““The Houthis’ reckless attacks in the Red Sea, and the worsening situation for
the Yemeni people caused by Houthi actions, continue to be alarming and
undermine the prospects for peace in Yemen,” declared Ambassador Robert Wood ,
U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United
Nations. “In addition to the impacts on global shipping, these continued Houthi
attacks also impede the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 11.2 million
Yemenis and to people in dire need in other countries. . . .In carrying out
these attacks, the Houthis are trying to distract attention from their many
failures and human rights abuses, putting their own interests ahead of those of
average Yemenis.” The Houthi’s ongoing, cruel detention of members of
vulnerable religious minority communities is “unacceptable,” said Ambassador
Wood”











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Eye on Extremism



April 18, 2024



Voice Of America: Houthi Attacks Undermine Chance For Peace In Yemen
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““The Houthis’ reckless attacks in the Red Sea, and the worsening situation
for the Yemeni people caused by Houthi actions, continue to be alarming and
undermine the prospects for peace in Yemen,” declared Ambassador Robert Wood ,
U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United
Nations. “In addition to the impacts on global shipping, these continued Houthi
attacks also impede the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 11.2 million
Yemenis and to people in dire need in other countries. . . .In carrying out
these attacks, the Houthis are trying to distract attention from their many
failures and human rights abuses, putting their own interests ahead of those of
average Yemenis.” The Houthi’s ongoing, cruel detention of members of
vulnerable religious minority communities is “unacceptable,” said Ambassador
Wood”



The New York Times: Attack By Hezbollah Injures 14 Israeli Soldiers In Border
Village
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“The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a
cross-border drone and missile attack in northern Israel on Wednesday that the
Israeli military said had injured 14 soldiers, six of them severely. It was one
of the most damaging attacks in recent months by Hezbollah, Iran’s most
powerful regional proxy, in its continuing clashes with Israel. The attack came
a day after Israel’s targeted killing of two Hezbollah commanders as fears
continue to grow of a broader conflict between Israel and Tehran, which mounted
a wide aerial attack on Israel over the weekend. An internal Israeli army memo
said an initial investigation found that Hezbollah had fired two anti-tank
rockets at an Israeli Bedouin border village, Arab al-Aramshe, before
dispatching an exploding drone. An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to
comment on the memo.”



CEP Mentions



Yahoo News UK: Who Are The Houthi Rebels And What Are Their Links To Iran?
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“…The Houthis are described by the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), an
organisation which works to combat extremist groups and ideologies, as "an
Iranian-backed, Shiite Muslim armed religious and political movement in Yemen".
The Houthis are at the centre of Yemen's civil war. According to a US
Department of State report, they control "one-third of the country’s territory,
which contains 70% to 80% of the population". The group swept into Yemen's
capital, Sanaa, in 2014 when it ousted the internationally recognised
government.”



UAZMI: What Do Arab Nations Think About The Israel-Iran Tensions? - DW News.
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“As Israel considers its response to Iran's attack and continues to fight its
war against Hamas in Gaza, there are fears over where these regional tensions
could head. The international community is observing with great interest how
Arab nations in the region now react. It's a complex part of the world with
many rivals, both political and religious, vying for influence. Israel's
neighbor Jordan and regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia both appeared to help
defend Israel from Iran's missiles - to the surprise of many. Both countries
are involved in a complicated balancing act, making it difficult to predict
their future actions. Interview with Hans-Jakob Schindler.”



Breaking Africa News: Rwanda: Tribert Rujugiro – Exiled Rwandan Accused Of
Terrorism Financing Is Dead
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“…Released by the Counter Extremism Project, titled “An Unholy Alliance:
Connections between Extremism and Illicit Trade in East Africa”, the report
highlighted the growing threat to regional stability posed by illicit markets
and trade driven by corruption. The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is an
international policy organization led by a distinguished group of former world
leaders and diplomats based in Germany, New York, and London.”



Conservative Home: Ian Acheson: Britain’s High-Security Prison System Is
Rotting From The Head. Chalk Must Take The Fight To The Mandarins.
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“The high-security prison system – the specialist jails where hundreds of the
worst offenders in the system such as predatory rapists, child murderers,
organised crime bosses, and terrorists end up – is in trouble. Out of more than
a hundred jails, there are six main establishments. They are not overcrowded.
Most have modern facilities. All have considerably more staff and security
infrastructure than lower-security prisons. They hold all of our national
security risk, and are designed around the principle that the people held
within those walls are so dangerous escape must be made impossible.”



