“A suicide bombing outside a bank in southern Afghanistan on Thursday killed at
least 20 people, including several members of the Taliban, according to
hospital staff, in a bloody reminder of the terrorist threats that have
persisted in the country since the U.S.-led war ended. The attack occurred
about 8:30 a.m., when a bomber detonated explosives in front of a branch of the
New Kabul Bank in Kandahar City, the capital of Kandahar Province, according to
Taliban officials. The blast appeared to have targeted Taliban members who had
gathered at the bank to collect their salaries, witnesses and hospital staff
said. About 50 others were injured, according to a doctor and a nurse at
Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar City who insisted on anonymity because
they were not authorized to speak to the news media. Taliban officials,
disputing that higher death toll, said that three people had been killed and a
dozen others injured in the blast. “











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Eye on Extremism



March 22, 2024



The New York Times: Suicide Bombing In Afghanistan Targets Taliban Heartland
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“A suicide bombing outside a bank in southern Afghanistan on Thursday killed
at least 20 people, including several members of the Taliban, according to
hospital staff, in a bloody reminder of the terrorist threats that have
persisted in the country since the U.S.-led war ended. The attack occurred
about 8:30 a.m., when a bomber detonated explosives in front of a branch of the
New Kabul Bank in Kandahar City, the capital of Kandahar Province, according to
Taliban officials. The blast appeared to have targeted Taliban members who had
gathered at the bank to collect their salaries, witnesses and hospital staff
said. About 50 others were injured, according to a doctor and a nurse at
Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar City who insisted on anonymity because
they were not authorized to speak to the news media. Taliban officials,
disputing that higher death toll, said that three people had been killed and a
dozen others injured in the blast."



Reuters: US Military Says It Destroyed Ballistic Missiles Launched By Houthis
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“The U.S. military on Thursday said it had destroyed two anti-ship ballistic
missiles and an unmanned surface vessel launched by Houthis from Yemen. "It was
determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to coalition and merchant
vessels in the region," U.S. Central Command wrote on social media site X.”




Recent CEP Press Releases

* Extremist Content Online: Pro-ISIS TikTok Users Celebrate Accused Attacker
In Zurich Stabbing
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* CEP Marks 20th Anniversary Of The Madrid Train Bombings
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* CEP Statement Calling For U.S. Sanctions Against Qatar, DIMDEX Conference,
And Al Thani Royal Family
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* Extremist Content Online: The Base Calls For Members of Other White
Supremacist Groups to Join
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* CEP Webinar: Cruel And Unusual Punishment – How The Houthis Target Women,
Journalists And Religious Minorities
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CEP Mentions



DW News: China And Russia Strike Deal With Yemen's Houthis To Ensure Safety Of
Red Sea Boats | DW News <[link removed]>



“Yemen's Houthi rebels have told China and Russia that their ships can pass
through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea safely. The Houthis have been
attacking vessels off the Yemeni coast since November. The US and the UK have
launched air strikes on Houthi targets in retaliation. Several countries have
deployed their naval forces to protect shipping in the trade route. Earlier
this month, three crew members were killed when their ship was hit in a Houthi
strike. Interview with Hans-Jakob Schindler.”



DW News: Houthis Vow Attacks Until Israel Ends War In Gaza
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“Yemen's Houthi rebels have told China and Russia that their ships can pass
through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea safely. The Houthis have been
attacking vessels off the Yemeni coast since November. The militant group had
vowed to continue attacks in the shipping lane until Israel ends its offensive
in Gaza. We spoke with Hans-Jakob Schindler, Senior Director at the Counter
Extremism Project.”



The Spectator: Only Radical Reform Will Save Our Overcrowded Prisons
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“What should we do when there’s no cell space left in our disordered jails?
The prison population figures published yesterday show a small drop compared to
last week, with nearly 87,900 currently incarcerated. There’s precious little
room for manoeuvre. We are perilously close to a time I can remember back in
the mid-90s when governors refused to take convicted prisoners from court
because there was no cell space left in their establishments. While numbers at
the top fluctuate week by week, the trend only ever goes up, driven by courts
getting rid of their backlogs and our tendency to sentence more offenders to
longer spells in custody that only make prisoners worse. Our overcrowded
prisons are falling apart. Too few staff looking after too many prisoners with
nothing meaningful to do in brutalising conditions is a recipe for chronic
instability. It does much to explain why the prison service can’t attract and
keep good staff and why our jails release alienated survivors of a system where
‘rehabilitation’ is a fantasy. More than half of all adult offenders released
after prison sentences of a year or less go on to reoffend. A business making
widgets with a failure rate this bad would go bust overnight.”



