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 2, 2024, the Islamic State (ISIS) published issue 454 of its weekly newsletter, Al-Naba', featuring an editorial titled with a Quranic verse that reads "Those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence."[1]
The editorial discussed multiples topics related to the recent developments in the region including the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the January 2nd assassination of the Deputy Head of Hamas's political bureau, Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, and the recent claims of attack by Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the African Sahl, Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimeen (the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims – GSIM).
"GSIM Collaborates With Infidels, Crusaders"
In its introduction, the editorial noted that the "last few days have been filled with a series of political and military events and developments unfolding and accelerating from Palestine, Lebanon, Tehran, America, and even Mali. It was necessary to comment on them from a legitimate perspective that does not compromise or dispute, so that those 'who perished would perish upon clear evidence and those who are live, would live with clear evidence."
The editorial then moved to discuss developments in Mali, where news reports said that Al-Qaeda's affiliate GSIM, in collaboration with Ukrainian Intelligence and Azawad separatists, claimed a May 26-27 attack against the Malian army and the Russian Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) in Kidal Region, near the Algerian border. GSIM issued a statement claiming sole responsibility for the attack, explaining that 50 Wagner PMC fighters and ten Malian soldiers were killed in the ambush.[2]
Commenting on the attack, the editorial said that GSIM has publicly claimed joint responsibility of the attack with Ukrainian Intelligence and the separatist "Azawad militias", which it described as "Al-Qaeda's hybrid tribal branch."
In this section, the editorial sought to discredit Al-Qaeda and its affiliate in Sahel as non-jihadi rivals by suggesting that they are collaborating with parties that the shari'a deems as infidels, such as the "nationalist" Azawad and the "Crusaders" i.e., Ukrainian Intelligence.
"Was it a coordinated joint attack in which the interests of the Crusaders, separatist nationalists and Al-Qaeda intersected? Or was it a mere 'coincidence" which may be better than thousand prearranged plans? Or was it a military field cooperation?"
"Sayf Al-'Adl's Essay Calls On Muslims To Join Infidel Armies"
To support this argument, the editorial cited recent essays released by Al-Qaeda's official media, which were authored by Sayf Al-'Adl, Al-Qaeda's de factor leader. In the essays, he urged Muslim youth to take advantage of military conscription in their countries, saying that it is a good opportunity for them to gain military expertise and weapon handling skills, which they can later used for jihadi causes.
The editorial portrayed Sayf Al-'Adl's advice as encouraging Muslim youth to serve "un-Islamic" institutions and armies, which ISIS perceives as backed by infidels and tyrants.
It said: "Not far from this context, there are official writings by the mother organization, Al-Qaeda, urging the sons of Muslims not to 'evade military service but to invest in it.' and that it is 'an opportunity for those who are serious.' Al-Qaeda goes on to say: 'Oh youth of the nation, compulsory recruitment is an opportunity', openly advocating work in the infidel armies, which were described by Al-Qaeda literally as 'our armed forces.'"
"Hizballah's Marathon Of Denial"
Moving on to comment on events related to Iran and its regional proxies in the war against Israel, the editorial cited the July 27 rocket attack, which Lebanese Hizbullah denied responsibility for, which struck the Druze town Majdal Shams in Israel's Golan Heights, killing 12 children and injuring about 30 more. The editorial said that Hizbullah's denial shows cowardice and proves that its war against Israel is propaganda, just for show, and aimed at pleasing Iran while using Gazans as fuel.
"On the Rafidi [rejectionists – derogatory term to describe Shi'ites] front, a missile strike against the 'Druze' sect within the Jewish state; [it] quickly turned into a marathon of denial, evasion in the statements of the Party of Satan [i.e., Hizbullah]... The party devoted its efforts to denying its connection with the strike, trying desperately to refute 'accusations' that its axis was behind it. Was it serious in this fight against the Jews throughout the past ten months, during which Gaza was burned with its people as a sacrifice for Iran?!"
"Haniyeh's Assassination Should Be A Lesson To Palestinians"
The editorial addressed the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, citing also the January 2 assassination of his deputy Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, accusing Israel of conducting both attacks. It used both attacks to warn Palestinian factions that their alliance with the Shi'ite regime in Iran will only bring them woe and destruction.
Describing Haniyeh and his ties with Iran, it said: "The man remained an ally, loyal, and devoted to the Rafidi axis until his last breath. In fact, he took his last breath in the Iranian Rafidi stronghold [i.e., Tehran], and he got what he deserved, as Allah treated him justly."
Mocking Iran and its proxies for eulogizing Haniyeh as a martyr, the editorial condemned their use of such a word, arguing that his ties with Iran, which targeted Sunni Muslims, make him equal to slain IRGC commander Qassim Soleimani. Both shared the same "disgraceful end", argued the editorial.
"Iran Had High Hopes For Anti-Israel Protests"
Further discussing Iran's Axis of Resistance, the editorial claimed that they were counting on the worldwide demonstrations in support of Gaza and the "infidel" International Criminal Court (ICC) to change the course of the war with Israel in their favor.
"The axis clung to the curtains of the infidel international courts and peaceful pressure, and raised the ceiling of their expectations high, until the speech of the tyrant [Israeli PM Benjamin] Netanyahu before 'Congress' took place, disappointing their hopes and expectations, and contradicting their analyses."
The editorial also mocked "the weak, peaceful pressure" enacted by pro-Gaza activists, saying that the did not withstand public Jewish efforts to pressure on U.S. decision-makers.
"Erdogan Is A Cheap Pawn"
The editorial concluded by mocking regional and Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, And UAE for their "inaction", particularly Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom it described as "a cheap pawn of NATO, which uses him to fight Islam."
[1] Telegram, August 1, 2024.
[2] See MEMRI JTTM report, WARNING: GRAPHIC – Al-Qaeda Affiliate GSIM Claims Killing 50 Wagner Operatives, Ten Malian Soldiers In Ambush Attributed To Azawad Rebels; 13 Soldiers In Benin, July 29, 2024.
The full text of this post is available to subscribers.
Please login or register to request subscription information from MEMRI
