On Army, MINUSMA Camps In Mali

On September 11, 2022, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the African Sahel, Jama'at Nasr Al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims – GSIM) released a statement dated September 8 claiming two recent mortar attacks by the group in Mali's Timbuktu Region.

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Alleges: U.S. Drone Attacked 'Civilian Gathering' In Somalia, Killing And Wounding Dozens

On September 9, 2022, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's Somali affiliate Al-Shabab, Shahada News Agency, alleged in a statement that a U.S. drone struck a "civilian gathering" southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia.

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Claims Ambush Of U.S.-Trained Somali Special Forces Backed By U.S. Drones Attacking Areas Under Its Control In Central Somalia

On September 15, 2022, the Shahada News Agency, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's Somalia-based affiliate Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), claimed it had repelled an assault by U.S.-trained Somali special forces backed by U.S. drones, on areas under the jihadi group's control in Somalia's central Hiran region.

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Releases Seventh, Eighth Videos In Series Highlighting Its Aid To Somalis Affected By Drought

On September 9, 2022 the media arm of Al-Qaeda's Somali affiliate Al-Shabab released an 11-minute video in Somali titled "Relief Campaign for Those Affected By Drought in The Islamic States – Part Seven."

 

After Al-Qaeda's Posthumous Release Of Ayman Al-Zawahiri Video, Abu Muhammad Al-Masri Book, ISIS Supporters Accuse It Of Covering Up Its Leaders' Deaths, Claim It Has Been Penetrated By U.S. Intelligence

On September 11, 2022, the media arm of Al-Qaeda Central Command published a 271-page book, The 11th Of September Operations – Between Fact and Uncertainty, by 'Abdallah Ahmad 'Abdallah aka Abu Muhammad Al-Masri, the organization's second-in-command. Al-Masri was reportedly assassinated in Tehran in August 2020, although Al-Qaeda has not confirmed his death.

 

New Pro-Al-Qaeda Magazine Released In Advance Of 9/11 Anniversary Aims To 'Revive Jihadi Heritage'

On September 9, 2022, a new pro-Al-Qaeda media group announced the upcoming release of the first issue of its magazine.

 

Article In Magazine Published By Syrian Jihadi Clerics Warns That Turkey May Soon Reconcile With Assad Regime, Calls For Concrete Action To Prevent Demise Of Revolution

Issue 40 of the monthly magazine published on September 5, 2022 by a group of independent jihadi clerics operating in Syria's Idlib region, contains a two-page article titled "The Future of the Syrian Revolution amid Changes in Turkish Policy."

 

U.S.-Born Jihadi Reporter Interviews British Journalist Yvonne Ridley On British Prime Minister Liz Truss' Impact On The Muslim Community

On September 6, 2022, a media outlet operated by a Syria-based U.S.-born jihadi reporter broadcast on YouTube a live interview with a British journalist about the anticipated impact of newly-appointed U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss' policies on the Muslim community.

 

Anti-ISIS Channel Criticizes Recent Audio Message By ISIS Spokesman, Claims ISIS Leadership In Disarray

On September 13, 2022, an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) channel on an Al-Qaeda-operated Rocket.Chat server published a post criticizing the latest audio message by ISIS spokesman Abu 'Umar Al-Muhajir.

 

Hizbullah Escalates Its Threats To UNIFIL Following UN Resolution To Extend Its Mandate For Another Year And Expand Its Authority

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 31, 2022, the UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously approved Resolution 2650 extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year.

 

Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Showcase Weapons, Equipment In Military Parade

A Telegram channel affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq, published a report highlighting the weapons and military equipment used by the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), an Iraqi State-sponsored umbrella organization composed of several armed factions, including Iran-backed militias.

 

Iran-Backed Iraqi Media Outlet Mocks U.S. Ambassador, U.S. Anti-Iran Messaging

On September 13, 2022, a media outlet affiliated with the Iran-backed militias in Iraq mocked the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq's same-day visit to Baghdad Mall in a Telegram post, which aimed to sarcastically counter U.S. messaging criticizing Iranian influence in the country.

 

Editorials On Afghan Website Slam Lobbyists Arguing For UN Recognition Of Taliban Government: 'The Taliban Are A Well-Known Terrorist Group That Is Now Equipped With The World's Most Modern Military Weapons'

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

In two recent editorials, Afghan daily Hasht-e-Subh criticized politicians and NGOs that are advocating in favor of recognizing the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (i.e., the Afghan Taliban).

 

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Greets Afghan Taliban On First Anniversary Of The Withdrawal Of U.S. Troops From Afghanistan: 'The Mujahideen Of The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Also Rendered Historical Sacrifices In This Blessed Freedom And Great Battle'

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (the Movement of Pakistani Taliban, TTP) congratulated the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (i.e., the Afghan Taliban) on the first anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan, saying it stood "shoulder to shoulder" with the Afghan Taliban in their fight against foreign forces.

 

Practically Ending Its Ceasefire, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Claims Attacks In 'Self-Defense' In Pakistan's Settled Districts

Indicating that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has ended its ceasefire with the Pakistani government, the jihadi group has formally claimed several attacks by its fighters on September 2-4, 2022. The TTP did not announce the termination of the ceasefire but said the latest attacks were carried out in "self-defense."

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