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February 9, 2024 Special Announcements No. 1447

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: February 3-10, 2024

February 9, 2024
Special Announcements No. 1447

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 Trends: What Is On The Horizon In 2024?

The Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, has reinvigorated jihadi groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda, which are reprioritizing the cause of "Palestine" and the fight against the "Jews" and their "Crusader" allies as a key foundation of their messaging campaigns which aims at expanding their global threat landscape.

 

EXCLUSIVE: New Telegram Channel Offering Courses In Islam Affiliated With Michigan-Based Jihadi Cleric Publishes Children's Book Promoting Salafi-Jihadi Ideology

On February 2, 2024, a new English-language Telegram channel published its first post.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Iran-Backed Telegram Outlets: Two Senior Hizbullah Brigades Leaders Killed In U.S. Airstrike In Baghdad

A Telegram channel linked to Iran-backed militias reported that two senior leaders of Hizbullah Brigades In Iraq were killed in a U.S. airstrike that targeted their vehicle in Baghdad.

 

EXCLUSIVE: In Issue 32 Of ISKP Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan,' ISIS Spokesman Abu Hudhayfah Al-Ansari Advocates All-Out Religious War Against Jews: 'Diversify The Attacks: Detonate Explosives, Burn Them With Grenades And Fiery Agents, Shoot Them With Bullets, Cut Their Throats With Sharp Knives, And Run Them Over With Vehicles'

In a major article in the latest edition of the "Voice of Khurasan," an English-language monthly magazine published by Al-Azaim Media Foundation, a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), Islamic State (ISIS) Spokesman Abu Hudhayfah Al-Ansari, responding to the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza, calls for an all-out religious war against Jews.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Al-Qaeda-Associated Writer: America And Israel Will Suffer Defeat In Looming Total War In The Middle East

On February 3, 2024, an Al-Qaeda associate and writer published an article on his blog site titled "Fleeing from the Failed War on Gaza to Total War on The Middle East."

 

Iran-Backed Islamic Resistance In Iraq Claims Drone Attack Against Port Of Haifa In Northern Israel

On February 1, 2024, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed joint operations group of Iraqi militias, published a statement on Telegram claiming a same-day drone attack against the port of Haifa in northern Israel.

 

As Iran-Backed Militia Pressure Iraqi Government To Expel U.S. Forces, Head Of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Meets With Russian Ambassador To Discuss Bilateral Cooperation

On February 1, 2024, local media outlets in Iraq reported that the Head of the Iraqi government-sponsored Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) whose members include several Iran-backed militias, received the Russian ambassador to Baghdad in his office.

 

Two Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Vow To Continue Attacks On U.S. Forces, Emphasize Their Decision Is Independent From Iran

Leaders of two Iran-backed militias in Iraq announced that their groups would continue to attack U.S. forces in the region until Israel ceases its war in Gaza and the U.S. forces withdraw from Iraq.

 

Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Condemn U.S. Attack On Iraq's Sovereignty, Vow Harsh Retaliation, Call For Attacks Against U.S. And Jordanian Interests In Baghdad; Islamic Resistance In Iraq Resumes Attacks On U.S. Bases In Syria And Iraq

On February 2, 2024, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against over 85 targets.

 

Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq, Lebanon, And Yemen Condemn U.S. Strikes In Iraq And Syria, Accuse U.S. Of Escalating Conflict, Undermining Global Security, Reiterate Calls To Expel U.S. Forces From Iraq

On February 2, 2024, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that its forces had conducted airstrikes earlier that day against over 85 targets of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militias, including command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rocket, missile, and unmanned aerial vehicle storage sites, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities.

 

Iran-Backed 'Islamic Resistance In Iraq' Claims February 4 Drone Attack On U.S. Base In Syria

On February 4, 2024 the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization consisting of several Iran-backed militias in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the U.S. base at Al-Omar oil field in Syria's Deir Al-Zour governorate.

 

Iran-Backed Islamic Resistance In Iraq Claims Drone Attack On Israel's Eilat

On February 5, 2024, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed joint operations group of Iraqi militias, published a statement claiming a drone attack against the southern Israeli city of Eilat.

