Eye on Extremism

August 3, 2023 

Al Arabiya: US Orders Partial Evacuation Of Embassy Staff, Families From Niger

“The United States on Wednesday ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy in Niger the State Department said a week after the fragile nation was rocked by a coup. “On August 2, 2023, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency US government employees and eligible family members from Embassy Niamey,” an updated US travel advisory for Niger said. Niger is a key Western ally in a fight against extremist insurgents. Foreign powers have condemned the takeover, fearing it could allow the militants to gain ground.”

Kurdistan24: ISIS Steps Up Attacks In Northeast Syria

“A suspected ISIS attack on Wednesday resulted in the death of one member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the southern countryside of Al-Hasakah, Syria, as reported by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). According to the SOHR report, "an SDF member was killed, and four others were injured after their car was attacked by ISIS gunmen on motorbikes in Al-Sa’ada area, south of Al-Hasakah." The war monitor stated that this incident occurred amidst a significant escalation of activity by ISIS cells. In the past 24 hours leading to the report, three operations were carried out by the group in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, both located within SDF areas, resulting in several casualties.”

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Syria

Daily Sabah: Syrian Mother Longs For Daughter Kidnapped By US-Backed Terrorist Group

“Sabah Anter barely holds back her tears as she caresses the photo of her daughter. The mother of six from Syria’s Qamishli lives in fear for her other daughters’ safety as the terrorist group YPG/PKK continues its practice of abducting children to bolster its ranks. Anter, who lost her husband to a disease, was trying to make a living for her children in war-torn Syria’s Qamishli, partially controlled by the U.S.-backed terrorist group. Hadiya is her eldest daughter. She was only 16 when members of the terrorist group abducted her on her way to school two years ago.”

Iraq

Rudaw: Yazidis Mourn, Remember Genocide By ISIS Ahead Of 9th Anniversary

“Nine years ago, Islamic State (ISIS) militants brutally overran the Yazidi heartland of Shingal and committed atrocities including genocide against the minority ethnic group. More than 6,000 Yazidis were abducted and around 2,700 remain missing with little done to bring solace to the rescued. A day before the ninth anniversary, Yazidi women gathered at the Chamshko camp in Zakho, mourning the death of their loved ones and the unknown whereabouts of many others. Shame Deroo, a Yazidi genocide survivor who has lost 15 children and grandchildren is calling on the Iraqi and Kurdish government to help return their "skeletons" for them so they could rebury them in their heartland of Shingal.”

Middle East

The Jerusalem Post: IDF To Raze West Bank Home Of Terrorist Who Killed Yaniv Brothers

“Israeli security forces will destroy the home of Khaled Harusha – one of the terrorists who carried out a shooting attack in February in Huwara that ended the lives of Hillel and Yigal Yaniv, according to an IDF statement issued on Wednesday night. Hillel, who was 22 years old at the time of his murder, was studying in the Kiryat Shmona Hesder Yeshiva and had recently completed his service in the Navy. Yagel, who was set to turn 20 two weeks after he was killed, was studying in the Givat Olga Hesder Yeshiva and was going to start the recruitment process for combat service in the IDF. The terrorists used a car to ram into an Israeli vehicle that was driving through the town and then shot the Yaniv brothers at close range before fleeing the scene with a nationwide manhunt being launched to find them. While the mastermind of the plot and father of the other two co-conspirators – Abdel Fatteh Harusha – was killed in an IDF raid in March, his sons Khaled and Mohammad remain in police custody.”

Israel National News: IDF Apprehends Senior Islamic Jihad Operative

“One of the suspects is a senior operative belonging to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. In parallel, six wanted individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activity were apprehended in the town of Beit Ummar. In the towns of Qilquis and Yatta, the security forces located and confiscated weapons, ammunition and additional military equipment. Another suspect was apprehended in the town of Qabalan, weapons and ammunition were confiscated. The wanted suspects were transferred to security forces for further questioning.”

Africa

Punch: Two Killed, Many Abducted In Niger Terror Attack

“Two people have died in a terrorist attack in communities in the Munya Local Government Area in Niger State. The terrorists also abducted several residents in a renewed attack which was said to have started five days ago ending three months of respite. A community in Munya, Zazaga was the target of the latest attacks, which occurred on Tuesday, resulting in the loss of two lives, kidnappings, raiding of shops and houses and cattle rustling. The Chairman of the Munya Local Government Area, Nagumi Kuchi, on Wednesday, confirmed the attack in a chat with journalists at the annual stakeholders flood sensitisation and awareness forum organised by the North-South Power Company Limited.”

South Asia

Hindu Post: Al Qaeda And ISIS Seek Resurgence In Bangladesh

“As Bangladesh gears up for its next general election which is expected to be held by January 9, 2024, concerns over the resurgence of Islamist-jihadist conglomerates, spearheaded by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have intensified. With the backing of certain Western nations, these elements are determined to unseat the current secularist Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The potential outcome of their success is alarming – a Bangladesh that could become a safe haven for Islamist militancy forces, including notorious terrorist organizations like the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda. Recent arrests of key Al Qaeda figures in Bangladesh have shed light on the extent of their infiltration into the country, signaling a critical security challenge for both Bangladesh and neighboring Bharat.”

India

Economic Times: Delhi HC To Hear Plea On Virtual Production Of Yasin Malik In Terror Funding Case On Aug 7

“The application by the jail superintendent was adjourned after a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Anish Dayal, which was scheduled to hear the request, did not assemble. The high court had on May 29 issued warrants for the production of Malik, who is presently serving life term in the case in Tihar Jail, on August 9 when the NIA's plea for enhancement of sentence is listed for hearing. In the application seeking modification of the order, the jail authorities said Malik was a "very high risk prisoner" and it was imperative to not physically produce him in court to maintain public order and safety. It also said that as per an order passed by the Home Ministry, Malik cannot be "moved from Tihar Jail" and shall not be taken out of jurisdiction of the national capital.”

Technology

Independent: Teenagers ‘Risking Prison Over Extremist Content Without Leaving Their Rooms’

“Teenagers who share extremist content online are risking a prison sentence without leaving their bedrooms, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing has said. Matt Jukes also told the BBC officers were seeing more online hatred spill over into “real threats of violence on the streets”. Under-18s accounted for 14% of all terrorism-related arrests in the UK in the year to March 2023, down from a record 15% in the previous 12 months, Home Office figures show. It marks a significant rise on 2019/20, when it was 5%. Some 24 people under the age of 18 were arrested for terror-related activity in the year to March 2023, down from 29 in the previous 12 months.”

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