The Islamic State has fostered a potent culture of violent incitement and its organizational directives have streamlined the jihadi attack process. From the official ranking leadership down to online supporters on Telegram, the message has been made clear and is now largely self-perpetuating: when it comes to the enemies of IS, choose a target wherever you are, use whatever weapon you are able to access, and do not hesitate or ask for permission. These calls have resonated with the Islamic State’s supporters, who have conducted attacks using crude objects and simple weapons such as golf clubs, hammers, and kitchen knives. In observing the IS movement’s incitement rhetoric and advice on how to conduct successful operations, the promotion of arson and the use of fire is recurrent and quite notable. This tactic is not exclusive to the Islamic State; however, the frequency of such calls for violence and the heavy symbolic value placed on incendiary attacks are striking aspects of their media strategy.
Arson and Incitement in Islamic State Propaganda
Arson and Incitement in Islamic State…
Arson and Incitement in Islamic State Propaganda
The Islamic State has fostered a potent culture of violent incitement and its organizational directives have streamlined the jihadi attack process. From the official ranking leadership down to online supporters on Telegram, the message has been made clear and is now largely self-perpetuating: when it comes to the enemies of IS, choose a target wherever you are, use whatever weapon you are able to access, and do not hesitate or ask for permission. These calls have resonated with the Islamic State’s supporters, who have conducted attacks using crude objects and simple weapons such as golf clubs, hammers, and kitchen knives. In observing the IS movement’s incitement rhetoric and advice on how to conduct successful operations, the promotion of arson and the use of fire is recurrent and quite notable. This tactic is not exclusive to the Islamic State; however, the frequency of such calls for violence and the heavy symbolic value placed on incendiary attacks are striking aspects of their media strategy.