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October 30, 2021 Special Announcements No. 1121

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: October 23 – 30, 2021

October 30, 2021
Special Announcements No. 1121

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: Al-Qaeda's Syrian Affiliate Eulogizes Commander Killed In U.S. Airstrike, Prohibits Jihadis From Using 'Deadly' Cellphones

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

On October 26, 2021, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, Hurras Al-Din, released a statement via its official media arm, Sham Al-Ribat Media, eulogizing Abu 'Abdallah Al-Raqqawi, a senior Al-Qaeda leader killed by a U.S. drone strike near Sulouk, Syria, on October 22, 2021.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Following Nasrallah's Claim That Hizbullah Has 100,000 Fighters, Supporters On Social Media Declare Willingness To Die For Him

On October 18, 2021, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech in which for the first time he revealed the alleged number of soldiers in the ranks of his organization – 100,000. Following Nasrallah's speech, Hizbullah supporters on social media, most notably on Twitter, published posts expressing support for Nasrallah and willingness to sacrifice their lives for him.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Pro-ISIS Media Outlet Launches New Telegram Group For 'Military Preparation' With Instructions For Making Home-Made Explosive Devices Without Alerting The Authorities

On October 22, 2021, a pro-ISIS media outlet announced the launch of a new Telegram group, providing a link to the group and a Telegram bot for those who have questions and want to contact the admins.

 

ISIS Ambush Of Shi'ite 'Militiamen' Stirs Up Sectarian Tension Among Residents Of Neighboring Iraqi Villages

On October 27, 2021, the A'maq Agency, an official media outlet of the Islamic State (ISIS), issued a statement claiming that ISIS operatives killed and wounded 34 Shi'ite militia fighters in northeastern Diyala, Iraq.

 

ISIS Claims Murders Of 15 Christians In Northeastern DRC

On October 22, 2021, the Islamic State (ISIS) reported that on October 20 its operatives opened fire with machine guns at a base belonging to "the Crusader Congolese Army" in the Beni region of the DRC.

 

ISIS Claims Second Attack In Two Weeks In Ugandan Capital Kampala

On October 24, 2021, the Islamic State (ISIS) issued a statement claiming responsibility for the October 23, 2021 detonation of an IED by an ISIS "security detachment" in the Ugandan capital Kampala.

 

ISIS Releases Photos Documenting Attack On Nigerian Army Post

On October 26, 2021, The Islamic State (ISIS) released a series of photos documenting an attack carried out by the group's operatives in West Africa against a Nigerian army post in Yobe State, Nigeria.

 

ISIS Editorial: The Most Significant Purpose Of Jihad Is To Distinguish Between True Believers And Those Who Only Pretend

On October 21, 2021, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 309 of its weekly newspaper Al-Naba', which included an editorial highlighting the objectives of jihad and asserting that jihad distinguishes between true believers who believe in the "divine secret," and those who only pretend to believe.

 

ISIS Weekly Profiles Slain Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Fighter And Media Operative

Issue 309 of Al-Naba', the official weekly magazine published by the Islamic State (ISIS), released on October 21, 2021, contains the biography of a slain fighter and media operative from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

 

Pro-ISIS Media Outlets: Taliban Extending Ties With Infidel Russia, Iran To Advance Its Interests At Expense Of Muslims

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

On October 20, 2021, pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlets disparaged the Taliban for collaborating with the so-called enemies of Islam, including Russia and Iran, to advance its interests at the expense of Muslims and for Sufis to practice their rituals, which are considered polytheistic by Sufis.

 

Article In Issue 21 Of ISIS Magazine 'Sawt Al-Hind' Castigates Reformist Islamic Scholars, Says: 'Terms Like Jihad – Which Is Beloved To Allah – Were Changed By The Tawagheet [Tyrants]'

An article in the latest issue of the monthly English-language ISIS magazine "Sawt Al-Hind [the Voice of India]," criticizes Ulema-e-Soo ("the Evil Scholars") in the Islamic world for supporting the Western interpretations of jihad as terrorism.

 

Coverpage Article In Issue 21 Of ISIS Magazine 'Sawt Al-Hind' Accuses Islamic Scholars Of Working For The West: 'The Amount Of Money That The Crusaders Have Spent To Create Mullah Bradleys... Has Resulted In An Epidemic Of These Low-Life Shuyukh'

An article in the latest issue of the monthly English-language ISIS magazine "Sawt Al-Hind [the Voice of India]," criticizes Ulema-e-Soo ("the Evil Scholars") in the Islamic world for supporting the Western interpretations of jihad as terrorism.

 

Article In Issue 21 Of ISIS Magazine 'Sawt Al-Hind' Calls Kashmiris To Jihad: 'O Muslims Of Kashmir, For Decades You Have Been Oppressed By These Cow-Worshippers, Your Honor Has Been Violated'

An article in the latest issue of the monthly English-language ISIS magazine "Sawt Al-Hind [the Voice of India]," addresses the Muslims of Kashmir Valley and the jihadi groups that rely on support from Pakistani intelligence agencies.

 

Article In Issue 21 Of ISIS Magazine 'Sawt Al-Hind' Classifies Afghan Taliban Along With Shi'ites And Sufis, Declaring Them Outside Islam, Says: 'Taliban, A Mix Of Rafidiyat And Sufiyat, Have Declared A War Upon The People Of Tawheed'

An article in the latest issue of the monthly English-language ISIS magazine "Sawt Al-Hind [the Voice of India]," celebrates a suicide bombing at a mosque of Shi'ites in Kunduz, Afghanistan, on October 8, while declaring the Afghan Taliban to be outside the fold of Islam like Shi'ites and Sufis.

