Blind Faith: Exploring the Ways in which Violent Extremists Exploit Disabled Operatives

• In Event: Analyzing Extremist Communications and Narratives

Abstract

Like Boko Haram and Al Shabaab, the Islamic State (IS) featured disabled fighters in its propaganda, encouraging people with disabilities to wage war against their enemies. At some level this might be considered a push for inclusivity. Starting in 2016, footage of seriously injured or maimed fighters executing prisoners or returning to the battlefield was a recurring theme in ISIS propaganda. Although this could be interpreted as signaling a shortage of able-bodied fighters after IS’s territorial losses, the messages conveyed by such fighters, like Taymullah al Somali centered on goading and shaming able-bodied men to join the fight. Using disabled fighters might have also signaled that injury would not stop the group and communicated the group’s “commitment to a ‘long war’ in which it would ultimately prevail.” The goading and symbols of long-term steadfastness (called sumud) to the cause, are a consistent feature of wartime propaganda and not one exclusively used by jihadi militants. The paper will apply theoretical frames from disability studies, as well as frame the concepts theoretically and embedded within communications and psychology. Islamic State propaganda's depiction of injured fighters likely depends on a normative and Westernized notion of masculinity (heteronormativity).

Authors

• Mia Bloom, Georgia State University

• Jared Dmello, Adelaide University