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BREAKING: #ISIS Furqan releases speech from spokesman Abu Umar al-Muhajir, contrary to reports of his death in May 2022.

Speech is titled, “And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves." Last Furqan speech was issued in Apr. 2022, which also featured Muhajir. There has not been a speech from an ISIS leader since the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019.

While there’s been plenty to assess on each anniversary of 9/11, this year seems especially noteworthy for the global jihadist movement: al-Qaeda is leaderless and Afghanistan is under Taliban rule.

The following thread gives my thoughts on where we stand 21 years later. 🧵 9/11 of course made al-Qaeda the face of the Global Jihad. However, 21 years later, it is increasingly treated more as an historical event as opposed to the rallying, immediate memory it once was—especially to a new generation of supporters that didn't live the event.

Today’s #Jan6thHearings focus on the consensus across the far right after Trump's “will be wild” tweet: he wanted them in war mode.

Examples thus far just the tip of the iceberg. @SITE_FRFL reported extensively on this mobilization leading to that day. ent.siteintelgroup.com/inSITE-on-Far-… Leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath keepers "collaborated" with Trump allies like Rodger Stone and Former General Michael Flynn.

Stone "regularly" had contact with these extremists via a chat group called "Friends of Stone" in months ahead of January 6.

ISIS' Furqan announces forthcoming release. Comes over a month since Mar 10 speech by spox Abu Umar al-Muhajir on death of leader Abu Ibrahim & announcing former spox's death.

ISIS usually releases messages during Ramadan to rally supporters for attacks. ent.siteintelgroup.com/Jihadist-Threa… Speech released: a message from ISIS spokesman Abu Umar al-Muhajir titled, "Fight Against Them So that Allah will Punish Them by Your Hands"

1) The following thread discusses a recent news story about a supposed HTS terrorist “plot” in Russia, providing a case study in how the Kremlin uses fake news to advance its geopolitical agendas. tass.ru/proisshestviya… 2) Russian news outlets pushing story that Russia’s FSB (ex-KGB) arrested a cell of HTS (Syrian group headed by Julani) plotting attack in Kaluga, Russia.

In no way defending HTS, but this reeks of fake news--about as believable as Putin's "denazification" lie regarding Ukraine.

Breaking: Multiple people shot and “several undetonated devices” found in Brooklyn train station. No other details available at this time.

cnn.com/2022/04/12/us/… Police are searching for a man with a gas mask and orange construction vest. Authorities say at least 13 were injured, some from gunshots, without providing specifics of severity.

1) As the Russia-Ukraine situation escalates, @SITE_FRFL has tracked the profound ripple effects emerging across far-right extremist communities in Ukraine, Russia, and across the West.

The following thread will provide ongoing updates on SITE’s findings. 2) Extensive online recruitment efforts have been seen from pro-Russia Donetsk militias, as well as far-right Ukrainian paramilitary groups like Azov: fundraising, enlisting potential fighters and medics, etc. ent.siteintelgroup.com/Far-Right-/-Fa…

1) The following thread will provide ongoing analysis on the recently announced killing of ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi: what it will mean for ISIS, peculiarities of this news, and how little is known of him. 2) ISIS announced Abu Ibrahim as its leader on October 31, 2019, per its Shura Council, less than a week after death of Baghdadi.

The statement claimed--via the "Qurayshi" in his name--he was from Quraysh tribe, which the Prophet Muhammad was from.

https://twitter.com/Rita_Katz/status/1189924858571952128

BREAKING: Ongoing hostage situation at Colleyville synagogue in Texas’s Dallas-Fort Worth area. Police currently negotiating with the man, who is understood to be holding the rabbi and congregants with him. SWAT teams on site. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/s… Suspect at #colleyvilletx synagogue claims he is brother of Aafia Siddiqui (unconfirmed), demands she be freed.

Aafia—neuroscientist w alleged AQ ties serving 86 yrs for attempted murder of US soldier—seen by some (including extremists) as symbol of West's oppression of Muslims

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. 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.

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.

https://twitter.com/TravelGov/status/1430667319508938753

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.

https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec/status/1430888975917453313?s=20

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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.

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. 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.

#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

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 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

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. 2)Shocking video shows a gunman armed with what appears to be a Kalashnikov (AK-47) rifle firing at an unknown target.

BREAKING: Reports that senior #alQaeda official Abu Muhsin al-Masri (AKA Husam Abd-al-Ra’uf) killed by Afghan forces. Masri was believed to be 2nd in command under AQ leader Zawahiri & served as the organization’s media chief. No confirmation from al-Qaeda as of yet. Abu Muhsin al-Masri was a leading figure in #alQaeda's Shura council, strategy, & media (including as-Sahab).
If confirmed, another blow to an already weakened AQ that has lost many leaders—among them Hamza Bin Laden, whom AQ still hasn't commented/confirm his death to date.