ISIS group’s official al-Naba newsletter declared it “A new source of horror for the apostates!” in their campaign to shift to weaponized drone attacks.
The campaign triggered euphoric discussions by the group’s supporters on social-media platforms used by Islamic militant groups, as well as predictions that armed drones would soon be deployed elsewhere.
The sudden availability of cheap, remote-controlled flying machines did not escape the notice of terrorists groups. The Islamic State is only the latest in a long line of militant organizations that have acquired drones and attempted to modify them for their own purposes.