ISIS – Page 8 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

American ISIS: Ohio Terrorist Charged with U.S. Capitol Terror Plot

In Ohio, American ISIS terrorist Christopher Lee Cornell, 20 years old, aka Raheel Mahrus Ubaydah, has confessed that he is a member of ISIS terrorist group. On January 21, 2015, Christopher Cornell was indicted with “attempting to kill officers and employees of the United States, solicitation to commit a crime of violence and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Cornell was charged for his alleged participation in a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol Building and kill government official.”

American ISIS Terrorist Christopher Cornell - Charged with Terrorist Plot against U.S. Capitol and Support for ISIS (Source: Boone County Jail) — American ISIS Terrorist Christopher Cornell – Charged with Terrorist Plot against U.S. Capitol and Support for ISIS (Source: Boone County Jail)

The four-count superseding indictment alleges that on or about August 2014 through January 2015, Cornell allegedly plotted, planned and attempted to attack the U.S. Capitol. Cornell allegedly attempted to kill officers and employees of the United States during their official duties, specifically by attempting to attack the U.S. Capitol Building. During that same time, the defendant allegedly attempted to persuade others to kill officers and employees of the United States. Cornell also allegedly possessed two semi-automatic rifles and approximately 600 rounds of ammunition.

In addition, on May 7, 2015, Christopher Cornell received additional charges in superseding indictment returned in Cincinnati, and he was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, ISIS. The four-count superseding indictment alleges that on or about August 2014 through January 2015, Cornell allegedly plotted, planned and attempted to attack the U.S. Capitol. Providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Attempted murder of government employees and officials is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Solicitation to commit an attempted murder is a crime punishable by 20 years in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of an attempted crime of violence is a crime punishable by a mandatory sentence of five years in prison.

In March 2015, FOX 19 had an interview with the American ISIS terrorist Christopher Cornell. R.E.A.L. will provide a link and excerpt to this interview. The interview is recommended to providing an insight into the twisted mind of American ISIS terrorist supporters.

March 9, 2015 – FOX19 Interview with Terrorist Cornell: “The Green Township terror suspect has opened up about his plot to attack the U.S. Capitol. Christopher Cornell, 20, spoke from his jail cell on last Wednesday saying if he had a chance would have followed through with his plot to bomb the Capitol and would have put a gun to President Barack Obama’s head. ‘I would have released more bullets on the Senate and House of Representative members and I would have attacked the Israeli Embassy and various other buildings,’ Cornell said. The Green Township native was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents outside the Point Blank Range and Gun shop on Harrison Avenue in Colerain Township after buying firearms and 600 rounds of ammunition on Jan. 14. During the hour-long conversation with Tricia Macke, Cornell, 20, referred to himself as Raheel Mahrus Ubaydah. ‘I’m with the Islamic State,’ Cornell said. ‘I’m very dedicated to establish the Sharia in America, to wage war on the kafr (an Islamic term for ‘unbeliever’) and raise the word of Allah above all.’ ”

” ‘I got orders from the brothers overseas because I’m with the Islamic State. My brothers over there, in Syria and Iraq, gave me specific orders to carry out jihad in the west, so I did so,’ said Cornell. According to court documents, a confidential FBI source began to contact Cornell last August, who responded via instant message that he had been in contact with individuals overseas but he did not believe that he would receive authorization to conduct a terrorist attack in the United States. Cornell allegedly told the informant that they should go on with the attack. ‘I believe that we should just wage jihad under our own orders and plan an attack,’ Cornell allegedly told the informant, according to court documents. Cornell met with the FBI informant Oct. 17 and 18, and again Nov. 10 and 11. Federal authorities said he discussed how they would build, plant and detonate pipe bombs at the U.S Capitol. Then, he U.S. the informant would shoot and kill employees inside. Cornell showed the informant on his computer that he researched how to construct pipe bombs and the cost of the guns they would buy for the attack. According to court documents, under the name Raheel Mahrus Ubaydah, Cornell posted videos and statements supporting ISIS and violent jihad in North America.”

