Berlin - Paris / The internet has always been the prominent stage for recruitment operations carried out by extremist organizations, particularly the Islamic State organization "ISIS". However, this strategy has begun to change based on the evolving circumstances within the organization. Following the media campaigns targeting ISIS and the methods it employs, the organization has developed several new recruitment strategies.
One of these strategies involves targeting teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 in Europe, especially in France. In addition to ongoing efforts to recruit young people and women, the primary focus is now shifting towards children.
'Cubs of the Caliphate'... The strategy of extremist organizations in recruiting teenagers between 12 and 18 years old.
Objectives of the organization:
For the Islamic State and most extremist organizations, enticing men and women to join their ranks has become somewhat challenging, especially after the successive losses suffered by the organization in Syria and Iraq. Consequently, the appeal factors have diminished for older age groups.
Another point is that the organization lost the geographical areas it used to control, meaning its alleged state in Iraq and Syria has been eradicated on the ground. Previously, those recruited were sent directly to Syria and Iraq, where there were ready camps to receive them and integrate them into the organization's fighters, along with the administrative structure it had there. However, this has changed now, and the organization believes it needs time, possibly years, before it can regain control of new geographic areas and rebuild itself.
It cannot afford to halt recruitment operations to avoid losing the human structure it relies on. Therefore, it chose to turn to younger age groups. On the one hand, they are easier to attract, and on the other hand, they can be recruited and trained for years until they are capable of carrying out terrorist operations or joining the organization in countries where it plans to have a significant presence. All indicators suggest that Africa will be a focal point for the organization in the coming period, as its leaders plan.
The strategy of lone wolves...
This is the new strategy the organization has followed in recent years, especially in Europe, and it has proven successful in many operations carried out by minors, causing significant damage, such as the terrorist attack carried out by an underage asylum seeker not exceeding seventeen on the night of Monday to Tuesday, July 19, 2015, on a train in the German city of Würzburg, leaving five wounded, four of them seriously.
Consequently, the organization has embraced this strategy and recruited minors to become lone wolves scattered in most Western countries. There are several considerations for this strategy.
Firstly, this age group is easy to control emotionally and direct them to carry out quick operations when necessary for the organization.
Secondly, at this age, those involved in recruitment do not need much effort and continuous work to guide children and teenagers. Unlike recruiting older age groups, they require a lot of time and effort to accomplish their tasks.
Thirdly, staying away from the scrutiny of security agencies. In most cases, these children are far from the monitoring of security agencies, and they can only be monitored when there is evidence of extremism, which rarely happens.
Fourthly, the simplicity of the weapons used by these minors and children in the operations they carry out. They can be convinced to carry out a terrorist operation with a simple tool like an axe, as happened in a terrorist incident at a German train station, or with a knife, as in several stabbing incidents in France. Thus, the organization does not need to secure logistical support and weapons to deliver them to its elements who will carry out the operations it requests from them.
Recruitment strategy
Here, the most prominent question arises: How can extremist organizations target children and teenagers, and what is the strategy they use?"
There are several factors and strategies used by extremist organizations in recruitment operations.
First: Selecting Victims
Special elements from extremist organizations search for suitable victims to recruit through the internet, often using social media platforms such as Facebook. They study various aspects of the targeted victim:
- Psychological inclinations: adventurous or peaceful?
- Social status and the region they live in.
- Is the person more isolated or has many friends?
- What websites do they follow, and do they have specific interests in violent and adventurous gaming sites?
This information, easily accessible to specialists from these organizations, helps in identifying potential recruits.
Moreover, these elements enter many groups specific to teenagers, whether on Facebook, Telegram, or even WhatsApp at times, and communicate with them, pretending to share the same interests.
Second: Initiating Communication with the Victim and Attraction Factors
This stage is crucial and risky for extremist organizations. Initiating contact with the victim involves gaining their trust while being cautious not to reveal recruitment intentions too early. The recruiter studies the victim's personality and identifies attraction factors that might entice them. Extremist organizations have shifted from using religion as the primary attraction factor to employing various incentives like love, money, and even adventure.
Love Stories
The first strategy employed in recruiting teenagers, especially girls, involves creating romantic stories. Entering a love story with a handsome boy or a beautiful girl has been a common factor in many recruitment stories. The idea is to lure victims into territories controlled by extremist organizations, especially teenage girls in Europe.
For instance, a response from a girl named Aqsa Mahmoud (a pseudonym) to a European girl's question about leaving her bad boyfriend and traveling to ISIS-controlled territories was, "I promise that one day someone will hold you for a long time, fixing everything that's broken in your heart. Yes, the lawful husband."
Recruiters use fabricated stories conveyed by girls online, claiming to have experienced lots of love, generosity, and wealth upon reaching the organization's territories.
Online Propaganda
Online propaganda is a crucial point followed by extremist organizations. They publish videos and content that attract teenagers, sharing stories of adventures and a powerful life they could lead. Even if these videos are later deleted by social media platforms, the goal is achieved by being viewed by the targeted victims. Direct communication through sending propaganda directly through targeted messages is also a common approach.
Luring with Adventure and Money
Teenagers in this age group are in the early stages of discovering the world, building their personalities, and often facing constant challenges. Extremist organizations target this adventurous side to attract teenagers, offering promises of wealth, power, and a life full of exciting experiences.
In this phase, the promise of money and an independent life is a significant attraction for teenagers. Organizations often present pledges of substantial wealth and an independent life that grants the individual many decisions regarding their life, something lacking for some teenagers under family authority.
Third: Final Recruitment Stage and Issuing Orders
In the final stage, extremist organizations recruit the targeted individuals. The recruit undergoes a testing period, executing simple requests to train them in blind obedience and evaluate their usefulness to the organization. Afterward, the decision is made to either keep the victim as a lone wolf or send them to regions controlled by the organization.
Why France?
France is considered one of the primary targets for recruitment efforts and terrorist operations by extremist organizations. This is due to several considerations, including the country's high ranking in terms of the number of foreign fighters who joined ISIS, reaching around 2000. Therefore, extremist organizations believe that France provides a fertile environment for recruiting teenagers and minors.
Confrontation Methods and Solutions
In such cases, traditional methods followed by security and intelligence agencies may not be sufficient. Families play a crucial role in monitoring any changes in the behavior or interests of teenagers. Schools should also have a more significant role in monitoring children's behavior and changes affecting them.
Additionally, effective activities in schools, specifically awareness campaigns targeting teenagers, should be implemented. Simplified awareness programs suitable for their thinking can help in combating the strategies of extremist organizations.
Unit for Security and Extremism Studies / File on Extremist Groups in Europe and the Middle East
European Organization for Diplomatic and Economic Policies / Geneva Center for Studies
Comentários