Extremist video calling for revenge against France released day before Nice attack
Graphic video by Isis operative widely shared on secure messaging app Telegram
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.A prominent Islamic State operative urged followers to use violence and cut off heads in revenge for French government’s stance on controversial cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, just a day before a knife-wielding attacker beheaded a woman and killed two others at a church in Nice.
On 28 October Turjuman al-Asawirti released a graphic video titled “Defend him [Prophet Muhammad] by striking off [their] heads]”, via the secure messaging app Telegram, where it has been widely shared by other Isis sympathisers.
The video hailed 18-year-old Abdullakh Anzorov as a hero. Anzorov beheaded teacher Samuel Paty in France earlier this month after he discussed cartoons of the prophet with his class. Al-Asawirti urged others to follow in Anzorov’s footsteps.
Al-Asawirti’s video followed a similar call to arms on Sunday by al-Qaeda supporters who also used social media to encourage violent attacks on France and French interests both locally and abroad, again because of the French authorities defence of the display of the cartoons.
In al-Asawirti’s video he accused the west and French president Emmanuel Macron specifically of “declaring war” on the prophet and warned that Mr Macron will “regret” his actions.
It has sparked fears it is part of an ongoing attempt by supporters of both Isis and its arch-rival al-Qaeda to garner support for their extremist cause by stoking widespread anger in many Muslim countries.
Footage of the 2015 attack on the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is also shown, followed by a TV news report about the recent killing of Mr Paty.
A caption in the video declares: “Mocking God's messenger Muhammad ... is a declaration of an all-out war on Islam and Muslims.”
Furious protesters across Muslim-majority countries have taken to the streets to denounce France.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments