Al Qaeda-affiliated websites, such as the Global Islamic Media    Front, the Ansarullah Media and Bab-ul-Islam, have been    increasingly replacing messages of the terror network with    content from the Syria and Iraq-based Sunni extremist group    "Islamic State" (IS), according to a new report by IHS, a    global analytics firm. The jihadist forums have reportedly even    failed to cover al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri's recent    announcement of the formation of an al Qaeda branch in South    Asia and Myanmar.  
    In the past, al Zawahiri had been the main focus of these    websites, with his messages often being posted there first.    According to the report, there are also signs that IS'    increasing social media presence is part of the militant    group's strategy to establish itself in South Asia. The    Karachi-based Tehreek-e-Khilafat, a disgruntled Taliban    faction, has already publicly switched its loyalties and    pledged alliance to IS.  
    Omar Hamid, Head of Asia Pacific Country Risk at IHS and author    of the report, says in a DW interview that IS and al Qaeda are    on a collision path, and that IS' success in gaining control of    social media sites that had traditionally been controlled by    Al-Qaeda or the TTP, reflects the group's burgeoning presence    in South Asia.  
    DW: What has your monitoring of jihadists sites    revealed?  
    Omar Hamid: Our monitoring of these sites has shown a gradual    move from highlighting al Qaeda (AQ) and Zawahiri in    particular, to highlighting IS and its declared leader Abu Bakr    al-Baghdadi. It is almost as if Zawahiri had been turned into a    nonperson.  
      Hamid: 'IHS' monitoring of jihadist social media has      indicated that IS is attempting to establish a presence in      South Asia'    
    So while some coverage is still given to AQ and the Afghan    Taliban, the bulk of coverage has shifted to IS. Even when    there is coverage of AQ or AQ allies, Zawahiri is cut out of    it.  
    What does this development in social media say about the    influence of the Islamic State in South Asia?  
    IHS' monitoring of jihadist social media has indicated that IS    is attempting to establish a presence in South Asia. At    present, IS enjoys two advantages in this regard. Its financial    strength is greater than the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)    and core al Qaeda, allowing it to offer militant factions large    sums of money to switch allegiances.  
    Reports have infomed us that several Afghan Taliban commanders    have been approached by IS representatives and offered large    monetary rewards for switching their allegiance from Mullah    Omar to "Caliph" al-Baghdadi. Similarly, several of the    disgruntled TTP factions that have been expelled by Mullah    Fazlullah have expressed admiration for IS. One group, the    Karachi-based Tehreek-e-Khilafat, has already publicly switched    its loyalties. In another case, Omar Khalid Khurasani, the head    of the TTP's Mohmand Agency chapter, was sacked a few days ago    for having disobeyed instructions.  
Originally posted here:
'Islamic State' 'seeking foothold' in South Asia through social media