A new video from the ISIS propaganda department began to circulate on Wednesday. The footage shows terrorists readying for attacks with tape and grenades as footage of New York City landmarks flash by. Times Square, Herald Square, and T.G.I Fridays make the cut in a rather spiffy production setting. This isn’t the first we’ve seen of ISIS threatening Manhattan, but the video is reportedly a new one, as it shows footage of French President François Hollande during a speech he made following Friday’s coordinated attacks on Paris.
Following those attacks, ISIS quickly claimed responsibility and promised this would be “the first of the storm.” In this new video, Hollande is seen saying, “It’s horrible.” Those words are followed by a flashing of the following phrase: “And what’s coming next will be far worse and more bitter.” We’ve seen some of this footage before, but these messages are new, which would ideally prompt authorities to take proper precautions.
Speaking to CBS New York, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Stephen Davis says there are no specific threats on New York at this time:
“While there is no current or specific threat to the City at this time, we will remain at a heightened state of vigilance and will continue to work with the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the entire intelligence community to keep the City of New York safe. In addition, we are continuing to deploy additional Critical Response Command (CRC) teams throughout the City, out of an abundance of caution.”
Let’s hope Davis’ words ring true.