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Amaq News Agency Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Amaq News Agency: Operations and Affiliation

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Amaq News Agency: Operations and Affiliation Study Guide

Founding and Origins of Amaq News Agency

Amaq News Agency was established on August 14, 2014, with Syrian journalist Baraa Kadek among its founders.

Answer: True

Explanation: Amaq News Agency was established on August 14, 2014, with Syrian journalist Baraa Kadek among its founders.

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The name "Amaq" is derived from the Amik Valley, a location mentioned in Islamic tradition (hadith) as a site of future victory.

Answer: True

Explanation: The name "Amaq" is derived from the Amik Valley, which is referenced in Islamic tradition (hadith) as a site associated with future victories.

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Amaq News Agency was established in 2013 by a single journalist named Abu Muhammad al-Furqan.

Answer: False

Explanation: Amaq News Agency was founded on August 14, 2014, not in 2013, and it was established by multiple individuals, including Abu Muhammad al-Furqan and Baraa Kadek, not a single journalist.

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The name "Amaq" is derived from a battle fought by the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca.

Answer: False

Explanation: The name "Amaq" originates from the Amik Valley, a location mentioned in Islamic tradition (hadith), not from a battle fought by the Prophet Muhammad in Mecca.

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When was Amaq News Agency established?

Answer: August 14, 2014

Explanation: Amaq News Agency was established on August 14, 2014.

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What is the origin of the name "Amaq"?

Answer: The Amik Valley, mentioned in an Islamic tradition (hadith).

Explanation: The name "Amaq" is derived from the Amik Valley, a location referenced in Islamic tradition (hadith) as a site associated with future victories.

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Amaq's Operational Modus Operandi

Amaq News Agency publishes its content in both Arabic and English.

Answer: True

Explanation: Amaq News Agency disseminates its content in multiple languages, including both Arabic and English, to reach a broader audience.

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Amaq News Agency launched an official mobile application in 2015 and utilized a Telegram account for distribution.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 2015, Amaq News Agency expanded its distribution channels by launching an official mobile application, complementing its use of Telegram.

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Amaq publishes short news reports using text and video, adopting journalistic conventions like "Breaking News" headings and attempting a neutral tone.

Answer: True

Explanation: Amaq News Agency employs journalistic conventions, such as 'Breaking News' headings and a neutral tone, in its short text and video reports.

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Amaq News Agency only publishes content in English to reach a global audience.

Answer: False

Explanation: Amaq News Agency publishes its content in multiple languages, including both Arabic and English, rather than exclusively in English.

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Amaq News Agency's reporting style is characterized by highly inflammatory jihadist rhetoric, similar to other IS propaganda.

Answer: False

Explanation: Amaq News Agency's reporting style attempts to adopt journalistic conventions and a neutral tone, differing from the highly inflammatory jihadist rhetoric found in some other IS propaganda.

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Which languages does Amaq News Agency utilize for its publications?

Answer: Arabic and English

Explanation: Amaq News Agency publishes its content in both Arabic and English.

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Besides a WordPress blog and Telegram, what technological distribution method did Amaq News Agency launch in 2015?

Answer: An official mobile application

Explanation: In 2015, Amaq News Agency launched an official mobile application to distribute its content, in addition to its use of platforms like Telegram and previously a WordPress blog.

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What warning did Amaq News Agency issue regarding its mobile app?

Answer: That unofficial versions had reportedly been used to spy on users.

Explanation: Amaq News Agency warned users against unofficial versions of its mobile app, suggesting they might have been used for spying.

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How does Amaq News Agency typically present its news reports?

Answer: Through short text and video reports mimicking mainstream journalism.

Explanation: Amaq News Agency typically publishes short news reports using text and video, adopting conventions that mimic mainstream journalism.

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Amaq's Role in ISIS Propaganda and Claims

Amaq News Agency first gained notice from monitoring groups during the Siege of Kobanî in 2014.

Answer: True

Explanation: Monitoring groups first became aware of Amaq News Agency's activities during the Siege of Kobanî in 2014, marking its initial emergence into public and analytical view.

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Amaq News Agency became more widely known after reporting claims of responsibility for attacks in Western countries, exemplified by the 2015 San Bernardino attack.

Answer: True

Explanation: The agency's profile significantly increased following its reporting of claims of responsibility for attacks in Western nations, notably the 2015 San Bernardino attack.

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An Amaq cameraman captured the first footage of the Islamic State's capture of Palmyra in 2015.

Answer: True

Explanation: An Amaq cameraman was responsible for documenting the initial footage of the Islamic State's capture of Palmyra in 2015.

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In March 2024, Amaq News Agency disseminated the claim of responsibility by IS-K for the Crocus City Hall attack.

Answer: True

Explanation: Amaq News Agency disseminated the claim of responsibility by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS-K) for the Crocus City Hall attack in March 2024.

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Experts suggest Amaq functions similarly to a state-owned news agency for the Islamic State, despite IS not officially acknowledging it.

Answer: True

Explanation: Academic analyses suggest that Amaq operates akin to a state-owned news agency for the Islamic State, notwithstanding the group's lack of official acknowledgment.

