Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: July 19-26, 2025

Memri

a day ago

The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock, among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to [e-mail] with "Membership" in the subject line.)
Note to media and government: For a full copy of these reports, send an email with the title of the report in the subject line to [e-mail]. Please include your name, title, and organization in your email.
EXCLUSIVE: Dari-Language Post On X: Iran, With Afghan Taliban, Is Digging Cross-Border Tunnels And Providing A Haven To Al-Qaeda Leaders In Afghanistan's Border Provinces Of Helmand, Uruzgan, And Zabul
In a Dari-language article dated July 2, 2025, the former head of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS, the pre-Taliban Afghan intelligence agency), warned that Iran, with the help of Taliban rulers, is digging cross-border tunnels and providing a safe haven to Al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan's border provinces of Helmand, Uruzgan, and Zabul.
EXCLUSIVE: Telegram Channel Affiliated With Australian Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Preacher Shares Open Letter Penned By Virginia ISIS Supporter Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, Who Was Imprisoned For Sending Funds To ISIS
A Telegram channel affiliated with an Australian pro-ISIS preacher shared the text of an open letter to supporters by Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a Virginia man who was sentenced in May to serve a 30-year prison term for sending funds to ISIS.
EXCLUSIVE: Following Israeli Airstrikes On Damascus, Palestinian Factions Condemn 'Violation' Of Syria's Sovereignty: 'This Enemy Understands Only The Language Of Force'
Following Israel's airstrikes against Syrian government military sites in downtown Damascus on July 15, 2025, Palestinian factions released statements denouncing the strikes and voicing unwavering support for Syria.
EXCLUSIVE: Following Israel's Strikes On Damascus, Iran-Backed Militias Condemn 'Aggression', Call For Unified Arab And Islamic Response And Support For Syria
On July 16, 2025, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on Syria's Defense Ministry in Damascus, as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze communities in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw.
EXCLUSIVE: Syrian Jihadi Cleric Shares Call By Veteran Mujahid To Prepare For Guerilla Warfare Against Israeli Forces, Urges Tribal Fighters To Continue 'Jihad' Against Druze, Solicits Donations
In recent days, violence has swept the predominantly Druze governorate of Al-Suwayda', in southern Syria, which has remained outside of full government control following the December 2024 collapse of the Assad regime.
Syrian Jihadi Group 'Ansar Al-Sunnah Battalions' Threatens To Target Druze, As Other Syrian Jihadis Call To 'Close Druze File,' Reject Coexistence
On July 13, 2025, clashes broke out between Druze militias and Bedouin tribesmen in the predominantly Druze city of Al-Suwayda', in southern Syria.
Syrian Jihadi Group 'Ansar Al-Sunnah Battalions' Calls For Assassination Of Syrian Businessman Accused Of 'Financing The Former Regime'
The Ansar Al-Sunnah Battalions, a Syrian salafi-jihadi group, called for the assassination of a Syrian businessman whom it accused of financing the former Syrian Government.
Syrian Popular Resistance On Syrian Coast Pledges Allegiance To Islamic Resistance Front In Syria – Formidable In Might Militia; 'Unity Of Ranks In Resistance Only Way To Expel Occupation'
On July 15, 2025, the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria - Formidable in Might militia shared an approximately two-minute video on its Telegram channel.
Senior Official In Islamic Resistance Front In Syria – Formidable In Might Militia Threatens 'Dire Consequences' For U.S. Interests If Israeli Blockade Of Gaza Continues
On July 19, 2025, a Telegram channel for the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria – Formidable in Might militia, published a post featuring a same-day statement from the head of the group's political bureau.
Telegram Channel Affiliated With Islamic Resistance Front In Syria Militia: Jihadi Faction That Specialized In Commando Operations Against Assad Regime Joins Resistance, Focuses On Fighting Israel
On July 19, 2025, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria - Formidable in Might militia, quoted "a source at the Islamic Resistance headquarters" which said that numerous military factions in Syria have recently joined the ranks of the Formidable in Might militia, starting with a military faction which is now focused on fighting against "the Zionist enemy and its supporters."
