The group first started emerging publicly in early 2012, after being founded sometime in late 2011. Many members of the group had taken part in the 2008–09 Oslo riots. In September 2012, in connection to the worldwide Reactions to Innocence of Muslims the organization held a demonstration of around 150 people in front of the United States embassy in Oslo. The views expressed by the demonstrators at the event were later denounced as being "islamo-fascist". During the demonstrations, which included several ex-convicts, the speakers praised the late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, whom a group spokesperson called "the most learned Muslim who has stood up for Islam". One month later, the group confirmed to have sent "several dozen" members to the Syrian Civil War as fighters, as well as having one member already killed during the Battle of Aleppo. At the same time, the group warned of possible attacks against Norway.