March 30, 2020

The National: US Orders Commanders To Prepare For Campaign To Destroy Kataib Hezbollah In Iraq <[link removed]>

“The US Department of Defense has ordered commanders to prepare for a campaign to destroy the Iraqi militia that Washington holds responsible for deadly rocket attacks against US personnel. The Pentagon blamed Kataib Hezbollah for a March 11 rocket attack that killed one British and two US personnel in Iraq. The order was described by officials with knowledge of the internal communications to the New York Times. But the order faced resistance from within, the military's top commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Robert P White, who said thousands more US troops were required in the country for any such campaign to take place. He also said that such an operation would risk war with Iran. Earlier this week, the United States blacklisted five Iran- and Iraq-based companies and 15 individuals on Thursday for supporting the group, its third round of sanctions on Iranian targets in the last two weeks even as Tehran battles the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement, the US Treasury Department accused those targeted of supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force elite foreign paramilitary and espionage arm and of transferring lethal aid to Iran-backed militias in Iraq such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, all of which Washington deems foreign terrorist organisations.”

Reuters: Taliban Refuses To Talk To New Afghan Government Negotiators <[link removed]>

“The Taliban declined on Saturday to begin talks with the Afghan government’s new negotiating team in a setback to the U.S.-brokered peace process for one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants could not talk to the 21-member team named on Thursday as it was not constituted taking into account all parties. The team is headed by Masoom Stanekzai, an ex-security chief and supporter of President Ashraf Ghani, and includes politicians, former officials and representatives of civil society. Five members are women. “In order to reach true and lasting peace, the aforementioned team must be agreed upon by all effective Afghan sides so that it can represent all sides,” said Mujahid. The United States, which ousted the Taliban from power in 2001, signed a troop withdrawal deal with the group in February. But progress on moving to talks between the militants and the Afghan government has been delayed by a feud between Afghan politicians, and disagreement between the Taliban and the government prisoner releases and a possible ceasefire. Afghan ministry of peace affairs spokeswoman Najia Anwari said the Taliban’s stance was unjustified as the negotiating team was made after wide consultations among Afghan society.”

United States

Newsweek: How Neo-Nazis Are Exploiting Coronavirus To Push Their Radical Agenda <[link removed]>

“Most far-right terror attacks are launched by individuals, but almost all will have been immersed in an online world of hatred, propaganda and conspiracy theories. "We have seen time and time again how the proliferation of dangerous rhetoric online has led to real-world consequences," Miller said. "In times of heightened uncertainty, it is incumbent upon leaders, the media and social media companies to take precautions to prevent the spread of misinformation, hate speech and extremist rhetoric." Joshua Fisher-Birch of the Counter Extremism Project described the trend as "very concerning." Militant neo-Nazis "really are trying to exploit the crisis," he explained. "They see that people are afraid. They want people to be even more afraid. They want people to panic.' "They're trying to create cleavages in society," Fisher-Birch added. "They're trying to get people to turn against one another."

Penn Live: Woman Accused Of Coughing On Store’s Food Jailed, Charged With Terrorist Threats, More <[link removed]>

“A woman accused of coughing throughout a Pennsylvania grocery store has been charged criminally in the incident, which led to the store throwing away $35,000 worth of items. According to Hanover Twp. police in Luzerne County, Margaret Cirko, 35, “intentionally contaminated” meat, produce and other items around 2 p.m. March 25 at Gerrity’s Supermarket on Sans Souci Parkway. She made verbal threats, said she was sick and tried to steal a 12-pack of beer as employees ordered her to leave, police said. Store co-owner Joe Fasula told the Times-Leader in Wilkes-Barre that more than $35,000 worth of goods had to be thrown away. He said he was “sick to his stomach” over the loss of the food. “While it is always a shame when food is wasted, in these times when so many people are worried about the security of our food supply, it is even more disturbing,” Fasula said. Police said in a news release that Cirko was charged with terroristic threats, threats to use a “biological agent,” criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and criminal attempt to commit retail theft. After her arrest, she was sent to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, police said. She’s now in Luzerne County Prison on $50,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8.”

