The Islamic State’s propaganda wing released a chilling message directed at the U.S., its allies and President Barack Obama. The video, which is still being evaluated for authenticity, reportedly includes the beheading of American captive Peter Kassig and several Syrian soldiers at the hands of a jihadist that is clad in the black uniform seen in previous execution videos. The individual, speaking with a British accent, is believed to be “Jihadi John” who was also responsible for the beheadings of James Foley, Steven Sotloff, David Haines and Alan Henning. Unlike previous videos, which were centered on the execution of a western hostage, Kassig did not make an anti-U.S. statement nor was he beheaded on camera. Instead, the executioner is shown standing over a beheaded body, which he claims is Kassig. Kassig, a former U.S. Army Ranger, was captured in Syria in October 2013 while providing humanitarian aid to local communities.
MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation closely and has identified the following implications:
This latest video is reportedly more focused on the globalization of the Islamic State’s efforts as opposed to making demands. The speaker requests that rather than focusing on traveling to Iraq and Syria to join the movement, supporters take action in their homelands. Specifically, the speaker states “blood will run in the streets” of the U.S.
While intelligence and law enforcement officials have made significant strides in the identification and tracking of U.S. citizens traveling to fight alongside extremist groups in Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State leadership has recognized these efforts and shifted its focus. The group is now calling for lone wolf attacks, which are more difficult to deter, detect and interdict, similar to the recent attacks that targeted law enforcement and military personnel in Canada and New York City. The push for low tech attacks that are easy to carry out with limited resources make it possible for any Islamic State supporter to participate in Jihad. Given the broader focus of this latest propaganda piece, there is potential that self-radicalized individuals could be inspired to carry out attacks on vulnerable targets in the west.
