,
24 tweets,
18 min read
Read on Twitter
2) To that point, #ISIS supporters are already celebrating the attacks as revenge for the military campaign against the group: “Just like the massacre of mosques, it is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” ent.siteintelgroup.com/Chatter/is-sup…
5) Furthermore, today’s bombings, albeit far more deadly, mirror January 2019 bombings on Roman Catholic church in #Jolo, #Sulu in the #Philippines, which #ISIS claimed responsibility for ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/is-…
6) #ISIS online networks do hold #SriLanaka-fitting media, with #Tamil being among the languages ISIS media is translated to. Such translations are cross-promoted across other groups/channels in various languages, further connecting Tamil-speakers to the larger ISIS community. 
7) Worth noting that after the #ChristchurchAttack in #NewZealand, #alQaeda leadership instructed to “target the Crusader fighters in their bases and gathering centers,” but further ordered not to attack “in their churches or places of worship” ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/al-…
8) At this point, #ISIS channels—posting rampantly, praying “may Allah accept” the attackers, celebrating casualties, etc.—are clearly paving way for ISIS to claim responsibility. While such a claim may frame the op as revenge for #NewZealand, this was likely planned long before.
Clarification: The infographic in the previous tweet was disseminated by ISIS supporters, but not created by them.
9) Aspects of #SriLankaBlasts increasingly suggest #ISIS involvement. #SriLanka now attributing yesterday’s attacks to National Thowheeth Jama’ath, a local Islamist organization, but add that an “international network” also played a part. nytimes.com/2019/04/22/wor…
12) All of these elements—alongside what remains an ongoing campaign celebration campaign by #ISIS supporters online—suggest that the group will claim responsibility. Perhaps the only delay thus far may be that more bombs are still being found.
13) Earlier today, #ISIS-linked chat groups distributed pics allegedly of “the commando brothers in Sri Lanka,” noting the ISIS-affiliated banner behind them. The source of the pictures is unclear, though they were not issued through official ISIS outlets. ent.siteintelgroup.com/Chatter/is-sup…
14) If these are actually pictures of the attackers (though I stress again that these images are not verified as being from #ISIS), the use of the ISIS-associated black banner, instead of any local organization's, would make further indication of its role in the attacks.
16) #ISIS-linked channels are disseminating the #Tamil translation of the ‘Amaq claim for the #SriLankaAttacks. Not surprising, given that #Tamil is among the languages ISIS media is translated to, as I wrote earlier.
17) This Amaq report does not in itself indicate that #ISIS was actively behind the attack; the language in this statement is also typical of ISIS-inspired attacks as well. It will thus be crucial to see if an official communique by ISIS will be released.
18) Mention of “Christians” not typical of ‘Amaq statements—gives further implication of a post-#NewZealandAttack retaliation-branding.
Furthermore, really takes a free ride on “coalition” label; though some casualties of coalition countries, #SriLanka not a coalition member.
Furthermore, really takes a free ride on “coalition” label; though some casualties of coalition countries, #SriLanka not a coalition member.
Breaking: #ISIS released an official claim for #SriLankaAttacks providing details on the ops, naming 7 executers and indicating "Approx 1000 among killed and wounded"
20) The statement identifies the seven attackers as Abu Ubayda, Abu al-Mukhtar, Abu Khalil, Abu Hamza, Abu al-Bara’a, Abu Muhammad, and Abu Abdullah. Three of these seven names are consistent with images (appearing to be taken from video) of 3 attackers
21) The detail given in #ISIS’ communique (attackers’ names, where each of them attacked) shows that the group had a hand in the attack—the degree to which still remains to be seen. The group's delay in claiming is also an unanswered variable. ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/is-…
23) #ISIS 'Amaq News Agency releases a 59-second video showing #SriLanka attackers pledging to #ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The video shows eight men pledging together, led by Zahran Hashim, the suspected "mastermind" of the attacks. ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/ama…
