BRIEFS

AL-FAJR MEDIA CENTER RELEASES HIGH TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL

The al-Fajr Media Center, a jihadi news agency connected to the Islamic Army in Iraq, launched a new journal series on how to use high technology for jihad. The first issue of the publication, called Al-Mujahid al-Tiqani (The Technical Mujahid), has five chapters, for a total of 64 pages, dealing with securing and hiding data on computers, Global Positioning System (GPS), how to make videos and PGP software. In the foreword, the editors state that the magazine was launched partly because of Abu Hamza al-Muhajir’s call for scientists to provide support for the jihad in Iraq (Terrorism Focus, October 10). In addition, they urge all supporters to create and submit articles about technology use in future issues of the journal. The document can now be found on various jihadi websites, such as https://ekhlaas.info, https://hesba.com, https://alfirdaws.org and https://al-boraq.com.

TENSIONS GROW BETWEEN EIG AND AL-HAKAIMA’S AL-QAEDA BRANCH

A statement released by Gama’a al-Islamiyya (EIG, Egyptian Islamic Group) downplays al-Hakaima’s role as a leader in the global jihad and criticizes Iran and al-Qaeda. According to al-Sharq al-Awsat, the statement, posted on EIG’s website, says that al-Hakaima was never part of the leadership. Furthermore, the statement implies that he is currently hiding in Iran, alleging that the country is fostering him and his terrorist activities against Egypt in spite of his al-Qaeda affiliation (al-Sharq al-Awsat, November 22). The EIG has been highly critical of the al-Qaeda network (Terrorism Focus, October 10). In a response circulated to al-Sharq al-Awsat, al-Hakaima accuses the EIG of lying about his former position in EIG’s leadership and rejects any connections with Iran. “The side that sheltered me when I left Egypt is still facilitating my stay,” he stated, obviously insinuating his affiliation with al-Qaeda (al-Sharq al-Awsat, November 26). Al-Hakaima has authored at least two online books, which provide instructions for jihadis in the fields of intelligence and warfare. The books appeared on several Islamist websites. Nevertheless, al-Hakaima’s true importance and influence among the jihadi movement remains controversial and unclear (Terrorism Focus, October 10).