When Its Attacker Is in Handcuffs, ISIS Stays Mum
A New York Times tally of the more than four dozen attacks on Western targets claimed by the group since 2014 indicates
that the Islamic State typically issues its claim of responsibility within 24 hours, though there have been some exceptions, including two attacks this past summer that the group claimed a month later.
“I think it’s very much a matter of internal communication,” he said, “a way of telling their supporters
that if they are captured, they won’t be sold out by the group.”
Others said they see a theological justification: The Islamic State encourages recruits to die in a standoff with
the police in a “martyrdom operation.” When the fighter survives, the mission is incomplete, Mr. Brisard said.
No one would be motivated to do an ISIS attack if they know
that when they end up getting caught, someone will out them,” said Raphael Gluck, an independent researcher who focuses on the group’s digital footprint and has embedded himself in many of the group’s online chat rooms.
“It would work counter to their whole recruitment line and would serve to push off the next attack.”
Amarnath Amarasingam, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, who has interviewed Islamic State followers online as part of his work, said
that members of the group explained to him that not asserting responsibility for attacks was intended to protect fighters.
It may help explain why the Islamic State had not, as of Wednesday night, asserted responsibility for the deadly rampage the day before in Manhattan by a truck driver who was wounded
and arrested by the police, who say he is a disciple of the group.