Jihadi Cleric Close To Syrian President Denounces Druze 'Betrayal' For Seeking Help Of 'Israeli Enemy'; Syria-Based Jihadi Cleric Calls For Jihad Against Israel, Druze
Between July 16 and 19, 2025, the former chief religious official of disbanded Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and currently an advisor to Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa published a series of Telegram posts criticizing the Druze community in Syria's Al-Suwayda' governorate for seeking support from Israel during recent clashes with Bedouin tribes in the area.
Syrian Jihadi Cleric Shares Call By Armed Tribesmen Fighting Druze In Suwayda, Soliciting Military Equipment And Funds Via Syria Cash Transfer App
In recent days, violent clashes have swept the predominantly Druze Governorate of Al-Suwayda', in southern Syria, which have led to hundreds killed and captured, prompting government military and security forces to intervene, which culminated in a ceasefire agreement between the government and local Druze notables.
Hamas Military Spokesman Abu Obeida: The Resistance Is 'Fully Prepared For A Long War Of Attrition'; Salutes Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthi) Movement, Lashes Out At 'Submissive' Regimes In Region
On July 18, 2025, Hamas military spokesman, Abu Obeida, delivered a video speech in which he affirmed the resistance factions' readiness to engage in a lengthy war of attrition against Israel, and warned that failure to achieve a deal on hostages means an end to future talks about "partial deals."
Pro-Hamas 'Gaza Now' Media Outlet Continues To Solicit Bitcoin And USDT Cryptocurrency Donations
A pro-Hamas media outlet continues to solicit cryptocurrency donations.
Houthi Ansar Allah Movement Claims Ballistic Missiles, Drone Attacks On Israeli Airport, Military Targets
Over ten days, from July 6-16, 2025, Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah movement (the Houthis) claimed several drone and ballistic missile attacks on Israeli targets.
In Video, Yemen's Ansar Allah Houthi Movement Threatens To Continue Attacks On Red Sea Shipping
A media outlet affiliated with Yemen's Ansar Allah Houthi Movement released a video threatening further attacks on maritime trade in the Red Sea.
Hizbullah Celebrates Decision To Release Militant Georges Abdallah From French Prison; Popular Front For The Liberation Of Palestine (PFLP) And Terrorist-Designated Samidoun Call On France To Resist 'American-Zionist' Dictates
On July 17, 2025, Lebanese Hizbullah and Palestinian factions released statements welcoming the Paris Court of Appeal's order to release Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who was serving a life sentence in France for his involvement in the murder of Israeli diplomat Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov in 1982 and for the attempted murder of U.S. Consul Robert O. Homme in 1984.
In Statement, Lebanese Hizbullah Condemns 'Deadly' Israeli Strike In Northern Beqaa As 'Massacre', Calls For Urgent Lebanese And International Response To On-Going 'Aggression'
On July 15, 2025, following an attack by the Israeli Air Force in Lebanon's northern Beqaa Valley, Lebanese Hizbullah published an official statement on its Telegram channel.
Iran-Backed Militia In Iraq Accuses Syrian Government Of Targeting Country's Minorities As Part Of 'Zionist-American Agenda'
A little-heard-of militia in Iraq issued a statement in which it criticized the Syrian Government for its handling of recent clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen in Syria's Suwayda Province.
Iran-Backed Militias In Iraq Escalate Threats To U.S. Interests In Iraq And Surrounding Region; Set October 1 Deadline For Withdrawal
Between July 17 and 19, 2025, two Telegram channels affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq shared a series of posts threatening the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the American troops deployed in Iraq and the Middle East.
Malaysian Officials Arrest 36 Bangladeshi Nationals Belonging To 'Gerakan Militan Radical Bangladesh' (GMRB) For Collecting Funds For ISIS In Bangladesh And Syria
On July 4, 2025, security officials in Malaysia announced that at least 36 Bangladeshi nationals involved in spreading jihadi ideology and collecting funds for Islamic State (ISIS) cells in Syria and Bangladesh had been arrested in security operations that began in April, according to a Malaysian and Bangladeshi media reports.