“Cornell said he didn’t do this alone, and spoke about his alleged ties to leaders of the Islamic State in the interview, saying he spoke with other members overseas via an encrypted messaging service. ‘Talking about how we should raise Jihad in America. We should form groups and alliances with the Islamic State. When I say groups, I mean what you would call sleeper cells,’ said Cornell. And Cornell said he believes there are more attacks to come. ‘What do I think is coming? Many things. There will be many, many attacks. Like I said, we are ready for the battle over the Capitol.’ Cornell said there are others like him throughout the United States. ‘We are pretty strong. Yes, yes. In every state like I said. We’re in Texas. We’re in Ohio. We’re in New York City. We’re in Washington, DC. We’re in every single state you can name, just about.’ ‘I’m not afraid of the punishment. You must understand this. The punishment I receive in here doesn’t come close to the punishment that people like Barack Obama is going to face,’ Cornell said.”

Other reports:

January 14, 2015 – New details on man who allegedly plotted to bomb U.S. Capitol

January 16, 2015 – Cornell’s social media posts may have been red flag

January 22, 2015 – Tri-State terror suspect pleads not guilty to three felony charges

March 10, 2015 – Psychotherapist gives insight on how Cornell was recruited

France: Terror Campaign Against France Condemned by Muslim Groups, Individuals

The terror campaign against Paris and throughout France has been widely condemned by Islamic groups and individuals. The terror campaign also included the murder of Parisian police officer, Ahmed Merabet, who was a Muslim. He was assassinated by the terrorists, while his hands were up in surrender. Those who reject our universal human rights do support any religious ideology other than their own efforts to use force to suppress, rather unite our fellow human beings.

The French Muslim Council condemned the attack, calling it one of “exceptional violence.” It has also stated that “[t]he barbarous attack of extreme gravity is also an attack against democracy and freedom of the press. Our first thoughts are with the victims and their families for whom we have total solidarity.”

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, stated that “Terrorism has no religion and is an affront to Islam, therefore we must confront and expose the evil ideology of these terrorists.”

The Muslim Council of Britain, stated: “Whomever the attackers are, and whatever the cause may be, nothing justifies the taking of life.”

Tehmina Kazi, of the the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) published an exceptional article providing more than condemnation, but also calling for action to challenge such extremists. Her article in Left Foot Forward, “Charlie Hebdo: Dismantling nine mistaken assumptions about the Paris atrocities,” also urged her fellow Muslims ” sort out the problems in their own back yard,” further stating “Given that the Qu’ran takes such a strong line on humans challenging injustice wherever we find it, this shouldn’t be too difficult.” Tehmina Kazi also called for change and urged Muslims to challenge such extremists and “work hard to create change within their own circles of influence (just like Inspire did with their ‘Making a Stand’ campaign, and Manwar Ali has done with his grassroots work in Ipswich and elsewhere). As I said in my piece yesterday, the Qu’ran tells us to fight against injustice wherever we may find it, even if it means testifying against our own. In my view, this is a crystal-clear example of the need to do just that.”

The Arab League made a statement by its chief Nabil al-Arabi that it “strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris.”

According to Al Arabiya News, “Al-Azhar, a thousand-year-old seat of religious learning respected by Muslims around the world, referred to the attack as a criminal act, saying that ‘Islam denounces any violence.'”

In an Al-Arabiya commentary by Abdulrahman al-Rashed, he stated:

“We don’t need to blame murderers because they are terrorists whose plans and hostility against the world are clear. However, we do blame those who justify these terrorists’ crimes and who try to mislead Muslims with lies and excuses. Some people have even written in defense of the heinous crime of murdering French journalists which shocked the world. What sort of ignorant man can think that a government conspires to kill its own citizens in order to serve a foreign plot? What nonsense and ignorance can make some of us descend to this level of justifying the murder of fellow journalists?”

