Intro and Analysis
As I mentioned in a previous post, the evidence points to Jamaat Ansar al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi Bayt al-Maqdis as the Islamic State's (IS) network in the Gaza-Sinai area, not only engaging in da'wah activism for IS on the ground, but also acting as a feeder network of Gazan and Sinai fighters for IS in the Iraq-Syria arena. The latest statement, which speaks of sending a replacement for Abu al-Bara' of Gaza- the explosives expert from the group who came to IS in Syria and was killed in July- as a representative, provides additional corroboration for what I have written about Jamaat Ansar al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi Bayt al-Maqdis.
Below is a translation of the statement. Note also in this statement the reference to a coordinator in the West Bank area, suggesting at least a grassroots activism trend for the group in that area too, though not as developed as in the Gaza-Sinai area.
Jamaat Ansar al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi Bayt al-Maqdis
[...]
The Almighty has said: "Say: Truth has come and Falsehood has perished. Indeed Falsehood has been destined to perish"- Qur'an 17:81.
After the martyrdom of the mujahid muhajir brother engineer Mahmoud Nayef al-Qayrnawi- Abu al-Bara' of Gaza (may God accept him)- a representative of the group with the state of the Islamic Caliphate- we are working to send a replacement brother filling the place of brother Abu al-Bara' of Gaza- may God accept him- to represent us with the state of the Islamic Caliphate by God's permission.
We were spurred into writing this clarification after news reached us via our sources that there is someone who exploited the name of the group to connect with outside parties for personal profit, accordingly we deny our link with anyone speaking in our name externally at present.
We here are not waging jihad in the name of a group, but our jihad is of the highest and most exalted purpose: verily we are waging jihad for the word of God to be highest, and religion to be wholly of God: "And fight them until there is no more fitna and religion is wholly of God"- Qur'an 8:39.
And for this statement to be for future reference by God's permission, we affirm a number of things, the most important being:
- The forum- al-Minbar al-'Iami al-Jihadi- is the sole source for our statements.
- There is no representative from our group externally at present.
- [...]
- The group's coordinator in the West Bank is the brother Abu Nasir the Palestinian, and in the Gaza Strip Abu Ja'afar of Gaza.
[...]
Reminder: the forum al-Minbar al-'Ilami al-Jihadi is the sole source for our statements.
Jamaat Ansar al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi Bayt al-Maqdis
19 Shuwwal 1435 AH
16 August 2014