Syria



Associated Press: Human Rights Group Alleges Widespread Torture, Abuse Of
Detainees Accused Of IS Affiliation In Syria
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“Amnesty International said Wednesday it has documented widespread abuses,
including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities
holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in
northeast Syria. The centers and camps hold about 56,000 people — the majority
of them children and teens — and are run by local authorities affiliated with
the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF and its allies,
including U.S.-led coalition forces, defeated the Islamic State group in Syria
in 2019, ending its self-proclaimed Islamic “caliphate” that had ruled over a
large swath of territory straddling Iraq and Syria. What to do with the
suspected IS fighters and their families has become an intractable issue. Many
countries whose citizens traveled to Syria to join IS have been reluctant to
repatriate them, as have local communities in Syria.”



Iran



Bloomberg: Iran Ship Linked To Houthi Attacks Goes Home Amid Tensions
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“An Iranian ship that’s been linked to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea is
returning home, removing one of Iran’s prominent assets in the area as the
country braces for a potential Israeli attack. Behshad, which Iran calls an
“intelligence and logistics” ship, left its position near the coast of Yemen on
April 4 then stopped broadcasting its location until it reappeared near the
Strait of Hormuz early on April 18, according to tracking data compiled by
Bloomberg. It’s signaling it will arrive at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port later
Thursday. The vessel, whose official mission is to combat piracy, was hit by a
US cyberattack earlier this year for its alleged role in supporting the Houthis
with intelligence to help them target commercial shipping in the region.
Behshad’s redeployment came days after a suspected Israeli air strike on Iran’s
consulate in Damascus on April 1. Tehran responded last weekend with an
unprecedented missile and drone attack on the Jewish state, and is now bracing
for an Israeli response. The US is calling for restraint to avoid further
escalation.”



The New York Times: Miscalculation Led To Escalation In Clash Between Israel
And Iran
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“Israel was mere moments away from an airstrike on April 1 that killed
several senior Iranian commanders at Iran’s embassy complex in Syria when it
told the United States what was about to happen. Israel’s closest ally had just
been caught off guard. Aides quickly alerted Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s
national security adviser; Jon Finer, the deputy national security adviser;
Brett McGurk, Mr. Biden’s Middle East coordinator; and others, who saw that the
strike could have serious consequences, a U.S. official said. Publicly, U.S.
officials voiced support for Israel, but privately, they expressed anger that
it would take such aggressive action against Iran without consulting
Washington. The Israelis had badly miscalculated, thinking that Iran would not
react strongly, according to multiple American officials who were involved in
high-level discussions after the attack, a view shared by a senior Israeli
official. On Saturday, Iran launched a retaliatory barrage of more than 300
drones and missiles at Israel, an unexpectedly large-scale response, if one
that did minimal damage.”



Afghanistan



Voice Of America: Journalist Jailed As Taliban Continue Media Crackdown
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“Free-press advocates are calling on de facto Taliban authorities in
Afghanistan to release a local reporter jailed on unspecified charges. Habib
Rahman Taseer, a former Pashto-language reporter for Azadi Radio — a
Prague-based affiliate of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA’s parent
organization — was detained by the Taliban intelligence agency in Ghazni
province this month. According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center, or AFJC,
he was subsequently transferred to a provincial prison on Wednesday. “We demand
his immediate and unconditional release,” AFJC said in a statement. The Taliban
have banned VOA and Azadi Radio broadcasts in Afghanistan, accusing the
U.S.-funded organizations of airing anti-Taliban content. Both media entities
firmly deny the accusation, instead saying that the Islamist regime stifles
free press. Officials at the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, which
houses a commission that regulates media, did not respond to requests for
comment regarding Taseer's detention.”



Modern Diplomacy: The Taliban Can Contribute To The Fight Against IS-K
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“The terrorist organisation known as “The Islamic State – Khorasan Province
(IS-K)” has the potential to become one of the deadliest factions on the
continent if it doesn’t face serious resistance. With a relatively small number
of bases located in hidden and difficult-to-reach locations in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, the IS-K organisation has aggressive plans that could pose a threat
to the security of several countries in the West and East. Both the Taliban and
the unrecognised Afghan government can become a serious force that will be able
to suppress this branch of the Islamic State. In March of this year, a
devastating terrorist attack took place in Russia, which was later claimed by a
group known as IS-K. This situation has forced us to take another look at this
organization. Despite the presence of serious and professional security
measures, the terrorist organization was able to carry out a major terrorist
attack, resulting in the death of more than 140 innocent civilians. The
investigation of this crime is still ongoing and not all of the organizers have
yet been fully identified. However, it is widely acknowledged by experts that
IS-K terrorists were involved in the attack.”



