According to an article by Bridget Johnson, chief editor of Homeland Security Today, extremist groups around the world would be taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to reorganize and spread chaos and violence.
Johnson explains that most groups, through proclamations, "showed some concern" about the health and well-being of their members, due to the coronavirus.
Lo Islamic state it was the first group to instruct its members to take precautions against Covid-19. Johnson writes that the group began to perceive the threat of the virus as early as January when an article on Al-Naba, the Islamic State's weekly newsletter, expressed "growing concern about the spread of the virus."
From that moment the Islamic State operational group has provided precise indications: "the healthy did not have to enter the territories affected by the epidemic and the infected did not have to leave them", And advised to wash your hands often and" cover your mouth when yawning and sneezing. "
Since March, i Afghan Taliban they have promoted a "Covid-19 awareness campaign" in the territories under their control. The campaign developed through the distribution of masks, soaps and information brochures to families, writes Johnson. Taliban commanders have also issued regular warnings / threats against those responsible for scams on food prices and medical supplies. In recent press releases, the Taliban also called the coronavirus "a decree of Allah”And urged their followers to respond“ in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet ”, with daily readings from the Qur'an, repenting and reciting prayers.
The publications of Al Qaeda described the spread of COVID-19 in Muslim communities as "a consequence of sins and distance from divine methodology and widespread obscenity and moral corruption". The terrorist group also instructed its followers to see the coronavirus as "a powerful tsunami”Capable of ruining the American economy. A recent article by al-Qaeda propagandists highlighted that Osama bin Laden, "he was very interested on the economic impact of the September 11 attacks, unlike many others who rejoiced only for the victims". Johnson, adds that al-Qaeda has called on its members to "turn this calamity into a cause to join ranks, [because] now is the time to spread the correct Aqeedah [I believe], to call people to jihad on the Way of Allah".
Meanwhile, Islamic State publications in countries like India have highlighted that, with soldiers and police officers "deployed in the streets and alleys" during the coronavirus pandemic, jihadists have "easy targets".
Members of the Islamic State are also invited to "step up their activity", while national governments around the world are "concerned about protecting their countries". Governments will be distracted and busy for the next few months as well.
In United States the National Security Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Counterterrorism Center have issued several warnings about threats made by racially motivated violent extremists.
Warnings from the Department of National Security, the FBI and NCC say that these groups of extremists they are thinking of arming the virus and using it to infect members of racial or ethnic minorities. Some white supremacist theorists have used online forums to discuss their hope that the responses to the pandemic from governments around the world "they can stop the global economy, accelerate social collapse and lead to a racial war".
Other groups have promoted conspiracy theories by blaming ethnic and religious minorities - primarily Jews - for the coronavirus pandemicJohnson writes.