Islamist Websites Monitor No. 48
*Video Shows UAV Allegedly Downed in Iraq
On January 12, 2007, Islamist websites posted a two-minute video produced by the media department of Jama'at Ansar Al-Sunna (the Group of the Supporters of the Sunna), which shows a UAV, claimed to be an American military device intercepted by Jama'at Ansar Al-Sunna, in Al-Dhulu'iyya, Iraq. The film shows the UAV from various angles, focusing on the damage to its body and wing, and shows also the various parts of the dismantled UAV.
The video can be viewed at: http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=439927&ak=null.
Below are images from the video:
*The Islamic State in Iraq Comments on Bush's New Strategy
Islamist websites recently posted a message by the Islamic State in Iraq responding to Bush's new strategy in the country. The message stated: "...This nonsense [i.e. Bush's new strategy in Iraq] is nothing but [a step on the way to] admitting defeat and fleeing from the hell that is Iraq… The [piece of] media hype known as the Baghdad Security Plan or Bush's New Strategy will not change the nature of the fighting in any way. The enemy has [merely] started to [try and] save face… The security plans which were [initially] applied to all of Iraq have [now] been restricted to Baghdad, after the courageous mujahideen… forced [the enemy] to taste bitterness."
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 49
*Information for Mujahideen Seeking to Join the Jihad in Somalia
On January 15, 2007, an Islamist website posted information for mujahideen who wish to travel to Somalia in order to join the jihad there. The message included maps and satellite images showing various possible travel routes. One of the suggested routes goes from the port of Aden in Yemen to the port of Berbera in Somaliland, continues to Burao, capital of Togdheer region in Somalia, and ends in Lasanod, capital of Sool district, where a unit of the Islamic Courts Union is claimed to be stationed.
Below are the satellites images provided with the message:
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 50
*Islamists Discuss Best Timing for Attacking U.S. Checkpoints in Iraq
On January 17, 2007, an Islamist website posted a discussion among Islamists regarding the best timing for attacking U.S. checkpoints in Iraq. Of the various possibilities mentioned by forum participants, the suggestion to attack half an hour before the call for dawn prayers seems to be the most widely accepted. As one of the forum participants explained: "This is the time when a person feels most tired and weak... and the air is very cold even during the summer."
Below is a map, attached to the discussion by forum participants.
Islamist Websites Monitor No. 51
*A Message From the Ansar Al-Sunna Commander
On January 17, 2007, Islamist websites posted a message by the commander of Ansar Al-Sunna addressed to the Sunnis in general, and particularly to the mujahideen in Baghdad. The message describes the acts of aggression that are being committed against the Sunnis in Baghdad on a daily basis by Muqtada Al-Sadr's army, and states that the only way to stop this hostility is to counter fire with fire rather than with criticism and warnings.
The message also urges Sunnis in general to join the mujahideen in their battle against Al-Sadr's army, and suggests that every four mujahideen should create a group which will purge its area of collaborators and disloyal individuals.
The message concludes by calling on the mujahideen to avoid harming innocent people "who are not involved in the crimes committed by the Shi'ite militias and by the government," and to avoid oppressing others.
