Islamic State Explains its Policy Towards Lone-Actor Attacks Like New Orleans

Al-Naba 477, editorial on page three

The Islamic State (IS) released the 477th edition of its weekly newsletter, Al-Naba, on 9 January. The main editorial was devoted to the New Orleans terrorist attack that took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day. IS explains its relationship to that specific attack, and sets it in the context of a broader explanation of its current policy towards lone-actor terrorism in the West, including how it chooses which attacks to officially claim. A translation of the editorial is given below.