“Apologists of killers provide cover and legitimacy for terrorists at a time when we are all supposed to be at the forefront of those condemning these acts. Those defending terrorists must realize the severity of the crimes which they are committing. These actions and similar ones over the years have secured for terrorism a base in our region. Their sin is no less grave than the crimes of ISIS and al-Qaeda whom they have long praised. They have misled millions of people by presenting terrorist groups as defenders of the rights and existence of the Muslim diaspora.”

France: Enemies of Human Rights Praise Terror Campaign in France

As we have reported, many Muslim groups and individuals have publicly rejected the ongoing terror campaign in France. As these Muslims state, no religious views should rationalize murder and terrorism, and a campaign of attack against our shared universal human rights.

In the meantime, there are extremist groups and individuals who are expressing solidarity and support for the terror campaign against France. We know this terror campaign is not limited to France, but is a world war against all of humanity and all human freedoms and rights. They are supporting terrorism and calling for attacks on our universal human rights, and they represent enemies of our shared universal human rights. They represent a global threat to our shared universal human rights, which must be recognized and challenged by all human rights groups.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges our fellow human beings responsible for our shared universal human rights to continue to aggressively challenge and condemn such extremist groups and individuals – anywhere in the world, and using any language. Our shared universal human rights, as described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), is essential for peace, harmony, respect, and security for all of our fellow human beings of every identity group, every nationality, and every religious view and conscience.

While Twitter is being used to express solidarity among people of all religions and all nations condemning the terror campaign in France, Twitter is also being used by extremists to promote support for this terrorism campaign by extremists, using the hashtag translated as #ExpelTheCrusaderAmongYou

It is reported that social media has also been used to spread support for the terror campaign in France, including on Facebook with comments such as “this is the harvest of the hatred that France has sowed.”

Somalia’s Shebab extremist group in Africa also praised the terror campaign in Paris as a “heroic” act. Ashram and AFP reported that the Shebab extremist’s Radio Andulus praised the terror campaign against the Charlie Hebdo publication stating, “[t]hey made millions of Muslims happy by taking action. Some misguided people claim that freedom of expression was attacked, but that is not the case, and the two heroic people acted accordingly.”

Reuters and Pakistan Nation report: “A fighter of the Islamic State militant group praised Wednesday’s attack on a French satirical magazine that killed at least 12 people, telling Reuters the raid was revenge for insults against Islam. ‘The lions of Islam have avenged our Prophet,’ said Abu Mussab, a Syrian who fights with the Islamic State, which has captured broad swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory. ‘These are our lions. It’s the first drops – more will follow,’ he said, speaking via an internet connection from Syria. He added that he and his fellow fighters were happy about the incident. ‘Let these crusaders be scared because they should be.’ No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.”

The Algemeiner has published reports that “[o]ver the last several months, France has emerged as a top target for IS. In September 2014, IS spokesman Abu Muhammad Al Adanani urged IS supporters worldwide to mount attacks in their countries of residence against both military and civilian targets, using any means available. Al Adanani specifically identified France as a recommended target, a separate MEMRI dispatch reported at the time. Similar themes were echoed by several jihadi sympathizers on Twitter. A user identified as Najam wrote: “#Paris Is Burning. Oh Allah slaughter them, Allah attack them. This newspaper insulted the Messenger of Allah and Islam.’ Another user commented: ‘France turned the lands of the Muslims into battlefields, and now the Muslims have turned Paris into a battlefield. Allahu akhbar.'”

On December 23, 2014, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported that, using Facebook, “French IS Supporters And Fighters Urge Attacks In France And Europe.” MEMRI specifically stated that IS spokesman Abu Muhammad Al-‘Adanan urged “IS supporters worldwide to perform attacks in their countries of residence against both military and civilian targets using any means possible. He specifically identified France as a recommended target.”

