“A series of violent events in recent weeks has fueled a growing concern about
Nigeria's internal security. In the first encounter — in central Niger state —
local gang members ambushed troops responding to an attack in the village of
Zungeru, injuring seven and killing 25 — 22 of them soldiers. Later that day, a
military helicopter deployed to evacuate injured soldiers crashed, killing
every passenger on board, including injured soldiers and crew members. On
Friday, the Nigerian army “held mass burial for the military personnel who
died. On Tuesday, Islamic militants abducted dozens of women on their way to
fetch firewood in northeast Borno state. The militants are demanding about 60
dollars each to free the women. The 49 women have since been released,
according to Agence France-Presse. Security analyst Mike Ejiofor said
terrorists are trying to make a bold statement.”











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Eye on Extremism



August 28, 2023



Voice Of America: Attack On Soldiers, Abduction Of Women, Spark Security
Concerns In Nigeria
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“A series of violent events in recent weeks has fueled a growing concern about
Nigeria's internal security. In the first encounter — in central Niger state —
local gang members ambushed troops responding to an attack in the village of
Zungeru, injuring seven and killing 25 — 22 of them soldiers. Later that day, a
military helicopter deployed to evacuate injured soldiers crashed, killing
every passenger on board, including injured soldiers and crew members. On
Friday, the Nigerian army “held mass burial for the military personnel who
died. On Tuesday, Islamic militants abducted dozens of women on their way to
fetch firewood in northeast Borno state. The militants are demanding about 60
dollars each to free the women. The 49 women have since been released,
according to Agence France-Presse. Security analyst Mike Ejiofor said
terrorists are trying to make a bold statement.”



The New York Times: Doctor Sentenced To 18 Years For Trying To Join ISIS
<[link removed]>



“A doctor from Pakistan who said he wanted to “fight on the frontline” for
the Islamic State group was sentenced on Friday to 18 years in a U.S. prison,
federal prosecutors said. The doctor, Muhammad Masood, 31, of Rochester, Minn.,
pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court in St. Paul to attempting to
provide material support to a terrorist organization. Prosecutors said that Mr.
Masood had expressed a desire to government informants to conduct “lone wolf
attacks” in the United States or fight and work as a combat medic for ISIS in
the Middle East. Mr. Masood’s prison term will be followed by five years of
supervised release under the sentence handed down by Judge Paul A. Magnuson of
U.S. District Court. Mr. Masood, who worked at a research clinic in Rochester,
was arrested in March 2020 at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport before he could
board a flight to Los Angeles, where he planned to board a cargo ship to travel
to the Middle East and join the terrorist organization, prosecutors said.”




CEP Expert Analysis

* Afghanistan Terrorism Report: June 2023
<[link removed]>
* West Africa's Terrorism Challenge: Development Of Al-Qaeda In The Western
Sahel Region
<[link removed]>
* West Africa's Terrorism Challenge: Status Of ISWAP And ISGS In West Africa
And Sahel
<[link removed]>
* Civilian Counterterrorism Forces and the Fight Against Extremism: A Review
of Nigeria, Somalia, and Burkina Faso
<[link removed]>
* Extremism in Erdogan's AKP
<[link removed]>





United States



Voice Of America: US Airstrike Kills 13 Al-Shabab Militants
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“The U.S. military in Africa (AFRICOM) reported a “collective self-defense”
airstrike against al-Shabab militants — killing 13 fighters in Somalia. The
airstrike took place in the vicinity of Seiera, approximately 45 kilometers
northwest of Kismayo. AFRICOM said Saturday’s airstrike was conducted in
support of Somali forces who were engaged by al-Shabab fighters. “Working with
the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the
airstrike killed 13 al Shabab fighters and that no civilians were injured or
killed,” AFRICOM said in a statement. “The command will continue to assess the
results of this operation and will provide additional information as
appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not
be released in order to ensure operations security.” The U.S. considers
al-Shabab the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaida network in the
world. Al-Shabab merged with al-Qaida in February 2012.”



Iran



Reuters: Iran Says Iraq Has Agreed To Disarm And Relocate Kurdistan Militants
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“Iran and Iraq have reached an agreement that "armed terrorist groups" in
Iraq's Kurdistan region will be disarmed and relocated next month, Iran's
foreign ministry said on Monday. “An agreement has been struck between Iran and
Iraq, in which Iraq has committed to disarm armed separatists and terrorist
groups present in its territory, close their bases, and relocate them to other
locations before the 19th of September,” ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said
at a weekly briefing. The spokesperson did not specify where militants would be
relocated. There was no immediate comment from Iraq. Iran has long accused
Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region of harbouring terrorist groups
involved in attacks against the Islamic Republic, with the Revolutionary Guards
repeatedly targeting their bases. Last September, Iran's Revolutionary Guards
fired missiles and drones at militant targets at Iraq's Kurdish region, killing
13 people, according to local authorities.”



