Category: United States

Check out my new article with Devorah Margolin in CTC Sentinel: “The Islamic State’s Shadow Governance in Eastern Syria Since the Fall of Baghuz”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Abstract: Since losing its last semblance of control in Syria in March 2019, the Islamic State has spent the last four and a half years not only attempting to survive, but also working to create the conditions for returning to territorial control. While it is true that the organization’s insurgency has been degraded in recent years, only focusing on the Islamic State’s attack claims and propaganda misses an important trend happening at the local level: Despite the best efforts of the Global Coalition Against the Islamic State and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Islamic State has continued attempts to govern as shadow actors in eastern Syria. The Islamic State’s shadow governance efforts can be seen occurring on four main axes: taxes, moral policing, administrative documents, and retaking of territory (albeit for brief periods of time). The Islamic State’s level of governance today is nowhere near where it was when it controlled territory the size of Britain from 2014-2017. Yet, these governance attempts illustrate that the group may be stronger than many assume, while also highlighting that the group’s interest in governing and controlling territory has not waned in recent years.

Click here to read the research in full.

New magazine issue from al-Qā’idah: “Ummah Wāḥidah #11″

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

For prior issues see: #10, #9, #8, #7, #6, #5, #4, #3, #2 and #1.

—

Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: al-Qā’idah — Ummah Wāḥidah Magazine #11

__________________

Source: Telegram

To inquire about a translation for this magazine issue for a fee email: [email protected]

New release from The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān: “After Two Years, America Is Still Licking Its Wounds”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān — After Two Years, America Is Still Licking Its Wounds

_________________

Source: RocketChat

To inquire about a translation for this release issue for a fee email: [email protected]

New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: “On the Second Anniversary of the Conquest of Kabul”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

On August 15, 2021, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate conquered all provinces, including Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. On the arrival of the 2nd anniversary of the conquest of Kabul, we would like to congratulate the Mujahid nation of Afghanistan and ask them to thank Almighty Allah for this great victory.

The 20-year jihad and victory against the occupation is the fact that the people of Afghanistan and the entire Islamic Ummah are proud of; In fact, it further strengthens their faith on Allah.

Throughout history, Afghans have made great sacrifices for their religion, country, and freedom, and as a result of these sacrifices, the strengthening of the Islamic system was the greatest dream of our Mujahid nation, which was fulfilled, Alhamdulillah.

The Islamic Emirate, as a true and responsible system for its Mujahid people, was able to end the Jihad successfully and pave the way for the establishment of the Islamic system in Afghanistan.

Alhamdulillah, now that overall security is ensured in the country, the entire territory of the country is managed under a single leadership, Islamic system is in place and everything is explained from the angle of Sharia, these are the results of the sacrifices of the people of Afghanistan throughout the years. The conquest of Kabul proved once again that no one can control the proud nation of Afghanistan and guarantee their stay in this country.

This day also showed that all the efforts of the invaders in this country have faced with failure, they cannot defeat the will of the Afghan Mujahid people, nor can they impose their arbitrary regime by force and conspiracies. The officials of the Islamic Emirate are committed to serving their people within the framework of the Islamic Sharia as long as they are alive and will work for the development and stability of the country. On the other hand, no invader will be allowed to threaten the independence and freedom of Afghanistan.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

هـ ق 1445/1/28

هـ ش 1402/5/24   م15/8/2023

_______________

New release from al-Qā’idah’s Abū Muḥammad al-Maṣrī: “The Road To Nairobi and Dār al-Salām”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: Abū Muḥammad al-Maṣrī — The Road To Nairobi and Dār al-Salām

_________________

Source: Telegram

To inquire about a translation for this release for a fee email: [email protected]

New book from The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān: “Golden Pages in Understanding the Polytheistic Ṭālibān”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Click the following link for a safe PDF copy: The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān — Golden Pages in Understanding the Polytheistic Ṭālibān

________________

Source: RocketChat

To inquire about a translation for this release issue for a fee email: [email protected]

Check out my new ‘Policy Watch’ for the Washington Institute: “Sanctioning a Syrian Jihadist Leader: Implications of a Joint U.S.-Turkish Designation”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

On May 2, the U.S. and Turkish governments jointly designated Abu Ahmed Zakour (aka Omar Alsheak or Jihad Isa al-Sheikh), a senior leader with the Syrian jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The bilateral action with Ankara suggests that both countries are signaling their unhappiness with the group’s push into areas controlled by the Syrian National Army (SNA), a Turkish proxy militia. Zakour has been a key HTS liaison to those areas.

The designation also represented both good news and bad news for HTS on the sanctions front. On one hand, the announcement is the first U.S. government document to acknowledge that HTS broke with al-Qaeda years ago; all prior designations and reports claimed they were still together. On the other hand, this is the first U.S. designation of an HTS official since July 2021, indicating that group leader Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani’s various pleas for delisting have not gained traction in Washington.

Click here to read the rest of the article