Russia



The Telegraph: ‘Russian Spies’ Arrested In Germany Attempting To Attack
Weapons Deliveries To Ukraine
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German police have arrested two suspected Russian agents who were allegedly
planning sabotage attacks on US military bases and attacks on weapons
deliveries to Ukraine. The two Russian-German spies were arrested by police
commandos on Wednesday morning in the town of Bayreuth, prosecutors disclosed
on Thursday morning. It is the latest in a string of espionage scandals to
shock Germany – a German intelligence officer is currently on trial in a
separate case for allegedly passing intelligence to Moscow.



Pakistan



Associated Press: Pakistani Security Forces Kill 7 Militants Trying To Sneak
Into The Country From Afghanistan
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“Pakistani security forces killed seven militants in a remote northwestern
border area on Wednesday when they tried to sneak into the country from
Afghanistan, the military said. The military’s statement said the insurgents
had been detected near Ghulam Khan, a border town in northwestern Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province. The statement said Pakistan has long urged Afghanistan to
ensure effective border management. Pakistan often accuses Kabul of turning a
blind eye to militants operating near the frontier, which the Afghan
authorities deny. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in violence, mostly blamed on
the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. It is a separate
group but allied with the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in
August 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan
since then.”



Lebanon



Reuters: Hezbollah Launches Missiles And Drones At Northern Israel, Wounding
14 Israeli Soldiers
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“Lebanon's Hezbollah said on Wednesday it launched missiles and drones at a
military facility in northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes that
killed Hezbollah members, an incident that the Israeli military said left 14
soldiers wounded. The military said six of the soldiers were in serious
condition. It said it "struck the sources of fire" after identifying several
anti-tank missile and drone launches from Lebanon towards the Bedouin village
of Arab al-Aramshe. The Israeli Ynet news site said the soldiers were in a
community centre in the village. On Tuesday, Israeli strikes in southern
Lebanon killed three people, including a Hezbollah field commander, Lebanese
security sources said. Israeli forces and Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah have
been exchanging fire for over six months in parallel to the Gaza war, in the
most serious hostilities since they fought a major war in 2006.”



Qatar



Reuters: Qatar Re-Evaluating Its Role As Mediator In Gaza Ceasefire Talks
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“Qatar is re-evaluating its role as mediator in ceasefire talks between
Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, citing concerns that its
efforts are being undermined by politicians seeking to score points, its prime
minister said on Wednesday. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin
Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also foreign minister, said there was a "misuse of
this mediation for narrow political interests, and this necessitated Qatar to
undertake a full evaluation of this role". Sheikh Mohammed did not identify any
politicians by name. Qatar's embassy in Washington on Tuesday criticised
comments made by U.S. Democratic congressman Steny Hoyer, in which he called on
the U.S. to "reevaluate" its relationship with Qatar. Hoyer said on Monday that
Qatar must threaten Hamas with "repercussions" if the militant Palestinian
group "continues to block progress towards releasing the hostages and
establishing a temporary ceasefire".”



Middle East



Associated Press: The Latest | Netanyahu Says Israel Will Decide How To
Respond As Iran Warns Against Retaliation
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“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would decide whether and how
to respond to Iran’s major air assault earlier this week, brushing off calls
for restraint from close allies. Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s
unprecedented attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after
months of fighting in Gaza. Israel’s allies have been urging Israel to hold
back on any response to the attack that could spiral. The diplomatic pressure
came as Iran’s president warned that even the “tiniest” invasion of its
territory would bring a “massive and harsh” response. Over the weekend, Iran
launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel after an apparent Israeli
strike killed two Iranian generals. Israel and Iran have waged a long shadow
war, but the strike was Iran’s first direct military attack on Israel. Israel
says it and its partners intercepted nearly all the missiles and drones.”



Associated Press: UN Agency Helping Palestinians In Gaza Seeks Support Against
Israel’s Demands For Its Dissolution
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“The head of the U.N. agency that has helped millions of Palestinians in Gaza
and the West Bank for decades urged the Security Council on Wednesday to ensure
its survival as Israel again demanded its dissolution, accusing the agency of
becoming part of Hamas’ “terror war machine.” Philippe Lazzarini told the
council that dismantling the agency known as UNRWA would deepen Gaza’s
humanitarian crisis and speed up the onset of famine. International experts
have warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza and said half the territory’s
2.3 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation if the six-month
Israeli-Hamas war intensifies. Lazzarini said ending the agency’s operations
also would have other “lasting repercussions” on Gaza, leaving a half million
children without education and “fueling anger, resentment and endless cycles of
violence.” In addition, it would jeopardize the transition when the war ends by
depriving Gaza’s population of essential services, including health care, food
and other humanitarian aid, he said.”