The Atlantic: Iran Will Keep Taking Hostages If The Money Keeps Flowing
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“The first time I saw Siamak Namazi was while I was in my cell in Evin
Prison, in Tehran. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the longest-held
American hostage in Iran was being kept only a few hundred meters away from
where I crouched on stained and threadbare carpet, my eyes fixed on a dusty
wall-mounted television screen. I didn’t understand Farsi back then, but I knew
Amrika, and had come to recognise the word jasoos, too, given the abandon with
which the term was thrown about the interrogation room. This gaunt,
bookish-looking man on my screen, whose hollow eyes flitted toward the camera
every few seconds—he was supposed to be “America’s top spy”? I was more
incredulous still when the narrator cut to footage of an elderly man with wispy
white hair and a kind face: Baquer Namazi. Suspenseful music played over
dramatically backlit images of father and son posing with flags and symbols of
the Great Satan. The bold and noble Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
had captured two dangerous American infiltrators, bravely rescuing Iran from an
ungodly, diabolical plot.



Afghanistan



Associated Press: The Taliban Say Security Forces Will Stop Women From
Visiting Afghan National Park
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“The Taliban will use security forces to stop women from visiting one of
Afghanistan’s most popular national parks, according to information shared by a
spokesman for the Vice and Virtue Ministry. The ministry alleges that women
have not been observing the proper way to wear the hijab, or Islamic headscarf,
when going to Band-e-Amir in the central Bamiyan province. This comes a week
after the minister, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, visited the province and told
officials and religious clerics that women haven’t been adhering to the correct
way of wearing the hijab, asking security personnel to stop women from visiting
the tourist hotspot. “Going sightseeing is not a must for women,” Hanafi said
at the time. Ministry spokesman Molvi Mohammad Sadiq Akif shared a report of
Hanafi’s remarks late Saturday night, including the use of security forces,
clerics and elders to carry out Hanafi’s order. A recording of the minister’s
speech in Bamiyan, aligning with Akif’s report, was shared on social media.”



The Eurasian Times: China’s ‘Great Game’ In Afghanistan: Beijing Expands
Influence With Taliban To Check Uyghurs, Exploit Resources
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“China is yet to formally recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan two
years after its bloody takeover of Kabul following the unceremonious American
withdrawal from the war-ravaged nation. Though China under President Xi Jinping
is actively engaging with the Taliban regime in Kabul, that unease over Uyghurs
is forcing Beijing to tread cautiously. A Nikkei Asia report from Kabul noted,
quoting experts, that China’s growing influence in Afghanistan is “largely
driven” by a desire to check Uyghur activists that threaten Beijing’s domestic
and regional interests. Yet, Chinese businesses have been keenly exploring
opportunities in Afghanistan and bagging contracts, especially in the mining of
natural resources in the landlocked South Asian nation that is seen as a
gateway to the Central Asian nations by other regional and global powers.”



Pakistan



The Hindustan Times: Pakistan Police Arrests Eight Suspected Terrorists Of
ISIS, Al-Qaeda
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“The Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab police said on Saturday that it
has foiled a "major terror plot" during operations in different areas of
Punjab. Eight suspected terrorists of banned organisations, including ISIS and
Al-Qaeda in Pakistan's Punjab province have been arrested by the country's law
enforcement agencies, police said on Saturday. The Counter Terrorism Department
(CTD) of Punjab police said on Saturday that it has foiled a "major terror
plot" during operations in different areas of Punjab. According to the CTD, it
conducted 74 intelligence-based operations in different districts of the
province arresting eight alleged terrorists with weapons, explosives and other
prohibited materials. The terrorists belonged to banned organisations,
including ISIS and Al-Qaeda. The arrested terrorists are Liaqat Khan, Muhammad
Hasan, Shan Faraz, Gul Karim, Ayub Khan, Muhammad Umeer, Ameer Muawiya and
Rizwan Siddiq. It said they belong to Daesh, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.”