The USA Today published the comments by Bristish extremist Anjem Choudary, who rejected the concept of freedom of expression (which he is so dependent on), and stated that: “Muslims consider the honor of the Prophet Muhammad to be dearer to them than that of their parents or even themselves. To defend it is considered to be an obligation upon them. The strict punishment if found guilty of this crime under sharia (Islamic law) is capital punishment implementable by an Islamic State. This is because the Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever insults a Prophet kill him.'”

The Radio Free Europe reported on praise for the terror campaign by British female extremists on Twitter, reporting that: “As news broke of the Paris attack, British female IS militant Umm Jafar Britaniyah, who is based in the Syrian town of Manbij, expressed her joy in a series of tweets. After her initial reaction — ‘ALLAHU AKBAR!!!!!! OUR brothers in France!!! May Allah reward them abundantly and grant them VICTORY AMEEN!!'” — Umm Jafar called on Allah to ‘help [the gunmen] kill as many kafirs [infidels] as they can.'”

Radio Free Europe also reported on another individual praising the terrorists: “Another female militant, who tweets in English under the name Umm Handhla posted her initial reaction to the attack: ‘ALLAHU.AKBAR buzzzzzzzzzzzzzn May allah protect the mujahideen in Franceeee!!! Shooting was maad!!'”

Radio Free Europe also stated that: “A male militant, who calls himself Abu Junaid As-Somali, and who tweeted extensively about the Charlie Hebdo attack tweeted his wish that Allah grant the two men access to Paradise, because they had ‘muted & killed that filthy najis [a person regarded as ritually unclean] Charlie.’ As-Somali had previously tried to claim that the IS group had been responsible for the Charlie Hebdo attack, tweeting about the ‘Islamic State wilayat [province] of Paris’ and telling ‘Muslims of France’ that they were lucky not to have to travel thousands of kilometers ‘to seek martyrdom.’ As-Somali added, ‘Violent Extemism is at ur doorstep, defend Islam there.'”

Radio Free Europe also reported of further calls to attack France, stating: “One video, released by Islamic State’s media wing, Al-Hayat, on November 20, 2014, features a group of French militants who urge French Muslims to carry out terrorist attacks in France. ‘Even poison is available, so poison the water and food of at least one of the enemies of Allah,’ one French militant says in the video.”

Radio Free Europe reported that “Bird of Jannah added that Muslims should not feel sorry for the victims of the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack. ‘If you love them and feel sad for what happened to them, verily you carry no Al Walaa wal Baraa [loyalty and disavowal]. Your aqeedah [belief] has distorted! Fear Allah!’ she tweeted.”

Homeland Security Today also reported on support from other extremist groups for the terror campaign, as researched by Middle East groups. Homeland Security Today reported: “According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Violent Extremist reaction to the attack on Charlie Hebdo was almost immediate. Participants on jihadi forums and social media praised the attackers, saying that the shooting was a legitimate act of revenge against the weekly for insulting Islam and against France for its crimes against Muslims,” said MEMRI Executive Director Steven Stalinsky. MEMRI said, ‘Members of the pro-ISIS forum Violent Extemismi Media Platform (alplatformmedia.com) lashed out at France. A member called Al Dia’ Al Gharib wrote: ‘France was [once] part of the land of Islam and will return to be the land of Islam, in spite the worshippers of the Cross.”” “Another, who goes by the name Muhib Al Salihin, wrote: ‘France is one of the harshest enemies of Islam and of the Islamic State in particular.” Forum member Abu Al Qassem Al Shawqi commented: ‘[This] is news that quenches the thirst for revenge. By Allah, beloved ones, let us not think lightly of prayers. By Allah, they [the attackers] are soldiers of Allah.’ And a member calling himself Abu Bakr Al Zari’ni remarked: ‘Congratulations to France and to its people for reaping what their hands sowed. Did these evil cartoonists think that we were a nation that would remain silent in face of those who insult our Prophet…? Did [French President] Hollande and the governments that preceded him think that their interventions and despotism in the lands of the Muslims would not be met with retribution? No, by Allah, from now on the youths of Islam will no longer remain silent, especially since we have a state [ISIS] to mobilize armies if anybody insults the nation of Islam.’”