Syria

The New York Times: IS Militants Riot In Eastern Syria Prison, Some Escape <[link removed]>

“Islamic State militants rioted inside in a prison in northeastern Syria, wrestling control from guards on an entire floor in the facility while a number of prisoners managed to escape, a Syrian Kurdish official said Sunday. Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, said anti-terrorism forces were working to regain control of the prison in the eastern Hassakeh province, adding that more forces were on their way. The prison is believed to house foreign IS militants. It is not clear what nationalities were held there. The U.S-led coalition said it was assisting the SDF with aerial surveillance as they quell the riot. The coalition said in a tweet that the facility holds low level IS members. The coalition said its forces don't staff any detention facilities in Syria. Bali said the number of those who escaped remains unclear. He said so far there is no connection between the riot and fears of the fast-spreading, new coronavirus. There are concerns over an outbreak of the virus inside overcrowded prison facilities in Syria and elsewhere in the region. But so far there are no reports of infection in Kurdish-administered northeastern Syria or in any detention facilities. “Riots often break out in prisons. But this time the scale of the riot is large,” Bali said in a text message to the Associated Press.”

Iraq

The Washington Post: Militia Attacks On Americans In Iraq Are Becoming More Audacious. The U.S. Is Wrestling With How To Respond. <[link removed]>

“Iran-backed militias are becoming more audacious in attacking U.S. personnel in Iraq, with rocket strikes against military bases occurring more frequently and, for the first time, in broad daylight. U.S. officials say they are receiving near-daily reports of “imminent” attacks planned against U.S.-linked military or diplomatic facilities. But the question of how to deter further militia strikes without putting troops at greater risk highlights how much American security and influence have evaporated in Iraq. In the two weeks since the U.S. carried out bombing raids outside Baghdad to avenge a rocket attack north of the capital that killed a Briton and two Americans, the Trump administration has been wrestling with what additional steps to take to confront the militias without sparking costly retaliation. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker told reporters last week that the U.S. would “take what steps that we see necessary” to retaliate for militia violence. But the administration remains divided over how, or even when, to strike back. “This may ultimately come down to how much risk the president is willing to accept in Iraq before our presence there becomes too much of a burden,” said a U.S. official.”

Afghanistan

The New York Times: Taliban Attack Afghanistan Amid Growing Coronavirus Threat <[link removed]>

“The Taliban on Saturday attacked several provinces in northern Afghanistan, overrunning large parts of one district even as American diplomats expressed optimism that a peace process stalled over the release of prisoners was getting back on track. The insurgents launched major assaults in three northern province — in Kunduz, whose capital was overrun by the Taliban repeatedly in recent years, as well as in Faryab and Badakhshan. Some of the worst fighting occurred in Badakhshan Province, where the insurgents took control of much of the district of Yamgan and inflicted heavy casualties on Afghan forces in another district, Jurm. Amanullah Iman, who leads the executive branch of the Yamgan district office, said hundreds of Taliban fighters attacked soon after dawn and captured the district center after three hours of fighting. “There were five outposts in Yamgan district center, and the Taliban captured all of them,” Mr. Iman said. “The security forces escaped to a military base in another part of this district. The fighting rages despite an appeal for a cease-fire on humanitarian grounds to slow the spread of the coronavirus across the country.”

Voice Of America: Kabul Criticizes Taliban For Rejecting Government Teams For Peace Talks <[link removed]>

“The Afghan government has criticized the Taliban for rejecting Kabul's negotiating team for upcoming intra-Afghan peace talks aimed at ending the nearly 19-year war. Waheed Omar, President Ashraf Ghani's adviser, told reporters in Kabul on March 29 that the Taliban “should not make excuses any more” to start the long-delayed negotiations. The talks were scheduled to begin on March 10, but were delayed due to political bickering in Kabul over the composition of the negotiating team. After weeks of delays, the government on March 27 announced a 21-member team — including five women — to take part in the talks, a key step in the U.S.-facilitated peace process. But the Taliban on March 28 rejected the negotiation team, saying the government had failed to put forward an “inclusive” team. Omar rejected the Taliban’s claim, saying the negotiating team represented “a united Afghanistan.” No major political party in Kabul has opposed the government’s team. There was no comment from U.S. officials. Under a deal signed by the United States and the Taliban in Doha on February 29, Taliban representatives agreed to commit to direct talks with the Afghan government.”

