“Iran’s top diplomat visited Lebanon’s border with Israel on Friday where he
expressed support for the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group in its struggle
against their common enemy: Israel. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian
began his visit to Lebanon since Wednesday, meeting top officials and
expressing Tehran’s readiness to help build power stations in an effort to try
to end the Mediterranean country’s prevailing electricity crisis. Lebanon is in
the throes of the worst economic crisis in its modern history, rooted in
decades of corruption and mismanagement by the small nation’s ruling class. The
crisis erupted in October 2019 and has plunged three quarters of Lebanon’s 6
million people, including 1 million Syrian refugees, into poverty.”











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Eye on Extremism



May 2, 2023



AFP News: Turkey Offers Details Of Islamic State Chief's Death
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“Turkey released new details Monday about its successful operation against the
Islamic State's global chief, saying he died by setting off a suicide vest to
avoid being detained. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Sunday the death
of the ‘suspected leader of Daesh, codename Abu Hussein al-Qurashi’. Turkey's
Anadolu state news agency gave his full name as Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini
al-Qurashi, saying he joined IS in 2013 and quickly rose through the jihadist
group's ranks. Turkish media also released images of a fenced-off building in
the middle of a field where it said Qurashi was hiding in Syria's Afrin
province. A section of the two-story house was sheared off, apparently from
blasts.”



Daily Pioneer: ISIS Recruitment In India Sees Spike
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“The number of recruits to the international terror outfit ISIS from India has
witnessed a sharp increase over the last few months. While the outfit recruited
21 radical youths in December 2022, the number jumped to 28 in January this
year followed by 37 gullible youths joining the terror group in February, 36 in
March and this spiraled up to 68 in April, counter-terror experts tracking the
group said. They said the number of the recruits is more from Karnataka and
Rajasthan and the same is steadily rising. ISIS has recruited the youth through
online mode and enrolled them for radicalization and terror training on the
Dark Web Academy set up by the outfit. ISIS identified the youths by contacting
them online through social media platforms. A group specializing in gathering
data from universities by hacking and indulging in online theft under the
banner of Transparent Tribe gathered data of about 100 universities from India
in September/October last year.”



Iraq


Iraqi News: Iraqi Security Arrests 6 Terrorists In 3 Governorates
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“The Iraqi security announced on Monday the arrest of six terrorists in three
governorates, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported. The Iraqi security
mentioned in a statement that officers traced and arrested three terrorists,
INA mentioned. The statement indicated that one of these terrorists was on the
run in one of the countries and tried to enter the capital, Baghdad. The
statement elaborated that the Iraqi security arrested two suspects in the
northern Iraqi governorate of Kirkuk after being lured into a tight ambush. The
statement added that a third terrorist was arrested in the western Iraqi
governorate of Anbar.”



Turkey



Voice of America News: Turkey Detains Two Kurdish Journalists Over Terror
Allegations
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“Two Kurdish reporters have been detained in Turkey over terrorism
accusations, days ahead of that country’s May 14 presidential election
considered to be the biggest electoral challenge faced by President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan during his two decades in power. Sedat Yilmaz, an editor at the
Mesopotamia News Agency (MA), and Dicle Muftuoglu, co-chair of the Dicle Firat
Journalists Association, were taken into custody last week as part of an
investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Yilmaz’s wife, Selma, and his sister Filiz Yilmaz were also detained. The
journalists and their loved ones were detained in Turkey’s southeastern
Diyarbakir province. The move came two days after four other Kurdish
journalists were arrested by a Diyarbakir court over alleged links to the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which Turkey, the United States and the
European Union consider a terrorist organization.”



Anadolu Agency: Türkiye Freezes Assets Of 2 People Linked To Daesh/ISIS, Al-
Qaeda Terror Groups
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“Türkiye has decided to freeze the assets of two individuals linked to the
Daesh/ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorist organizations, in line with UN Security
Council (UNSC) resolutions. A decision to this effect was published in the
Official Gazette, which amended List No. 1 in the annex of the Council of
Ministers’ conclusions, dated Sept. 30, 2013 and numbered 2013/5428, on the
freezing of assets in the possession of persons, institutions or organizations
that fall under UNSC resolutions 1267, 1988 and 1989. Afghan nationals Mawlawi
Rajab Salahuddin and Sultan Aziz Azzam were added to the list of ‘Real Persons
Linked to Daesh/ISIS and al-Qaeda,’ according to the decision published with
the signature of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In 2013, Türkiye
became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist
organization. The country has since been attacked by the terror group multiple
times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more injured in at least 10
suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed assaults. In response,
Türkiye launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further
attacks.”



Pakistan



Tribune: Commander Among 7 Terrorists Held In Miran Shah IBO
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“The security forces on Monday apprehended seven terrorists, including
Commander Mehtab alias Lala belonging to Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, during an
intelligence based operation conducted on reported presence of terrorists in
general area Miran Shah, North Waziristan District. According to a statement
issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the arrested terrorists
were involved in numerous terrorist activities, especially target killings
against security forces as well as innocent citizens, and were highly wanted by
the security agencies. The military’s media wing stated locals of the area
appreciated the security forces’ operation and assured of their support in
eliminating the menace of terrorism. Separately, the security Forces conducted
two intelligence based operations in Tank and DI Khan on reported presence of
terrorists in the area.”



Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty: One Militant Killed, Seven Arrested In
Pakistan, Military Says
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“One militant was killed and seven others were arrested in raids on hideouts
of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e Taliban (TTP), near the Afghan
border on May 1, the military said in a statement. The radical group, which is
separate from the Afghan Taliban but is allied with it, has not commented on
the raids. TTP militants have staged a gradual comeback in Pakistan's tribal
districts following a deadlock with the Pakistani authorities in peace talks
launched last year. The Pakistani military has increased operations in the
region.”



