Martyrdom video

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Martyrdom videos are video recordings of terrorists who are about to take part in a suicide attack and expect to die during their intended actions. They typically include a statement by the person preparing to be a martyr for their cause. While they are all home made, some of them incorporate text, music and sentimental clips.

Such videos are widely circulated for propaganda purposes following the event by the groups behind them.

The videos are intended to preserve their memory of their subjects, and to justify and glorify their actions. They may also serve the function of committing their makers to their actions, by making a public statement of commitment that they feel they cannot go back on.

Martydom videos have been common features of Middle Eastern and Muslim fundamentalist terrorism, and most recently in that associated with al-Qaeda.