Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Isis calls for more couples to carry out terror attacks in US and Europe after praising San Bernardino shooters

The group used its propaganda magazine to praise the California shooters as 'martyrs'

Lizzie Dearden
Wednesday 20 January 2016 07:34 EST
Comments
Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook
Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Isis has encouraged more couples to carry out terror attacks in America, Europe, and Australia after praising the San Bernardino shooters as “righteous” martyrs.

Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik massacred 14 people at a conference centre in California on 2 December after apparently being motivated by the terrorist group’s propaganda.

They killed in a shoot-out with police, who found 5,000 rounds of ammunition, 12 pipe bombs and equipment to make more at the home they shared with their baby daughter.

USA: San Bernardino shooting "an act of terrorism" - Obama

In the latest issue of its propaganda magazine, Dabiq, Isis praised Farook and Malik for attacking the “American-led crusaders” waging war against its “caliphate”.

Calling the husband-and-wife attack “unique”, the group claimed it had answered leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s calls for supporters to commit massacres in the West.

“How much more deserving of Allah’s blessing are a husband and wife who march out together to fight the crusaders in defence of the (Caliph),” an article said.

“The brother’s blessed wife accompanied him despite the fact that combat is not even obligatory upon her, but she did not want to lose the opportunity for shahadah (martyrdom) at a time when many “men” of the Ummah (Islamic community) have turned away from the obligation of jihad.”

Isis claimed that more militants were joining its ranks in Syria and Iraq, while others were planning to “defiantly terrorise the crusaders in their very strongholds”.

“The believers who do trade with Allah will never lose, rather, they only stand to profit,” the group said. “May Allah accept the sacrifices of our noble brother Syed Rizwan Farook and his blessed wife, accept them among the shuhada (martyrs), and use their deeds as a means to awaken more Muslims in America, Europe, and Australia.”

The article claimed that Malik had pledged allegiance to al-Baghdadi and Isis online as the attack was carried out, although the American investigators previously cast doubt on the claim.

FBI director James Comey said last month that the couple talked about their goal of “jihad and martyrdom” in private emails and messages but did not write about the issue publicly on social media.

The FBI has found no evidence the couple were part of an organised cell or had any contact with overseas terror groups.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in