Reuters: Jordan Says Israeli Retaliation For Iran Strikes Risks Wider Regional
War
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“Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Wednesday an Israeli
retaliation against Iranian strikes could bring a real risk of dragging the
whole region into a devastating war. In an interview released by state media,
Safadi said his country was lobbying major powers against an escalation that
would have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and security. "The
risks are enormous. That could drag the whole region into war, which would be
devastating to us in the region and we’ll have very, very serious implications
for the rest of the world including the U.S," Safadi said. "The situation is
too dangerous. The chances of regional explosion are real, and that has got to
stop. We’ve got to make sure there’s no further escalation," he added. Staunch
U.S. ally Jordan, with the help of American air defences and support from the
UK and France, shot down most of the Iranian drones and missiles that were
flying over the country towards Jerusalem and a wide range of targets in
Israel."



Somalia



Garowe Online: Somalia Publishes List Of 9 Al-Shabaab Associates
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“In line with the enforcement of various strategic measures geared towards
curbing violent extremism, Somalia has published nine names of individuals
collaborating with Al-Shabaab by either coordinating attacks or overseeing
extortion across the country. The National Anti-money Laundering and
Counter-Terrorism Financing Committee (NAMLC) issued the list of individuals
suspected of financing Al-Shabaab, citing credible evidence about activities
perpetuated by the individuals. The suspects, the NAMLC added, have mainly been
extorting innocent civilians and, or directly financing the Al-Shabaab across
the country, causing havoc in the process. The individuals have been placed on
the blacklist as authorities pursue them. Among those placed on the list are
Abdullahi Tahleel Hire, Hassan Ali Afgio, Abdulkarim Ahmed Jugjuge, Feisal
Abdullahi Yusuf, Noah Isse Lugole, and Sayed Ali Shirwa. They come mainly from
southern parts of the country where Al-Shabaab militants are dominant.”



Europe



Associated Press: Switzerland’s Lower House Moves To Ban Use Of Nazi And
Extremist Symbols That Could Stir Violence
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“The lower house of Swiss parliament on Wednesday followed in the footsteps
of the Senate, or upper house, in approving a measure that would ban the use
of, public wearing or display of Nazi and racist symbols that could foment
extremist hate or violence. The proposal — years in the making — goes beyond a
simple ban on Nazi memorabilia, which had failed in the past in parliament, to
include other forms of extremist symbols that could stir hatred or violence.
The National Council in the capital, Bern, in a 133-38 vote with 17
abstentions, passed Most political groups backed the measure and overcame
opposition from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which has the most seats
in the two chambers. The vote puts Switzerland on track to join other European
countries that have enacted similar bans. Efforts to push for tougher
legislation have accelerated in recent months in the wake of a surge of
antisemitic attacks across Europe and beyond that accompanied the start of the
latest Israel-Hamas war in Gaza more than six months ago.”



Australia



Associated Press: Sydney Teen Accused Of Stabbing 2 Clerics Showed No Signs Of
Radicalization, Muslim Leader Says
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“A 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics during a Sydney
church service might have “anger management and behavioral issues” and a “short
fuse” but had shown no signs of being radicalized, a community leader said on
Thursday, after authorities declared the stabbing a terrorist attack. The teen
spoke in Arabic about the Prophet Muhammad being insulted after he stabbed
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during Monday night’s
Assyrian Orthodox service, which was being streamed online. The bishop released
an audio statement on Thursday saying he was “doing fine, recovering very
quickly” and that he forgave his attacker. Jamal Rifi, a Sydney doctor and
Muslim community leader, said the boy had apologized when his family visited
him in the hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday.”



Southeast Asia



The New York Times: An ISIS Terror Group Draws Half Its Recruits From Tiny
Tajikistan
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“The mother of one of the suspects in the bloody attack on a concert hall
near Moscow last month wept as she talked about her son. How, she wondered, did
he go from the bumpy, dirt roads of their village in Tajikistan, in Central
Asia, to sitting, bruised and battered, in a Russian courtroom accused of
terrorism? Even though he spent five years in Tajik prisons as a teenager, she
said he never exhibited signs of violent extremism. “We need to understand —
who is recruiting young Tajiks, why do they want to highlight us as a nation of
terrorists?” said the mother, Muyassar Zargarova. Many governments and
terrorism experts are asking the same question.”



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