Laith Alkhouri

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

#ISIS has claimed freeing 20 imprisoned militants in an attack in Nobili town, eastern Congo near the Ugandan border, after launching an attack an army post and later on the town’s prison. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

With my quotes on the death of #ISIS by ⁦@carlesgrau13⁩ La muerte de Al Qurashi deja en el EI una herida de rápida cicatrización - SWI https://t.co/vJzvPD3zte https://t.co/YZUhVwQMHY — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

I won’t dwell on this point much, but as an example on this point: Al-Qaeda’s al-Zawahiri appears in videos “all the time” and he continues to lose steam. Al-Qurashi’s absence didn’t change the fact that his group continued to regain steam. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Many analysts see the fact that the short-tenured #ISIS leader al-Qurashi choice to not appear in the group’s propaganda as a weakness or cowardice. True; he wanted to remain “secure.” But the fact is ISIS followers blindly follow central leadership directives, hiding or not — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

@hxhassan Your piece is an excellent read & makes sound analysis, though I respectfully disagree ISIS is in a chronic state of weakness. I consider its decentralization w/ powerful global expansion a sign of agility, coping w/ & capitalizing on setbacks. Ultimately time will tell my friend — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

#ISIS has released its weekly al-Nabaa Magazine, but it includes no mention of the death of its leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

While #ISIS leader al-Qurashi likely had the shortest tenure of any major jihadi leader, like it or not, ISIS revived significantly under his command: resurgence in #Iraq, expansion in West & Central Africa, major operations in #Afghanistan - all without appearing in any videos. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

It would be naive to believe the death of #ISIS leader would disrupt the command structure & communications w/ global affiliates. A heavy blow to its morale, yes. An end to an era, sure. But one thing the group has been successful at is adaptive restructuring & survivability. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

A number of sources allege that the corpse (or whatever remains) of #ISIS leader had an amputated leg, consistent with other “sources” that he had been an amputee at the knee. Might someone confirm? — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Latest #ISIS statement is a claim of responsibility for gunning down a Taliban member in the Pakistani city of #Peshawar. It claims that ISIS militants then engaged in clashes with Pakistani police officers at a checkpoint, allegedly killing two officers. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

US confirms #ISIS leader blew himself up during the operation. https://t.co/YEzU7aX22F — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

The latter tweet about the location being Idlib is also peculiar for researchers & ISIS supporters alike: why remain in what is considered the enemy’s backyard? As I mentioned before, al-Hashimi must have had a significant yet inconspicuous support line to survive there. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Some reactions are parallel with many of ours: why stay in Idlib out of all places? It’s considered enemy territory for ISIS “as if there’s no other place.” One say, “Turkish intel & Joulani [must have] participated in this op that wouldn’t have succeeded w/o a big intel effort.” — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

It is worth noting that some ISIS followers point to the fact that Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, Al-Hashimi’s predecessor, was declared killed several times between 2014-2019 before *actually* killed. They’re hoping that this is just a rumor. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Another, “it’s known that [ISIS] does not hide [the news of] the martyrdom of its leaders.” Also, “the rumor of the death of the sheikh [Al-Hashimi] might be American pressure in order for him to come out and say ‘I’m alive.’ Their words have no weight until [ISIS] announces it.” — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Reactions from #ISIS followers regarding the death of ISIS leader Al-Hashimi al-Qurashi so far are meh. “Let’s assume what the infidels say [about his death] is true, where’s the problem? They [jihadi leaders] left their home…seeking death [martyrdom] with certainty.” — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

It is quite interesting that #ISIS leader al-Hashimi al-Qurashi died in Atmeh, Idlib, just 25 km northeast of where his predecessor, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed, in Barishah, Idlib, #Syria — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Many speculations about the reasons behind al-Hashimi’s presence in #Syria instead of #Iraq. He most certainly had a huge support network there and felt relatively safer and more inconspicuous. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

The group will work on saving face. It will try to uplift the morale of its militants and followers, and will likely launch regional attack campaigns named after its late leader. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Obviously another leader will inevitably take the helm of the group, and he will not be less vicious. The strategy of the group will likely remain intact - but there be a higher likelihood of terrorist attempts in the West. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

As US has been able to kill #ISIS top man - a considerable win for the Biden admin - it puts into question what sort of intel was gathered to make this possible, esp that he made efforts to remain absent from the group media since taking the position. HUMINT likely played a role. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

One thing to take into consideration is that al-Hashimi’s death will impact the morale of ISIS foot soldiers who revere the leadership - particularly after making some gain over the past year. But his death is also going to set a new grievance for the group’s followers to strike. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, who took the helm in October 2019, just days after the death of his predecessor Abu Baker al-Baghdadi, has helped revive the group, not only in #Iraq but also in #Afghanistan, West and Central Africa - as evidenced in its persistent operations there. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

News of the US taking out the head of #ISIS Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi is most welcome. With confirmation from the US government, dealing a heavy blow to the terror group, it should be noted that this doesn’t mean the end of ISIS. The group will take every opportunity for revenge. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

RT @CampbellMacD: The Netherlands has repatriated five Dutch women and their children from Roj Camp this morning, according to a source in… — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

With announcement by UAE of intercepting & destroying the drones that the purportedly #Iraq-based nascent group Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq claimed responsibility for, will Iraqi gov investigate it & its purported relationship with Kata’ib Hezbollah, or let it operate w/ impunity? — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

U.S. special forces launch counter-terrorism raid in northwest Syria https://t.co/nemGPCjkDG — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

The nascent self-proclaimed Iraqi Shia militia group “Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq” (with purported ties to Kata’ib Hezbollah) has claimed responsibility - without any shred of evidentiary support - that it targeted “dynamic facilities” in Abu Dhabi with 4 drones. — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

I guess one more story doesn't hurt. When I worked in the West Village many years ago, I ran into Peter Dinklage 5 times, over the course of 2.5 years, while walking down the street, and I high-fived him. He's such a nice guy! — PolitiTweet.org

Laith Alkhouri @MENAanalyst

Street Fighter. — PolitiTweet.org