The Islamic State has released a video threatening to attack Americans “in any place” if U.S.
airstrikes in Iraq kill any of its members. The video emerged after the U.S. military provided air cover and drones to aid Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in recapturing the Mosul Dam. The 45 second recording features a graphic of the American flag splattered with blood and the phrase “we will drown all of you in blood.” It goes on to show footage of an American who was beheaded during the Iraq War, snipers shooting people and vehicles being blown up. The hastag #AmessagefromISIStoUS, which has been used to circulate Islamic State propaganda on social media, was also included in the video.
The Mosul Dam was recaptured from Islamic State militants yesterday by Kurdish and Iraqi forces, using U.S. airstrikes as cover. The dam is a strategically important location as it controls the water and electrical supply to the area. Additionally, the militants could use the dam as a weapon to flood surrounding villages, potentially killing thousands of people. The U.S. reportedly carried out 35 airstrikes over the past three days, destroying over 90 targets, including Islamic State vehicles and checkpoints.
MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has constructed the following analysis:
Since the Islamic State gained momentum earlier this year, the group has mainly focused on capturing territory for its expanding caliphate, using both local militants and foreign fighters. They have also launched a significant social media campaign aimed at recruiting westerners to join the Islamic State. However, given the recent U.S. involvement in Iraq, it appears the group is now shifting its focus to include western targets both in the homeland and abroad.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Islamic State underwent a massive expansion last month, attracting an additional 6,300 fighters, of which approximately 1,000 are believed to be foreigners. The steep rise in support suggests that the group’s recruiting methods have been successful, increasing the reach and capability of the Islamic State. Furthermore, the significant percentage of foreigners affiliated with the group increases the potential for battle-hardened extremists to return to the west to carry out attacks in their home countries. Although the Islamic State has yet to carry out a direct attack in the west, foreigners returning from fighting in Syria have already conducted attacks in Europe, including a French national who opened fire at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, killing four people. If the U.S. continues airstrikes in Iraq, the Islamic State and its supporters could widen their operations to include the U.S. and other western targets.
(Image Credit: Daily Mail)