Middle East



Israel National News: Israel Sanctions Hamas: Number Of Gazans Allowed Into
Israel Won't Increase <[link removed]>



“In recent weeks, the defense echelon has reached agreements to increase the
number of Gazans allowed into Israel for work purposes. However, in light of
information showing that Hamas is directing terror attacks in Judea and
Samaria, and due to the terror organization's decision to restart the riots on
the Israel-Gaza border, Israel has decided to "punish" Hamas by freezing the
move, Kan Reshet Bet reported. Currently, approximately 18,000 Gazans enter
Israel for work purposes, and the defense echelon initially approved increasing
this number to the maximum permitted - 20,000 Gazans. However, due to the
understanding that Hamas is directing the terror in Israel on a daily basis,
the approvals were frozen. Since Israel initially approved allowing Gazans to
work in Israel, the economic situation in Gaza has significantly improved, and
there is great pressure there to increase the number of people working in
Israel, since they are a positive force for Gaza's economy.”



The Jerusalem Post: Crime Wave In Israel Could Enable Terror Networks In
Future - Analysis
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“Israel has experienced an unprecedented number of murders this year, most of
them concentrated in Arab minority communities and many linked to criminal
elements. With more than 150 people killed so far in 2023, leading politicians
have weighed in on what must be done next. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
met with a subcommittee that is tasked with advancing the fight against crime
in the Arab sector, and has said that it is unacceptable that this community
suffers from acts of murder and violence. Legislation has been slow to confront
various symptoms and causes of this phenomenon, such as businesses being
extorted to pay “protection.” The threat posed to Israeli society is now
growing, and a new phase could emerge. There have been calls to involve the
Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in more investigations inside Israel,
essentially admitting that the tools Israel has used to confront extremist
groups and security threats are needed because of the tidal wave of shootings
and crime. At the same time the number of killings continues to grow, targeting
civilians and also politicians now in some communities.”



i24: Hamas Claims Responsibility For Two Deadly Huwara Attacks
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“The military wing of Hamas stated Saturday it was behind last week's deadly
West Bank attack where a Palestinian terrorist murdered an Israeli father and
son. The statement also claimed an earlier deadly attack where two Israeli
brothers were murdered. Both murderous attacks took place near the Palestinian
town of Huwara that's emerging as one of the flashpoints of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The armed wing of the Palestinian terror group,
known as Al-Qassam Brigades, posted a picture on its Telegram account that
read: "Our jihad continues, and our operations will not stop...". A Hamas
spokesperson said that the group, which rules over the Gaza Strip, "raises the
level of challenge against the Zionist enemy, and we say to it that all its
threats will not stop the path of resistance."”



Nigeria



Reuters: Boko Haram Frees 49 Women Kidnapped In Nigeria's Borno State
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“Forty-nine women kidnapped by Boko Haram earlier in the week near Maiduguri,
in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, regained their freedom early on Friday
after a state official paid a ransom for their release, two of the victims and
a local leader said. The women were abducted on their farms on Tuesday morning
in Shuwaei Kawuri village on the outskirts of Maiduguri, two victims who did
not want to be identified told Reuters. "We were all released at midnight after
Boko Haram said our families secured our release after meeting their demands,"
one of the victims said. While the Islamists had demanded a 3 million naira
($3,891.86) ransom, the women, who are mostly poor peasant farmers, were
released after a state official paid 1 million naira to the assailants
following negotiations to secure their freedom, the local traditional leader
said. He didn't want to be named because he wasn't authorized to speak to
Reuters.”



Somalia



Reuters: Somali Forces Capture Major Al Shabaab Militia Stronghold
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“Somalia's army and allied fighters on Friday captured the town of El Buur,
the al Shabaab militia's main stronghold in the country's central region, a
significant breakthrough in the government's campaign against the al
Qaeda-linked group. The capture of the El Buur town in Galmadug state is one of
the biggest victories in an offensive launched a year ago by the government and
allied forces. The campaign has pushed al Shabaab out of large swathes of
territory in the centre of the country, although the group continues to carry
out major attacks, and many analysts and even some fighting the offensive say
government vows to eliminate the group are unrealistic. Al Shabaab has mounted
deadly attacks from El Buur across the region for 16 years. "Victory to all
Somalis. El Buur district, a major al Shabaab stronghold, has fallen into the
hands of Somali forces this hour. The forces are inside the town now," said
Ibrahim Sheikh Muhydin, Somalia's army chief, in a speech broadcast live on
Facebook.””



Garowe Online: Somalia: Al-Shabaab Suffers Fresh Losses In SNA Operations
<[link removed]>



“At least 27 Al-Shabaab members were killed in most recent operations by the
Somali National Army [SNA], just a few moments before the military embarks on
countrywide operations against the militants, who have been wreaking havoc in
the Horn of Africa nation. Military officials confirmed the operation at
Awdheele District within Lower Shabelle, adding that the crackdown left the
militants dead and several others critically injured. The militants have been
attacking the district regularly but lost it recently to the national army.
According to reports, the militants were gathering in a local farm when the
military unleashed on them, and are said to have been preparing to attack
sections of the locality. Their hideouts were completely destroyed during the
operation, authorities said.”