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Graeme Wood argued that Amaq's claims of credit typically originate from its own specific sources within the organization, rather than solely scanning mainstream media.

Answer: True

Explanation: Graeme Wood posited that Amaq's claims of responsibility generally stem from its internal sources rather than exclusively from monitoring external media.

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In the summer of 2017, Amaq made demonstrably false claims concerning the Resorts World Manila attack and alleged bombs at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the summer of 2017, Amaq News Agency disseminated demonstrably false claims, including those related to the Resorts World Manila attack and alleged bombings at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

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Amaq News Agency is officially acknowledged by the Islamic State as its primary state-owned media outlet.

Answer: False

Explanation: While experts suggest Amaq functions similarly to a state-owned news agency for the Islamic State, the group does not officially acknowledge it as such.

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Amaq News Agency gained significant attention for its reporting during the Battle of Mosul.

Answer: False

Explanation: Amaq News Agency first gained significant attention from monitoring groups during the Siege of Kobanî in 2014, not during the Battle of Mosul.

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Amaq News Agency claimed responsibility for the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting based on information gathered by its own reporters on the scene.

Answer: False

Explanation: Amaq News Agency claimed responsibility for the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, but this claim was made without prior knowledge of the attack by the agency, not based on information gathered by its reporters on the scene.

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According to Rukmini Callimachi, the Islamic State only claims responsibility for attacks directly carried out by IS personnel.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to Rukmini Callimachi, the Islamic State claims responsibility not only for attacks directly carried out by its personnel but also for acts inspired by its propaganda.

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According to Rita Katz, Amaq typically indicates an IS-inspired attack by referring to the perpetrator as a "hero of Islam".

Answer: False

Explanation: According to Rita Katz, Amaq typically indicates an IS-inspired attack by referring to the perpetrator as a "soldier of the caliphate," not as a "hero of Islam".

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What is the primary affiliation of Amaq News Agency?

Answer: A news outlet linked to the Islamic State (IS).

Explanation: Amaq News Agency is identified as a news outlet closely associated with the Islamic State (IS), often serving as its primary channel for disseminating claims of responsibility.

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During which conflict did Amaq News Agency first gain attention from monitoring groups?

Answer: The Siege of Kobanî

Explanation: Amaq News Agency first gained attention from monitoring groups during the Siege of Kobanî in 2014.

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Which event significantly increased Amaq News Agency's wider recognition?

Answer: Its reporting of claims of responsibility for terrorist attacks in Western countries.

Explanation: Amaq News Agency's recognition increased significantly after it began reporting claims of responsibility for terrorist attacks in Western countries.

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What significant event in Palmyra did Amaq News Agency document in 2015?

Answer: The Islamic State's capture of the city.

Explanation: In 2015, an Amaq cameraman captured the first footage of the Islamic State's capture of Palmyra.

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How did Amaq News Agency claim responsibility for the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting?

Answer: Without prior knowledge of the attack by the agency.

Explanation: Amaq News Agency claimed responsibility for the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, but this claim was made without prior knowledge of the attack by the agency.

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Which major attack in Russia did Amaq claim responsibility for in March 2024?

Answer: The Crocus City Hall attack

Explanation: In March 2024, Amaq News Agency claimed responsibility for the Crocus City Hall attack near Moscow.

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Experts like Charlie Winter and Rita Katz describe Amaq's operational role for IS as being similar to what?

Answer: A state-owned news agency.

Explanation: Experts describe Amaq's operational role for the Islamic State as being similar to that of a state-owned news agency.

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According to Rukmini Callimachi, what is the Islamic State's basis for claiming responsibility for attacks?

Answer: For acts inspired by its propaganda as well as those carried out by its personnel.

Explanation: According to Rukmini Callimachi, the Islamic State claims responsibility for acts inspired by its propaganda as well as those directly carried out by its personnel.

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What did Graeme Wood argue about the sources Amaq uses for claiming credit?

Answer: That Amaq's claims typically originate from its own specific sources within the organization.

Explanation: Graeme Wood argued that Amaq's claims of credit typically originate from its own specific sources within the organization, rather than solely from scanning mainstream media.

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Which of the following was NOT among Amaq's false claims in the summer of 2017?

Answer: An IS presence in the Sinai Peninsula.

Explanation: False claims made by Amaq in the summer of 2017 included connections to the Resorts World Manila attack and alleged bombs at Charles de Gaulle Airport, as well as responsibility for the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. An IS presence in the Sinai Peninsula was not listed among these false claims.

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How does Rita Katz explain that Amaq typically indicates that the Islamic State inspired an attack?

Answer: By referring to the perpetrator as a "soldier of the caliphate".

Explanation: According to Rita Katz, Amaq typically indicates that the Islamic State inspired an attack by referring to the perpetrator as a "soldier of the caliphate".

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How did Amaq report on centrally coordinated attacks by the Islamic State, according to Rita Katz?

Answer: They were typically announced by both Amaq and IS's central media command.

