(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 several celebratory posts from various neo-Nazi and white supremacist extremists marking the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Norway terrorist attacks and glorifying the attacker.
Additionally, CEP located a new ISIS propaganda video, “Makers of Epics 4,” on numerous platforms including Telegram, RocketChat and online bulletin boards. Also, CEP researchers identified a resurfaced ISIS bomb making video on the Internet Archive and a new pro-ISIS site on the dark web. CEP also found the 18th issue of the pro-ISIS web magazine, “Voice of Hind,” on multiple websites. Finally, CEP found that a prominent neo-Nazi Telegram channel shared information on purchasing, refurbishing, and utilizing burner phones to increase mobile phone security.
Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists Celebrate 10th Anniversary of 2011 Norway Attacks
On July 22, neo-Nazis and white supremacists on the Internet celebrated the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Norway attacks. Seventy-seven people were killed, and over 300 people were injured in a bombing and shooting rampage committed by a Norwegian right-wing extremist, who was motivated by anti-Muslim and anti-multicultural sentiment and wanted to start a European uprising.
Last week, CEP Executive Director David Ibsen stated, “The continued presence of far-right views online, along with greater exposure to extremist content over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, is of particular concern. Meaningful action between policymakers and tech firms is needed to ensure the attacks in Norway and Breivik’s propaganda do not serve as inspiration for any further violence.”
White supremacists and neo-Nazis celebrated the attacker by posting memes, drawings, videos, copies of his manifesto, and descriptions of his attack on Telegram and 4chan. Paeans to the convicted terrorist included videos using footage from a Netflix film made about the attack. Users on 4chan glorified the attacker and advocated for future acts of violence. On Telegram, the founder of an accelerationist neo-Nazi group stated that the Norway terrorist attacked those who he felt were “responsible” for his grievances, but that single attacks committed by individuals would not accomplish change, which could only be achieved through “organized and coordinated” violence.
ISIS Propaganda Video Released on Multiple Websites
On July 20, ISIS’s self-proclaimed Khorasan province in Afghanistan released a new propaganda video titled “Makers of Epics 4.” The video includes footage of roadside bombings, shootings, and targeted assassinations. The video also contains a section covering the August 2020 Jalalabad prison break, including statements from the alleged attackers.
The video was released on Telegram, and links were spread on RocketChat and online bulletin boards. The video was uploaded to at least 18 websites but was only available on four sites approximately two days later: sites connected to the distributed web service ipfs.io, letsupload.io, siasky.net, and usersdrive.com. The video was additionally located on the Internet Archive, where it was uploaded after the first round of uploads on July 20. The Internet Archive removed the video after it was reported by CEP.
Notorious ISIS Bomb Making Video Located on the Internet Archive
On Wednesday, July 21, CEP researchers located a notorious ISIS bomb-making video on the Internet Archive that instructs viewers on making explosive devices using commercially available products. This specific video has been linked to the May 2017 Manchester Arena bombing perpetrator, who killed 22 people and injured hundreds more. The video also encourages attacks in the West and shows knife tactics on a human target, who is executed in the process. The video was uploaded on July 18, 2021. The Internet Archive removed the video after CEP reported it. The video was also found on the Internet Archive in March and April 2021, where the Internet Archive also removed it.
Pro-ISIS Audio Site Located on the Dark Web
CEP researchers located a pro-ISIS site on the dark web that posts audio from the terrorist group, including official leadership statements, ISIS Al Bayan radio broadcasts, and ISIS nasheeds. The website on the onion domain also contains contact information for an alleged pro-ISIS propagandist. The URL was first posted on the surface web in early July 2021.
A recently released ISIS audio file from the group’s leadership on the pro-ISIS site on the dark web.
Pro-ISIS Voice of Hind Magazine Released
The 18th issue of the pro-ISIS web magazine “Voice of Hind” was released on numerous websites on July 19. The magazine is meant to appeal to Muslims in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
The 18th issue contained an article allegedly by ISIS supporters in the Maldives urging the terrorist group’s supporters to be patient and dedicated to the cause, and to not worry about being caught. An article that claimed to be from an ISIS supporter in Pakistan urged steadfastness in the face of difficulties and promoted migration for the purpose of fighting. An additional article stated that the Taliban were not technically victors in Afghanistan but that the conflict there showed the world that the U.S. could be defeated and that American allies were exposed as hypocrites. The same article criticized the Taliban for working with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency and fighting against ISIS.
On July 12, it was reported that India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested fifteen individuals in Kashmir who were allegedly part of an ISIS cell involved in disseminating “Voice of Hind.”
Links to the magazine were spread on Telegram, and the file was distributed on at least four websites: the Internet Archive, Mega.Nz, Top4top, and Mediafire. Approximately three days later, the magazine was still available on three websites: the Internet Archive, Top4top, and Mediafire. The content was removed by the Internet Archive after it was reported by CEP.
Neo-Nazi Telegram Channel Shares Information on Buying and Using Burner Phones
On July 16, a prominent neo-Nazi Telegram channel dedicated to counter-surveillance and information and operations security shared a post regarding the purchase and use of burner phones. The channel provided information on where to buy refurbished phones and SIM cards and how to sync smartphones and increase mobile phone security. The Telegram channel had over 9,000 subscribers on July 22. The channel has previously endorsed violence and posted information on virtual credit cards, disabling and destroying surveillance cameras and removing microphones and cameras from smartphones.