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Releases Video Of Interrogation, Execution Of Ten 'Spies' For Nigerian Government: Penalty For Collaboration With Apostate Regime Is Death
On July 18, 2025, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) released a six-minute video in the Nigerian native Hausa language with Arabic subtitles.
ISKP Booklet: Fighters From Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan Have Joined ISKP; Pakistan Does Not Support ISKP
On June 3, 2025, a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), released a 14-page Pashto-language booklet about an attack carried out by Baloch freedom fighters on the ISKP base in Mastung, in Balochistan province.
ISKP Magazine: 'We Pray For The Destruction Of The Remaining Leaders Of Disbelief, Such As Colonel Haibat Khan, Fazlur Rehman, And Their Masters Like Trump, Putin'
An article in the latest issue of an English-language monthly magazine published by a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), teaches that Islam's founder Muhammad and the "Salaf [the first three generations of Muslims, or the early Muslims generally]," rejoiced over the deaths of deviant religious scholars and tyrants, and encourages Muslims today to do the same.
ISKP Magazine Decries Russia's Removal Of Afghan Taliban From Terror Blacklist, Urges Muslims To 'Support Those Who Have A United And Pure Jihadi Front Across The Whole World, Those Who Have No Alliance Or Attachment With Any Kuffar'
The cover article in the latest issue of an English-language monthly magazine published by a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), states that the Afghan Taliban are playing into the hands of Russia and the United States after Moscow removed them from its terror blacklist and the U.S. removed bounties on Taliban leaders such as the chief of the Haqqani Network.
ISKP Magazine: 'It's Not Acceptable That Kuffar [Unbelievers] Drop Bombs On Muslims And Muslims Respond With Protests'; 'Believers Are The Allies Of Allah And Of One Another, And The Kuffar Are Enemies Of Allah And Of The Believers'
A major article in the current issue of an English-language monthly magazine published a media outlet linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which defines itself as a supporting entity for the Islamic State (ISIS), slams the Afghan Taliban for befriending "kuffar [unbelievers]" and digressing from the shari'a principle of al-Wala wal-Bara, or loyalty and disavowal for the sake of Allah.
Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Editorial Urges Muslims To Support Group In Times Of 'Change And Regression'; Claims Global Coalitions Of Falsehood Can Be Defeated Only By Jihad
On July 17, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released Issue 504 of its weekly newsletter.
Islamic State (ISIS) Supporters Exploit Crisis In Syria's Al-Suwayda To Incite Violence Against Ethnic Minorities, Undermine Syrian Government
Supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS) have exploited ongoing clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribesmen in Syria's Al-Suwayda province to incite further violence against ethnic minorities and undermine the Syrian Government.
Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Media Group Publishes Guide For 'Beginner Mujahid' Planning Jihad In Mountainous Woods
On July 15, 2025, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media group published a brief document in English titled "Personal Training and Equipment Recommendation for the Beginner Mujahid"; it had published a Russian version of the guide on June 1.
Islamic State (ISIS) Supporter Warns Telegram, Element Leak To Authorities; Provides InfoSec Tips For Online Protection
On July 15, 2025, an active user of an Islamic State (ISIS)-operated server who often posts infosec-related topics wrote a post in English urging other users to take proper security measures for better online safety, claiming that all social media apps leak data and cooperate with governments.
Islamic State Supporters Continue To Favor Monero (XMR) For 'Secure' Transfer, Solicitation Of Funds
Supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS) continue to express interest in solicitating or receiving donations via cryptocurrency.
Islamic State (ISIS) Critic Lashes Out At ISIS Allegiance Rituals, Urges Accountability And Integrity In Caliphate Leadership
On July 16, 2025, an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) channel on an Al-Qaeda-operated server published a post declaring the ISIS caliphate illegitimate, and mocking supporters for renewing their allegiance to the group's caliph.
Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Claims Killing 29 Soldiers, Wounding Over 50 In Suicide Operation Southwest Of Mogadishu
On July 14, 2025, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), issued a statement claiming that Al-Shabab operatives carried out a suicide operation targeting a military convoy of Ugandan African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) forces near Zabit, on the outskirts of Afgoye, southwest of Mogadishu.
Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Claims It Killed Over 21 Kenyan Soldiers, Wounded 11 In An Ambush In Lamu District, Kenya
On July 17, 2025, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia claimed it had carried out an operation inside Kenyan territory, targeting a military convoy in Lamu District of Kenya's Coast Province.
Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Accuses 'Jews, Western Alliance' Of Weaponizing Starvation In Gaza; Condemns Arab Rulers For Blocking Support; Calls On Muslims To Join Jihad
On July 20, 2025, the press office of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), issued a two-page statement in Arabic titled "By Allah, Save and Support the People of Gaza."
Al-Qaeda In Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Statement Congratulates African Al-Qaeda Operatives On Their 'Victories'; Accuses Media Of Ignoring Their Successes; Urges Jihadi Clerics To Emigrate To 'Arenas Of Jihad'
On July 19, 2025, the official media arm of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), issued a three-page statement in Arabic titled "A Message of Congratulations and Support for the Lions of Islam in Africa."
Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Eulogizes Quran Teacher Killed By Houthis In Yemen; Calls For Jihad Against Houthis And 'Pro-Zionist Mercenaries' In Yemen And 'The Global Zionist-Crusaders And The Shi'ites'
On July 2, 2025, the Houthi police in Raymah Governorate, in western Yemen, reported the death of a Sunni sheikh and Quran teacher during a confrontation with Houthi forces in Al-Salafiyah district, in central Rayman.
Debate Among Al-Qaeda Supporters Over Michigan-Based Pro-ISIS Preacher Ahmad Musa Jibril's Allegiances
Users on an Al-Qaeda-operated encrypted server engaged in a discussion about the affiliation of Michigan-based pro-Islamic State (ISIS) preacher Ahmad Musa Jibril.
Afghan Taliban Website Sees Increasing Diplomatic Legitimacy Through Trade Deals, Hails Russia's Diplomatic Recognition Of Taliban Government
An article published by one of the official websites of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) argues that bilateral economic ties and cross-border trade deals are increasing the Taliban government's diplomatic legitimacy.
Afghan Media Report: U.S.-Sanctioned Afghan Businessman And Taliban Lobbyist In Russia Kamal Nabizada Returns To Afghanistan, He Imported 300,000 Tons Of Waste From Iranian Nuclear Plants Into Afghanistan
On July 5, 2025, it was reported that Afghan businessman Kamal Nabizada, who is subject to American sanctions for his links to the Al-Quds Force, an arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has returned to Afghanistan from Russia.
Afghan Taliban Website Slams ICC Arrest Warrants Against Taliban Supreme Leader And Chief Justice: 'The Hague Tribunal Stands Out Among... Institutions, Exploiting Its Purported Commitment To Justice To Further Western Interests'
An official website of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) published two articles criticizing the July 8 arrests warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Afghan Taliban's Supreme Leader and his Chief Justice for crimes against humanity regarding treatment of girls and women.
Afghan Taliban Cleric Abdul Hamid Hamasi Promotes Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories, Discusses 'Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion': 'Jews Want... To Establish Zionist Domination Over The Entire World'; Jews 'Caused Both World Wars'
In a Pashto-language interview with Afghan television channel Shamshad News, noted Islamic cleric Sheikh Abdul Hamid Hamasi, a member of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) and former member of Kabul's Ulema Council, promoted The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, an anti-Jewish forgery popular in the Arab and Islamic world, and the conspiracy theories peddled in it.
Hizb-ut-Tahrir Afghanistan Criticizes Russia's Recognition Of Afghan Taliban: 'Historically ... Russia Remains One Of The Most Determined Enemies Of Islam And Muslims And A Major Obstacle To The Unity Of The Islamic Ummah'
On July 5, 2025, Hizb-ut-Tahrir Afghanistan released a statement criticizing Russia for recognizing the Afghan Taliban government and also slammed the Taliban rulers for seeking political favor from hostile states like Russia for un-Islamic reasons.