I. Glossary
II. Insurgency Propaganda
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Taliban: Night Letter 1
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Translation
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Warning
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The aims of Al Omer Media Centre
Our media centre issues the voice of poor and Mujahid Afghan people and our main aim is to inform our Afghans about the war against Islam, also about the dirty tricks and decisions of the Anti-Islam war unit, we are trying to keep the minds of our people clean from the untruth and poisonous propagandas.
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Al Omer Media Centre, Department of Advertisements
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Dear [religious] scholars, tribal elders, jihadi leaders:
Since the inception of the US-led Crusade under the leadership of [Hamid] Karzai and [Marshal Mohammad Qasim] Fahim [former Afghan defence minister], the crusaders, exploiting the puppet regime, have strived to seize governance and legitimacy from the Afghan nation through a wide range of vicious approaches.
They have been trying to obscure their crimes of invasion and aggression by introducing a new constitution and holding Loya Jirgas. With this in mind, it is the duty of all fellow countrymen to endeavour to foil their conspiracies against Islam and our nation. You should, therefore, fulfil your duty by voicing your disapproval to the so-called constitution and refusing to cooperate with and participate in the Loya Jirga.
We warn you, and also shall take you as witnesses to testify against those who would cooperate with the Loya Jirga, that any assistance and cooperation with the process will cause you dire consequences. We shall not allow anyone to exploit his powers against Islam and Afghanistan’s independence. The perpetrators will be dealt with stringent Sharia Law.
To help the truth prevail, I shall not forgive anyone.
Amir al-Mominin
(leader of Muslims - a title referred to Taliban Leader Mullah Omar by his followers)
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It is your religious responsibility to help distribute this leaflet to all Afghan people.
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Taliban: Night Letter 2
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Translation
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We are requesting the principle of the girl’s school to immediately close the school.
In this school they are teaching infidel books to girls, and we don’t want these girls to become infidels. I, Mullah, for the last time, convey this message to you.
Dear Principle:
I don’t want you or the students to die at this young age. Also, tell all teachers not to come to school. If you want to live, dear students and teachers, this is the last warning to you, to not come to this school. And if you are tired of your life, then come, and your blood will be on your hands.
I am giving this last warning. Give this letter to the principle of the girls’ school. This is the last time; I am telling you once again that your blood will be on your own hands.
Dear teachers if you want to live, sit at home. I say this to everyone.
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Somalia: Night Letter 1
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Translation
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SERIOUS WARNING!!!
Awil Dibitaati
Drop the work you are conducting in the neighbourhood!
Think about the problem that you are bringing to Islam and its community!
If you don’t desist, you will receive a rapid response in accordance with what Islamic Shari’a prescribes for your activities.
May God guide us!
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Somalia: Night Letter 1
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Translation
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SERIOUS WARNING!!!
1. Abdulqadir Shiino (District Deputy Chairman)
2. Abdul Oday (Department Chairman)
3. Baadil (Department Chairman)
4. Istaahil, “Tabele” Supervisor
5. Ambaro (Deputy Department Chairman)
6. Faadhig (“Tabele” Chairman)
7. Mohamud Waalow (District Spy)
8. Mohamed Salah (Spy)
All of the people mentioned above are traitors who assist the occupiers who attacked the country, and we warn them to consider the disgraceful matters in which they are involved and the false responsibilities they hold. If they do not renounce these matters through the Radios, Newspapers or Mosques within 48 hours, we will take clear steps consistent with the Islamic Shari’a.
Furthermore anyone involved in such actions whose name does not appear here should be aware that they are also served notice by this WARNING.
Those who assist the attacking Infidels are Apostates, and the sentence for the Apostate is death. You have taken actions that make it legal to spill your blood, so return to Islam if you want to save yourselves from the sword.
Glory is in Islam but hypocrites don't know it! Those who reject Islam, die in disgrace! We will forget you, die in disgrace
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Internet
The Internet is an important means of recruiting international Jihadists. In 2006 both Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri called on mujahideen “to stand with the brothers in Somalia,” and in March 2007 Abu Yahya al-Libi, an Al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan called on the revival of jihad in Somalia. These calls have been widely distributed on Islamist websites.93 In 2001 Al-Qaeda established As-Sahab, a multimedia company whose aim is to encourage jihadists to join the fighting in Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan.
As well as releasing Bin Laden's and Al-Zawahiri's comments and speeches, As-Sahab also produces videos of Al-Qaeda operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere. To make the materials accessible to the West these are often translated or subtitled in foreign languages, and can often be found on video-sharing sites such as YouTube and Liveleak.
A key example of Somali Jihad propaganda is the hour-long video posted in November 2006 by the Al-Fajr Information Centre titled “The Apostate Hell in Somalia.” According to the SITE Institute95 the video shows operations against enemy forces and features ICU leaders, Osama Bin Laden and a female Mujahid. Pro-US warlords are branded “criminals.”
Jihad knowledge transfer
As well as disseminating propaganda, Islamist websites also serve instructive purposes. Information can be found on best kidnapping tactics, the use of chemicals in guerrilla warfare and the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in roadside and suicide bombs. The Al-Fajr Information Centre publishes a bi-monthly magazine “Technical Mujahid,” which provides information on Jihad internet forums and tips on how future Jihadis can surf these sites securely.
Still from ‘Jihad in Somalia,’ October 2007
III. US Designation of Al-Shabab
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