Periodical Review - Summary from the Jihadi Forums - The First Half of May 2015

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This report summarizes notable events discussed on jihadist Web forums during the first half of May 2015. Following are the main points covered in the report:

• Sheikh Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State, calls upon Muslims worldwide to immigrate to the Islamic State and fulfil the commandments of jihad against the enemies of Islam. According to al-Baghdadi, the Arab regimes – and in particular Saudi Arabia - are guilty of perpetuating injustice and of encouraging crimes against Muslims, through their cooperation with and servitude towards the Crusaders and the Jews. He claims that Islamic State fighters are succeeding in demonstrating impressive capabilities and tremendous military achievements. He promises that the Islamic State is obligated to liberate all prisoners imprisoned in jails.

• Abu Abdullah al-Shami, a senior member of the Al-Nusra Front Shura Council, criticizes a religious ruling made by a Syrian Salafi jihadist religious scholar named al-Tartusi, who refused to join the Al-Nusra Front. According to al-Shami, the religious ruling was mistaken, and the obligation of jihad applies to every Muslim. Al-Shami claims that Al-Qaeda operates against countries that cooperate with the Zionists and Christians, and with Shi'ite representation in Iran, Yemen, and Syria. In addition, he emphasizes that members of the Al-Nusra Front pledged allegiance to Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri, and intend to remain loyal to their pledge.

• Al Qaeda and its branches continue to eulogize two of its senior leaders who were killed by American drones. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent eulogizes Ahmad Faruq, deputy emir of the organization, and Asim Umar, member of the organization’s Shura Council, who were shot dead by American drones in January 2015. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula also eulogizes a senior leader from among its ranks – Nasser al-Ansi, who was assassinated in April 2015.

• Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent claims responsibility for the assassination of several atheist bloggers, and for Islamic religious leaders in Pakistan and Bangladesh. That was because they had disgraced the honor of Mohammed the Prophet.