“War is declared. Get prepared”.
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In an interview with Freakoutnation.com (linked to by the official #OpParis twitter account and, accordingly, as reasonably verifiable as these types of things can be) the head of #OpParis-using the mononym “X”-claims the initiative has already identified and helped remove over five thousand ISIS-affiliated accounts across social media-a claim repeated by the #OpParis account early Tuesday morning”.
Anonymous began its campaign against Isis in earnest after the killings at Charlie Hebdo in January. According to the Independent, Anonymous’ recently launched #OpISIS is well underway, and “the group is attempting to take down the websites and social media accounts of people associated with the group – as well as apparently release personal details of those involved in recruitment”.
It’s a threat a few members of ISIS seem to be taking seriously.
While this appears to be the largest confrontation between Anonymous and ISIS, it’s not the first.
The “hacktivist” collective vowed vengeance for the attacks in Paris. “What they are doing is more of simple harassment”.
Supporters are now sharing the address of this hidden propaganda site, which can only be accessed using special software.
When such activities are not undertaken in coordination with counterterrorism practitioners from within government, the actions of groups such as Anonymous can become counterproductive, says Michael Smith II, principal and chief operating officer at Kronos Advisory, a strategic advisory firm.
They picked a fight with Anonymous when they attacked Paris, and now they should expect us, he said, adding that the collective will not sit by and watch these terror attacks unfold around the world.Anonymous released a video on Monday stating that the collective would launch the biggest operation ever against Islamic State (formerly ISIS/ISIL), following the Friday attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead and 352 injured.
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By setting up Ghost Security Group, a few members of GhostSec have deliberately distanced themselves from Anonymous and its legacy of hooded figures and Guy Fawkes masks. That effort is reportedly responsible for disrupting a planned attack on a Tunisian marketplace this past summer. So there’s plenty of room for outside support, Smith said.
