Mysterious writer behind ISIS-K propaganda calls himself 'the Canadian'

A mysterious writer making propaganda for an Afghan branch of ISIS claimed to be based somewhere in Canada which, experts say, could be cause for concern for authorities.

Voice of Khurasan, an online publication used by the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISIS-K), which is suspected of being behind the Moscow attack that killed at least 140 people last week, includes several contributions from a person who publishes under the name Sulaiman Dawood al-Kanadie.

The last part of the handle means «the Canadian» in Arabic and has been used by several high-profile ISIS members from Canada in the past.

Sulaiman Dawood al-Kanadie appears as the author of a sprawling June 2023 essay, in which he seems to suggest that he is living under the radar in a Western country. He chastises Muslim men «especially where I live» who are more likely to «put on skinny jeans» and «fill their faces with food at a 'Free Syria' or 'Free Palestine'» fundraiser than commit to fighting in an armed conflict on behalf of ISIS.

His name appears again on a July 2023 piece demanding a jihadist invasion of Israel and again in the August issue, where he says the West has grown bolder «as they are now back to oppressing and killing Muslims, burning Qur'an, and occupying Muslims' settlements in Palestine.»

Researcher makes contact

Riccardo Valle, the director of research for the Islamabad-based publication Khorasan Diary, has been tracking al-Kanadie and others in the broader ISIS-K movement, by posing online as a supporter. He made contact with al-Kanadie and provided CBC News with screenshots of discussions with him about his work for Voice of Khurasan.

«He told me that he was in Canada, but he didn't tell me from which part of Canada,» said Valle.

Valle provided