United States
Voice Of America: US Airstrike Kills 13 Al-Shabab Militants
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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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