Thread by @RobertPostings

I'm going to start a thread cataloguing the activities of the new IS province Central Africa (ISCA). It was first mentioned in a speech by IS leader Al-Baghdadi in August 2018.

https://twitter.com/SimNasr/status/1119161605650915328

In December I published an article with The Defence Post talking about the tentative ties between IS and the ADF, a DRC based militant group. It is likely ISCA is made up of ADF member who have pledged allegiance to IS.

thedefensepost.com/2018/12/04/ten…

The first claim for an attack came on April 18th when an Amaq claim said ISCA had attacked the DRC town of Kamango causing casualties in the Congolese army.

This was quickly followed by another Amaq and a Nashir statement on the same day saying ISCA had caused 8 casualties in an attack on a Congolese army barracks in Bovata (near Kamango).

The new edition of Al-Naba claims another ISCA attack that occurred on the 21st April in the Butembo area killing 3 and wounding 1 soldier.

Al-Naba also showed the first picture of ISCA fighters, showing around 15 militants. The way the militants are standing makes me wonder if this is a still from a bayah (pledge of allegiance) video sent to IS.

A bit late, but in his recent video al-Baghdadi is pictured with a folder about Islamic State's Wilayah Central Africa.

I also published a new article looking at Wilayah Central Africa, covering the building of ties between ADF and IS leading up to the declaration of this new province and what we know about it so far.

thedefensepost.com/2019/04/30/isl…

A photoset was released showing spoils captured from Congolese soldiers in an attack by ISCAP at the same location (Kleangoki) as in the claimed attack in Al-Naba 179. Likely the same attack.

Islamic State has issued another claim for it's Central Africa Province (ISCAP) saying yesterday they attacked a base at Bunduguya in DRC near the Ugandan border.

Two attacks by ISCAP in DRC that IS didn't issue statements for were claimed in the most recent Al-Naba. On May 1st ISCAP fighters clashed with Congolese soldiers in 'Bovata Katumbo' then on May 2nd they attacked a military base at Kleangoki.

Islamic State just claimed another ISCAP attack, at 'Adama'? in the Beni region. It claims they attacked Congolese soldiers.

Islamic State claimed a new ISCAP attack on a military base in the Beni region.

And another claim. this time saying ISCAP clashed with Congolese soldiers in the Kamango area.

Two new statements say ISCAP fighters attacks 3 military bases near Beni clashing with MONUSCO and Congolese forces. However, Reuters reports the army said 26 soldiers were killed - which would be a major loss for ISCAP. reuters.com/article/us-con…

The newly released picture of ISCAP fighters shows the same fighters in the same place and time as a photo released in April in Al-Naba. The fighter reading from a piece of paper then all placing their hands together really makes me think these are stills from a Bayah video.

I believe IS have retroactively claimed the November fighting near Beni that killed 8 MONUSCO peacekeepers and 12 Congolese troops as being caried out by ISCAP. They covered the attack in a half-page article in al-Naba.

Statements have been issued for two separate attacks on the Congolese army by ISCAP in the Beni area in DRC. They claim the soldiers were forced to withdraw and weapons and equipment were seized.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for it's first attack in Mozambique, apparently part of ISCAP. An attack by the Mozambique army was reportedly repelled.

Pictures were released showing weapons and what is best described as 'stuff' reportedly captured by ISCAP in Mozambique.

Statements were also issued for an ISCAP attack in DRC, with militants reportedly clashing with Congolese soldiers in the Beni region.

IS have released pictures showing eid prayers in an ISCAP camp, with dozens of people taking part. Amongst the fighters are plenty of children - some of them very young.

IS have released a statement claiming responsibility for an ISCAP attack on Congolese army forces near Butembo in DRC, a picture was also released showing weapons and equipment captured.

IS has released a statement saying an ISCAP attack in the Beni region of DRC has killed 9 Congolese solders and wounded more, with weapons and equipment captured.

Another IS claim of responsibility for an attack in DRC - this time for an IED attack on Congolese forces in Kasinga in the Beni region. I believe this is the first IED attack they've claimed responsibility for.

A June 28 claim by IS said an ISCAP attack on a military barracks at Tenambo near Beni killed two soldiers, with weapons and equipment seized.

IS has claimed its second attack in Mozambique, saying 'soldiers of the caliphate' attacked a Mozambique army barracks in Nangade district.

I wrote about the first attack Islamic State claimed responsibility for in Mozambique here:

thedefensepost.com/2019/06/13/isl…

and IS have released a picture showing weapons captured from the attack in Nangade district of Mozambique. Much improved from the last photos released by IS from Mozambique.

ISCAP claimed to have carried out an attack that killed three Congolese soldiers and wounded a fourth in "Kishanga" in the Beni area. They also released pictures showing equipment captured and ID cards taken from the soldiers.

The latest edition of weekly ISIS magazine al-Naba contains a claim for ISCAPs third attack in Mozambique, an older attack dated to June 26. It claims the homes of Tanzanian and Mozambique spies were raided and a number killed in "Motwell" on the border with Tanzania.

And another claimed attack in DRC, ISCAP claim to have carried out an IED attack that killed 8 Congolese solders in the Beni area.

Amaq has released there first video from DRC, a short 20 second clip supposedly showing the aftermath of the IED attack on Congolese soldiers.

ISCAP have claimed responsibility for two attacks in Mangoho in the Beni area of DRC.