“In a rare move, the spokesman for the military wing of Hamas said Thursday
that the terror group was directly responsible for a recent string of deadly
attacks in Israel and the West Bank. In a statement on Telegram, Abu Obaida
said the terror shooting near the West Bank settlement of Eli on June 20, which
left four Israelis dead, was carried out by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
in response to a deadly Israeli military raid in the city of Jenin two days
prior. Initially, Hamas only confirmed that the two gunmen were affiliated with
the terror group, without taking responsibility. Abu Obaida said a car-ramming
and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, which left seven Israelis
wounded, several of them seriously, was also carried out by the group. The
terrorist was initially only identified as a member of Hamas. Earlier Thursday,
the al-Qassam Brigades also claimed responsibility for a shooting attack near
the West Bank settlement of Kedumim, which left an Israeli soldier dead.”











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Eye on Extremism



July 7, 2023



The Times Of Israel: In Rare Statement, Hamas Claims Responsibility For String
Of Recent Deadly Attacks
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“In a rare move, the spokesman for the military wing of Hamas said Thursday
that the terror group was directly responsible for a recent string of deadly
attacks in Israel and the West Bank. In a statement on Telegram, Abu Obaida
said the terror shooting near the West Bank settlement of Eli on June 20, which
left four Israelis dead, was carried out by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
in response to a deadly Israeli military raid in the city of Jenin two days
prior. Initially, Hamas only confirmed that the two gunmen were affiliated with
the terror group, without taking responsibility. Abu Obaida said a car-ramming
and stabbing terror attack in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, which left seven Israelis
wounded, several of them seriously, was also carried out by the group. The
terrorist was initially only identified as a member of Hamas. Earlier Thursday,
the al-Qassam Brigades also claimed responsibility for a shooting attack near
the West Bank settlement of Kedumim, which left an Israeli soldier dead.”



Iraqi News: Iraqi Fighter Jets Destroy ISIS Hideout In Northeastern Iraq
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“The Iraqi Security Media Cell (ISMC) mentioned in a statement on Thursday
that Iraqi warplanes launched an air strike targeting ISIS terrorists in Diyala
governorate, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported. The air raid was carried out
based on accurate intelligence information, according to the ISMC. The
statement elaborated that the Iraqi security forces, in cooperation with other
Iraqi security agencies, continue to clamp down on remnants of ISIS terrorists.
The statement also indicated that the Iraqi National Security Agency provided
the Iraqi Air Force with accurate information about an important target,
pointing out that the operation was carried out under the supervision of the
Joint Operations Command. Following the air strike that was carried out by
Iraqi F-16 fighter jets, security forces searched the targeted site and found
two dead bodies, a handgun and a hand grenade. Iraq announced in late 2017 the
liberation of all its territories from the grip of ISIS, but the authorities
are constantly launching security operations to pursue remnants of the
terrorist group that carry out attacks from time to time in the country.”




Recent CEP Press Releases

* New CEP Report: Violence Against Perceived Blasphemers In The West – From
Khamenei's Fatwa To The Present
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* Extremist Content Online: ISIS Releases New Propaganda Video, Which Is
Rapidly Promoted On TikTok
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* Extremist Content Online: Pro-ISIS Online Chat Promotes Monero
Cryptocurrency To Fund Propaganda Operations
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* New CEP Reports Assess Ties Between Terror Groups In Africa And Their Ties
To Organized Crime
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* New CEP Reports Examine Development Of Al-Qaeda, ISIS Affiliates In West
Africa And Sahel
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Turkey



Daily Sabah: 794 Terrorists Eliminated In 320 Operations This Year: Ministry
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“Some 794 terrorists were eliminated in 320 operations since the beginning of
the year, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. ‘As of Jan. 1, 320 operations, 19
large and 301 medium-scale have been carried out in northern Iraq and Syria,
and 794 terrorists have been eliminated, 21 of which took place last week.
Since July 24, 2015, 38,137 terrorists have been eliminated, including in the
north of Iraq and Syria,’ the ministry said. All of Türkiye's operations
against the terrorist threat are carried out in line with international law,
respecting the borders and territorial integrity of all its neighbors,
especially Iraq, within the scope of the right of self-defense and targeting
only terrorist elements in the region, an official said, referring to
operations targeting terrorist hideouts over the border. ‘Our army is fighting
with great devotion to contribute to the peace and security of our country and
the peace and stability of our region, the world and all humanity against all
terrorist organizations,’ said the official, citing in particular the YPG/PKK,
Daesh, and the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).”



