| Analysis:
A number of Islamist-inspired armed groups worldwide have used women as fighters. Palestinian Hamas, various Chechen insurgent groups, as well as Sunni groups such as the former al Qaeda in Iraq (which in 2006 merged with other groups to form the Islamic State in Iraq, and in 2013, was transformed into the current Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, ISIS, IS, etc..) are just a few examples.
Long time AlertsUSA and Threat Journal subscribers will remember previous reporting as far back as 2015 about the Islamic State's use of female recruiters to prey on young women and the establishment of a pipeline to assist Western women in traveling to Syria to contribute to the formation of their new society, albeit in traditional roles.
This new video is interesting given the current Islamic State's extremely strict laws to date forbidding women from combat roles. A shift from women supporting the Islamic State in non-combat functions to their direct involvement as fighters could be significant, particularly with the past Sharia-based emphasis on women’s domestic roles and gender segregation.
The use of both women and disabled men as part of the fighting force, and highlighting them in this video, supports several conclusions:
1. The Islamic State is clearly under pressure on the battlefield from opposing international military forces. Many male fighters have either been killed or fled.
2. Calling women to take part in the jihad will likely result in a swelling of the ranks, at least temporarily.
3. Calling women to take part in the jihad will likely result in their increased participation in attacks off the traditional battlefield, such as in Western nations. Even a casual exploration of the social media accounts of Muslim women around the world shows a widespread antipathy towards the West and a desire for bloodshed. Some of the women even go beyond glorifying the violence to express a desire to carry out violent acts themselves. This call to action could very well serve as a trigger.
4. Given the cultural trends of Western nations in terms of women's roles and standing in society, and the general perception of most women being non-aggressors and "the weaker vessel", the calling of women to participate in the jihad opens massive gaps in overall security.
Using plain English, in a lineup of men and women, which are likely to be more aggressively searched? Which are law enforcement and security personnel more likely to perceive as a possible aggressor?
5. The video is also a clear attempt at shaming, and motivating, able-bodied Muslim men currently not participating in the jihad.
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