ISIS Video: Islamic State Uses Sign Language to Recruit Deaf-Mute Fighters (+Photos)

ISIS is looking to recruit deaf people to fight amongst its ranks, evidenced by a new propaganda video that’s only in sign-language.
ISIS Video: Islamic State Uses Sign Language to Recruit Deaf-Mute Fighters (+Photos)
ISIS is looking to recruit deaf people to fight amongst its ranks, evidenced by a new propaganda video that’s only in sign-language. (Screenshot of ISIS video/Epoch Times)
Jack Phillips
3/13/2015
Updated:
3/13/2015

ISIS is looking to recruit deaf people to fight amongst its ranks, evidenced by a new propaganda video that’s only in sign-language.

The video, titled “From Who Excused To Those Not Excused,” shows two disabled fighters using sign language in an attempt to recruit people like them for ISIS.

According to NBC, the video was released last Sunday. It comes also with English and Arabic subtitles.

The video shows the two men--both armed with assault rifles--signaling traffic before addressing the camera.

The latest footage “represents an attempt by the group to recruit other physically or otherwise impaired individuals, as well as demonstrates the multifaceted responsibilities of those in its ranks,” Alex Kassirer, a researcher at global security firm Flashpoint Intelligence, told NBC.

He adds that the video signifies that “even traffic police in the Islamic State have a dual functionality, also serving in military roles.”

(Epoch Times screenshot)
(Epoch Times screenshot)

 

(ISIS video screenshot)
(ISIS video screenshot)

 

(ISIS video screenshot)
(ISIS video screenshot)

In the video, they say: “The way is open for you to come to the land of the Khilafah, and the Islamic State is expanding.”

“I am a deaf mute who works in the traffic police in the Islamic state with my brother Abu Abdhur-Rahman,” the other fighter says in the video. “When I complete my duties, my brother Abu Abdhur-Rahman takes my place.” 

Meanwhile on Friday, A spokesman for Syria’s main Kurdish force has called on the U.S.-led coalition to attack Islamic State, or ISIS, group positions in northeastern Syria where the jihadis are on the offensive.

The call by Redor Khalil came as activists said dozens of Kurdish and IS fighters were killed this week in clashes near the Syrian village of Tal Tamr.

Khalil, a spokesman for the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, also called in his statement for young men in the area to join the battle against IS.

Weeks of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition recently helped tip the balance against IS fighters in their attack on the northern Syrian town of Kobani.

Since then YPG fighters have regained full control of Kobani as well as dozens of surrounding villages.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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