Pakistan



Voice Of America News: Pakistan Army Major, 3 Soldiers Killed In Latest
Militant Attacks
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“Clashes with militants and a suicide car bombing in northwestern Pakistan
overnight killed at least four soldiers, including an army major. A military
statement said Thursday the violence occurred in Khyber and North Waziristan
districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, both bordering Afghanistan and known
former strongholds of militants. The statement said that Pakistani security
forces late Wednesday conducted an ‘intelligence-based operation’ against a
‘terrorist’ hideout in Khyber, and the ensuing gunfight killed Major Mian
Abdullah Shah, who was leading the operation. ‘Three terrorists and their
facilitators were apprehended,’ the statement added. The Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan, or TTP, an outlawed group waging deadly attacks against security
forces in the country, confirmed that its fighters were the target of the
military raid.”



Dunya News: CTD Foils 133 Terrorism Attempts In Punjab
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“The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab has released its annual
performance report, claiming to foil at least 133 attempts of terror attacks
and arresting 177 suspects. According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the
department conducted 901 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in various
districts, including Lahore, resulting in the arrest of 177 individuals
involved in terrorist activities and anti-state activities. Moreover, 142 FIRs
were registered. The spokesperson further stated that among the arrested
individuals, three highly wanted terrorists included in the Red Book were also
arrested. They were affiliated with the banned organisations. A large quantity
of explosive materials such as suicide jackets, rockets, hand grenades,
detonators, IEDs, and explosive substances were recovered from the possession
of terrorists.”



Middle East



The Washington Post: Israeli Forces Kill 2 Wanted Palestinians In Shootout In
The Occupied West Bank
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“Israeli forces killed two wanted Palestinians in a flashpoint city in the
occupied West Bank Friday, days after Israel concluded a major two-day
offensive meant to crack down on militants. The persistent violence raised
questions about the effectiveness of the raid earlier this week in the Jenin
refugee camp, which saw Israel launch rare airstrikes on militant targets,
deploy hundreds of troops and cause widespread damage to roads, homes and
businesses. As a result of the raid, 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier
were killed. The Israeli domestic security agency Shin Bet said Friday the two
men, who it said were behind a shooting attack this week on a police vehicle,
were killed in a gun battle with Israeli forces in the heart of the city of
Nablus, the West Bank’s commercial capital. The Palestinian Health Ministry
said two men were killed by Israeli fire, identifying them as Khayri Mohammed
Sari Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Moayed Mohammed Maqbool, 32.”



Reuters: Palestinian Gunman Kills Israeli Soldier In West Bank
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“A Palestinian gunman shot and killed an Israeli soldier near a settlement in
the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the military said, in an attack the Hamas
militant group said it carried out in response to a two-day raid this week in
Jenin. The gunman fired at security forces who had stopped to inspect his
vehicle by the Kdumim settlement near the Palestinian city Nablus, the Israeli
military said. He then fled the scene before he was tracked down and
‘neutralized,’ the military said. Hamas claimed him as a member and confirmed
his death. ‘The heroic operation comes as a quick response to the occupation's
aggression against our people in Jenin camp,’ Hamas's armed wing Izzeldeen
Al-Qassam Brigades said. Israel's two-day operation in nearby Jenin was its
biggest in the West Bank in years, as escalating violence has caused increasing
international alarm. The Israeli military said the operation targeted
infrastructure and weapons depots of militants.”



Kurdistan24: 13 ISIS Suspects Killed In Partnered Operations In Iraq And Syria
In June: CENTCOM
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“During the month of June 2023, US Central Command (CENTCOM, along with
coalition and other partners, conducted a total of 37 anti-ISIS operations in
Syria and Iraq, resulting in 13 ISIS operatives killed and 21 detained. ‘The
continued reduction in ISIS activities in Iraq and Syria are a testament to our
partner forces’ commitment to the safety and stability of the region,’ said
Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, CJTF-OIR Commanding General, said in a press
statement. ‘The Coalition continues to advise, assist, and enable our partners
in the lead toward an enduring defeat of ISIS.’ The coalition said the
‘operations showcase our enduring commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIS to
preserve regional security and stability.’ A total of 12 ISIS suspects were
killed and 7 detained in Iraq. While in Syria, one 1 ISIS suspect was killed
and 14 were detained.”



