(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. Last week, CEP researchers located a YouTube video advertising a pro-ISIS propaganda website. Additionally, CEP researchers located a copy of the thirteenth issue of the pro-ISIS web magazine “Voice of Hind” on the Internet Archive that featured an article warning the group’s supporters of intelligence and law enforcement officials’ presence on the internet to disrupt ISIS online communities.
Meanwhile, ISIS-affiliated Amaq News released a video showing combat and a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device allegedly used against the Nigerian military near the village of Goniri in Borno state, Nigeria. Also, CEP researchers located several accounts on Instagram that posted pro-ISIS propaganda, which included clips from several ISIS propaganda videos, including footage of suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive attacks and attacks with firearms and missiles.
Additionally, a user in a neo-Nazi chat group on Telegram that has previously endorsed violence posted a link for a guide on the dark web for purchasing the cryptocurrency Monero. Finally, CEP researchers located a trailer on Streamable for a video game that promotes violence against African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Jews.
Video on YouTube Located Advertising Pro-ISIS Propaganda Website
CEP researchers located a YouTube video advertising a pro-ISIS propaganda website. The video, which was fourteen seconds long and consisted of an unrelated static image, contained three links in the video description to the website. The account that uploaded the video used a still image taken from an official ISIS propaganda video as its icon. The video was uploaded on February 22 and had approximately 80 views on February 25.
The website advertised in the video, currently located on the .ro domain, has previously been removed from numerous web domains. The website contains violent ISIS propaganda videos, the terror group’s weekly newsletters, and Amaq News updates. The website has been changing domain names since at least March 2020. A similar video advertising the website was located on YouTube in December 2020.
Pro-ISIS Voice of Hind Magazine Located on the Internet Archive
CEP researchers located a copy of the thirteenth issue of the pro-ISIS web magazine “Voice of Hind” on the Internet Archive on February 25. The magazine was originally released on February 15. The publication is meant to appeal to Muslims in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The magazine featured an article warning the group’s supporters of intelligence and law enforcement officials’ presence on the Internet to disrupt ISIS online communities. The article advised ISIS online supporters always to show unity and not conduct disputes in public. Another article commented on the January 6 U.S. capitol insurrection, stating that it was an attack on the “temple of western democracy” and criticized President Biden for supporting military action against ISIS and the Middle East.
Amaq News Video Located on the Internet Archive
On February 22, ISIS-affiliated Amaq News released a video showing combat and a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device allegedly used against the Nigerian military near the village of Goniri in Borno state, Nigeria. ISIS online supporters shared the video on Telegram and spread links on RocketChat. The video was uploaded to at least seven websites: File.Fm, PixelDrain, Top4Top, Dropbox, the Microsoft One Drive, the Internet Archive, and Mega.Nz. Three days later, the video was only still available on the Internet Archive in addition to Telegram. Sahara Reporters stated that a Boko Haram terrorist killed and injured several Nigerian soldiers in a suicide attack on February 22.
ISIS and White Supremacist Content Located on Instagram
CEP researchers located several accounts on Instagram that posted pro-ISIS propaganda. One account posted clips from several ISIS propaganda videos between January 27 and February 11, 2021, including footage of suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive attacks and attacks with firearms and missiles. A different account posted clips from several ISIS propaganda videos in January and February 2021. Another account had a username advertising an ISIS propaganda website that has been removed from several domains and returns using a different domain suffix.
CEP also located an Instagram account belonging to a Russian white supremacist group. A Telegram channel belonging to the same group has previously promoted an English and Russian language channel for the homemade production of explosive devices. CEP researchers also located several memes on Instagram originally posted in mid-March 2019, which promoted the actions of the Christchurch terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, using images taken from the attack video.
ISIS propaganda clip on Instagram, February 25, 2021.
Neo-Nazis Urge Use of Monero Cryptocurrency
On February 22, a user in a neo-Nazi chat group on Telegram that has previously endorsed violence posted a link for a guide on the dark web for purchasing the cryptocurrency Monero. On February 23, a website that supports the National Socialist Order and is dedicated to spreading James Mason’s work also requested that all future cryptocurrency donations be made using Monero. Monero is a cryptocurrency that prioritizes privacy and prevents individuals outside of a transaction from viewing the source, destination, or amount transferred.
White Supremacist Video Game Trailer Located on Streamable
On February 25, CEP researchers located a trailer on Streamable for a video game that promotes violence against African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Jews. The trailer features a computer-generated voice and a former McDonald’s advertising mascot co-opted by the extreme right. The video had approximately 40 views when it was located. The mascot is frequently used in audio tracks that promote violent white supremacism.