Rumour alert: Via sponsored terror

A post recently appeared on the “Legitimate Targets” page on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that former Omar al‑Bashir, ex‑President of Sudan, accused the CIA of founding Boko Haram and ISIS. The claim is attributed to remarks made by al‑Bashir, who asserted that "CIA and the Mossad stand behind these organisations; there is no Muslim who would carry out such acts.” ([euronews][1])

At this stage, the report should be taken with a grain of salt: the interview was published in 2015 and the claim remains unsubstantiated. It is being circulated via non‑official channels.

The source of the spread in this instance is an American political commentator, Jackson Hinkle, known for his controversial views on international conflicts, including pro‑Russia and anti‑Israel positions. Hinkle has repeatedly referenced the al‑Bashir remark to bolster a narrative of U.S. intelligence complicity in Islamist militancy. The problem: even if the original comment exists, it does not equate to verifiable evidence that the CIA founded Boko Haram or ISIS.

To give this some factual context, it is not the first time U.S. intelligence agencies have been accused, right or wrong, of supporting or enabling extremist groups. Two notable historical examples:

The Iran‑Contra affair and allegations of CIA complicity in cocaine trafficking: During the 1980s the U.S. backed the Contras in Nicaragua, and some investigative reporting alleged that the CIA turned a blind eye to Contra‑linked drug‑trafficking networks used to finance those operations. ([Wikipedia][2])

Declassified CIA documents show the agency tracked Islamist terror networks in the U.S. early on. For example, a 1985 CIA report titled “Islamic Terrorists Operate U.S. Networks” discusses the existence of radical Islamic safe‑houses and support structures operating within the U.S.—though it does not claim the CIA created them. ([CIA][3])

These examples illustrate that intelligence agencies’ involvement with extremist milieus is fraught and often murky. That said, accusation and proof of founding a terror organisation are two very different things and the al‑Bashir quote circulates in the latter category.

What to keep in mind:

The original claim, while sourced to a 2015 interview, lacks independent verification of the CIA having founded Boko Haram or ISIS.

The mention on X is being circulated without new evidence or sourcing; caution and skepticism are warranted.

While intelligence agencies have conducted covert operations which sometimes blur into morally or legally questionable territory, to date there is no publicly released declassified document showing a definitive “CIA‑founding” of these groups.

Narratives of “intelligence agency created terrorism” are compelling but they often simplify extremely complicated geopolitical, ideological, and regional dynamics.

Conclusion:

Treat the rumour as unverified. It may serve as a starting point for deeper investigation, but for now it remains an unsubstantiated claim. Viewers and readers should remain mindful of how narrative framing can drive particular geopolitical interpretations especially when advanced by commentators with defined ideological orientations.

Sources

[1]: https://www.euronews.com/2015/02/16/cia-and-mossad-are-behind-boko-haram-and-isil-says-sudan-president?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Exclusive: CIA and Mossad are behind Boko Haram and ISIL, says Sudan president | Euronews"

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_involvement_in_Contra_cocaine_trafficking?utm_source=chatgpt.com "CIA involvement in Contra cocaine trafficking"

[3]: https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00965r000100060013-4?utm_source=chatgpt.com "ISLAMIC TERRORISTS OPERATE U.S. NETWORKS, OFFICIALS SAY | CIA FOIA (foia.cia.gov)"