Yemen

Asharq Al-Awsat: Houthis Allocate Donations To War, Ignoring Millions Of Hungry Citizens <[link removed]>

“Houthi leaders in Sanaa, al-Mahwit, Dhamar, and Amran governorates are forcing residents, including tribesmen, farmers, and merchants, to donate money and supplies to send them to the fronts and families of the group's militants. Local and tribal sources in Sanaa and other regions told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group’s leaders and local officials held meetings with notables in villages and districts and forced them to collect donations for war, threatening to recruit the children of those who object. A beekeeper from al-Mahwit, who asked to be referred to as Commander A., told Asharq al-Awsat that the group's supervisor in al-Khabt district forced him to donate 100 kilos of honey after he said he didn't have any cash to donate. Asharq al-Awsat asked one of the local tribal elders in Saafan directorate about the reason why residents accept Houthi blackmail, he explained that many of them are small merchants or farmers and are forced to contribute in order to protect their children.”

Asharq Al-Awsat: Who Rules Houthis, How Does Is It Relate To The New Coronavirus Crisis? <[link removed]>

“Western diplomatic sources close to decision-making circles in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital over-run by Iran backed Houthi militia, believe that the Houthi group is frantic over dealing with the new coronavirus and its repercussions. The sources, speaking under the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Houthi administration is weak. This is the result of Houthi distribution of power which wasn’t split according to qualification but according to lineage. In chaos-mired Yemen, there are not many conclusive answers. But a little thought and reading into news headlines may help in understanding the scene. The name of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard official in Yemen, Abdul Reza Shahlai, emerged in the wake of the killing of Qassem Soleimani, leader of the Quds Force in Iraq. One of the leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Yemen, Abdulredha Shahlai, is one of the most wanted individuals in Saudi Arabia and the US, because of his support for terrorism and the smuggling of weapons and missiles to the Iranian Houthi militia in Yemen. US law enforcement officials have long tried to bring Shahlai to justice, most recently on December 5, 2019, by offering a $15 million reward for information leading to the disruption of his fund-raising networks.”

Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera: Why Houthis Offered Saudi Pows Swap For Jailed Palestinians <[link removed]>

“When the leader of Yemen's Houthi rebels recently offered a surprise prisoner exchange to Saudi Arabia, the announcement brought to light the case of dozens of Palestinians on trial in the kingdom, where they are accused of “supporting terrorism”. In a televised address to mark the fifth anniversary of the Saudi intervention in Yemen, Abdul Malek al-Houthi offered to swap a Saudi military pilot and four other prisoners of war held by the Houthis for the Palestinian activists. Al-Houthi said the offer was made because his group stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people against those who “conspire against its legitimate cause”. Saudi Arabia put dozens of Palestinian activists on trial on March 8, accusing them of supporting the  Hamas group, which governs the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza and is considered a “terrorist group” by Riyadh. The activists' first court appearance was held in secret without legal representation to defend them against the charges, according to the families of the detainees. The next court date is scheduled for May. Hamas sees itself as a “national resistance movement” against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.”

Egypt

The Arab Weekly: Egypt’s Terror Fight Not Over After Killing ISIS Emir <[link removed]>

“The killing of Islamic State (ISIS) in Sinai Abu Fares al-Ansari was a significant blow to the militant group but by no means represents the end of its presence in Egypt, security analysts said. “The killing of this man will negatively affect the terrorist group for a long time to come,” said Khaled Okasha, a member of the Supreme Counterterrorism Council, an advisory body of the Egyptian presidency. “Terrorist organisations depend on their leaders to a great deal in securing financing and logistical support and contacts with regional or international sponsors.” Ansari, the Islamic State emir in the North Sinai city of Rafah, was hiding in the southern part of the city with five other senior ISIS fighters when he was killed in an Egyptian Army raid. In his late 30s, Ansari was said to have masterminded numerous ISIS attacks against the Egyptian Army and police in Rafah and nearby areas. His killing is part of a campaign by Egypt’s security establishment to push ISIS’s remaining presence into a small area in the northern part of the territory, which shares borders with Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Egypt massed tens of thousands of troops in Sinai with the aim of eradicating ISIS in 2018.”