Patch: Modern Anti-Semitism And The Terrorist Threat
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“This all-too-timely topic will be explored by Josh Lipowsky, Senior Research
Analyst of the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), at a B'nai Shalom Culture and
Learning Center (CLC) event. “Unfortunately, what’s old is new again with
anti-Semitism at its highest levels in the United States in decades. But now
the bad guys don’t all wear recognizable brown shirts or white hoods anymore.
Anti-Semites have changed their language and tactics in an attempt to
legitimize their odious views,” said Lipowsky. He will share his in-depth CEP
research into how anti-Semitism has manifested in recent years while exploring
common themes that have repeated throughout history. CEP is a New York-based
NGO that researches and combats the spread of violent extremism around the
world.”



Newsweek: It's Time To Take The Gloves Off Against Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary Guard | Opinion
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“Washington's misplaced priorities in the Middle East over the last decade
have left tens of millions exposed to the aggression of an Iranian-backed
menace, the Houthis, who killed three civilian mariners this week in a missile
strike on a cargo ship in the Red Sea. With Tehran's support, Houthi forces
have launched near daily missile and drone attacks and committed acts of piracy
and hostage taking since October that has disrupted the global economy and
threatens wider war. It is critical that the U.S. move beyond the half-measures
it has deployed, end the crisis, and restore stability. Under normal
circumstances, 12 percent of the world's seaborne trade travels through the Red
Sea. But in recent months, maritime operators are avoiding the Rea Sea in its
deteriorated state and opting to reach Europe or the Americas via Africa's Cape
of Good Hope, adding approximately two weeks to their journeys. This is costly
to consumers and businesses alike that are suffering some disrupted supply
chains, but this challenge will pale in comparison to the crisis that will
unfold if Iran and the Houthis are permitted to continue to escalate their
attacks.”



United States



Associated Press: Blinken Says An Israeli Assault On Gaza’s Rafah Would Be A
Mistake And Isn’t Needed To Defeat Hamas
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“U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday a major Israeli ground
assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be “a mistake” and
“unnecessary” to defeating Hamas, underscoring the further souring of relations
between the United States and Israel. Blinken, on his sixth urgent Mideast
mission since the war began in October, spoke after huddling with top Arab
diplomats in Cairo for discussions on efforts for a cease-fire and Gaza’s
post-conflict future. He said an “immediate, sustained cease-fire” with the
release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas was urgently needed and that gaps
were narrowing in indirect negotiations that U.S., Egypt and Qatar have spent
weeks mediating. Those negotiations are to continue at a senior level in Qatar
on Friday. Blinken heads to Israel on Friday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and his War Cabinet. The growing disagreements between Netanyahu and
President Joe Biden over the prosecution of the war will likely overshadow
those talks — particularly over Netanyahu’s determination to launch a ground
assault on Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge
from devastating Israeli ground and air strikes further north.”



Associated Press: Speaker Johnson Says He Plans To Invite Netanyahu To Address
The US Congress <[link removed]>



“House Speaker Mike Johnson says he plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, a show of support from Republicans amid
growing Democratic criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership. “I would love to have
him come in and address a joint session of Congress,” Johnson said Thursday
morning on CNBC. “We’ll certainly extend that invitation.” Johnson said it
would be “a great honor of mine” to invite the Israeli leaderbut “we’re just
trying to work out schedules on all this.” Republicans have rallied around
Netanyahu since Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for new
elections in Israel on the Senate floor last week. Schumer, who is Jewish and a
strong supporter of Israel, said he believes that the prime minister has “lost
his way” and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid the growing
humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A U.S. speech by Netanyahu during the brutal war
with Hamas could be seen in the U.S. as highly politicized and would be met
with criticism from many Democrats, especially as many on the left flank have
been sharply critical of his tactics in the war.”



Yemen



Reuters: Red Sea Fighting Traps Two Oil Ships In Houthi Waters
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“Two tankers, containing oil and toxic waste, are stuck in the Red Sea in the
firing line between Western naval forces and Yemen's Houthi militants despite
repeated efforts by the United Nations to empty and move the ships to avoid a
spill. The vessels, one of which has been stranded for years, are near the port
of Ras Issa from where Iran-aligned Houthis launch missiles on ships passing
through the Red Sea and where U.S. missiles land as they target the Houthis.
The United Nations last year led efforts to remove a million barrels of oil
from the decaying tanker, the FSO Safer, to a new tanker, the MT Yemen, in an
operation that cost $121 million. The UN had hoped to move the FSO Safer, which
still contains toxic waste water and oily residue, for disposal elsewhere and
sell the oil aboard the MT Yemen.

