In brief
Authorities indicate the attacker had no active ties to the group but was clearly motivated by its messaging.
The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed that the individual responsible for the tragic New Orleans attack, which claimed 14 lives, was influenced by its online propaganda. However, in a recent bulletin, they stopped short of directly claiming responsibility for the incident that unfolded on New Year’s Day. Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas, drove a truck decorated with an ISIS flag into a crowded Bourbon Street. The attacker was killed following a confrontation with police. In a recorded message for his family, Jabbar reportedly expressed allegiance to the terrorist group.Despite no direct links to ISIS, the FBI stated he was fully inspired by its ideology. The group’s newsletter hinted at disdain for US media speculation regarding its response, while marking the importance of online content that promotes their narratives. Experts note a shift in ISIS's typical response to attacks, focusing on the need to spread their messages rather than claiming operational control over such tragic events.
