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Memri
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Editorial Praises Operatives' Jihad Against Christians In Africa: Carry The Mission To The Shores Of Europe, Plot Bloody Revenge Against Europe's Christians In Their Own Ba
The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. On August 7, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 507 of its weekly newsletter, Al-Naba'. The issue featured an editorial titled "Light of Jihad," praising ISIS's "jihad" targeting and killing Christians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Mozambique, and inciting ISIS adherents to imitate their brethren in Africa and "exact" the divine verdict on Christians across Europe.[1] Message Implies: Group's Spokesman Is Neither Killed, Nor Imprisoned Interestingly, elsewhere in the newsletter, under a section called "precious excerpts," Al-Naba' featured an excerpt from its spokesperson, Abu Hudhayfah Al-Ansari, in which he congratulated ISIS operatives for engaging in wars to implement the supreme goal of promoting the "oneness of Allah." The spokesman's name appears appended with the phrase "Hafizahu Allah" ("May Allah protect him"), a supplication typically used for someone who is enjoying physical safety and freedom. Similar to cases in the past where the group chose not to make public statements in such regard, the script appears to carry an indirect denial of reports that the spokesman had been killed or incarcerated, following rumors he had possibly been the target of the July 25, 2025, US-led raid on an ISIS cell in Syria's city of Al-Bab. The significance of the implied message continues to make Al-Naba' the most prolific distributor of the group's leadership messaging. Jihad Across Africa Benefited From Past Experience In Iraq And Syria The editorial started by crediting the ongoing "Inferno of Camps" launched by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) against militaries and security personnel in Nigeria and neighboring areas, for firing up the "flames of jihad" in the DRC and Mozambique against "combatant" Christians, which, the editorial asserted, were immersed into a new cycle of displacement, anguish, humiliation, and ruin. The reason behind the "increasing" jihadi activity in Africa, per the piece, is that ISIS mujahideen benefited greatly from other jihadi actions in the past, adding: "They talked less but acted momentously. They obeyed the divine commands, avoided prohibitions, and left aside every fallacy." The editorial continued: "Allah enlightened their insights, blessed their jihad, and guided the zealous sons of Islam to them, so they came to them from the farthest reaches of the earth, both light and heavy," it added, suggesting an ongoing flow of foreign fighters to the various arenas of jihad in the continent. ISCAP's Return After "Severe Trials" Woke DRC's Authorities To "Pools Of Blood" In Komanda And Environs Discussing the activity of the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) in eastern DRC, the editorial argued that operations had resumed in Irumu, the country's main trade and transportation hub, varying from ambushes of convoys to massacres against Christians' churches and communities. It dismissed government reports about "deliverance," following a few months of ISCAP "inactivity," noting that operations soon returned and "woke them up to the pools of blood in the Crusader Komanda area and its environs." The editorial went on to praise ISIS's Mozambique Province, which was once part of ISCAP, for launching a "new wave of attacks" after what it described as a period of "severe trials" endured by the group's operatives. Upon their return, "they burned villages of the cross-worshippers in Mozambique's Chiure, Maidumbe and Ancuabe districts, beheading them and displacing thousands of them, until their government was choked with grief." To The Displaced Christians In Africa: Convert To Islam, Give Jizyah Tax, Or Die Accentuating an ideological jihadi approach towards religious minorities, namely Christians and Jews, the editorial maintained that for Christians of Africa to be safe and escape the cycle of killing, they need to be informed that "the true Islam" grants them the freedom to choose between converting to Islam or giving jizyah tax. "If they refuse Islam and the jizyah tax, the third option is murder and displacement, which is what they have witnessed and suffered for years," it stressed in a threatening tone. Addressing the displaced Christians, the editorial claimed that some villagers have already agreed to pay the jizyah tax to ISIS operatives in various regions of Africa, and as a result, "they were given safety to live in their villages and farms." Meanwhile, some converted to Islam at the hands of the mujahideen, it noted. The editorial then warned that the majority of the displaced still insist on opting for death, which will soon be the only option left. "Slaughter The One-Eyed Humanity With The Sword Of Al-Wala' Wal Bara'" The editorial then dismissed reactions by western Christian countries and the United Nations institutions, and the condemnation of the acts of killing against their own, as "cross-worshippers," arguing that these very parties continue to turn the blind eye to the "mass massacres" against Palestinians: "These institutions weep for Crusader and Jewish blood while belching Muslim blood! This is the reality of their 'humanity' and its institutions." Urging total rejection of what it called a "one-eyed humanity," the editorial called on the mujahideen to adhere firmly and solely to the jihadi principle of Al-Wala' Wal Bara' (loyalty to Muslims and disloyalty to non-Muslims), and stated: "Today, Muslims are suffering from the evils and conspiracies of the nonbelievers, and whenever these are confronted with severity and an iron fist, the conspiracies of the nonbelievers are nullified, and their evils are repelled." It continued: "Such is the path to overcoming oppression and regaining sovereignty. Our conquering