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.)
Special Summer Subscription Offer
MEMRI offers an additional option for jihad and terrorism news – the Global Jihad News (GJN) website (http://www.memriglobaljihadnews.org/). Access is by annual subscription – now available at a special price of $260; to subscribe, visit the MEMRI E-Store and use the discount code SUMMER 2012 at checkout.
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.
In New Footage Released By Al-Jazeera.net, European Hostages Held By AQIM Plead For Freedom
On August 21, 2012, Al-Jazeera.net published exclusive footage of the three European hostages abducted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) from a Timbuktu hotel in November 2011. In the footage, the hostages urge their governments to bring their ordeal to an end. According to Al-Jazeera.net, the hostages, identified as Jacobus Nicolo Ruke of the Netherlands, Nils Joan Victor Gustafson of Sweden, and dual British-South African citizen Steohen Malcolm, are currently being held in the desert of Azawad. The hostages appear wearing beards and clothes similar to those of their abductors.
On August 19, 2012, the jihadi forum Shumoukh Al-Islam published a video message from senior Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) cleric Sheikh Abu Al-Hassan Rashid Al-Bulaidi, dated Ramadan 1433 (August 2012) and titled "Is Not The Dawn Near?" In the recording, he called on the Muslims to prepare for jihad through the Koran and the sword against the enemies of Allah, with whom he said no coexistence is possible. Likewise, Al-Bulaidi called on the Muslims not to reconcile themselves to their current state of humiliation and not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Jihad Group Condemns Egypt's Campaign Against Mujahideen In Sinai
The jihadi website almaqreze.com, owned by prominent Salafi-jihadi sheikh Dr. Hani Al-Siba'i (a member of the Shura Council of the Minbar Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad website), has posted a new communiqué by the "Sunni Stream for the Rescue of Egypt", a jihad group that announced its establishment in January 2011.
Son Of Late Chechen Commander Ruslan Gelayev Killed While Fighting Alongside Syria Rebels
An Islamist Chechen website reports that Rustam Gelayev has been killed while fighting alongside the rebels in Syria. He is the son of Ruslan Gelayev, aka the Black Angel, one of the top commanders of the Chechen separatist movement that fought the Russians in the first Chechen war, who was killed in 2004.
Majlis member Masoud Mir Kazemi, formerly oil minister for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called on the regime to threaten to kidnap citizens of the countries that had aided in the kidnapping of 48 Iranians in Syria. He said that Iran must caution that it is within its power to threaten the interests of these countries.
Warning Statement Attributed To AQAP Threatens Attacks Against Military Facilities, Officials
On August 19, 2012, the Yemeni news website aden-post.com reported that AQAP had warned Yemenis to avoid military installments, check points, and security centers, and beware of any suspicious looking items. According to the site, worshipers subdued a man in Aden who was distributing warning statements at 'Eid Al-Fitr prayers, according to which Muslims should avoid military installations and security personnel, whom it said were "fair" targets.
Following is the text of a statement issued by Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar on the eve of 'Eid Al-Fitr, the annual Islamic festival which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and which is celebrated this year on August 20 or 21, depending on the sighting of the moon.
"I Extend My Heartfelt Felicitation On This Occasion Of 'Eid Al-Fitr To TheMujahid Nation Of Afghanistan And To All The Islamic Ummah"
"In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
"Those who turn (for friendship) to Allah, His Apostle and the believers (must know) that Allah's followers are sure to triumph [Koran 5:56]. We praise Allah and seek His help and refuge from the evils of our inner-self and wickedness of our own deeds. Whomever is guided by Allah, none can lead (him/her) astray; whoever goes astray, can find none except Allah (for guidance). We bear witness that there is no god but Allah. Alone is He and no partner He has. We also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
"Having said that, I would like to proceed further: I seek refuge in Allah, from Satan, the rejected one. I extend my heartfelt felicitation on this occasion of 'Eid Al-Fitr to the mujahid nation of Afghanistan and to all the Islamic ummah on their worship of fasting during Ramadan and on [their] jihadi achievements. May Allah accept in His sight your worship of fasting, and the offering of charities and unprecedented services and sacrifices in the cause of truth."
