British Intelligence bomb Taliban with SMS in psychological warfare

According to an article in The Sun, SMS - instead of leaflets falling from the sky - are being used in psychological warfare by the British in Afghanistan - a concept used by military institutions throughout history. [via SMS Text News]

"Taliban fighters in Afghanistan are being bombarded by a devastating new British weapon — the text message.

"Intelligence chiefs find out the numbers of the enemy’s mobile phones then send them waves of messages to confuse them and destroy morale.

Texts range from simple abuse such as “We know who you are, give up” or “Go home, you’ll never beat us”. Others are disguised as messages from comrades to spread duff information.

The text attacks are carried out by the 15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group, based at the Intelligence Corps’ HQ in Chicksands, Beds."

Elsewhere:

-- SMS text messages urge rebels to surrender in exchange for a fair trial - Russia's intelligence services have found a new way of getting a surrender appeal to Chechen separatist rebels. They are sending it on mobile phones by SMS text message.

-- Lebanon. Psychological warfare on phone - Cell phones and land lines across Lebanon have been ringing with automated, recorded messages - part of a propaganda war being waged along with Israel's assault on Lebanon

-- Israel steps up "psy-ops" in Lebanon - Israel is deploying a range of old and new technologies in Lebanon as part of the psychological operations ("psyops") campaign supplementing its military attacks

emily | 8:41 PM | SMS and Politics |
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