Two separate videos have been posted on the internet allegedly showing fighters with T&T links involved in the Isis conflict in recent weeks. One of the videos, which runs for 47 seconds, was posted earlier this year on United Kingdom-based video-sharing website LiveLeak.
The video entitled, “21 plus....Graphic and Disgusting...Foreign terrorists in Syria playing with the head of a Syrian citizen after they beheaded him,” purports to show Islamic insurgents playing with the head of a decapitated man in Syria, and features a man talking with what appears to be a Trinidadian accent. The second was posted by ISIS media arm Al-Hayat on August 2. Titled, “Eid greeting from the land of Khilafah,” it sought to invite international Muslims to join the self-proclaimed caliphate.
That video also showed an ISIS fighter, who identified himself as Abu Abdurahman al-Trinidadi encouraging Muslims to join the organisation. “I’m feeling like I’m still dreaming,” Abu Abdurahman al-Trinidadi, who reports said was a US fighter originally from Trinidad, said in the video. “You have to be here to understand what I’m saying. If you stand away you will not understand,” he added.
Al-Trinidadi was holding a young child in his hand and was standing with another man who was identified as having Trini roots as well. (To see it, scroll to 15.20.)
Al-Trinidadi’s interview was used in a subsequent CNN report highlighting the death of American-born Isis fighter Douglas McArthur McCain in Syria. McCain was the second American who has been killed fighting for Isis. That CNN report also highlighted the fact that hundreds of foreigners were joining the Isis cause.
Local Muslim organisations have, however, denied any knowledge of Trinis’ involvement in Isis fighting. When asked to confirm whether there were Trinis involved with Isis during her trip to New York, Persad-Bissessar said there was no evidence to prove this.