Extremist Content Online: ISIS
Uploads New Video From Self-Proclaimed West Africa
Province
White Supremacists Suggest
Violence In Response To Proposed Gun Control Laws In
Virginia
New York, N.Y. – The Counter Extremism Project
(CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by extremists to exploit the
Internet and social media platforms to recruit followers and incite
violence. This week, ISIS released a new video including footage of
combat and executions from the group’s self-proclaimed West Africa
province. Also, a right-wing chan user urged the use of violence in
response to potential gun control laws in Virginia. An alleged member
of the Siege inspired Feuerkrieg Division (FKD) uploaded guides to
Mega.nz on the manufacture of explosives, the preparation of poisons
and various acts of violence. Additionally, a white supremacist
channel on Telegram released videos regarding plans for 3D printed
firearms and components. There were also more than 10 pro-ISIS
accounts located on the social network Mastodon.
New ISIS Video Released on Several
Websites
A new ISIS video was released on Friday, January 10, from the
group’s self-proclaimed West Africa province. The video includes
footage from various locations in approximately the past two years.
The video includes gory combat footage, including previously released
clips taken from a helmet mounted camera during the 2017 Tongo Tongo
ambush when U.S. and Nigerian soldiers were attacked by Islamic State
in the Greater Sahara. The video also includes previously released
footage from Amaq News clips. The video concludes with the execution
of two soldiers in Mali.
In addition to Telegram and TamTam, the video was uploaded to at
least eleven websites: the Microsoft One Drive, Amazon Drive, the
Internet Archive, mail.ru, file.fm, ok.ru, tune.pk, Dropbox, Vidyard,
Vimeo, and YouTube. Three hours after being uploaded, the video was
still available on six websites: the Microsoft One Drive, Amazon
Drive, the Internet Archive, mail.ru, file.fm, and Vidyard. A
shortened version of the video was located on YouTube, however it was
removed after being on the platform for approximately ten minutes. The
video was also located on Vimeo, after being online for approximately
one hour. Links for the video were spread on Telegram, TamTam, Hoop,
Nandbox, and JustPaste.It.
Variety of Tactics, Including Violence, Suggested as
Response to Potential Virginia Gun Control Laws
On January 8, an extreme right-wing user of a chan imageboard
advocated violence in response to potential gun control laws in
Virginia. Other forum users suggested secession instead of violence.
Additional users suggested that 3D printing firearms were a solution
to potential bans.
Several white supremacist Telegram channels blamed Jewish lawmakers
for Virginia’s expected firearms regulation. The channels portrayed
firearms regulation as a Jewish plot to disarm the population of
Virginia. Individuals advocating for white supremacism and/or
accelerationist violence might attempt to insert themselves into the
Virginia gun control debate. White supremacist Telegram channels have
previously advocated resistance or violence in response to potential
Virginia gun control laws.
The Democratic controlled General Assembly has signaled their
intention to institute statewide universal background checks, pass a
red flag law, and ban assault weapons. 120 counties in Virginia have
passed resolutions declaring themselves “Second Amendment sanctuaries”
in response. Protests against the proposed legislation by pro-firearms
groups are planned for January 20.
Large Cache of “How To” Guides, Including Explosives
Manuals, Posted by the Feuerkrieg Division
A large cache of “how to” guides, were located this week on
Mega.nz, posted by an alleged member of the Siege
inspired neo-Nazi group Feuerkrieg Division (FKD). The folders
contained over 200 files (over 6 GB of data) including information on
constructing explosive devices, the manufacture of poisons and
homemade firearms, and committing various acts of violence. The file
link was spread by several white supremacist Telegram channels that
advocate violence. Mega.nz promptly removed all files after they were
reported by CEP.
In August 2019, FKD claimed that the group had spoken with Las
Vegas resident Conor Climo and had offered him assistance in
constructing an explosive device. Climo was arrested on August 8, 2019
by the FBI for possessing bomb making materials, and was suspected of
planning to attack Las Vegas LGBT and Jewish communities.
White Supremacist Telegram Channel Shares Videos and
Links for 3D Printed Firearms Accessories
On January 8, a white supremacist Telegram channel shared two short
videos on 3D printed firearms accessories, as well as a link to an
unaffiliated group that provides plans for 3D printed firearms and
components. One video showed the use of a suppressor with 3D printed
components, while the other advertised an extended handgun magazine.
The Telegram channel has previously expressed support for violence and
neo-Nazi groups such as the Base and the Atomwaffen Division.
Several Pro-ISIS Accounts Discovered on
Mastodon
More than 10 pro-ISIS accounts were located on the Mastodon social
network this week. The accounts posted pro-ISIS propaganda including
links to videos, photo propaganda, and news. Mastodon’s Code of
Conduct prohibits a wide variety of discriminatory behavior as well as
online activities and content that are illegal in Germany and
France.
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