MOSCOW, January 19 (Sputnik) – The Islamic State, a radical Sunni group, controlling large parts of Iraq and Syria, is allegedly planning to launch a 24-hour online TV channel in a bid to increase its propaganda efforts among international audience, the Independent reports.
The Islamic State, possibly the most brutal militant group in the Middle East, is notorious for using social networks and media outlets to appeal to young people in the region and globally through engaging images, catchy slogans and professionally edited videos. The group already has a radio station, known as al-Bayan, based in Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, seized by militants in June. The IS also operates a satellite TV station called Tawheed in Libya, according to the Independent.
Last week, Twitter and Islamist forums were flooded with posts sharing what Vocativ called a "teaser" video advertising the new channel and a link to the website that would allegedly host it. However, J.M. Berger, an analyst who follows jihadist movements online, told the Washington Post that the website was likely a "fanboy effort" not backed by the Islamic State.
The Islamic State is a jihadist group that has declared caliphate on large areas of Syria and Iraq under its control. Infamous for their cruelty, the insurgents have kidnapped large numbers of people, including foreign military personnel and journalists.