Explanation: According to Rita Katz, centrally coordinated attacks by the Islamic State were typically announced by both Amaq News Agency and IS's central media command.

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Challenges, Resilience, and Official Status

The U.S. Department of State officially designated Amaq News Agency as an alias of the Islamic State (IS) in March 2019.

Answer: True

Explanation: In March 2019, the U.S. Department of State formally designated Amaq News Agency as an alias of the Islamic State (IS), classifying it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

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Belgian police reported a successful cyberattack against Amaq in November 2019, temporarily disabling its communication channels.

Answer: True

Explanation: In November 2019, Belgian police executed a successful cyberattack against Amaq, which temporarily disrupted its communication infrastructure.

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Following cyberattacks, Amaq has maintained an online presence primarily by utilizing dark web platforms.

Answer: True

Explanation: Post-cyberattack, Amaq News Agency has sustained its online presence predominantly through the utilization of dark web platforms.

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Amaq News Agency's founder, Baraa Kadek, was reportedly killed in an attack in Pakistan in 2018.

Answer: False

Explanation: Amaq's founder, Baraa Kadek, was reportedly killed by an American airstrike near Mayadin in May 2017, not in Pakistan in 2018.

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The U.S. government designated Amaq News Agency as a legitimate news organization in 2019.

Answer: False

Explanation: In March 2019, the U.S. Department of State designated Amaq News Agency as an alias of the Islamic State (IS) and a Foreign Terrorist Organization, not as a legitimate news organization.

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Belgian police's 2019 cyberattack permanently destroyed Amaq's infrastructure, rendering it defunct.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Belgian police conducted a cyberattack in 2019 that temporarily disabled Amaq's communication channels, it did not permanently destroy its infrastructure, as the agency has since maintained an online presence.

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What was the reported cause of death for Amaq's founder, Baraa Kadek, in May 2017?

Answer: Killed by an American airstrike near Mayadin.

Explanation: Amaq's founder, Baraa Kadek, was reportedly killed by an American airstrike near Mayadin in May 2017.

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What official designation did the U.S. Department of State apply to Amaq News Agency in March 2019?

Answer: An alias of the Islamic State (IS) and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Explanation: In March 2019, the U.S. Department of State designated Amaq News Agency as an alias of the Islamic State (IS) and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

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What action did Belgian police take against Amaq in November 2019?

Answer: Launched a successful cyberattack against Amaq's servers.

Explanation: In November 2019, Belgian police launched a successful cyberattack against Amaq, which temporarily disabled its communication channels.

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How has Amaq managed to maintain its online presence after facing cyberattacks?

Answer: Primarily by utilizing dark web platforms.

Explanation: Following cyberattacks, Amaq News Agency has maintained its online presence primarily by utilizing dark web platforms.

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ISIS Historical Context and Leadership

The Islamic State is listed as a precursor organization to Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad.

Answer: False

Explanation: Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (1999-2004) is listed as a precursor organization to the Islamic State, not the other way around.

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The Khorasan Province, an international branch of IS mentioned, operates primarily in North Africa.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Khorasan Province, an international branch of IS, operates primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, not North Africa.

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The Battle of Mosul marked a significant territorial *gain* for the Islamic State.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Battle of Mosul (2016-2017) marked a significant territorial *loss* for the Islamic State, representing a major blow to its caliphate.

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Which of the following individuals is listed as a *former* leader of the Islamic State in the text?

Answer: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Explanation: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is listed among the notable former leaders of the Islamic State in the provided text, distinct from current leaders such as Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.

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Which of the following is listed as a precursor organization to the Islamic State?

Answer: Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad

Explanation: Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (1999-2004) is listed as a precursor organization to the Islamic State.

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The Khorasan Province, an international branch of IS mentioned, operates primarily in which region?

Answer: Afghanistan and Pakistan

Explanation: The Khorasan Province, an international branch of IS, operates primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Which major conflict has the Islamic State been involved in, according to the text?

Answer: Both B and C

Explanation: The text indicates the Islamic State has been involved in the Second Libyan Civil War and the War in Afghanistan (post-2001), among other conflicts.

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What was the significance of the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017) for the Islamic State?

Answer: It marked a major loss of territory and a blow to IS's caliphate.

Explanation: The Battle of Mosul (2016-2017) marked a significant territorial loss for the Islamic State, representing a major blow to its self-proclaimed caliphate.

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What types of human rights abuses are associated with the Islamic State?

Answer: Persecution of minorities, killing of captives, and destruction of cultural heritage.

Explanation: The Islamic State is associated with severe human rights abuses, including the persecution of minorities, killing of captives, and destruction of cultural heritage.

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What role did foreign fighters play in relation to the Islamic State?

Answer: They joined IS ranks from various countries, participating in conflicts.

Explanation: Foreign fighters played a significant role in the Islamic State's operations, joining its ranks from numerous countries to participate in conflicts.

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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a type of media produced by the Islamic State?

Answer: Feature films distributed in cinemas

Explanation: The Islamic State produced various media, including magazines and radio broadcasts, but feature films distributed in cinemas are not mentioned as part of their output.

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