Neither of the ships has moved since August as the Houthis and their foes in
Yemen’s internationally-recognised government could not agree who should
receive the money for the oil, a Houthi source speaking on condition of
anonymity told Reuters.”



Lebanon



Associated Press: Senior Hezbollah Security Official Makes Rare Visit To UAE
To Discuss Detained Lebanese
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“A senior official with Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group made a rare visit
to the United Arab Emirates to discuss the cases of a dozen Lebanese citizens
detained in the oil-rich nation over alleged links to the Lebanese group,
Hezbollah said Thursday. The United Arab Emirates, like other Arab gulf
countries, considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization and over the years has
detained and deported dozens of Lebanese citizens over alleged links to the
group. A Hezbollah statement said Wafik Safa, the head of the group’s Liaison
and Coordination Unit, visited the UAE where he met officials involved in the
cases of Lebanese detained there. It did not give further details, but said
there were hopes of reaching a good outcome. The UAE gave no official comment
on the visit. Lebanese media outlets reported that Safa’s visit followed
mediation by Syrian President Bashar Assad with officials in the UAE. After
years of backing the Syrian opposition, the UAE restored relations with
Damascus in 2018 and earlier this year the first ambassador for the emirates
took office in Damascus.”



Middle East



Associated Press: The UN Will Vote On A US Resolution Declaring That An
Immediate Cease-Fire In Gaza Is Imperative
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“The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United
States-sponsored resolution declaring that “an immediate and sustained
cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is “imperative” to protect
civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million
hungry Palestinians. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was
optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by
the 15-member council. The draft being put to a vote “determines” — which is a
council order — “the imperative of an immediate and sustained cease-fire,” with
no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on
Israel, which was in the previous draft. But it would unequivocally support
diplomatic efforts “to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release
of all remaining hostages.” Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky
said Moscow will not be satisfied “with anything that doesn’t call for an
immediate cease-fire,” saying it’s what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
is pressing for and what “everybody” wants. He questioned the wording of the
draft, asking, “What’s an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100,
but … it’s only an imperative, not $100.””



Somalia



Reuters: Somali Pirates Return, Adding To Global Shipping Crisis
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“As a speed boat carrying more than a dozen Somali pirates bore down on their
position in the western Indian Ocean, the crew of a Bangladeshi-owned bulk
carrier sent out a distress signal and called an emergency hotline. No one
reached them in time. The pirates clambered aboard the Abdullah, firing warning
shots and taking the captain and second officer hostage, Chief Officer Atiq
Ullah Khan said in an audio message to the ship's owners. "By the grace of
Allah no one has been harmed so far," Khan said in the message, recorded before
the pirates took the crew's phones. The company shared the recording with
Reuters. A week later, the Abdullah is anchored off the coast of Somalia, the
latest victim of a resurgence of piracy that international navies thought they
had brought under control. The raids are piling risks and costs onto shipping
companies also contending with repeated drone and missile strikes by Yemen's
Houthi militia in the Red Sea and other nearby waters. More than 20 attempted
hijackings since November have driven up prices for armed security guards and
insurance coverage and raised the spectre of possible ransom payments,
according to five industry representatives.”



United Kingdom



Reuters: Australia, Britain Call Out China For Hong Kong, South China Sea And
Russia Support
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“Australia and Britain on Friday criticised China for its actions in Hong
Kong, the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which
London and Canberra deepened their security ties.

The two countries called out "recent unsafe and destabilising behaviour by
China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near Second Thomas Shoal in
the South China Sea", in a statement that contained unusually direct language
on Beijing's activities in the region. In a joint statement earlier this month
with Southeast Asian nations, Australia called for restraint in the South China
Sea, without explicitly mentioning China. Friday's statement was issued after
Britain's foreign secretary, David Cameron, and defence secretary Grant Shapps
met their Australian counterparts, Penny Wong and Richard Marles, in Adelaide.
The four ministers said they were concerned about Hong Kong's new security law
and the erosion of freedom and rights in the territory, a former colony of
Britain, as well as human rights abuses in China.”



Europe



Reuters: Finland To Resume Funding To UNRWA
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“Finland will resume funding to the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, its
foreign trade and development minister said on Friday. Several countries,
including the United States and Britain, paused their funding to UNRWA after
accusations by Israel that a dozen of the agency's 13,000 staff in Gaza took
part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. "UNRWA improving its risk
management, meaning preventing and initiating close monitoring for misconduct,
provides sufficient guarantees for us at this point to continue our support"
Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio said. He told a press
conference some of the Finnish money would be earmarked for risk management.
Countries including Canada, Australia and Sweden have also restored funding to
UNRWA, while several Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia have increased
funding.”



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