US-UAE anti-terrorism centre launches online campaign to stop ISIS propaganda

New campaign launched following spate of terror attacks across Europe

ISIS militants hold up their weapons and wave flags on their vehicles in a convoy on a road in Raqqa, Syria, in 2018. AP

A joint UAE and US anti-extremism centre launched a campaign to combat terrorist ideologies online with the aim of promoting positive alternatives, on Sunday.

Sawab Centre will target ISIS propaganda perpetuated across social media as part of the #DaeshLies campaign from November 23 to 30 in Arabic, English and French.

Former ISIS members will discuss how they traveled to fight for the terrorist organisation, known as Daesh in Arabic, in Iraq and Syria, only to discover that the group’s promises of a utopia were nothing but lies.

From new converts who needed guidance and were seeking answers, to disturbed individuals who were already leaning towards extreme views and radicalisation, #DaeshLies will feature narratives that highlight how ISIS exploited internet users.

The more we understand violent extremists’ tactics, the more effectively we can protect the most vulnerable members of our society from the dangers of radicalisation, reported state news agency Wam.

The centre's 52nd campaign, launched on Sunday, follows a spate of terrorist attacks across Europe.

Created in 2015 amid the rise of ISIS, Sawab Centre was launched by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, and former undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, Richard Stengel.

The centre encourages governments, communities, and individual voices to engage proactively to counteract online extremism and promote positive alternate narratives to hateful ideology.

Over this time, the centre has given voice to millions of people around the world who oppose extremist ideologies, while supporting efforts to expose terrorist groups’ brutality and criminal nature.