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Rita Katz

@Rita_Katz

7 May

https://twitter.com/siteintel_jt/status/1390780764942487555

1) Latest issue of #ISIS’ Naba gives lengthy bio of the group’s immensely influential media official Abu Muhammad al-Furqan, who was killed in 2016 in Raqqah via a US airstrike. Even shows picture of him after his death for first time. Unclear why it waited five years to do so.

https://twitter.com/siteintel_jt/status/1390780764942487555

2) The Naba biography details Al-Furqan’s resume prior to #ISIS’ (which he was critical in helping grow): studying pediatric medicine, co-founding al-Qaeda in Iraq, being appointed by Zarqawi to head media operations, his capture and influence among fellow prisoners.

3) Al-Furqan pledged to Zarqawi after the Iraq War began and took a hands-on role in video production “to plant fear of the mujahideen in the hearts of the polytheists.” These productions of course look shabby now, but were revolutionary to the global jihadi movement at the time.

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Rita Katz

@Rita_Katz

12 Nov 20

@Facebook

As mis/disinformation infects #Election2020, citizens are right to examine what is happening on social media platforms like @Facebook, @Twitter, and @YouTube. But as they ban conspiracy theorists & others, these users are increasingly resorting to “alternative” platforms.

@SITE_FRFL

Such accounts are growing on platforms like MeWe, Gab, Parler, and Bitchute. When I say growing, I mean *growing.* Below is a compilation of screenshots from #QAnon groups we’ve been tracking at @SITE_FRFL this past month on Gab, showing increases by the tens of thousands.

Same type of growth indicators can be seen on Parler, which has gained popularity as high-profile Trump allies have embraced it this past year. Here’s the account of General Flynn, who has become a prophet-like figure within #QAnon, nearly quadrupling in followers.

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Rita Katz

@Rita_Katz

11 Nov 20

1) A couple important points about Brian Maiorana, the 54-year-old sex offender who called for “extermination‌ ‌of‌ ‌anyone‌ ‌that‌ ‌claims‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌democrat…as‌ ‌well‌ ‌as‌ ‌their‌ ‌family‌ ‌members‌” in retaliation for #Election2020. washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/11…

2) Maiorana was a rabid white supremacist & anti-Semite. “The Turner Diaries must come to life,” he wrote, referencing the popular far-right novel in which race war in America leads to extermination of non-whites & other enemies. But his ideology is actually the least scary part.

@realDonaldTrump

3) Maiorana’s calls to kill dems & their families is far from anomalous. All over soc media, users—not just white supremacists—musing of “rivers of Blue Blood in the Streets” & “Trump: Kill Em All.” Others declaring “Trump or War.”

This is the fire @realDonaldTrump is stoking.

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Rita Katz

@Rita_Katz

11 Nov 20

Attack in Jedda Saudi Arabia at non-Muslim cemetery injures at least three during ceremony commemorating end of World War I, where representatives from numerous countries were present and injured. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/1…

2)While not clear who was behind the attack, it does come amid incitements against Saudi Arabia from #ISIS spox specifically calling on Saudis to attack Western nationals in the country, which catalyzed a large-scale media campaign from IS-linked groups w/ posters, vids & quotes

3)Its also worth noting that #AQAP, which has a history of attacking #SaudiArabia, recently criticized the country in an Aug. speech from top official Qosi. The speech incited for violence, but specifically the assassination of Saudi Crown Prince, not random foreign nationals.

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Rita Katz

@Rita_Katz

10 Nov 20

@doj

Kudos to @doj & @FBIPortland for indictment of Portland resident Hawazen Sameer Mothafar—cannot be overstated how important this is. Mothafar worked w prominent #ISIS-linked group Dera’ al-Sunni (Sunni Shield) & its mag, “Anfaal.” Arrest marks major blow to ISIS’ media machine.

@siteintelgroup

Sunni Shield a prolific producer of pro-#ISIS incitements & propaganda. Its posters alone, w strong focus on the West, have threatened/incited for New Years attacks in NYC, Paris, Turkey, etc. Was among loudest cheering on #AustriaAttack. @siteintelgroup's DB shows ~1000 entries

Sunni Shield also produced “Anfal” magazine, which ran Nov 2017 - March 2019. Anfal became de facto replacement of Rumiyah w strong emphasis on attacks (poison/bomb/weapon manuals, locations, targets), OPSEC (e.g. using TOR & VPNs) & republished Naba material.

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Rita Katz

@Rita_Katz

2 Nov 20

Breaking: Attack on a Vienna synagogue (& possibly other locations) with a large-scale police operation in response. Videos circulating online are indicating heavy sustained fire. Situation is ongoing.