Feature Article
‘Means of attack is commonly outlined online with social media literature indicating the use of any type of crude weapon for jihad including; home-made bombs, gas bottles, 3D-printable guns, aeroplanes, cars, rifles, pistols, mobile phone detonators, and even swords, knives and martial art type attacks on single disbelievers.’ but also the development of networks and contacts that can further their jihadi agenda. It’s not just those fighting in Syria that pose a risk, but those Australian’s who are currently training in jihadi camps in Lebanon and Turkey that are linked with the fighting in Syria. While returning fighters may not pose an immediate threat upon their return, the fact that they have further radicalised views, a hardened fighting mentality, and already subscribe to war-hardened terrorist’s thinking poses a possible threat in the future. Such a threat is further increased if fighters returning on home soil are not known to agencies. Types of martyrs and their rewards Given that martyrdom is central as both a recruitment tool used in Syria, as well as a risk posed upon return, it is important to understand the types of martyrs which are all based on intent of the jihad fighter. For the Muslim martyr, the more one has ascribed to the act with ‘pure’ intent, the higher the reward is in Jannah (heaven). Intents range from a love of Allah and Islam to seeking paradise and the need for self-defence down to the lowest intent of financial reward and the need for recognition. These give rise to the three types of martyrs from the ‘pure’ to the impure intention: 1) Shaheed (martyr) in this world and the hereafter; 2) Shaheed only in the hereafter; 3) Shaheed only in this world. While a superficial view of social media would indicate that recruiters aim to focus on recognition, in depth discourses outlining the details of jihad and martyrdom are continually circulated including ‘jihad as the pinnacle of Islam’ – fighting in the path of Allah. Recruits are reinforced with the notion that ‘nothing is equivalent or comparable to it (jihad and martyrdom) from all the actions (good deeds) in Islam.’ Much is discussed on social media about a popular jihad text regarding the disbeliever (kuffar) and the Muslim who kills them for the sake of Allah. It is noted that the Muslim is greatly rewarded for killing the disbeliever and in doing so is uniting the Ummah and raising the black flags and making Allah most high. Disturbingly, discussions take place regarding the Muslim who kills a disbeliever will actually take their place in Jannah (heaven). In other words: ‘Imagine how many places in Jannah the Mujahid who does martyrdom operations will take from all the disbelievers he kills in his operation. Try to imagine that he killed hundreds of them and all this was done in a few minutes or maybe even seconds. How great is the reward he got in those few minutes’. Basically, the more disbelievers a Muslim kills during a
martyrdom operation, the more reward for that muhjid. This is stated as encouraging jihadi fighters to carry out attacks and martyrdom operations in the West. Preparation and training for Martyr operations “And prepare for them all you can of power, including steeds of war to terrorize the enemy of Allah and your enemy” - Al-Anfal When talking about committing an operation on home soil, preparation is key. Discourses related to physical and skill set training is vital as supported by interactions on social media. Muslims are encouraged to keep fit, go to the gym, and take boxing and martial arts as well as sword or fencing classes. Training together (brothers together) is vital to not only foster a sense of belonging, but also to encourage each other and unite the cause. Time away in a secluded location on a farm or forest is seen as vital. In addition, training is recommended in firearms, rifles, and even joining a gun club. Also, skills within close fighting with knifes is vital to undertake. Any military style training is encouraged as well as gaining as much information about your enemy. Finally, money is the bread and butter for an operation; therefore money acquirement is mentioned as well. Method of lone wolf attacks and possible targets Means of attack is commonly outlined online with social media literature indicating the use of any type of crude weapon for jihad including; home-made bombs, gas bottles, 3D-printable guns, aeroplanes, cars, rifles, pistols, mobile phone detonators, and even swords, knives and martial art type attacks on single disbelievers. While bombs are mentioned in lone wolf type attacks, it is not the only source of attack that can be used in such operations. Shootings and knife attacks are just as important to the jihadi in lone wolf operations. Types of targets are usually only described in general terms such as the kuffar (non-believer), single sources have pointed to a variety of targets such as military bases, commercial buildings, car racing events and sporting events. More important than the means of attack or type of target selection is the media coverage and the associated terror aimed by any such attack. In addition, any such attack on the home soil of a Western nation gains much greater media coverage than attacks in the Middle East and these have been evident even in smaller scale attacks such as the public brutal attack on a British soldier and the subsequent ‘interview’ given by one of the killers. This concept is summed up by the following social media quote: “NOTHING HARMS THE KUFFAR MORE THAN A BOMB IN THIER OWN BACKYARD!” and “INDIVIDUAL JIHAD IS THE ANSWER!”
Australian Security Magazine | 9