In light of the devastating Paris attack that took place over the past weekend, leaving hundreds of citizens with severe injuries and an alarming number of fatalities, French President Mr. Francois Hollande condemned the act as an outright declaration of war. Promptly responding to this stark statement, France’s military launched an attack using fighter jets against infamous ISIS strongholds, mainly focusing on the strategic city of Raqqa, now a self-proclaimed capital for the vile militants.
As these tense developments unfold, an unexpected ally has surfaced in this grim scenario – Anonymous. This group, known around the globe for a unique blend of activism and hacking, goes against the grain of conventional moral standards. Often clashing with governing bodies, they self-identify as ethical hackers, driven by a mission to dutifully expose unscrupulous activities- predominantly on the internet. Bearing this in mind, an intriguing statement appeared on Hacker News from Anonymous, proclaiming: “Anonymous from all over the world will hunt you down. Expect massive cyber attacks. War is declared. Get prepared.”
“We are closing in, and you will not be able to evade us. We are launching the most complete operation in our history against you,” warned an Anonymous spokesperson. “The resilient French people are far stronger than you and will emerge from this horrifying atrocity with even greater fortitude.” Even if the nuances of the French language escape you, the inscriptions on the provided video serve as clear indicators of their genuine sympathy towards the tormented citizens of France.
Terrorism, an evil that has been rearing its head from Asia to Africa and the Western world, is a complex issue causing international concern. Governments globally have been striving, albeit with difficulty, to combat these faceless enemies. As it stands, every innovative strategy to combat these destructive groups is imperative and welcomed. Perhaps, if traditional warfare fails to eliminate the threat, the internet, with the help of groups like Anonymous, can be the new frontier in this ongoing battle.