 

On Facebook, US-Based ISIS Supporter With Ties To Man Convicted For Supporting ISIS Calls On Muslims Not To Join Law Enforcement And Military

A U.S.-based vocal Islamic State (ISIS) supporter published two Facebook posts on October 17, 2021 in which he discouraged Muslims from joining the military or law enforcement.

 

British Pro-ISIS Preacher Continues Social Media Campaign Calling For Release Of Jihadi Clerics In Bangladesh

On October 25, 2021, a British pro-Islamic State (ISIS) preacher released an informational video calling on his followers to use a hashtag as part of a campaign calling for the release of Muslim scholars imprisoned in Bangladesh.

 

Mali-Based Al-Qaeda Affiliate Claims IED Attack On French Forces' Vehicle, Ambush Killing 14 Malian Forces

On October 26, 2021, the media outlet of the Mali-based Al-Qaeda affiliate Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), issued a statement titled "Various New Mujahideen Occupations Against The Occupiers."

 

Gaza-Based Jihadi Cleric Praises Statement Issued By Malian Al-Qaeda Affiliate GSIM Declaring Willingness To Negotiate With Mali Government: Statement Demonstrates 'Rational Comprehension Of Events', 'Mature Discourse'

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

On October 21, 2021, Na'el Bin Ghazi, a Gaza-based jihadi cleric, published a post on Telegram praising a March 2020 statement released by the Mali-based Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), which is Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the Sahel region, in which the group declared that it is willing to negotiate with the Malian government.

 

Egyptian-Born Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Religious Official Issues Fatwa Forbidding Attacks On Turkish Forces In Idlib Area

On October 26, 2021, a Telegram channel which publishes fatwas issued an Egyptian-born senior religious official in the Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), posted a fatwa in which he reiterates his position that it is forbidden to attack Turkish forces in the Idlib area.

 

Criticism In Idlib Area Of Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Measures Against Foreign Jihadi Fighters Leads To Local Protests

The recent (late October 2021) military operation conducted by Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham against independent groups of foreign jihadi fighters in the Turkmen Mountain range, has aroused significant criticism of the organization and its leader, Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, among jihadi elements in the Idlib area.

 

Foreign Fighters In Syria, Including Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), Reportedly Help Mediate Deal Between Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) And Other Foreign Groups

On October 25, 2021, Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive in the Turkmen Mountain area northeast of Latakia, against several groups of foreign fighters, including a group of fighters from the Caucasus led by a Chechen commander.

 

Chechen Commander Of Syria-Based Jihadi Group Agrees To Exit Latakia's Turkmen Mountain After Reaching Deal With Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)

On October 25, 2021, several online reports claimed that Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) has launched a military offensive in the northern countryside of Latakia and the western countryside of Idlib against independent jihadi factions stationed in the area.

 

Chechen Commander Of Syria-Based Jihadi Group Declares He Will Fight To The Death Rather Than Enter Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Prison

On October 23, 2021, several Syria-based Telegram channels affiliated with opponents of Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) claimed that HTS is planning an imminent offensive in the Turkmen Mountains, northeast of Latakia, against several independent jihadi factions comprised of foreign fighters which are stationed in the area.

 

Arrest Of Syria-Based Chechen Commander's Brother Triggers Backlash From Jihadis Amid Claims Turkey Handed Him Over To Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)

Following the offensive launched on October 25, 2021 by the Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) against groups of foreign jihadi fighters in the Turkmen Mountain area, northeast of Latakia, and the subsequent deal between HTS and a Chechen commander, several Telegram channels reported that HTS arrested the Chechen commander's brother.

 

Syria-Based Saudi Jihadi Cleric Condemns Iran's Influence in Yemen, Celebrates Azerbaijan's Arrest of Iranian Tourists; Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Opponents Accuse Him Of Distracting From HTS Abuses

In two telegram posts in mid-October 2021, a Syria-based Saudi jihadi cleric criticized Iran's influence in Yemen and its relations with Azerbaijan, both of which have substantial Shi'ite populations.

 

Iranian-Backed Shi'ite Group In Iraq Threatens To Attack U.S. Army Convoys Across The Country Over Coming Two Days (October 27-28, 2021)

On October 26, 2021, an Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia in Iraq posted a warning on its Telegram channel directed at all Iraqi transport and security companies, stating that between October 27 and 28, 2021, every inter-city road in Iraq will be under surveillance and any U.S. military logistic support convoys that travel on the roads are likely to be targets for attack.

 

Iran-Backed Militias Release Posters With 'Squid Game' Imagery To Depict U.S., UAE, UN, And Saudi Crown Prince As Oppressive Elite

On October 21, 2021, a Telegram channel affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq released a poster inspired by the South Korean drama "Squid Game," which became a hit on Netflix worldwide.

 

Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Continue To Dispute Election Results, Accuse UAE, UN Of Conspiring Against The Will Of The Iraqi People

On October 24, 2021, a senior commander of the Iran-backed Hizbullah Brigades condemned the results of the recent parliamentary elections in Iraq, saying the endorsement of the results by the UN Security Council comes as part of an international conspiracy to rob Iraqi people of their votes.

 

Iranian-Backed Shi'ite Militia Respond To Islamic State Terror Attack In Al-Miqdadiyah: Part Of The Election 'Fraud,' The Snake's Head Should Be Cut Off

On October 26, 2021, the Islamic State (ISIS) perpetrated an attack near the city of Al-Miqdadiyah in the Diyala Governorate of Iraq, in which dozens of people were killed or injured.

 

During Week Ending October 24, 2021, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Claimed Attacks Killing Several Pakistani Soldiers In Pakistan's Border Region

This report will review details of attacks claimed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (the Movement of Pakistani Taliban, TPP) during the week ending October 24, 2021.

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