Libya

Egypt Today: Dozens Of Syrian Mercenaries In Libya Killed In 1 Week <[link removed]>

“Although the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that 151 Turkey-backed militants - fighting in the ranks of Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) have been killed since the beginning of this year, the LNA announced Thursday that the number of Syrian mercenaries who fell over the previous 72 hours is 103. The breakdown indicated by the LNA is 71 from the Second Corps, and 32 from the Third Corps. Mercenaries affiliated to the Second Corps are 35 from the Sultan Murad Brigade, nine from Al-Moatasim Division, 27 from Al-Hamzat Brigade including leader Abou Hassan al-Hamzawy. Mercenaries affiliated to the Third Corp are eight from Al Nusra Front, 13 from Afrin-based Al Majd Corps, and 1 from the North Hawks Brigade. SOHR reported Wednesday that eight Turkey-backed militants - fighting in the ranks of Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) - were killed in clashes with the Libyan National Army (LNA) so that the total figure becomes 151 since the beginning of this year. The observatory had reported earlier this month that the number of fatalities among Syrian mercenaries in Libya recorded 117.”

Nigeria

Premium Times: Boko Haram Attack, With ’15 Gun Trucks,’ Repelled By Nigerian Soldiers – Official <[link removed]>

“More details are emerging of a recent military operation by Nigerian soldiers battling Boko Haram fighters in the North-east. The Nigerian general leading the operations said the insurgents attacked troops he was leading with “15 gun trucks” from different flanks. “We have been met with very strong resistance from Boko Haram since yesterday. They are more than pockets of insurgents. Today morning, and from every flank, not less than 15 gun trunks faced us. The Boko Haram terrorists fired more than 100 RPGs and mortars on us,” Olusegun Adeniyi, a major-general and theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole said in a video. PRNigeria, a news agency with close ties to security agencies, said it sourced the video on Sunday morning. The exact day Mr Adeniyi shot the video was not stated, but PREMIUM TIMES learnt the video was shot about three days ago meaning the attack occurred around Wednesday. Mr Adeniyi did not also state the exact location where the attack took place in the North-east, but our security source said it was in Borno State. In the video, Mr Adeniyi said he and other generals led the Nigerian troops to successfully fight off the insurgents. “Yet, we are not running or fleeing from them. Me and other generals are on the ground.”

The Punch Nigeria: Five Dead, 14 Injured As Terrorists Strike In Maiduguri <[link removed]>

“Five people were killed when terrorists attacked their vehicles in Maiduguri, militia leaders said Sunday, adding more were feared dead. Gunmen from the Islamic State West Africa Province stopped the vehicles around 1730 GMT on Saturday near Auno village, 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, and attacked drivers and passengers with machetes as they fled into the bush. “We have so far recovered five dead bodies and 14 people with severe injuries all from machete cuts,” militia leader Babakura Kolo told AFP. He said the death toll might rise since more bodies could still be in the bush.  “The terrorists killed several people in a machete-hacking spree, following them into the bush where bodies are still scattered,” he said. A team of police, militiamen and local hunters combed through the area Sunday, evacuating the dead and the injured. The rescue operation was hampered, however, by the team’s refusal to go deeper into the bush for fear of attack from the jihadists. “We can’t go deep inside the bush which is littered with more bodies because the insurgents are very much around,” another militia Ibrahim Liman said. “We don’t have the kind of weapons they have to give them a good fight,” he said.”

Somalia

The Defense Post: Somalia: Puntland Governor Killed In Al-Shabaab Suicide Attack <[link removed]>

“A governor in Somalia’s Puntland was killed Sunday in a suicide bomb attack, witnesses said, in an attack claimed by the jihadist group al-Shabaab. The attack on Abdisalan Hassan Hersi, governor of the Nugaal region, happened in Puntland capital Garowe on March 29, said officials. “The doctors tried to save the governor’s life but unfortunately he died from his injuries,” Mohamed Weli, a police officer in Puntland, told AFP by phone. A source at the hospital, who did not wish to be identified, said the governor died less than an hour after being admitted to the intensive care ward. “He was badly wounded in the blast and he had little chance of surviving such serious injuries,” the source told AFP. A former police commander and a civilian were also wounded in the blast, and all three were being treated in hospital, Puntland’s interior minister, Mohamed Abdirahman, told reporters. Witnesses said the attacker ran at the vehicle in which he was traveling before detonating his explosive vest. “The governor and the former police commander were wounded seriously in the blast, the police sealed off the area after the blast,” said one witness, Adan Suleyman.”

