(New York, N.Y.) — The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports on the methods used by extremists and terrorist groups on the Internet to spread propaganda and incite violence. Last week, CEP located pro-ISIS explosives guides made by the al-Saqri Foundation on the Internet Archive, which restricted access to the content following CEP reporting. On October 16, ISIS, via its al-Naba newsletter, condemned the Gaza ceasefire summit being held in Egypt. Also on October 16, ISIS-K, via their al-Azaim propaganda group, condemned talks between the Taliban and the Indian government, less than a week after the latter announced that they would upgrade their diplomatic mission in Kabul to an embassy. On October 15, a pro-ISIS tech group issued a warning to avoid unknown USB drives and charging cables.
An essay posted on an Active Club blog encouraged UK recruitment to the white supremacist movement, donating via Substack or a crowdfunding site, and castigated white British people for not fighting back against violent crime. The first white supremacist Youth Club in the UK, for males between the ages of 15 and 18, was also announced, following the model of similar groups in the U.S. Finally, a neo-Nazi accelerationist website posted a guide to U.S. terrorism laws.
CEP Reporting Leads to Removal of Pro-ISIS Explosives Guides
CEP researchers found two identical sets of explosives guides on the Internet Archive. The two uploads, made on September 1, 2024, and September 28, 2024, each contained 12 guides created by the pro-ISIS online group al-Saqri Foundation, regarding the homemade synthesis or use of explosives such as HMTD, PETN, TATP, and others. Each set also contained a manual for using a mobile phone as a remote detonator. CEP researchers have previously encountered each of the al-Saqri guides on various online platforms. The two uploads had 543 and 397 views, respectively, when they were found.
CEP researchers also found a guide, uploaded to the Internet Archive on October 11, for using rocket-propelled grenades, also made by the al-Saqri Foundation. The upload contained contact information for the group, including a Telegram bot and a pro-ISIS website that includes additional propaganda.
After CEP reported them, the Internet Archive quickly made the manuals available only to approved researchers, making them inaccessible to the public.
Logo for pro-ISIS al-Saqri Foundation explosives guide reported to the Internet Archive on October 15.
ISIS Newsletter Condemns Sharm el-Sheikh Summit
The editorial in ISIS al-Naba issue 417, released on October 16, condemned the October 13 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to implement the initial phase of a peace plan in Gaza. The article compared the summit to previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian leadership, as well as agreements between the Taliban and the U.S., and the victory of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces in Syria, claiming that in all cases, agreements meant abandoning fighting and the normalization of relations. The editorial condemned the concept of national liberation, instead promoting religious law and the continuation of combat as religiously mandated.
ISIS-K Condemns Taliban-India Talks
On October 16, the ISIS-K linked propaganda group al-Azaim Foundation released a pamphlet condemning Taliban Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi’s recent visit to India. On October 10, following meetings with Muttaqi, the Indian government announced that it would upgrade its mission in Kabul to an embassy. The al-Azaim pamphlet noted that the Taliban are seeking friendship with India, contrasting this with ISIS-K attacks on a Kabul Sikh gurdwara in June 2022. The document also declared that the Taliban were apostates seeking alliances with non-Muslims in an effort to strengthen their position against ISIS-K and called explicitly for young Taliban members and supporters to abandon their leaders who had joined an “infidel coalition” and would lead them astray.
Pro-ISIS Tech Group Warns Users to Avoid Unknown USBs and Charging Cables
On October 15, a pro-ISIS channel on the RocketChat platform, which deals with cyber and operations security, warned its followers to avoid unknown USB drives and charging cables. The post explained the concept of malware introduced via intentionally dropped USB drives, noting that hostile actors might leave the drive near a target’s home, school, job, or other locations. The same post also explained “juice jacking” attacks, which occur when malware is shared using a disguised phone charging cable. It emphasized the importance of always carrying one’s own charging cable and avoiding public cables.
Active Club Movement Publishes Substack Essay Encouraging Recruitment in the UK, Blog Requests Financial Donations
On October 11, an individual affiliated with the UK Active Club movement posted an essay on the Active Club Substack alleging that the country was a “nation of moaners” who did nothing while violent crimes were committed against white British people. The post claimed that people had abandoned the concept of hatred, which was a necessary motivating force to right the wrongs of modern society, and condemned “non-white community leaders” and white people deemed to be traitors. The post encouraged joining Active Club England and training in combat sports.
The post also suggested that individuals unable to participate directly in an Active Club could donate via Substack or through a campaign on the crowdfunding platform Buy Me a Coffee. The post claimed that money from the fundraiser would be spent to outfit Active Club chapters, pay for transportation, purchase equipment and software to make propaganda, “help fledgling resistance groups,” and aid Active Club members who had lost jobs or face legal fees. CEP reported the Buy Me A Coffee campaign to the platform on September 23 and then again on October 14. As of October 21, the fundraiser was still online.
First British White Supremacist Youth Club Announced
On October 13, the first white supremacist Youth Club was announced in the UK, posting on Telegram and X. Youth Clubs are white supremacist regionally organized groups for individuals under the age of 18, that promote adult Patriot Front or Active Club chapters. The UK Youth Club chapter stated that they would accept members between the ages of 15 and 18, and encouraged “fitness, cultural education, and political activism.” On Telegram, the group shared posts from Active Clubs in England, Scotland, Texas, and a Swedish Active Club-affiliated account. The X account shared content from Vanguard Britannica, Active Club England, and others. On October 14, the main U.S. Youth Club Telegram account noted that they were not affiliated with the UK club, but said that they were “excited” to see what they would accomplish.
Neo-Nazi Accelerationist Website Posts Guide to U.S. Terrorism Laws
On October 16, a neo-Nazi accelerationist website connected to former members of the Atomwaffen Division and successor organizations posted a guide to U.S. terrorism laws. The post, noting that it should not be interpreted as legal advice, provided definitions, legal statutes, and cases regarding domestic terrorist groups, Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), the concept of material support, and information on federal terrorism sentencing enhancements. The post provided general advice on avoiding terrorism charges and encouraged awareness of the FTO list and material support statute.
The author noted that the post was in response to confusion among the online extreme right following the Trump administration’s declaration of Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The post advised avoiding any foreign white supremacist organizations if they were declared FTOs by the U.S. On October 9, a Telegram channel connected to the website stated that they supported the U.S. government potentially declaring Antifa an FTO because it would lead to a major crackdown against the left and those who oppose the white supremacist movement, stating that the extreme right would gain “insane amounts of leeway in unimpeded growth.” The post noted that in the long term, white supremacist groups might be designated as FTOs, but that presently, the current move was “massively good for the movement as a whole.”