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ISIS Hacks US Central Command's Twitter Account, Claims to Hold 21 Coptic Christians in Libya

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jan 13, 2015

News broke Monday (Jan. 12) that ISIS militants had hacked into the U.S. Central Command’s Twitter account and composed a threatening message to the nation. 

“AMERICAN SOLDIERS,” the message read, “WE ARE COMING, WATCH YOUR BACK. ISIS.” Hackers also changed the account’s cover photo to a picture of a hooded man and the words, “I love you ISIS.” 

CBS reports Central Command (CENTCOM) suspended the account after it was hacked. CENTCOM also released a statement saying that hackers did not have any access to classified information. 

ISIS has also claimed that it has abducted 21 Egyptian Christians and is holding them in Libya. According to Christian Today, the Christians were taken from the Sirte province over several days. A report later said that 13 of the Christians had been released, but the report was never confirmed. 

SITE, an intelligence group that tracks the electronic communication of ISIS received a message that read, “Urgent. Soldiers of the Islamic State captured 21 Christian crusaders.” A photo of several men was attached to the message. 

Bisheer Estefanos, a resident of Minya, recognized his brothers in the photo. He said, “All we can do is pray to God for help.” 

Publication date: January 13, 2015