ancestors ruled with swords, advancing legions and leading the way, until they terrorized the nations of their time, who came to them willingly or unwillingly, surrendering and submissive. This is the truth, and anything beyond it is false." "This is what the mujahideen of Africa adhere to, paying no heed to anything else." The editorial went on to sing the praises of the jihadi activity led by ISIS affiliates in the DRC and Mozambique, saying that the "light of jihad" has shone after decades of darkness, ignorance, and Crusader massacres committed by Christians during their invasion of Africa. ISIS' Mujahideen In Africa Fully Comply With Jihad According to the piece, Christians continued to bear grudges against Muslims for what they had suffered at their hands in previous eras, such as in Andalusia, which, the editorial claimed, Muslims lost after they deserted Al-Wala' Wal Bara' and grew spoiled in luxury. Expressing an old belief that today's Spain remains an "Islamic land," the editorial stressed that Andalusia would not be recouped except through jihad, resistance, perseverance, and endurance, as Muslim ancestors did. "With the light of jihad that illuminated the paths of the believers, and its flames that burned the hearts of the nonbelievers, the land of Africa was illuminated, blessings were attained, and its few became many, and its weak became strong. This is because jihad is a divine law and a prophetic script. Whoever complies with it as is, without excess or shortage, and embraces it fully, will see their humiliation turned into pride and their weakness into strength." Emphasizing the "futility" of paths other than "unaltered" jihad, the editorial maintained that walking on the paths of democracy, international politics, and pseudo-Islamic banners violates and nullifies jihad's provisions and effects: "Is the light of jihad the same as the darkness of pre-Islamic ignorance?" Carry The Mission Of Jihad To The Shores Of Europe Addressing the "knights of Islam in Africa," the editorial called on them to prepare whatever force they are able to muster against the "Crusaders," and to arm themselves with faith and knowledge towards success and greater effectiveness on the path of jihad. According to the editorial, a stronger jihad in Africa will lead to jihad in Europe. It prayed for jihadis in Africa to succeed in their "mission" to carry their jihad to the shores of Europe, "conquering it, shattering its security, and transforming its streets and capitals into an Ituri and a Cabo Delgado." Inciting terrorist acts in Europe similar to the terror campaign against Christians in the DRC, Mozambique, and other areas of the African continent, the editorial concluded: "The hearts still ache for revenge against the Christians of Europe. The call is still open to the heroes of Islam to attack them again and invade them in their own backyards and implement the divine rulings against them as their brothers did in Africa, and Allah will surely support those who support Him."
Memri
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Editorial On The Israel-Iran War: A Call To Reject Both Camps, Exploit Their Conflict By Waging Global Jihad Against Jews, Their 'Lobbies' And Allies
On June 19, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 500 of its weekly newsletter, Al-Naba'.[1] The issue's feature piece, titled: "The Persian and the Jewish States" frames the war between Iran and Israel as a clash between two rival opponents of Islam who seek to occupy Muslim lands and corrupt Islamic sanctities. The piece urges Muslims to reject both camps, calling for intensified efforts to wage jihad against Jews– not only in Palestine, but across the globe. "Supporting Iran Is A Deviation From Monotheism" The editorial begins by arguing that most wars throughout history – among groups of falsehoods – have aided the interests of truth. Muslims once understood this dynamic, according to the article, because the hunt for truth—anchored in devotion to Allah—was their main objective. However, the authors argue, in the current times, due to what they perceive as lack of proper guidance, people's stances have shifted, their goals have altered, and their ethical values have become disordered. "No longer able to distinguish truth from falsehood," many have allegedly replaced the pursuit of divine truth with nationalist and religious sectarian drives, the article asserts. This deviation has caused widespread backing for the Iranian axis among Muslims, including among Muslims, because Iran opposes Israel and therefore supports Palestine. The piece views this as a risky misalignment motivated by a withdrawal from the Islamic faith of monotheism. Endorsing a Shiite-led political bloc, the article argues, is efficiently accepting a falsehood by believing in its hollow promises to defend Palestine, "despite Iran's military actions consistently proving otherwise." The authors claim that Iran's responses in its past and current confrontations with Israel were not driven by worry for Jerusalem or Gaza, but rather by its own calculated welfare—mainly in retaliation for the killing of its commanders or the damage inflicted on its infrastructure. "Supporting Palestine Is An Iranian Disguise" The Al-Naba' editorial stresses that this "misplaced loyalty" flows from a deeper problem: "The sanctification of the Palestinian cause above Islam itself." It said, "When Islamic principles are no longer the measure by which people evaluate right and wrong, they adopt alternative frameworks." In this case, the Palestinian issue has become a moral test, by which individuals and groups are praised or condemned—"regardless of their religious beliefs or ideological foundations." As a result, Shiite factions have earned the loyalty of many, only by seeming to support Palestine. This tendency, in the authors' view, has distorted the broader understanding of the Palestinian struggle, especially now that any fighter who dies for Palestine is considered a martyr–"regardless of whether they are Muslim, apostate, or even