 

IRGC-Affiliated Media Outlet Announces It Will Only Communicate With Officially Approved Iraqi Sources, As Directed By The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU)

On February 3, 2024, an Arabic-language Telegram channel affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement announcing it will abide by the directives of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) to limit its communications to officially approved security sources in Iraq.

 

Pro-Hizbullah Website Reveals Arsenal Of Hizbullah's Artillery Unit

On February 2, 2024, a pro-Lebanese website published an article detailing the composition of the group's artillery arsenal. This report is based on the article.

 

Hamas Launches Searchable Prisoner Database 'Freedom Dawn'; Website Protected By U.S.-Based Reverse Proxy Service Cloudflare

On February 1, 2024, Hamas's "Office of Martyrs, Prisoners and the Wounded" announced it had launched an Arabic-language online platform which specializes in collecting and verifying data on prisoners in Israeli prisons.

 

Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Renews Attacks On Israel; Houthi Officials Threaten Military Escalation Following American and British Attacks On Yemeni Territory

On February 2, 2024, the armed forces of the Yemeni Houthi Ansar Allah movement claimed responsibility for firing several ballistic missiles at "specific targets" in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.

 

Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Holds Military Exercise In Which Reserve Forces Simulate Attacks On American, British, and Israeli Targets; Asserts Readiness To Make Sacrifices For Palestinians In Gaza

On February 3, 2024, a Houthi-run Telegram channel posted a 44-minute video depicting a military exercise carried out by units from "reserve and central intervention forces" of the Yemeni armed forces.

 

Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Claims Attack On British And U.S. Ships In Red Sea; Houthi Officials: U.S. And Britain 'Opened Gates Of Hell On Themselves'

On February 6, 2024, the armed forces of the Yemeni Houthi Ansar Allah movement claimed responsibility for "two military operations in the Red Sea – the first of which targeted the American ship Star Nasia, while the second was aimed at the British ship Morning Tide – with "appropriate naval missiles."

 

Islamic State Weekly Claims Group Recouped Large Swaths Of Territory In Year-Long Campaign Against Al-Qaeda's Somali Affiliate; Editorial: Al-Shabab Fighters Advised To Reconsider Invalid Allegiance To The Afghan Taliban; 'ISIS Prefers You Repent Than Be Killed'

On February 1, 2024, the Islamic State (ISIS) released Issue 428 of its official newsletter, Al-Naba', which included an editorial arguing that ISIS's establishment of an Islamic caliphate drew the envy of other Islamist and jihadi factions that had fought against it and allied with Western powers.

 

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Claims Killing 37 Soldiers, Policemen In Series Of Attacks In Northeastern Nigeria

In recent days, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed several attacks targeting army and police forces in northeastern Nigeria, including mass-casualty assaults against pro-government militias.

 

Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram Channel Highlights Importance Of Strategic Deception In Warfare, Cites 1862 Confederate Valley Campaign And ISIS's Takeover Of Mosul In 2014 As Evidence

On February 5, 2024, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram channel released a short article emphasizing the importance of strategic deception in warfare.

 

UK-Based Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Group Continues To Raise Funds For Gaza

On February 3, 2024, the Telegram channel of an Islamist group based in Birmingham in the UK, which has promoted the Islamic State (ISIS), announced that the Muslims in Need (MiN) charity linked to the channel had sourced 3,000 cartons of baby formula in the Jabalia area of the northern Gaza Strip.

 

One Day Before General Elections, Islamic State (ISIS) Pakistan Province Claims Killing And Wounding Dozens In Two Bombings Of Elections Offices In Balochistan

On February 7, 2024, the Islamic State (ISIS) Pakistan Province claimed killing and wounding dozens in two bombings targeting election offices in the country's Balochistan province, the day before general elections in the country.

 

Article In Issue 32 Of ISKP Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Rejects Democracy And Pakistan's Elections, Warns Muslims: 'Do Not Trade Your Faith For [Pakistani Religious Scholar] Mullah Fazlur Rahman, His Party, Or Any Other Organization; The Mujahideen Of The Islamic State Will Target These Groups'

A key article in the latest edition of an English-language monthly magazine published by Al-Azaim Media Foundation, a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), says that democracy constitutes unbelief.

