New Islamic State Hit List Targets 1,700 Church and Synagogue Members in the U.S.

The list consists of 1,700 names with instructions to Islamic State followers to ‘kill them all.’

The Islamic State has released yet another “hit list,” this time targeting members of Christian churches and synagogues in the U.S.  The list consists of 1,700 names with instructions to Islamic State followers to “kill them all.”

The list, posted by United Cyber Caliphate — the Islamic State’s (ISIS/ISIL) hacking division — was first published on July 3, as noted by SITE, an intelligence analyst group. It was subsequently deleted but reappeared three days later with more than two dozen links uploaded to separate servers.

Although the FBI doesn’t necessarily notify those on kill lists, a report by a local station in Tennessee says that the bureau had been in touch with a number of residents of Nashville to inform them that they are on the list.

“When we find information like this, we’re always doing our best to contact the public, let them know, even if we don’t understand why necessarily that information was out there or compromised,” said FBI assistant special agent-in charge Matthew Espenshade, as quoted in the International Business Times.

According to SITE, the relatively new tactic of putting ordinary citizens on kill lists – as opposed to prominent political or military figures — is indicative of a new strategy involving the “designation of seemingly random targets.” The lists are meant to stimulate lone wolf attacks and promote “widespread fear,” a known tactic of terrorism used to wear down a civilization into submitting to the demands of the terrorists.

Although fighting against ISIS’ cyber division may sound daunting, the information is not necessarily hacked. Rather, said Espenshade, the group often is publishing information that can be accessed online.

“So it’s a matter of not necessarily hacking but really searching,” he explained.

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EDITORS NOTE: India Ashok from IBTimes reports, “A separate, yet related report by WSMV, highlights that the FBI has been notifying some residents in the Nashville area, alerting them about having been included in the kill list.

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