How Islamic State is trying to lure Kurds to its ranks
The Islamic State released a video Aug. 3 in which militants refer to prominent Kurdish leaders in a bid to attract the Kurds to their ranks.
In a sleek propaganda video complete with special effects, the Islamic State’s (IS) Raqqa authority targets Kurdish audiences. Four bearded IS militants seated in a serene setting rail at the Kurdish political leaders and groups in Iraq, Turkey and Syria, promoting the cause of jihad against IS' long list of enemies in the region and beyond.
Exercising due diligence, the video's producers have been careful not to make this appear as an attack on the Kurdish people and instead have attempted to build a case to lure Kurds to their cause. The video includes an echoing sound bite from Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the deceased leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, IS' predecessor, in which he praises Kurds for their contribution to Islamic civilization.