Homeland Security Today also reported that: “Arabic-speaking jihad supporters also celebrated the attack on Twitter, some using the Arabic hashtag ‘Paris Is Burning,’” MEMRI reporte

d, saying, “Many of them shared videos from the scene of the attack, calling the shooters ‘heroes’ and praising them for avenging the honor of the Prophet and of Islam. One, who calls himself Najam (@35njm), wrote: ‘#Paris Is Burning. Oh Allah slaughter them, Allah attack them. This newspaper insulted the Messenger of Allah and Islam.’ ISIS supporter Hamel Al Liwa’ (@blue964) tweeted: ‘Fear prevails among the newspapers and journalists who hate Islam. There are demands for military protection of the paper headquarters. #Paris is turning into a military barracks.’ Another ISIS supporter, Al Khilafa Hiya Al Hal [‘the Caliphate is the solution’] (@death4x), shared a video of the attack and commented: ‘France turned the lands of the Muslims into battlefields, and now the Muslims have turned Paris into a battlefield. Allah Akbar.’”

Homeland Security also reported other reactions from French speakiing extremists on Twitter. “ISIS supporter Abou Hafs (@Ansar_Al_Ouma) tweeted: ‘Oh Allah, the honor of your prophet has been cleansed.’ Another, Al Furat Wadijlah (@AlFuratWadijlah), commented on the character of the attack: ‘An RPG7 with Kalashnikovs, it’s a well prepared assault.’ He added: ‘That dog Charb [Charlie Hebdo editor-in-chief and cartoonist Stéphane Charbonnier, who is one of those killed in the attack] was supposed to publish this drawing on the first page this week.'”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) understands that we and the media can always find extremists in every identity group, which we will all reject. But there is a difference between ranting lunatics and individuals actively supporting terrorism against our fellow human begins, as well as such terrorist committing such violence. We cannot simply “ignore” such extremists, but also must challenge such views.

It is not simple or comfortable to challenge such extremists that claim to be within our own identity group. I am very well aware of this in my own years of challenges to white individuals, who have racial supremacist views, and I am well aware of the violent reactions from such ideological challenges. But we cannot abandon on defense of human rights, simply because it is difficult.

R.E.A.L. calls for the continuing rejection and challenging of such extremist views which defy our shared universal human rights, undermine shared need for security, respect, dignity, and peace, and which disgrace every religious view by calling for violence and hatred as a means to suppress the rights of others.

103_0327 — Terror Campaign Against France: The Lights of Paris and our Universal Human Rights Will Stand – Regardless of the Threats by Terrorists (Source: Jeffrey Imm, R.E.A.L.)

ISIS Inspired Attack in NYC by Zale Thompson with Hatchet

October 23, 2014 – A man with a hatchet attacks four police officers in New York. Police said the attacker, a U.S. citizen named Zale Thompson, was self-radicalized. Thompson had searched online for information on beheadings, al Qaeda, ISIS and al Shabaab, according to police. ISIS mentioned Thompson in Dabiq, according to the Institute for the Study of War. The attack is believed to have been inspired by ISIS.

Minnesota – American ISIS Recruits Expand

After reporting on Minnesota ISIS recruit Douglas McArthur McCain, R.E.A.L. has also learned of other Minnesota recruits from America to the ISIS terrorist organization. Friends of Douglas McArthur McCain also appear to have become involved with ISIS.

Minneapolis native-turned ISIS combatant, father-of-nine Abdirahmaan Muhumed, 29, had also been killed. KMSP-TV reported that Abdirahmaan Muhumed, previously identified as an ISIS-recruited, homegrown terrorist, apparently died in terrorist-on-terrorist clashes during August 23 – 24, 2014.

