United States Department of Homeland Security

Customs and Border Protection

Jihadi Graphics and Images

http://www.abualbukhary.net/

Message Forums on the internet have become the prime method of communication for terrorist groups and sympathizers. They range from “legitimate” ideological religious and political groups, such as the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Al Muhajiroun, linked to the teachings of the radical Muslim cleric Abu-Hamza al Masri to;

Insurgent groups and sympathizers, disseminating information on bomb making, computer hacking and software piracy.

They decorate their messages with graphics and artwork honoring their martyrs and sometimes providing insights to their plans or intentions.

Many sign their work with a “signature” image that follows them from forum to forum. Albashik is a popular poster of instructions for unique IED’s (above)

Some of these graphics and pictures can be useful indicators of terrorist activities or sympathies, or to help the anti-terrorism investigator identify trends and “badguys.”

This presentation will focus on those found on insurgent websites and message boards, what they are and what they may mean in an effort to increase your familiarity.

Montage of Jihadi Leaders and Marytrs

How many leaders of the opposition can you identify in this graphic?

Sheik Ahmed Yassin - HAMAS Leader killed by Israelis, March 2004

Abdel Aziz Rantisi - Successor to Sheik Yassin, killed by Israelis, April 2004

Al Khattab - Arab Chechen Commander - killed by Russians 2002

Omar Abdel Rachman - Imprisoned in USA 1995

911 Hijacker from Martyrdom video

Abdullah Azzam - Afghan Commander - killed by car bomb in Pakistan 1989

Jihad FlagUsed in various forms

"Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu Allah"

"I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah(SWT) and that Muhammad(SAW) is his servant and Messenger."

Shahada (Kalima))

Also used on Saudi Arabian (simplified) and “Taliban” Afghan Flags

Analysts have long suspected that speeches, images and videos, released by the Al Qaeda group, have contained coded messages or commands for its followers

“Did you notice…something in Sheikh (bin Laden’s) interview with ABC when he announced the formation of the new organization?” “He sat in front of a map of Africa with Kenya and Tanzania behind his shoulders. That was his message to the Americans, but they did not get it. They are stupid.” (Abu Anas, “Masterminds of Terror.”)

(Three months after the ABC NEWS interview, explosions rocked the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar el Salaam, Tanzania)

Source: (9-11 Hijacker) Said al-Ghamdi martyrdom tape

What does this photograph suggest???

This graphic appeared on a Jihadi message board on July 21st, 2004. Ten days later NYC and Washington DC were elevated to ORANGE alerts based on other streams of intelligence

The Martyrs

Insurgent groups also go to great lengths to honor their dead. Abdulaziz al-Moqrin, was a leader of Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula, the group responsible for the beheading deaths of Paul Johnson and others. This image was from a video announcing Johnson’s capture and appeared regularly on Jihadi sites.

When he was killed by Saudi Security Forces in June 2004, the group refused to acknowledge his death until the Saudi government released this photo.

At which point the message boards became filled with the martyrdom images which follow.

Rakan Alsaykhan - Killed with Abdul Azia Al Moqrin in June 2004

The LogosFollowing are logos used by current Al Qaeda affiliate groups.

The Jama'at Al-Tawhid and Jihad (Iraq)

Affiliated with Abu Musab al Zarqawi

Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula

(Saudi Arabia)

Have not identified the affiliation for this symbol. It has appeared on several training and explosive instruction documents linked to Al Qaeda

Al Neda

Used in Al Qaeda websites and publications.

Of course, Osama bin Laden is always a popular icon in image design with much of the work being quite intricate.

This image began appearing on jihadi websites in late spring.

This web page has a little bit of everything!

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Customs and Border Protection

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