"ISIS Targets Egypt: Why the group set its sights on the Sinai" by Oren Kessler in Foreign Affairs. 17th May '16. Edited for Democracy Broadcasting by Scott Jacobs, Senior Editor.
Earlier this month, the Islamic State (ISIS) launched a massive media campaign in support of the insurgency in Sinai. Officials from 14 of its so-called provinces in Iraq, Libya, and Syria released videos promoting an Egyptian affiliate group, Sinai Province. The videos feature typical ISIS themes, such as condemnations of apostate Arab and Western governments, glorification of successful attacks, and praise for martyred brethren. What sets these videos apart, however, is the sheer number released at once, as well as their focus on Sinai, which previously played a relatively minor role in ISIS propaganda.
This media blitz could mark a turning point in ISIS strategy. The group has lost territory in Iraq and Syria, and the videos could signal a reorientation toward North Africa. ISIS may also be trying to boost morale and recruit new members. Finally, the releases could portend ISIS’ growing interest in Israel, and might suggest that the country could be the caliphate’s next target.
AIPAC '17 Policy Conference in Washington in March AIPAC: Trouble from "ISIS in the Sinai" exclusive video. Oren Kessler, Deputy Director of Research at Foundation for The Defense of Democracies discusses ISIS' insurgency in Sinai- a problem for Egypt and Israel- and the dynamics between them) Recorded . The second-sequential segment is the Question and Answer sequel to Mr. Kessler's main talk.
The scale of the Sinai campaign is nearly unprecedented, rivaled only by an earlier media blitz against the monarchy of Saudi Arabia—a natural target given its significance as the birthplace of Islam and site of its two holiest places. That series, released in December 2015, excoriated the ruling family for working with “Crusader” states like the United States, and called on Saudis to join ISIS’ branch in the kingdom. Similarly, the latest videos accuse the Egyptian government of tyranny, condemning Cairo’s ties to Saudi Arabia and the United States. AIPAC '17 Policy Conference in Washington in March AIPAC: Trouble from "ISIS in the Sinai" exclusive video. Oren Kessler, Deputy Director of Research at Foundation for The Defense of Democracies discusses ISIS' insurgency in Sinai- a problem for Egypt and Israel- and the dynamics between them) Recorded . The second-sequential segment is the Question and Answer sequel to Mr. Kessler's main talk.
The videos also extend their criticism to the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi for his alliances with secular governments, such as Turkey, and chastise the Brotherhood for ruling Egypt under “man-made” rather than Islamic law.
The series warns Egyptians against adopting the “new religion” of democracy, and urge them to “wake up and realize [their] salvation is with sharia.” They play up Sinai’s location as the “land of the prophet Moses,” denounce Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as a new Pharaoh, and curse him for “protecting the Jews.”
In addition to criticizing the Egyptian government, the latest videos dub Sinai the “gateway to Palestine,” from which ISIS will “liberate” Jerusalem and its iconic al-Aqsa Mosque. The videos show Egyptian leaders and military officials meeting Israeli counterparts, and call Israel’s Jews “victims in waiting,” whom ISIS will deal with after the Egyptian “apostates.” As one fighter warns, Israelis will soon meet the same fate as their supposed Egyptian collaborators: “the knives used to slice open the necks of your spies will slaughter your soldiers tomorrow.”
