Islamist Terror Tactics Used in Nice - Already Known

1.   RT reports 16 Jul, 2016  https://www.rt.com/news/351564-nice-attack-isis-claim/

The Islamic State terror group has claimed responsibility for the truck attack in Nice, France, that left 84 people dead, according to ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency.

“The person who carried out the operation in Nice, France, to run down people was one of the soldiers of Islamic State,” Amaq said via its Telegram account.

“He carried out the operation in response to calls to target nationals of states that are part of the coalition fighting Islamic State.”

       

2.   The following two year old academic journal document reveals tactics strikingly similar to those used by the Islamist terrorist in Nice. That is driving into crowds and then using a gun:

Petter Nesser and Anne Stenersen, “The Modus Operandi of Jihadi Terrorists in Europe”, Perspectives on Terrorism, Vol 8, No 6 (2014)  http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/388/html and also at https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/186933/397-2679-2-PB.pdf

Abstract

This article provides the most thorough overview yet of how jihadis have plotted terrorist attacks in Europe. Drawing on a database of 122 incidents, we review trends in weapon types, attack types and target types in the period 1994–2013. The overall finding is that jihadi terrorism in Europe is becoming more discriminate in its targeting while attack types and weapons are becoming progressively more diverse. The most likely scenarios in the coming three to five years are bomb attacks and armed assaults against sub-national entities, communities and individuals. A majority of the terrorist attacks will be limited in scope, but mass-casualty terrorism cannot be excluded. Foreign fighters from Syria are likely to influence the threat level in Europe, but we do not expect them to alter patterns in modus operandi dramatically.

Under subheading: “Most Likely Tactical Innovations”

[Page 19] “Another scenario contemplated by jihadis is the use of vehicles as weapons. The method was first described in an infamous Inspire magazine article from 2010 entitled “The ultimate mowing machine.”[63 - “The ultimate mowing machine,” Inspire No. 2 (Fall 2010), pp. 53-57.] It suggested welding steel blades on a pickup truck and then ramming it into a crowd of people, and following up with a handgun attack if possible. Reportedly, the perpetrators of the “Pak-Bengali Plot Luton” in 2012 discussed ramming cars into crowds of people, while making references to the idea presented inInspire magazine.”