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16 Aug, 10 tweets, 4 min read
1) The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan is the most significant boost to al-Qaeda since 9/11 and a triumph for the global jihadist movement. Jihadists' exuberant responses (which I will sample in this thread) are critical signals for what’s to come in the fight against terror. Image
2) Jihadists' reactions underscore a critical point: What is happening in Afghanistan is far from a local issue. From celebrations in Idlib mosques to al-Qaeda supporters handing sweets in Gaza, every corner of the movement is getting a major injection of recruitment capital.
3) The celebrations coming in many forms. In Gaza, a video is circulating of the al-Qaeda-linked Jaysh al-Umma fighters celebrating and handing out sweets to residents. In Yemen, celebrators set off fireworks.
4) This elated energy has come not just from globally focused jihadists, but by regional Islamist groups as well. In statements issued earlier today, Hamas and PIJ both congratulated Taliban for its "bold leadership" and Afghans for their "liberation" ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/ham…
5) The Taliban’s victories solidify the jihadi movement’s narrative of endurance and steadfastness. As an American war commentator embedded with jihadists and other militants in Syria put it: “This victory shows what can be when you have faith in Allah.”
6) Even more blunt with the narrative, many al-Qaeda supporters distributed a message from a jihadist calling Taliban victory a watershed moment akin to 9/11, a moment that vindicates the view that “what was taken by force can only be recovered by force.” ent.siteintelgroup.com/Chatter/jihadi…
7) It seems every update is another log to the fire. Jihadists now celebrating as TTP reports its former Deputy Emir Muhammad Sahib is latest of many terrorists released from prison, mocking the US government with a hashtag translating to “Laugh at the CIA” Image
8) Taliban’s victory is fuel for Islamist factions everywhere. The Syria-based HTS, led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, lauded Taliban’s retaking of "usurped land," exclaiming: "We in the Syrian revolution draw our inspiration…from these living experiences…" ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/hts…
9) More expressions of vindication from al-Qaeda:

AQAP asserts Taliban's victory proves jihad is "realistic way" to success.

Expresses hope that this "conquest" will be the first of more & that "this year is the beginning of a pivotal transformation."
ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/aqa…
10) In line with other AQ branches, AQIM & JNIM jointly call Taliban victory proof jihad is “only way”:

“The Ummah will have no weight…unless it has fangs that bite and nails that clench. The victory in Afghanistan…is nothing but a confirmation of this” ent.siteintelgroup.com/Statements/aqi… Image

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More from @Rita_Katz

Rita Katz Profile picture
10 Sep
1) Over the next 36 hours, I will be tweeting commentary, analysis and breaking news around the impact of the 9/11 anniversary on terrorist and extremist groups in the U.S. and worldwide. Image
2) The 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks justifiably has U.S. security agencies on high alert. It is important to remain vigilant, as with every anniversary of the tragedy, which is consistently celebrated by al-Qaeda and their supporters worldwide.
3) However, what is new this year is the fact that al-Qaeda and the jihadist landscape has been transformed in recent weeks. They've expanded propaganda and recruitment campaigns, celebrating what they see as their biggest victory since 2001: Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Image
Read 22 tweets
Rita Katz Profile picture
26 Aug
US consular affairs issued a warning to Americans remaining in Afghanistan to avoid coming to #Kabul airport, and those there to “leave immediately.” This seems to be directly related to #ISIS, which is going to attempt to capitalize on chaos and hinder US exit.
Following last night's warning of an imminent threat, Pentagon has confirmed an explosion outside #KabulAiport. Casualties are not confirmed but Pentagon states there will be update.

From @BBCWorld, the explosion occurred at the Abbey gate entrance, and a US official told Reuters that the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber.
---
No group has claimed responsibility, but this bears the hallmarks of an #ISIS strike.

bbc.com/news/live/worl…
Read 8 tweets
Rita Katz Profile picture
25 Aug
Thread
1)Jihadists aren’t the only extremists mobilized by Afghanistan: white supremacist &neo-Nazis are capitalizing on events, expressing desire to emulate Taliban’s defeat of “western Imperialism”:“If they can. We can”) & violent rhetoric about “invasions” by displaced Afghans
2) Our forthcoming bulletin on far-right extremists lays out these alarming red flags in detail. We've seen an outpouring of violent anti-refugee commentary, threatening refugees and those willing to host them.
3) Users discuss armed resistance to stop the “Great Replacement” of whites, and targeted attacks on refugee assistance organizations ("burn the offices"... "This is an enemy invasion! Arm yourself!")
Read 5 tweets
Rita Katz Profile picture
22 Jun
#ISIS Furqan Media Foundation, dedicated to statements from leadership, announced forthcoming release. Last release was Oct. 2020 w/ a speech by ISIS spokesman Abu Hamza al-Qurashi. Should be noted that ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi has not yet been featured.
ISIS' #Furqan release is another audio message from spokesman Abu Hamza al-Qurashi, titled: “And You Will be Superior (in Victory) if You are Indeed (True) Believers.”

Speech goes through province by province, speaking to fighters, similar in format to the last from Oct. 2020
Abu Hamza al-Qurashi sends special greeting to fighters in W Africa, Commends their "work to eradicate and bury the strife of the Khawarij”--a seeming reference to BokoHaram/Shekau. Says they returned the to right path pledged to ISIS, which spox says was accepted by ISIS leader.
Read 4 tweets
Rita Katz Profile picture
7 May
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. Image
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.
Read 4 tweets
Rita Katz Profile picture
12 Nov 20
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.
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.
Read 4 tweets

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