Africa

The New York Times: Crisis In The Sahel Becoming France’s Forever War <[link removed]>

“For two days, dozens of armored vehicles carrying 180 elite soldiers with the French Foreign Legion lumbered over West Africa’s scrubby savanna to reach a suspected hide-out for Islamist militants. Finally, by a thicket of acacia trees, the legionnaires spotted a turbaned suspect in flip-flops, carrying an AK-47, who set off at a sprint and melted away in the distance. The soldiers found only his gun, boots, and ammunition holster under a thorny fence, and presented the findings to their officer. “A bit of a modest result,’’ said Col. Nicolas Meunier, commanding officer of the French desert battle group. When France sent its forces into Mali, a former French colony, after armed Islamists took control of the West African country’s northern cities, their mission was supposed to last only a few weeks. That was seven years ago. Since then, the terrorist threat has spread across a vast sweep of land south of the Sahara known as the Sahel, and France’s counterterrorism fight has spread with it. As a result, more than 10,000 West Africans have died, over a million have fled their homes and military forces from West Africa and France have suffered many losses.”

United Kingdom

Yorkshire Post: Fantasist Who Hoarded Weapons And Had Seven Terrorist Manuals Jailed <[link removed]>

“Anwar Driouich, 22, from Middlesbrough, admitted possessing 10kg of ammonium nitrate and seven terrorist manuals, including Munition Black Books, Anarchy Cookbook, Inspire, Ragnar's Big Book Of Homemade Weapons and Bloody Brazilian Knife Fighting Techniques. He hoarded weapons, including knives and a crossbow, and wrote in Facebook chat he was a “cold-blooded SOB” who wanted to “massacre this place”. The defendant also trawled the internet for mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and “incels” - a term for young men who consider themselves “involuntarily celibate”, a loose US online community responsible for high-profile murders and a mass shooting. However, his lawyer argued Driouich was a not terrorist, had no plans to make a bomb, and made “teenagerish” comments. Opening the facts, prosecutor Tom Walkling said Driouich was arrested in London last August after the company Aqua Plants Care reported his online order for 10kg of Ammonium Nitrate, a component of high explosives. Police found he had previously bought online 3.5kg of ammonium nitrate, a knuckleduster, retractable baton, handcuffs, balaclavas, and instructions on making a flamethrower.”

Germany

Daily Sabah: 871 Attacks Reported Against Muslims In Germany In 2019 <[link removed]>

“Some 871 attacks targeted the Muslim community in Germany last year, according to a report by a German daily Sunday. Two Muslims were killed, while 33 others were injured in these attacks, Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung daily reported, citing the government's response to a question submitted by the Left Party (Die Linke). According to Left Party's spokesperson Ulla Jelpke, the number may be higher by up to 90 more cases when the final number has been released, based on her “experience.” “The hatred of Muslims continues to be displayed in violent attacks, threats and insults,” Jelpke told the daily adding that it is still too early to have a clear picture on the total number of cases. “Unfortunately, we have to expect that there are more similar ticking time bombs,” she underlined. Germany has been recording Islamophobic crimes separately since 2017. The total number of cases in 2019 has not been officially announced. In 2018 there were 910, including 48 attacks on mosques alone, a little lower than 2017 with 1,095 crimes. More than 90% of these were attributed to politically motivated crimes by the far-right. Considering that the overall number of crimes has decreased, the assaults have increased, Die Tageszeitung stressed.”

Australia

The Canberra Times: Right-Wing Extremism Needs To Confronted, Says Researcher <[link removed]>

“Efforts to stop the growing threat of right-wing extremist terrorism in Australia must go beyond removing material from websites for mainstream viewing, counter terrorism researchers have said. Two chapters in a think-tank's new book on counter terrorism released on Monday warn against focusing too narrowly on denying right-wing extremists a platform to share online content with the broader public. Charles Sturt University researcher in terrorism Kristy Campion said in the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Counterterrorism Yearbook 2020 that right-wing extremist ideology should be confronted head-on in public debate. Her comments follow warnings from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation of a marked increase in right-wing extremism in Australia over recent years. Dr Campion said government efforts against the online presence of right-wing extremist material addressed a “carrier” of their views but failed “to provide meaningful counter-narratives or to undermine the value that individuals attach to ideological affiliation”. “Ideologically driven narratives serve to recruit, motivate and guide violent actors, but they don't always contain violent content; nor are they disseminated solely in open online spaces,” she said.”



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The Counter Extremism Project - United States
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