Up to this point, the atrocities of the so-called Islamic State (or ISIS) have been restricted to the territories they control in Iraq and Syria. But, a terrifying new video released this weekend by the terror group calls for supporters to carry out a 9/11 style attack on American soil — warning of "lone wolf" terrorists who may be hiding out in Western countries.
This most recent call to action is entitled "We Will Burn America." It's 11 minutes long and features imagery of ISIS agents sawing off the head of a prisoner, detonating bombs, and the World Trade Towers tumbling down. Watch at your own risk (we're not embedding it here since the video is exceptionally graphic).
Along with the video, ISIS supporters have started a Twitter campaign, under the hashtag #WeWillBurnUSAgain.
One of the marked — and worrying — features of the group ISIS is its online savvy. This video, like others they've made, is well edited and looks professionally made, a terror video produced for the age of the viral video. The group has shown itself to be adept at using social media as a recruitment tool; and there are stories of young people heading off to join the cause from neighboring Middle Eastern countries, the United States, Europe and Australia.
"In a time of lone wolf attacks, and Americans and other Westerners pledging to the Islamic State, this kind of campaign should not be taken lightly," writes Rita Katz, director of anti-terror group SITE, in a post on its blog. "In recent weeks, about 10 Americans were indicted for attempts to act on behalf of the Islamic State."
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