 

In Pashtu-Language Booklet, ISKP Says Afghan Taliban Government 'Is A Project Of The United States Of America And The Unbelievers,' Warns: 'This American Project Will End Soon, With Allah's Permission'

A Pashtu-language booklet published by the Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) says that the de facto government of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban regime) "is a project of the United States of America and the unbelievers" who want to achieve their goals through the Taliban rulers.

 

Cover Article In Issue 32 Of ISKP Magazine 'Voice Of Khurasan' Says Jihad Is 'The Only Way Forward For Muslims,' Questions Hamas For Starting Gaza War: 'To Ensure Its Survival, Hamas Has Devolved Into A Rib Of The Iranian Rafidah'

The cover article in the latest issue of an English-language monthly magazine published by Al-Azaim Media Foundation, a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), urges Muslims to "join the true mujahideen" in order "to free Palestine and all Muslim lands from occupation," and questions Hamas for its motives in starting the war October 7 war against Israel.

 

Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric: 'Hamas Leaders Should Be Tried On Charges Of Paving The Way For Genocide In Gaza'

On January 31, 2024, a pro-Al-Qaeda cleric called for Hamas leaders to be prosecuted for facilitating what he called "genocide in Gaza."

 

Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric: Hamas's Leaders Are 'Dogs' Who Have Brought Destruction Upon Gaza; Jihad Does Not Obligate One To 'Start A War That Will Result In The Total Annihilation Of Your People'

On February 5 and 6, 2024, a pro-Al-Qaeda cleric shared on his X and Telegram accounts a series of posts harshly criticizing Hamas's leadership, accusing it of not properly considering Israel's qualitative edge over Hamas before carrying out the October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel, or the attack's potential consequences.

 

WARNING — GRAPHIC: Al-Qaeda Affiliate GSIM Claims Several Attacks In Mali Against Army And Wagner Group

On February 4, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the Sahel, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), claimed the group's fighters had ambushed the Malian Army in Masina region.

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate In Sahel (GSIM) Claims Attacks Against Troops In Western Niger, Togo's Northern Region

On February 3-6, 2024, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the African Sahel, Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimeen (the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims – GSIM), claimed attacks against Nigerien troops in Western Niger Tillaberi region and Togolese troops in Togo's northern Dapaong region.

 

After Releasing Some Of His Detained Commanders, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Leader Abu Mohammad Al-Joulani Promises More Reforms In HTS Security, Judicial System

On February 1, 2024, Telegram channels affiliated with Idlib-based Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) reported that the group's leader, Abu Mohammad Al-Joulani, held a meeting with the group's Shura Council and the HTS-backed Salvation Government, in which he promised to introduce reforms to HTS security and judicial authorities.

 

Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) Video Compares Plights Of Gaza, East Turkestan, Urging Muslims To Wage Jihad To Support Both Causes

On December 31, 2023, the Syrian branch of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), an Uyghur jihadi group active in Afghanistan and Syria, released a ten-minute 41-second video in the Uyghur language titled "Abandoned Gaza and Forgotten East Turkestan," via its Islam Awazi [Voice of Islam] official media outlet.

 

Dari-Language Article On Pro-Afghan Taliban Website Al-Mirsad: 'The Arab Countries Will Realize That When The Jews Remove Hamas, Then It Will Be Very Difficult For The Arab Countries To Control The Jews'

On January 31, 2024, Al-Mirsaad Media, which is believed to be run unofficially by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) and consistently carries articles in favor of the Taliban rulers, published an article on its Dari-language website, saying that Europeans created Israel because they "were not safe from the evil of Jews."

 

In Urdu-Language Podcast, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Warns Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir: 'Jihad In Pakistan Is The Bedrock Of Afghanistan's Stability... [Which] Can Only Be Achieved By Toppling The Pakistani State'

In a 32-minute Urdu-language audio podcast, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, or the Movement of Pakistani Taliban), the militant organization seeking to establish an Islamic state in Pakistan, has issued a stark warning to Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir, saying that "jihad in Pakistan is the bedrock of Afghanistan's stability, and true peace for the latter can only be achieved by toppling the Pakistani state."

 

 

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