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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

Police bodycam video: Officers speak with George Zimmerman
Police say a driver accused George Zimmerman of threatening to kill him while on the road in Lake Mary on Tuesday, and then was spotted near his workplace two days later. Subscribe to WESH...

By: WESH 2 News

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Police bodycam video: Officers speak with George Zimmerman - Video

LAKE MARY, Fla.-- George Zimmerman, the man who was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin, had another brush with the law, reports CBS Miami.

Police say a driver reported Tuesday that George Zimmerman threatened to kill him after a confrontation on the road.

The man called police after a truck pulled up next to him and the driver, allegedly Zimmerman, yelled, "Why are you pointing a finger at me?"

The man, who said he recognized Zimmerman, claims Zimmerman asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Two days later, the man says he saw Zimmerman in his truck outside the man's workplace. He called police but declined to press charges. His name hasn't been released.

6 Photos

A compilation of George Zimmerman's troubles with authorities since 2005

Lake Mary police had two previous encounters with Zimmerman last year. In September 2013, his estranged wife, Shellie Zimmerman, told police he had threatened her and her father. She later declined to press charges.

In a November 2013 incident, Zimmerman was arrested and accused of domestic violence by a girlfriend, who later dropped charges.

Read the original post:
George Zimmerman named in Florida road rage incident ...

Orlando, Fla. A driver says George Zimmerman, the man acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin, threatened to kill him, asking Do you know who I am? during a road confrontation in their vehicles, a police spokeswoman said Friday.

The driver, 35-year-old Matthew Apperson, told Lake Mary police officers that a passenger in a truck stopped at a light next to his car on a busy street in the Orlando suburb on Tuesday, rolled down his window and yelled, Hey, whats your problem? Why you shaking your finger?

Apperson said he was listening to music with his windows rolled up at the time, and that the passengers yelling was unprovoked.

The trucks driver then asked Apperson, Do you know who I am? according to a police report. Apperson said he believed it was Zimmerman.

Zimmerman was acquitted last year of second-degree murder for fatally shooting the 17-year-old Martin, a case that drew international attention and spurred national discussions about race and self-defense laws. Martin was black and unarmed.

George Zimmerman was the driver, and they were threatening to kick my ass and to shoot me, Apperson told a police dispatcher in a 911 call.

Apperson told the dispatcher that he pulled into a nearby gas station to use the phone since he didnt have his cellphone, and the truck followed him. Zimmerman drove the truck up to Appersons car, blocking him in, Apperson said.

He almost hit my car and he said he would shoot me then, said Apperson, who told the dispatcher that he never saw a gun in Zimmermans truck. Both of them were threatening to shoot me and kill me.

Apperson called police from the gas station, but the truck was gone by the time officers arrived. Apperson, who has a concealed-weapons license, was carrying a firearm at the time, according to the police report.

Officers told Apperson that without other witnesses or clear video identifying the driver as Zimmerman, it would be difficult to make a case, the police report said. Apperson said he didnt want to press charges.

View post:
Police: George Zimmerman accused of threatening driver

LAKE MARY, Fla.-- George Zimmerman, the man who was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin, had another brush with the law, reports CBS Miami.

Police say a driver reported Tuesday that George Zimmerman threatened to kill him after a confrontation on the road.

The man called police after a truck pulled up next to him and the driver, allegedly Zimmerman, yelled, "Why are you pointing a finger at me?"

The man, who said he recognized Zimmerman, claims Zimmerman asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Two days later, the man says he saw Zimmerman in his truck outside the man's workplace. He called police but declined to press charges. His name hasn't been released.

6 Photos

A compilation of George Zimmerman's troubles with authorities since 2005

Lake Mary police had two previous encounters with Zimmerman last year. In September 2013, his estranged wife, Shellie Zimmerman, told police he had threatened her and her father. She later declined to press charges.

In a November 2013 incident, Zimmerman was arrested and accused of domestic violence by a girlfriend, who later dropped charges.

Continued here:
Police: George Zimmerman named in Fla. road rage incident