American ISIS Recruit Abdirahmaan Muhumed from Minnesota - killed (Source: Facebook) — American ISIS Recruit Abdirahmaan Muhumed from Minnesota – killed (Source: Facebook)

On a side note, on September 9, 2014, FOX 9 News reported that Minnesota ISIS recruits have had airport access: “the man who came to be known as Abdirahmaan Muhumed and died fighting alongside ISIS in Syria spent 10 years working at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport — and had a lot of access. Fox 9 News has obtained more information on the Minneapolis airport work history of a Minnesota man killed while fighting for ISIS in Syria. Abdirahmaan Muhumed – known to airport officials as Abdifatah Ahmed – worked as both a fueler and a cleaner between November 2001 and May 2011. Law enforcement sources confirm to Fox 9 that Abdifatah Ahmed and Abdirahmaan Muhumed are the same person. According to the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Ahmed held a Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) security badge intermittently between November 2001 and October 2010 to perform work as a fueler for ASIG, later known as Servisair. Ahmed was again issued a SIDA badge in November 2010 to work as a cleaner for Delta Global Services. Delta Air Lines switched its aircraft cleaner services at MSP Airport from Delta Global Services to Airserve earlier this year. These jobs gave Ahmed security clearance at the airport, access to the tarmac and access to planes. He has not held a security badge to work at MSP Airport since May 2011. It remains unclear when exactly Abdirahmaan Muhumed, a.k.a. Abdifatah Ahmed, left the Twin Cities to fight with ISIS. He died in the same battle as Douglas McCain, who was also from Minnesota. Authorities estimate that as many as 15 men and one woman have left the Twin Cities to fight with ISIS.”

American ISIS Recruit from Minnesota Reportedly Killed

Minnesotan Douglas MacArthur McCain, a native of San Diego, California, was reportedly killed in fighting in Syria, after becoming an American recruit to the ISIS terrorist organization. McCain had left to join the ISIS terrorist organization from Minnesota, where he was living. Douglas MacArthur McCain was a graduate from Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope, Minnesota, converted to Islam in 2004, and traveled to Syria by way of Turkey in early 2014. On August 26, 2014, NBC News reported “Photos of McCain’s passport and of his body — which feature a distinctive neck tattoo — have been seen by NBC News. According to an activist linked to the Free Syrian Army who also saw the body and travel document, McCain was among three foreign jihadis fighting with ISIS who died during the battle.” “Public records searches show several run-ins with the law. One mugshot of a Douglas McAuthur McCain details an arrest in 2000 at the age of 19 in New Hope on charges of disorderly conduct. Another arrest record – also from New Hope – shows the same man was arrested again in 2006 and booked on charges of obstruction. ” “McCain, 33, called himself “Duale ThaslaveofAllah” on Facebook and his Twitter bio reads: “It’s Islam over everything.” ” His likes on Facebook ranged from “Quaran and Hadith” to “The Khilafah in Universe,” “A Way to Paradise” to “Craziest Street Fights,” “The American Comedy Co.” to “The Black Flag.”

NBC also stated “U.S. officials have said ‘a small handful’ of Americans are believed to be fighting with ISIS. Earlier this month, a new ISIS propaganda video claimed to feature an American citizen. And in July, chilling video emerged purporting to show the first American to carry out a suicide attack in Syria burning his U.S. passport and issuing threats against the West.”

Douglas MacArthur McCain, American ISIS recruit, died fighting for the ISIS terrorist organization (Source: CNN)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our universal human rights for all, and we stand in defiance against those, including terrorist and hate groups, which seek to attack such universal human rights, dignity, and security for all

ISIS American Recruit Michael Todd Wolfe Sentenced – Update

On June 17, 2014, ISIS terrorist group recruit Michael Todd Wolfe aka “Faruqu”of Austin, Texas was arrested by the FBI at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. He planned to fly his family to Europe where he would meet an ISIS fixer who would take them all on to Syria. In Syria, he planned to join the ISIS terrorist organization to join in violence and killings. Unknown to the ISIS terrorist group recruit, his contact was an undercover FBI agent.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 20, 2014.

