As speculation rises that the United States and its allies killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), in airstrikes over the weekend, supporters of the jihadist group are following instructions to keep quiet online. The group’s main forum is down and prominent social media accounts linked to ISIS are urging other supporters not to talk about the news.
ATTENTION: all Islamic State Supporters do not reply to any false news about the khilafah its entrapment
— State of Islam (@Dawla_accountt) November 8, 2014On Saturday, a sortie of fighter jets carried out the strikes on Al-Qaim, an Iraqi town near Mosul, reportedly killing more than 50 people.
At least one strike targeted a group of ten vehicles carrying ISIS fighters, while another targeted a house where the group’s senior leaders had gathered for a meeting, according to various news reports. Baghdad Officials say that several high ranking members of ISIS were among the casualties.
Though the U.S. has yet to say who was killed in the strikes, rumors continue to swirl that Baghdadi was either among the dead or gravely wounded. ISIS fighters have reportedly cleared a hospital in the area so that doctors can care for the wounded, and the group is said to be asking for blood donations.
And yet ISIS supporters, normally a vocal group on social media, are uncharacteristically quiet. The jihadist group’s official media wing is well known for effectively using social media to recruit, intimidate and spread propaganda. This time, however, mum’s the word.