Extremist Content Online: Pro-ISIS User Requests Monero Donations on RocketChat; United Youth Clubs Denounce Americana Aesthetic, Affirm National Socialist Character
The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports on the methods used by extremists and terrorist groups on the Internet to spread propaganda and incite violence. In this week’s issue:
- ISIS Activity Roundup
- Pro-ISIS User Requests Donations to Be Transferred to Third Parties
- ISIS Al-Naba Editorial Encourages Deepening Faith in Response to Hardships
- ISIS-K-Linked Propaganda Group Condemns Illegitimate Motivations for Fighting; Condemns the Taliban as Polytheists
- Pro-ISIS Group Re-Releases Suicide Belt Instructional Video
- United Youth Clubs Denounce Americana Aesthetic, Affirm National Socialist Character
- Updated Pamphlet of Injekt Division Leader’s Quotations Released on Telegram
ISIS Activity Roundup
Between August 16 and 22, ISIS claimed credit for 16 attacks. ISIS claimed responsibility for eight attacks in Nigeria, five in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and one each in Cameroon, Mozambique, and Pakistan.
In issue 561 of its al-Naba newsletter, ISIS noted the burning of three homes allegedly belonging to Christians in Tarfa, Borno State, Nigeria. In the same article, ISIS noted killing nine individuals identified as Christians in an attack in Adamawa State and burning homes. In the same issue, ISIS also noted attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo provinces of Haut-Uélé and Ituri that targeted military personnel and civilians.
As of August 23, ISIS had not officially claimed responsibility for the July 25 vehicle ramming and knife attack targeting Berlin LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations, where one person was killed and 29 were injured. ISIS online supporters celebrated the attack and the suspect, Abdul Ballout, who had recorded a video pledging his allegiance to the terrorist organization.
Also, as of August 23, ISIS did not claim responsibility for an August 18 explosion at the Sham-e Hedayat School in a Shiite neighborhood in western Kabul, where an estimated 52 students were wounded.
Pro-ISIS User Requests Donations to Be Transferred to Third Parties
On August 21, a pro-ISIS account on RocketChat requested donations in the Monero privacy cryptocurrency, claiming that all funds would allegedly be sent to other recipients, who are in “conflict zones, currently held captive, or recently released from captivity.” The post was made in Russian and included a Monero wallet address, and noted that additional wallet addresses could be provided on request. The user also posted a link to a guide on acquiring and using several different cryptocurrencies, including Monero, Bitcoin, ZCash, and Dash, and recommended using YouTube tutorials for additional questions.
ISIS Al-Naba Editorial Encourages Deepening Faith in Response to Hardships
ISIS, in the editorial of issue 561 of the weekly al-Naba newsletter, released on August 20, stated that there were three approaches to dealing with hardship. The correct approach, according to the authors, is for those who recognize that life’s hardships stem from an individual’s own sins and shortcomings. These people seek to rectify their errors and deepen their religious devotion. The second group are those who approach hardships with a sense of doom and hold the righteous responsible for misfortunes. The final group, according to the editorial, are the hypocrites, who, when tested, do not repent and do not see trials as an opportunity to deepen their faith. The editorial emphasized that all trials were divine tests that could be overcome by faith and by increasing one’s religiosity.
ISIS al-Naba issue 561 editorial image. Screenshot taken on August 20.
ISIS-K-Linked Propaganda Group Condemns Illegitimate Motivations for Fighting; Condemns the Taliban as Polytheists
On August 19 and 20, the ISIS-K-linked propaganda outlet al-Azaim Media released two pamphlets in Pashto that condemned what it called illegitimate motivations for fighting and condemned the Taliban as polytheists and, therefore, valid targets. Both pamphlets were released approximately five years after the Taliban takeover of Kabul and portray the Taliban as illegitimate, not followers of religious law, and ultimately, not Muslim.