Dawn: Slight Rise Observed In Militant Attacks In April, Says PICSS Report
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“The month of April this year witnessed a slight increase in the number of
terror incidents , as there were 48 militant attacks, which resulted in 68
deaths and 55 injuries, said a report released by the Pakistan Institute for
Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) on Monday. The previous month saw 39
militant attacks which led to 58 deaths and 73 injuries. There was a 23 per
cent increase in militant attacks, a 17 per cent increase in deaths, and a 25
per cent decrease in the number of injured people. Human losses among security
forces also witnessed a 35 per cent increase. The report claimed that security
forces responded by increasing their operations against militant groups.

Last month, they killed at least 41 militants and arrested 40 others.”



Middle East



The Times Of Israel: Rockets Fired, Terror Groups Warn ‘Price To Be Paid’ As
Hunger-Striking Suspect Dies
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“Four rockets were fired from Gaza on Tuesday morning as Israel readied for a
potential escalation after a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
terror group died in Israeli custody after an 86-day hunger strike. The Israel
Defense Forces said initially three rockets launched at around 6:30 a.m.
triggered sirens in the area around Kibbutz Sa’ad, and landed in open areas. No
Iron Dome interceptor missiles were fired and there were no reports of injuries
or damage. Shortly after, a mortar launched from the Strip landed close to the
security barrier, the IDF said. No sirens sounded as the projectile was headed
for an unpopulated area.”



i24 News: One Person Wounded As Terrorist Fires At Israeli Cars In Northern
West Bank
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“A terrorist fired at three Israeli cars near the settlement of Avni Hefetz in
the northern West Bank on Tuesday morning. One person was wounded and
hospitalized in ‘light condition and fully conscious,’ according to the Magen
David Adom emergency service spokesperson. The perpetrator fled the scene. ‘A
terrorist got out of a vehicle at the Shofa intersection near Avni Hefetz,
fired at three vehicles. Damages was found on one vehicle,’ the Rescue Without
Borders volunteer organization said.”


Nigeria


The Guardian: Troops Arrest 19 Terrorists, Rescue Pregnant Chibok Schoolgirl
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“Troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have arrested 19 Boko Haram
terrorists while clearing their hideouts in Borno State. They also recovered
several weapons in Kangori village, 17 kilometres west of Damasak in Mobbar
Council. A counter-insurgency expert in Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, who
spoke yesterday in Maiduguri, explained: ‘During the intensified patrols, raids
and mop up operations of Operation Desert/Lake Sanity II, the insurgents were
arrested in the Bulabulin general area.’ The military also recovered some
improvised explosive devices (IEDs), six AK-47 magazines and other ammunition.”



Sahara Reporters: Terrorists Sack Several Communities In Kebbi, Zamfara
States, Kill Over 40 Residents, Abduct Many Others
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“No fewer than 40 villagers, including six police operatives have been killed
by terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, in Kebbi and Zamfara states during a
vicious midnight attack on Sunday. It was learnt that the gunmen operated for
hours in the villages, where they blocked exit points and made it difficult for
people to escape. The terrorists were said to have also looted, rustled
livestock belonging to the helpless locals, in a siege in which the six police
operatives were reportedly killed. After causing havoc in Danumaru village, the
terrorists moved to neighbouring villages where they also caused mayhem and
razed down houses.”



The Sun Nigeria: Troops Destroy Boko Haram Stronghold In Borno, Arrest 19
Terrorists, Recover Weapons
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“Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force(MNJTF) have destroyed an
operational base of terror group Boko Haram, arresting 19 terrorists. The
troops of Sector 3, also recovered several weapons from their hideouts in the
North East of Borno. The terrorists were intercepted and arrested on April 29,
at Kangori village, located about 17km West of Damasak, during intensified
patrols, raids and mop-up operations by the troops of OPERATION DESERT/LAKE
SANITY II, at the Bulabulin general area. Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency
Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region said that the troops also
recovered some IEDs-making equipment, and 6 AK-47 magazines, among other
weapons.”



United Kingdom



The Epoch Times: Terrorist Prisoners Banned From Leading Religious Services
Behind Bars
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“..Ian Acheson of the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) carried out the
independent review into Islamist extremism behind bars. His principal
recommendation was about Friday Prayers, however it was rejected by the
government. Speaking to The Epoch Times, the former prison governor welcomed
the measures, but criticised the length of time it had taken the MoJ to put
them in place. “My concern with ministers is that they’ve had six years from
the date of my previous review for them, raising the same problems and
solutions, where there has been quite dangerous drift and not enough progress,”
he said. “All sorts of things have happened in those six years, we’ve had a
fanatical terrorist, Usman Khan, who deceived prison and probation bosses that
he was a poster child for rehabilitation who then went on after release to
murder two students in Fishmongers’ Hall.”



Europe



Euractiv: Bulgarian Authorities Investigate Terrorist Act Against Chief
Prosecutor
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“An investigation has been launched into a suspected terrorist attack against
Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev after a bomb exploded near his motorcade on
Monday. A bomb exploded near Geshev’s motorcade, making a crater in the road
and overturning the armoured jeep where the chief prosecutor was travelling
with his family. The explosion happened about 40 km from the Bulgarian capital.
The Director of the National Investigation Service Borislav Sarafov announced
the information. ‘The explosive device was placed on the side of the road at a
big turn where the speed was expected to be lower. At the moment when Geshev’s
car passed by the place, the bomb exploded, the pillar of fire was four to five
metres high, and the hole was 30-40 cm deep. The bomb had shrapnel and was
aimed at the road,’ said Sarafov.”



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