Nigeria



The Guardian: Troops Kill Five Terrorists Attempting To Enter Nigeria From
Cameroon Border
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“Nigerian Troops have killed five members of Boko Haram and Islamic State of
West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists attempting to cross the Nigerian
territory from the Cameroon border. The troops are attached to Operation HADIN
KAI in the North East. This was disclosed by the newly appointed Director, of
Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. ES Buba at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Buba revealed that the five Boko Haram members were gunned down following an
intelligence report that they laid ambush along Bula Yobe-Darel Jamel in Bama
Local Government Area of Borno State. He said no fewer than 10 terrorists were
captured alive.”



Sahara Reporters: ISWAP Fighters Clash With Boko Haram Members, Kill Rival
Terrorists’ Wives, Children, Others In Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest
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“The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists have killed
many Boko Haram fighters, including their women and children during a fresh
clash in Sambisa Forest in Borno State, northeast Nigeria. This was disclosed
by a popular counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad,
Zagazola Makama in a Twitter post, where he claimed that the two terrorist
groups clashed against each other on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He said the ISWAP
terrorists stormed the hideouts of Boko Haram in Bula Alhaji Garwaye, killing
members of the rival group and their families. ‘They killed all the women and
their children. Even little babies were not spared. The dead bodies could be
more than 50. There are many of them. The dead bodies were scattered all over
the place as we speak,’ a source privy to the incident was quoted by Zagazola.
It was further noted that only a few Boko Haram members escaped while their
belongings, including motorbikes, bicycles, and guns, were looted by the
invaders.”



Africa



AFP News: 20 'Militants' Killed In Suspected Al-Shabaab Attack In Kenya: Police

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“Kenya's national police force said on Thursday that 20 ‘militants’ had been
killed and eight officers injured in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack near the
country's border with Somalia. A special unit of police officers came under
‘heavy’ fire in an ambush on Wednesday while patrolling in Mandera, a county in
northern Kenya that shares an extensive frontier with Somalia. The exchange
‘left 20 militants fatally injured’ and eight officers injured, the national
police service said in a statement on its official Twitter account. ‘Police
also recovered assorted weapons from the scene of crime,’ it added, alongside
photographs of a heavy machine gun and rocket launchers."



United Kingdom



The Guardian: UK Shies Away From Designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guards As
Terrorist Group
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“The UK has rejected calls to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards
(IRGC) as a terrorist group in favour of expanding the criteria by which
supporters and companies can be put under sanctions. The new sanctions regime
will for the first time allow ministers to sanction individuals for their
activities inside the UK, and not just in Iran. The announcement to MPs on
Thursday by the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, appears to resolve a
long-running internal government debate over whether the IRGC, an Iranian state
body, should be proscribed on the grounds that it had undertaken terrorist
activities in the UK. The IRGC, the Basij Resistance Force, the ‘morality
police’, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani have already been placed
under sanctions, but proscription would have made it a criminal offence in the
UK to belong to the group, fund or express support for its activities. It would
have effectively labelled the entire Tehran regime as a terrorist group since
the IRGC is so central in the Iranian military structure.”



Germany



The Jerusalem Post: Germany Arrests 7 On Suspicion Of Forming ISIS-Like
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“German police arrested seven people on Thursday on suspicion of founding a
terrorist organization with the aim of carrying out high-profile attacks
similar to Islamic State, prosecutors said. The Turkmen, Tajik, and Kyrgyz
nationals arrested in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia had
known each other for a long time and entered the country from Ukraine shortly
after the war began in 2022, said prosecutors. They formed a terrorist
organization in June 2022 and had been considering targets in Germany and
trying to procure weapons, but at the time of arrest did not have concrete
plans for an attack, according to a statement from prosecutors. Except for the
Kyrgyz national, the suspects arrested in Germany had also been collecting
money for Islamic State since April 2022 and repeatedly transferred it to the
group abroad.”



Europe



BBC: Sweden Jails Kurd For Financing Terrorism After Turkey Calls For Crackdown
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“It is the first time Sweden's updated terror laws have been used in a case
involving the Kurdish militant PKK. Turkey has long called on Stockholm to
crack down on Kurdish separatists. Sweden's bid to join Nato has been delayed
principally by Turkey's demand that it extradites dozens of people it views as
terrorists. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet the Swedish prime
minister in Lithuania on Monday ahead of a Nato summit, where Sweden is hoping
to be welcomed into the Western defensive alliance. President Joe Biden told
Sweden's leader Ulf Kristersson this week that the US was ‘anxiously looking
forward’ to his country's membership.”



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