A group of extremists in Brazil has reportedly declared loyalty to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) less than three weeks before the country hosts the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
In what is believed to be the first public declaration from a group in South America, a channel called "Ansar al-Khilafah #Brazil"—on the Russian messaging app Telegram—has pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, The Daily Telegraph reports.
According to US-based SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi networks, one message reportedly said: "If the French police cannot stop attacks on its territory, training given to the Brazilian police will not do anything."
The message is a reference to the collaboration between Brazilian anti-extremism forces and their international counterparts.
1) Pledge to #ISIS by "Ansar al-Khilafah #Brazil" is 1st to come from a group in #SouthAmerica https://t.co/FSe9oj1tDm
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) July 18, 2016
"Pledge comes shortly before Olympics," tweeted Rita Katz, director of SITE. "Western-language ISIS channels (English, Portuguese, Spanish, German, etc) showing drastic increase in both quality and speed."
Security measures at Brazil's main airports were increased in response to the tragic events in Nice, France, where a truck drove into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing 84 people.
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