While Central Asian Salafi-Jihadi groups associated with the Islamic State and al-Qaida are not directly engaged in the Hamas-Israel conflict and lack the ability to impact the war in Gaza, they quickly and vividly responded to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Their reaction showcases two contrasting views that reflect the ideological positions of their parent organizations, the Islamic State and al-Qaida, neither of which are in alignment with Hamas.
In the past, relations between Hamas and al-Qaida have been tense, particularly since Hamas’ participation in the 2006 elections. Additionally, the Islamic State has criticized Hamas for its connections with Shia groups, especially Iran and Hezbollah. As a result, the Central Asian branches of these two global Sunni terror groups took advantage of the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh to further their own agendas, just as they previously used the issue of liberating Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa to strengthen their ideological foundations and recruitment efforts.
The Islamic State’s Response to Haniyeh’s Assassination
Following Haniyeh’s assassination, the Islamic State’s al-Naba weekly newsletter published an editorial criticizing Haniyeh as a “sellout” who met a dishonorable end in the arms of Shiite rejectionists in Tehran. The article compared Haniyeh to Qassem Soleimani, accusing him of fighting under Iran’s influence. This editorial served as a blueprint for Central Asian ISKP propaganda media, using historical enmity between Muslims and Jews to present the Islamic State as the sole liberator of the holy land.
Pro-ISKP Russian-language channels mocked Haniyeh and labeled him an apostate for his alliances with Iran and Hezbollah. This sentiment was echoed by other ISKP supporters, denouncing Hamas and Haniyeh as political slaves of Shiite Iran.
This coordinated propaganda revealed the effective communication between the Islamic State Central and its local affiliates in terms of ideological content.
Al-Qaida’s Position on Haniyeh’s Assassination
In contrast to the Islamic State, al-Qaida honored Haniyeh as a martyr and expressed grief over his death in a statement released by AQIS. Al-Qaida elevated Haniyeh to the status of prominent leaders, signaling improved relations with Hamas. AQIS called for targeting America and Israel as part of a global war between Islam and non-belief.
Al-Qaida-affiliated groups in Afghanistan and Syria echoed this sentiment, referring to Haniyeh as a defender of Islam.
Conclusion
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has influenced the radicalization of global Sunni jihadist organizations like al-Qaida and the Islamic State. While these groups may not directly impact the Gaza conflict, the ongoing turmoil could lead to increased lone-wolf terrorist activities among radicalized Central Asian Salafi migrants in the West.
Recent terrorist incidents related to the Israel-Hamas conflict underscore the importance of understanding the radicalization process among Salafi migrants. As these groups intensify their narratives against the Shia axis and the U.S.-Israel alliance, EU and U.S. intelligence agencies must monitor and analyze the threat of lone-wolf attacks among Central Asian Salafi migrants.