a non-believer." "Deaths Of Iranian Commanders Are A Sign Of Divine Justice" By contrast, the piece labels those whom Allah has chosen as being capable of differentiating the truth from falsehood. These chosen ones understand that the recent Israeli assassinations of Iranian commanders to be "signs of divine justice." Referring to the slain Iranian military personnel, the authors claim that these figures had once launched and commanded military operations against Muslims in Iraq and Syria, in alliance with Western powers; however, they were later hit by the exact U.S. air power that had supported their previous campaigns. Gloating, the text views their deaths as proof of divine vengeance. "The Current War Is Between Two Rival Imperial Projects" The article further frames the current war between Israel and Iran as a conflict between two rival imperial projects that are both hostile to Islam: "The Greater Jewish State and the Greater Persian State." Both, the piece argues, are driven by greed and hatred, seeking to conquer Muslim lands and defile holy sites. There is no moral distinction between the two; both are considered long-standing enemies of Islam. To navigate through this conflict, the authors emphasize that Muslims must not be obliged to pick one of the two camps. Instead, "they must align solely with the Islamic camp, founded on monotheism and jihad." Two Sides Of The Same Coin The destruction Israel and Iran inflict on each other should, in the authors' view, be a cause for Muslim gratification, for it degrades two of the primary enemies of Islam: one openly disbelieving, and the other—Shiite Iran—portrayed as more dangerous due to its alleged deceptive appeal to Muslims. The authors warn that Iran poses a greater threat because many Muslims are misled by it, unlike Israel, "whose enmity is explicit and widely recognized." The text states that even if Iran were to kill thousands of Jews, this would not qualify it as an ally to Muslims. Thus, the authors categorize Iran and Israel as essentially the same, for their "hostility toward Islam." Urging Muslims To Exploit The Current War: "Intensify Jihad" Framing its demands as a strategic standpoint, the piece calls on Muslims to benefit from the chaos generated by the current war, for it is a "vital opportunity to intensify efforts in jihad across multiple fronts: logistical support, recruitment, military preparation, and armament." The authors argue that conflicts among Israel, Iran, and their allies are intensifying, which breaks down the boundaries of cooperation and mutual restraint that once existed among them. This shift, according to the piece, is a positive sign indicating that even enemies of Islam are no longer secure within their own circles. "Increasing Dominance Of Jewish Influence In Global Affairs" Highlighting that Western powers—including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—have reaffirmed their support for Israel's right to self-defense, the text argues that this stance invalidates earlier claims—mainly circulated by the Muslim Brotherhood and Iranian sympathizers—of a rift between Europe and Israel. "These were false hopes, believed only by the politically naive," the text asserts, claiming that the current position of the West behind Israel shows the snowballing dominance of Jewish influence in global affairs, particularly following Israel's success in undermining Iran's regional proxies and targeting its nuclear infrastructure. Thus, "the Jewish power is not only persistent but also strategic and calculated." "The Obligation To Fight Jews Extends Beyond The Borders Of Palestine" Based on the editorial, this alleged Jewish control stretches beyond Israel to the Western world, driven by powerful Jewish lobbies in media, economics, and policy. The piece argues that this confirms what was already claimed when Gaza's war began: "It is not the West leading Israel, but Israel and its global networks steering the West." Accordingly, the article insists that the obligation to fight Jews goes beyond the borders of Palestine: "Their global power and networks are what sustain their presence in the region. Ignoring that reality is a serious strategic error." In conclusion, the editorial reiterates that both Israel and Iran are rivals of Islam— hostile disbelievers, and historically complicit in wars against Muslims. Today, their fractured alliance turned into an open conflict. The piece stresses that the more intense their war becomes, the more Muslims, according to the authors, stand to gain.
Memri
31-05-2025
- Memri
Posters By Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Media Outlets Present Perpetrators Of Attacks In The West As Role Models, Encourage Media Incitement Of Jihad
On May 23, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) official English-language Halummu media outlet published English translations of two posters by unofficial pro-ISIS media groups inciting attacks in the West and media jihad. Both posters' texts consist of excerpts from editorials in ISIS weekly Al-Naba'. One poster, titled "Incitement Is a Necessity and a Virtue," was originally released in Arabic by the Al-Murhafat Foundation and is based on the editorial in issue 305 of Al-Naba'. Encouraging media operatives to incite jihad, it depicts a hooded figure sitting in front of a laptop. The poster's text declares: "The jihadi media workers must put their efforts to perfect the ways of incitement and knock on the hearts of Muslims" to convince them of "the eternal [bliss] of being killed for the sake of Allah." It adds: "Just like the mujahid never leaves his weapon in battle, so should the inciter for jihad possess the tools to support him in his mission, and develop himself and learn the ways to fulfill his blessed mission, [since] because of that the jihad continues …" The full text of this report is available to MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor subscribers. Subscription information is available at this link. JTTM subscribers can visit this page to view the report
