With the rise of IS, it is of interest to examine how IS has secured pledges of allegiance (bay'ah) from other groups both on the domestic front (i.e. within Iraq and Syria) and abroad (e.g. in Gaza-Sinai and Libya). I would argue that the case of Jamaat Ansar al-Islam ('The Group of the Supporters/Partisans of Islam') offers instructive insight not only into the factors that lead to pledges of allegiance but also the means of interpreting the available evidence. To recall, Jamaat Ansar … [Read more...]
The Islamic State (IS) and Pledges of Allegiance: The Case of Jamaat Ansar al-Islam
By November 28, 2020
1920s Revolution Brigades- 23 November Statement: Translation
By November 27, 2020
Message 71 (original here) Inertia in thought or determination to go astray Months have passed since the West's announcement- under the leadership of the American occupation- of their alliance against Islam in our region- especially Iraq- under the slogan of the war on terrorism, and the truth of our analysis has been illustrated in this long period. And the spurious nature of their claims have been exposed, for the difficulty has arisen in place for the enemy to persist for a long time in … [Read more...]
Islamic Army of Iraq Spokesman: Two New Statements
By November 26, 2020
The latest statements from the Islamic Army of Iraq's official spokesman- Dr. Ibrahim al-Shammary- concern two subjects. Firstly, the death sentence handed down to the former Sunni Arab MP Ahmed al-Alwani, who was a central figure behind the renewal of Iraq's wider Sunni insurgency. Alwani was the MP the security forces under then PM Nouri al-Maliki attempted to arrest in December 2013 as they were also ordered to dismantle the Ramadi protest site in Anbar. In the subsequent confrontation, … [Read more...]
“The Cheers Surge”- Nasheed Plagiarised by the Islamic State (IS)
By November 25, 2020
I have remarked elsewhere that IS' creation of Ajnad Media Foundation in summer 2013 with the production of a plethora of unique songs (e.g. 'Close ranks and pledge bay'ah [allegiance] to Baghdadi', 'My Ummah, Dawn Has Appeared/Loomed', and 'I am not content with a life of humiliation') helped to give the group a unique identity vis-a-vis other jihadi groups, particularly al-Qa'ida, from which, it was clear, what was then ISIS had de facto broken off following on from Baghdadi's refusal to … [Read more...]
“Oh Soldiers of Righteousness, Rise up!”- Islamic State Nasheed from Ajnad Media
By November 25, 2020
The following nasheed from the Islamic State was released at the beginning of June 2014 (i.e. when the group was still just the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham; unsurprising in light of explicit reference to Bilad al-Sham). There is also anticipation of subsequent propaganda themes like 'kasr al-hudud' ('breaking of the borders') that came with the group's rapid advances in Iraq that meant genuine contiguous territory spanning the Iraq-Syria border. The nasheed has subsequently been … [Read more...]
Jamaat Jund al-Qawqaz: A Caucasus Emirate Group in Latakia
By November 23, 2020
Relatively little news comes out these days from northeast Latakia province, which remains outside of regime control despite the recapture of the Armenian town of Kassab in June. However, it is important to observers of jihadi groups as what I would call 'the muhajireen's hangout'. For example, the Moroccan group Harakat Sham al-Islam- now a part of the independent jihadi coalition Jabhat Ansar al-Din- engages in da'wah outreach to locals in the area. It is also where the group Jaysh Muhammad … [Read more...]
“The Shari’a of Our Lord”- Nasheed from the Islamic State’s Ajnad Media
By November 23, 2020
This nasheed from the Islamic State, with its benign tone, emphasizes the supposed peace, security and ideal nature of life under the group's rule. For example, it was featured in an Islamic State video from Rutba in Anbar province as part of a showcase of the Islamic State's offering of public services. The Shari'a of Our Lord is a light, By which we rise above the stars, By which we live a life without humiliation, A life of security and peace. Our state has arisen on Islam in its true … [Read more...]
Islamic State: Suicide Bombing in Arbil Statement: Translation and Analysis
By November 22, 2020
The statement translated by me below concerns the recent Islamic State [IS] suicide bombing conducted in the heart of Arbil, around 14 months after a previous assault by IS' predecessor the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham [ISIS]. Some points to note: 1. That IS would use a Kurdish member to carry out this attack comes as no surprise. Featuring Kurds within the group's ranks- to be directed at Kurdish rivals and counteract allegations of ethnic supremacism- has been a part of IS[IS] messaging … [Read more...]
The Factions of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab)
By November 21, 2020
Media attention has somewhat focused away from the city of Kobani as the intense wave of coalition airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) first helped to slow down the group's advance into Kobani. That said, the Democratic Union Party (PYD)'s project of an autonomous canton centred Kobani has been destroyed, and IS, in spite of the setbacks, still remains within the southern and eastern parts of the city (specifically in the latter, the industrial quarter), which IS has renamed Ayn al-Islam. … [Read more...]
Ummah of Islam, Good Tidings: Jihadi Nasheed by Abu Abd al-Malik
By November 21, 2020
The jihadi nasheed I have translated below is an old work of a Saudi munshid ('nasheed singer') by the name of Abu Abd al-Malik, real name Mohsen al-Dos(a)ri. Along with another Saudi munshid by the name of Abu Ali (of the famous 'Madin kas-Sayf', 'Bi Jihadina', 'Jaljalat' and other jihadi nasheeds), Abu Abd al-Malik was certainly a fan favourite of jihadi forums for the main part of the 2000s, but eventually fell out of favour as a personality even as compositions such as 'Ummah of Islam, … [Read more...]