On June 27, 2014, CNN reported that Michael Todd Wolfe plead guilty to “attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization.”

On June 5, 2014, Michael Todd Wolfe was sentenced to 82 years in prison. The FBI press release stated: “Michael Todd Wolfe aka Faruq, 24, of Austin, Texas, was sentenced this afternoon by U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks of the Western District of Texas to serve 82 months in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin, Acting U.S. Attorney Richard L. Durbin Jr. for the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Division.”

The American-Statesman provides further background on the case, reporting:

“In a plea last year, he admitted that he obtained a passport, went through physical training and practiced military maneuvers to prepare to engage in violent jihad, investigators said. Federal court records show Wolfe had been communicating with an undercover investigator who told Wolfe he had helped people wanting to travel for jihad in Somalia and Syria. From August 2013 until this month, Wolfe had worked on preparing for the trip. He obtained birth certificates for himself, his wife and two children. He asked an undercover agent for a pair of durable glasses with a head strap that would hold up on the battlefield, and he was running, doing Cross-Fit exercises and practicing martial arts, investigators said. In early August, his wife told an undercover agent that her husband had said his heart yearned to join his Muslim brothers, that he was ready to die for his religion, that ‘he was ready to die for someone; for something,’ according to a criminal complaint. His plan was for him and his family to travel under the false pretext of going to a concert in Europe, and he bought airline tickets so that he could meet an FBI employee, whom he thought would facilitate his trip to Syria through Turkey, the complaint states. He was arrested June 17 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where he had been attempting to board a plane to Toronto, according to the complaint. His itinerary indicated that he intended to travel through Iceland, arriving in Copenhagen, Denmark, the next day. From there, investigators said, he planned to make his way to Syria.”

ISIS terrorist group recruit Michael Todd Wolfe aka "Faruqu"of Austin, Texas (Source: American-Statesman) — ISIS terrorist group recruit Michael Todd Wolfe aka “Faruqu”of Austin, Texas (Source: American-Statesman)

Who is ISIS?

The ISIS terrorist group stands for what it calls itself as “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).” The terrorist group also goes by the name “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL),” the “Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham,”or simply “Islamic State,” and is also referred to as the pejorative name “Daesh,” which generally means “a group of bigots who impose their will on others.” The ISIS group originated as Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in 1999, and had previously pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in 2004. It was part of the Iraq war after the March 2003 fighting with Western forces. In January 2006, it was part of other extremist groups rationalizing their violence on a twisted interpretation of Sunni religion that formed the Mujahideen Shura Council, which proclaimed the formation of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) in October 2006. Once the Syrian Civil War started in March 2011, this “ISI” was under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at that time. The ISI sent terrorist troops into the Syrian Civil War, which called themselves the Al-Nusra Front (Jabhat an-Nuṣrah li-Ahli ash-Shām) and developed beachheads in Sunni majority areas of Syria. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi sought a merger of the ISIS with Al-Nusra Fron which was then called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Al-Nusra and Al-Qaead rejected the merger, which began the power struggle amongst the terrorist groups. On June 29, 2014, the ISIL declared itself a caliphate, and as of November 13, 2015, ISIS declared its version of an “Islamic” state in Iraq on October 13, 2006, claimed territory in the “Levant” including Syria on February 3, 2014, claimed territory in Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Yemen on November 13, 2014, claimed territory in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India on January 29, 2015, claimed territory in Nigeria on March 12, 2015, and claimed territory in the North Caucasus on June 23, 2015.

ISIS was formally added to the U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) on December 17, 2004, as “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (formerly al-Qa’ida in Iraq).”

Flag of ISIS

Flag of the Terrorist Group which calls itself "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)" — Flag of the Terrorist Group which calls itself “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)”

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