Eye on Extremism
May 2, 2023
AFP News: Turkey Offers Details Of Islamic State Chief's Death
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“..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
“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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