Mali



Associated Press: UN Experts Say Islamic State Group Almost Doubled The
Territory They Control In Mali In Under A Year
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“Islamic State extremists have almost doubled the territory they control in
Mali in less than a year, and their al-Qaida-linked rivals are capitalizing on
the deadlock and perceived weakness of armed groups that signed a 2015 peace
agreement, United Nations experts said in a new report. The stalled
implementation of the peace deal and sustained attacks on communities have
offered the IS group and al-Qaida affiliates a chance "to re-enact the 2012
scenario," they said. That's when a military coup took place in March and
rebels in the north formed an Islamic state two months later. The extremist
rebels were forced from power in the north with the help of a French-led
military operation, but they moved from the arid north to more populated
central Mali in 2015 and remain active. The panel of experts said in the report
that the impasse in implementing the agreement — especially the disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration of combatants into society — is empowering
al-Qaida-linked Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin known as JNIM to vie for
leadership in northern Mali.”



Africa



Reuters: Mozambique Insurgency Leader Omar Killed By Armed Forces, Ministry
Says
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“Mozambique's armed forces have killed the alleged leader of an Islamic
State-linked insurgency concentrated in the gas-rich northern Cabo Delgado
province, the defence ministry said on Friday. Bonomade Machude Omar, also
known as Abu Sulayfa Muhammad and Ibn Omar, who "has led operations since the
outbreak of terrorism in Mozambique," was killed along with two associates, a
ministry statement said. Separately, Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi told a
news conference on Friday that Omar had been killed on Tuesday, but cautioned
that the fight against the insurgency was not over. The insurgency, which has
been raging since 2017, has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted
multi-billion dollar energy projects. The U.S. State Department, which
designated Omar as a "terrorist leader" in August 2021, described him as head
of the military and external affairs departments of the ISIS-Mozambique group
and said he was responsible for attacks in Cabo Delgado, including on a hotel
in the town of Palma in March 2021.”



United Nation News: Da’esh And Affiliates Still A Threat In Conflict Zones, UN
Counter-Terrorism Officials Report
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“Ambassadors were briefed by two senior UN counter-terrorism officials who
presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on the group, also known as the
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which showed that the threat in
non-conflict areas remains low. This analytical distinction can obscure what is
the complex, context- specific and dynamic nature of how these groups operate
and evolve and their impact on international peace and security,” said Vladimir
Voronkov, head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT). He stressed that
countering and preventing terrorism require long-term commitment as well as
continued and coordinated efforts. Mr. Voronkov said the continued expansion of
Da’esh and affiliates in parts of Africa, as well as the increasing level of
violence and threat, remain deeply concerning.”



Associated Press: US Warns Military Takeovers In Africa’s Sahel Hamper Fight
Against Terrorism In The Volatile Region
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“The United States warned Friday that the string of military takeovers in
Africa’s Sahel region will hamper the fight against terrorism and demanded that
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers deny safe haven to terrorist groups including
al-Qaida and the Islamic State. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a
U.N. Security Council meeting that the United States is focused on the
increasing terrorism threat across Africa and continues providing its African
partners with “critical assistance in disrupting and degrading” IS and al-Qaida
affiliates. The long-scheduled council meeting on combating terrorism took
place days after the head of Russia’s Wagner Group, Yevgeny Progozhin, and top
associates were reportedly killed in a plane crash after leaving Moscow. They
had just returned from Africa where Wagner mercenaries are active in now
military-ruled Mali and Burkina Faso, which face escalating terrorist threats.”



Technology



Bloomberg: Taliban Says Huawei To Install Cameras To Locate Militants
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“Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government is working with Huawei Technologies to
install a wide-ranging surveillance system across the country in an effort to
identify and target insurgents or terrorism activities, according to a person
familiar with the discussions. Representatives of the Shenzhen-headquartered
tech company met with Interior Ministry officials on Aug. 14, the person said,
and a verbal agreement was reached regarding the contract. The Interior
Ministry initially posted images and details of the meeting on X, the social
media platform formerly known as Twitter. In one post, spokesman Mufti Abdul
Mateen Qani said the advanced camera system was being considered “in every
province of Afghanistan. The posts, which were later deleted, included comments
from Abdullah Mukhtar, the deputy minister of the ministry. “We are willing to
accept projects that are better in terms of quality and price,” he said.



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