On Saturday, radical Islamic terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the brutal attacks in Paris, calling the attacks “the first of the storm” and chiding France as the “capital of prostitution and obscenity.” These statements were released in several languages on one of ISIS’ encrypted messaging boards.
The remarks came in a communication published in English, French and Arabic on ISIS’ Telegram account and then quickly distributed by the group’s supporters on Twitter and Facebook.
According to experts on jihadist propaganda, an earlier statement that was released was determined as probably not authentic because of date errors and anomalies in the language.
The latest claim of responsibility was released on the very Telegram channel used to claim responsibility for the bombing of a Russian jet two weeks ago, which killed 224 people. In taking responsibility for that attack, the terrorist group made its announcement in multiple languages.
On Saturday, President François Hollande of France told the public that ISIS was indeed responsible. Analysts believe the nature of the attacks match ISIS actions more so than those of Al Qaeda. The extent and timing of the online celebrations further add support to the claim.
ISIS released in one of its statements that, “Eight brothers, wrapped in explosive belts and armed with machine rifles, targeted sites that were accurately chosen in the heart of the capital of France, including the Stade de France during the match between the Crusader German and French teams, where the fool of France, François Hollande, was present.”
The statement further added that, “Let France and those who walk in its path know that they will remain on the top of the list of targets of [ISIS.]”
The style of the attacks were consistent with ISIS’ tactic of indiscriminate killings and seems to go against the guidelines of Al Qaeda. In a 2013 directive, Ayman al-Zawahri, the leader of Al Qaeda, professed that Al Qaeda operatives should avoid mass attacks that could accidentally kill Muslim civilians and non-combatant children and women.
SITE, a jihadi propaganda monitoring site, stated that, “The extent of the celebration far exceeded past online rallying by [ISIS] supporters. The way [ISIS] supporters have embraced this attack appears much more coordinated at a much earlier stage than massive reactions to past attacks.”
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