The August 19 pamphlet, titled “Who is a Mujahid?” noted that the concept of religiously mandated combat has been distorted over time and has been appropriated to refer to illegitimate motivations for fighting such as nationalism, protection or expansion of territory, language, or for the benefit of specific groups or ethnicities. The pamphlet noted that not every war can be classified as religiously mandated fighting, and that not every fighter can be declared a mujahid. The pamphlet, which is likely meant to denounce both the Taliban and anti-Taliban resistance fighters, condemned fighting for secular reasons such as “homeland, nation, language, race, organization, fame, power, or worldly gain.” Comparatively, according to the authors, religiously mandated fighting, and those participating in it, are those who fight for God and to spread religion. The pamphlet also emphasized the importance of having the right intention and observing religious law on the battlefield.
The second pamphlet, “Are the Taliban polytheists?” released on August 20, claimed that the Taliban had become polytheists and are therefore not Muslims and should be attacked. The pamphlet accused the Taliban of associating partners with God; befriending and having ties with polytheists, specifically mentioning Hindus; and allowing polytheism to exist within Afghanistan. The authors stated that the Taliban accept the existence of international borders, abandon religion and embrace patriotism, do not follow religious law, and attack those who follow the true religious path.
ISIS-K-linked al-Azaim pamphlet “Are the Taliban Polytheists?” released on August 20.
Pro-ISIS Group Re-Releases Suicide Belt Instructional Video
On August 18, a pro-ISIS online group that shares information on the homemade synthesis of explosives and explosive devices re-released an instructional video, originally made in October 2021, for constructing a suicide belt. The video was almost 17 minutes long, contained Russian text, and included instructions for securing steel balls or nails as shrapnel, as well as information on wiring a detonator system. The video did not include information on how to build the explosive material itself. The video concluded with a test of an explosive belt on stationary targets at ranges of five, seven, ten, and 15 meters. The video was shared across several pro-ISIS RocketChat channels.
Still image from pro-ISIS suicide belt video on RocketChat. Screenshot taken on August 20.
United Youth Clubs Denounce Americana Aesthetic, Affirm National Socialist Character
In a Telegram post on August 19, a central channel connected to the under-18 white supremacist United Youth Club (UYC) movement denounced identity and aesthetics based on Americana and proclaimed the movement’s national socialist character. The post noted that appeals based on American history were pointless, condemned the Founding Fathers as “Judeophiles,” and stated that UYC should not shy away from identifying as neo-Nazis or fascists, claiming that national socialism represented the “Universal, Unyielding, Immortal truth.”
The post seemingly reflects a break with the American neo-fascist rhetoric and aesthetics of Patriot Front. UYC has claimed to operate independently of Patriot Front; however, members have previously said the groups are “aligned.” In a YouTube podcast interview on August 9, a UYC leader stated that Patriot Front had inspired the group’s aesthetics and propaganda.
The August 19 post was praised by users of a chat that promotes a white separatist state in the Pacific Northwest, as well as a neo-Nazi Telegram channel that glorifies white supremacist mass shooters and acts of terrorism.
United Youth Club (UYC) post image denouncing Americana aesthetic and affirming national socialist character. Screenshot taken on August 20.
Updated Pamphlet of Injekt Division Leader’s Quotations Released on Telegram
On August 16, a white supremacist Telegram channel shared an updated pamphlet containing quotations from Coleman Blevins, a.k.a. “Korb,” the founder of the neo-Nazi accelerationist group Injekt Division. Blevins pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a handgun in November 2023 after reportedly threatening a mass shooting at a Walmart in Texas in May 2021. In May 2024, Blevins was sentenced to 60 months in prison with a release date of December 18, 2026.
The five-page pamphlet, marked as the third edition and dated August 16, contained a foreword praising Blevins and noting his alleged “many fanatical supporters,” as well as 15 quotes. Quotations noted what appear to be the contradictory spiritual elements of the neo-Nazi accelerationist group Injekt Division, overcoming addiction, praise of the herbal substance kratom, alienation, and the promotion of white supremacist themes. One quote seemingly praised the use of violence.
Injekt Division propaganda has previously promoted violence against African Americans, Jews, law enforcement officers, and those involved in the pornography industry. The group has previously described itself as a “religious ‘extremist’ alternative to the 12-step program.”