Eye on Extremism

July 20, 2023 

The New York Times: Swedish Embassy In Baghdad Is Set Afire Amid Protests Over Quran

“Hundreds of protesters stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad early Thursday and set fire to part of the building, Reuters reported, ahead of another planned burning of the Quran in Sweden, which has angered many in the Muslim world and drawn condemnation from the Swedish authorities. Footage shared on social media showed part of the embassy in flames and people with pieces of the building in their hands. The images could not be immediately verified. The Iraqi police fired water cannon to disperse the protesters, according to images shared on social media and news reports. All embassy staff members were safe, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said, according to Reuters. The ministry also said that the Iraqi authorities had the responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and their staff.”

Associated Press: 2 Suicide Bombers In Pakistan Attack Police And Government Compound, Killing 2 And Injuring 15

“Two suicide bombers attacked a sprawling compound housing a police station and government offices in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least two police officers and wounding 15 other people, police and rescue officials said. The attack occurred in the Bara neighborhood in northwest Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat said. Rescuers said part of the compound collapsed after the bombing, burying a police officer whose body was later retrieved. The explosive vest on one of the suicide bombers detonated when police opened fire after coming under attack, Hayat said.”

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Pakistan

Samaa: Punjab CTD Nabs 4 Terror Suspects Ahead Of Ashura

“The CTD officials reported that the arrested individuals have affiliations with notorious terrorist groups such as Daesh, TTP, and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and were believed to have been planning dangerous acts within Rawalpindi. During the operation, law enforcement confiscated a significant amount of dangerous materials, including explosives, detonators, safety fuses, and cash, which were allegedly in the possession of the suspects. The suspects have been identified as Ajmal Amin, Feroze, Hamid Bashir, and Owais Shah. The investigation is ongoing as the authorities continue their efforts to ensure the safety and security of the public during the sacred month of Muharram.”

Middle East

The Jerusalem Post: Hamas Begins Paying Late Salaries In Gaza - Ministry

“Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip have begun distributing June salaries to around 50,000 public sector workers who had not been paid for almost three weeks, the local finance ministry said on Wednesday. A delay in a monthly payroll grant from Qatar, a crucial aid donor to the impoverished Gaza enclave, a drop in tax revenue, and a jump in spending were to blame for the crisis, according to the Hamas-run ministry of finance. Salama Marouf, chairman of the Hamas government media office, said the reception of nearly half of the Qatari $5-million monthly payroll grant and a loan from a Gaza local bank facilitated payment of wages on Wednesday, adding that the financial crisis persisted. Most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents live in poverty, and the economy is dependent on foreign aid.”

Ynet News: Terrorist Killed In Exchange Of Fire In Nablus As Jewish Worshippers Enter Joseph's Tomb

“Hundreds of Jewish pilgrims who arrived early Thursday morning in Nablus to worship at Joseph's Tomb came under attack. The worshipers came to the compound in about 40 buses under Israel Defense Forces security, and during the prayer service disturbances developed in the area that included shooting at the forces, throwing explosive devices, and throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. The soldiers returned fire and reported that they detected injuries to a number of the terrorist attackers. There were no casualties among the worshipers or the security forces.”

Somalia

Garowe Online: Somalia Army Eliminates More Al-Shabaab Militants In Operation

“The Somali National Army [SNA] has intensified crackdowns against Al-Shabaab militants in central and southern regions, authorities confirmed, with the country striving to restore normalcy after decades of instability and chaos. The information ministry said at least 30 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the latest operations in Galgaduud, within Galmadug state, and subsequently weapons were seized by the national army which has been pursuing the militants. The operation, Adala told the state media, was activated in El-Qurac along the border of Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. The latest confrontation comes amid ongoing operations across the country with the assistance of the international community. ‘Over 30 Al-Shabaab terrorists eliminated in National Army's planned operation intel-Qurac, bordering Galgudud and Middle Shabelle regions. Weapons and equipment seized, terrorist base destroyed. The ongoing pursuit of fighters,’ the ministry added.”

Garowe Online: Suspected Al-Shabaab Militants Assassinate Ex-Official In Somalia

“Suspected Al-Shabaab militants killed a former senior official in Somalia on Wednesday, sources confirmed, in the latest spate of terror attacks targeting innocent civilians, security forces, and senior government officials in the Horn of Africa nation. Faqay Abdulle Mayow, who was the former deputy commissioner of administration and finance in Awdhegle District within Lower Shabelle, was killed at Hamarjab district by suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen, who opened fire before disappearing to an unknown location. A few minutes after the unfortunate incident, a number of federal government troops arrived at the scene, but the suspects managed to escape to an unknown destination. So far, nobody has been arrested with regard to the incident, which could trigger emotions in the country.”

Africa

AFP News: Two Held In Joint Morocco-Spain Anti-Jihadist Operation

“Police in Morocco and Spain said on Wednesday two people have been arrested in a joint operation by both countries' security services targeting ‘terrorists’. An Islamic State jihadist group supporter ‘active between Morocco and Spain’, was arrested Wednesday by special forces of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, in Nador, a Moroccan border town with Spain's Mediterranean enclave of Melilla, said a press release from DGST, the domestic intelligence agency. It said he was being held in custody suspected of ‘terrorism’, and added that an accomplice had been arrested at the same time by Spain's Civil Guard in the northeast Spanish town of Lleida. A police spokesperson in Madrid confirmed the arrest of one person. ‘It's a joint operation with Morocco which is ongoing. We have arrested one person on terrorism charges in Lleida,’ the spokesperson said. ‘The two suspects were in touch with elements of Daesh (the Arab acronym for IS) in Syria, preparing to carry out terrorist operations in Europe,’ the same source said.”

Canada

CBC: Mississauga, Ont., Mosque Attacker Who Planned 'Mass Casualty Event' Pleads Guilty To 3 Charges

“A man who assaulted worshippers at a mosque in Mississauga, Ont., last year had been planning the attack for a year and was motivated by hatred of and a desire to intimidate Muslims, court documents show. Mohammad Moiz Omar ‘intended to perpetrate a mass casualty event’ when he entered the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre during early morning prayer on March 19, 2022 and sprayed bear spray toward congregants while swinging a hatchet, according to an agreed statement of facts read at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Brampton, Ont. Wednesday. Omar, who was 24 years old at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to three charges, according to one of his lawyers, Jacob Roth of Robichaud Criminal Lawyers. Those charges include administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and mischief to religious property with motivation of bias, prejudice or hate based on religion.”

India

The New Indian Express: NIA Busts Terror Network, Arrests Thrissur Native Involved In Heists

“The NIA has busted a major terror network suspected to be associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and arrested a Thrissur native who carried out several heists for arranging funds for its operations in India. The arrested person is Mathilakath Kodayil Ashraf aka Ashif, 36, of Kettungal, Venkidangu, Thrissur. Ashif, who was hiding at Doddampalayam village near Bhavanisagar in Erode, was taken into custody on Tuesday night. He was later brought to Kochi where his arrest was recorded. According to NIA sources, the group came under the radar of the national agency following an ATM heist in Thrissur last year. The probe revealed that money from the heist was used for strengthening ISIS activities in India.”

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