Internet servers linked to the ISIS have been seized in Canada as part of a multinational takedown of the terrorist group’s propaganda network, Europol said Friday.
Europol stated thatCanada joined with the European Union and United States in the coordinated police action that targeted the ISIS mouthpiece Amaq.
The ISIS-branded al-Bayan radio and Nashir News were also targets.
The raids took place Wednesday and Thursday, Europol said, adding the operation had resulted in “the seizure of IS servers” in the Netherlands, Canada and U.S.
“With this groundbreaking operation we have punched a big hole in the capability of IS to spread propaganda online and radicalize young people in Europe,” said Europol executive director Rob Wainwright.
No arrests were made in Canada.
The RCMP and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale’s office responded to questions about Canada’s role in the investigation with a statement that contained no information about the case.
RCMP said, “As this relates to an ongoing law enforcement operation, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”
Since arising in Syria and Iraq in 2014, ISIS has made heavy use of online propaganda, producing slick videos and graphics to spread its message of violence and incite terrorist attacks.
The main ISIS propaganda outlet, Amaq distributes the terrorist group’s claims of responsibility for attacks as well as many of its threats and calls to violence.
European police struck Amaq’s mobile application and web infrastructure in August 2016, but the group responded by building “a more complex and secure infrastructure to prevent further disruption,” Europol said.
ISIS has now lost much of the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria and the international police push was aimed at shrinking its online presence as well.
Canadian extremists have long played a role in terrorist propaganda.
