TRACWatch
Weekly Analyst Review
Image Above: Suspected BOT/TROLL identified
Bottom Line Up Front: With the U.S. galvanized on protests throughout the country following the death of George Floyd, TRAC Analyst, Kelsey Tamplin presents an interesting case study on the use of BOTS trolling Black Lives Matters (BLM) to infiltrate media sources. Tamplin identifies online posers trolling to promote disinformation and/or racist, right-wing and radical beliefs during the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests. One local media news station in Austin, Texas experienced an insta nce where a suspected BOT was randomly commenting as if attending a local protest. The example of the social media trolling may also just be a sample of accelerationists and racist postings attempting to stir up the audience watching the protests and create tension. The profile positioned did not have active accounts on either Facebook or Twitter but was able to comment in the media live stream of both platforms. In at least one conversation, users openly speculated the accounts were Russian contrived.
Top Incidents & Analysis
As-Sahab Media For al-Qaeda Central Command (AQC): One Ummah #2 Magazine Focused on United States Black Lives Matter Protests, Economy and COVID-19 Response
From the Coronavirus to the U.S. protests, Al-Qaeda focused on the United States, the latest edition One Ummah focused two of its p rimary articles on America. TRAC Analyst, Sophia Badawy reports from London that Al-Qaeda proclaims that God is punishing the United States not just with the Coronavirus, but also with internal divisions, racism, an economy in shambles, and attacks by Mujahideen. Al-Qaeda compares the protests in the United States to the Arab Spring protests in Egypt in 2011, saying that like the Egyptians revolted the murder of Khalid Saeed, Americans are now revolting the murder of George Floyd. In addition, al-Qaeda mentioned that as Muammar Gaddafi had threatened the Libyan population in his 'Zanqa Zanqa' speech, Trump also has threatened the US population with lethal weapons and hunting dogs. The article speculates if Trump will have the same fate as Gadhafi or if he will crush the protests as Sisi did in al-Nahda and Rabaa.
Photo Above:  The One Ummah issues its latest edition with two primary articles focusing on coronavirus and racial unrest in the United States .
Photo Above: Reaction in Mexico seen in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosi
(Videos / Left Wing Anonymous Anarchist) - Arson Attacks and Riots Erupt Against Police Repression in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico
As protests and riots erupt in various cities throughout the United States over the recent death of George Floyd, anarchists in other countries are using the protests in the U.S. reaction as an opportunity to further their anti-government and anti-police agenda by creating riots in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests. In early June, anarchists claimed a riot before the High Court in Paris, a riot on the US embassy in Athens and an arson attack on the US Consulate in Zurich, all in 'solidarity.' TRAC Analyst, Hylda Fenton also analyzed unrest in Mexico with arson attacks and riots against "Police Repression" in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The fact that the anarchists incidents occurred in 5 different areas indicates a coordinated effort to capitalize on the anger generated by the death of Floyd.
Nigerian Soldiers During Raid on Auno Village, Barracks Destroyed, Borno, Nigeria
TRAC Senior Analyst Daniel Lebowitz reports that on 6 June 2020 Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) militants raided the village of Auno, a village roughly twenty miles west from Maidiguri along the highway linking Borno and Yobe states (the regions where ISWA operate). An hours long gunfight resulted in the confused retreat of Nigerian soldiers stationed there, and ISWA fighters burnt down the local barracks and seized ammunition/weapons. At least 6 soldiers were killed, and 45 remain unaccounted for, though they probably ran into the jungle and escaped. ISWA and Boko Haram have attacked Auno in the past due to its strategic location, most infamously in February 2019, when dozens of civilians were killed. In April 2020, a nearly identical attack occurred, the military barracks in Auno was raided by ISWA, seizing weapons and ammunition and causing the garrison to flee in retreat. 
Image (above): (Claim) Islamic State West Africa (ISWA): Yesterday, 8 soldiers were killed, others wounded during an attack on their barracks in Auno, weapons and ammunition seized and barracks burnt down- Borno, Nigeria- 7 June 2020
On Our Radar:
TRAC INCIDENT REPORT: Nikolas Fernandez Intentionally Drives into Crowd of Black Lives Matter (BLM) Protestors, Exits Vehicle With Handgun Shooting One in Capitol Hill Neighborhood, Seattle, Washington
TRAC INCIDENT REPORT: Harry H. Rogers aka 'Skip', Self Proclaimed Hanover Ku Klux Klan (KKK) Leader Vehicle Attack on Black Lives Matter (BLM) Protesters in Lakeside, Henrico Country, Virginia, United States
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