*Note: Eye On Extremism will be suspended tomorrow, April 10. Eye On Extremism will resume on Monday, April 13.*

April 9, 2020

Daily Sabah: Top PKK Terrorist Killed In Turkish Anti-Terror Operation In Northern Iraq <[link removed]>

“Senior PKK terrorist Fadil Ekinci in charge of the terrorist group's activities in Iraq's Zap region and listed in the blue category of Turkey's wanted list was killed in an anti-terror operation in coordination with National Intelligence Organization, reports said Wednesday. Ekinci was sought with a TL 1 million ($147,284) bounty on his head. The Interior Ministry divides sought suspects into five color-coded categories, with red marking the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray, depending on the sensitivity of their criminal activity. Turkish security forces regularly conduct counterterrorism operations in the eastern and southeastern provinces of Turkey where the PKK has attempted to establish a strong presence and bases. The TSK also conducts cross-border operations in northern Iraq, a region where PKK terrorists have hideouts and bases from which they carry out attacks on Turkey. The operations intensified after July 2018 and became routine since the beginning of another extensive campaign, Operation Claw, which was launched on May 27 to entirely eliminate the presence of the terrorist organization in northern Iraq. On July 13, the TSK launched Operation Claw-2 as a follow up to the successful Claw-1.”

Voice Of America: Somali Officials Confirm US Airstrike Killed Senior Al-Shabab Leader <[link removed]>

“A Somali intelligence official has confirmed that a U.S. airstrike in southern Somalia killed a senior leader of militant group al-Shabab. The official in Somalia's southwest region told VOA that the airstrike on April 2 killed Yusuf Jiis, a long-standing, high-ranking leader in the al-Qaida-affiliated group. The airstrike took place near Bush Madina, about 55 kilometers east of the town of Dinsor, in a Shabab-controlled area. “This individual was a key leader in the al-Shabab organization,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command. “He was violent, ruthless and responsible for the loss of many innocent lives. His removal makes Somalia and neighboring countries safer.” Jiis, whose real name was Yusuf Nur Sheikh Hassan, was the al-Shabab official in charge of dealing with humanitarian agencies. He was accused of leading militants who raided and looted the offices of aid agencies in 2009. Al-Shabab has been accused of blocking aid to Somali civilians in need, particularly during a 2011 drought that killed an estimated 260,000 people. Somali officials believe more recently, Jiis worked in the Hisba, or police department, of al-Shabab and was recently added to the group's consultative council, or Shura.”

NBC News: Prospective Peace Talks In Peril As Taliban Reject Afghan Government Prisoner Release <[link removed]>

“An Afghan government announcement that it freed 100 Taliban prisoners Wednesday has been rejected by the militant group, putting the prospect of peace talks between the two parties in further peril. The announcement came a day after the Taliban said it was pulling out of talks aimed at facilitating a larger swap of thousands of prisoners. Announcing the release of the 100 prisoners, Javid Faisal, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Security Council said in a statement Wednesday: “The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan remains open [to] continuing joint technical work with the Taliban in order to advance the peace process.” But the Taliban rebuffed the overture saying they were unable to verify which, if any, prisoners had been released, adding that as far as they were concerned the prisoner exchange negotiations were still suspended. “We don’t know who these 100 people are who the Afghan government claims to have freed today,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told NBC News. The prisoner exchange was part of the deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha in February, under which America agreed to withdraw all forces from Afghanistan within 14 months.”

United States

Associated Press: US Charges 2 With Terror Crimes Over Threats To Spread Virus <[link removed]>

“The Justice Department charged two people with federal terrorism offenses on Wednesday for allegedly claiming they were intentionally trying to spread the coronavirus. The charges, in cases in Texas and Florida, come about two weeks after Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen instructed federal prosecutors across the U.S. that they could charge people who threaten to spread the coronavirus under the terrorism statutes because the Justice Department considers it a “biological agent” under the law. “Threats or attempt to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated,” Rosen wrote in the memo to U.S. attorneys and the heads of all Justice Department agencies, including the FBI. More than 400,000 people have been diagnosed in the U.S. with the virus, which has prompted stay-at-home orders from lawmakers across the country. Authorities have reported an uptick in hate crimes and virus-related scams. Prosecutors allege James Jamal Curry, 31, of St. Petersburg, Florida, coughed on an officer’s arm while he was being arrested on a domestic violence charge on March 27 and told the officer, “Well I got the Corona,” according to court documents.”

Military Times: Some DoD Medical Facilities Found Vulnerable To ‘Violence, Sabotage Or Terrorism' <[link removed]>

“An audit of eight military hospitals and clinics found security flaws that allowed unauthorized access to patient records and pharmacies, and left the facilities vulnerable to incidents of violence, sabotage or terrorism, according to a Pentagon inspector general report released this week. Though the facilities “generally implemented physical security controls,” weaknesses were found at all eight locations, and the auditors concluded that similar vulnerabilities may also exist at other facilities operated by the Defense Health Agency. The report cited recent security incidents at medical facilities —including a 2015 shooting near the William Beaumont Army Medical Center on Fort Bliss, Texas — that underlines the need for more stringent protocols. The rate of workplace violence is also four times higher for health care workers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Agency often warns of the propensity of criminals to target pharmacies for controlled substances. None of the eight medical treatment facilities audited appear named in the redacted report. The auditors looked at the facilities’ use of security cameras, duress alarms, intrusion detection systems and badging methods to regulate entry to restricted areas.”

Syria

The New York Times: Syria Used Chemical Weapons 3 Times In One Week, Watchdog Says <[link removed]>

“An investigative team with the international group that monitors compliance with the chemical weapons ban accused the Syrian government on Wednesday of having launched three chemical weapons attacks on one village in northern Syria in March 2017, sickening scores of people. The team, established by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, said in a report that in the span of one week, Syrian fighter jets had twice dropped bombs containing sarin nerve agent on the village and a helicopter had targeted its hospital with a cylinder containing chlorine. Reports of chemical weapons use have surfaced frequently during Syria’s nine-year civil war, and officials from the United States, Turkey and other countries have accused the Syrian government of using banned weapons to try to break the back of the rebel movement that is seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad. The O.P.C.W. verified the use of chemical weapons in many of these cases, but had refrained from assigning blame for who deployed them, raising criticism from activists that holding back such judgments diminished the chances for accountability.”

Iraq

Kurdistan 24: Kurdish Leader Stresses ISIS Still A Serious Threat After Attack Kills 2 Peshmerga <[link removed]>

“The so-called Islamic State remains a serious threat, said Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani on Wednesday, a day after members of the terrorist organization killed two Kurdish Peshmerga forces in an attack. “Last night's terrorist attack in the Garmiyan area which resulted in the martyrdom of 2 Peshmerga forces is a reminder that the #ISIS terrorists continue to constitute a threat,” said Masoud Barzani in a tweet. “It is imperative that the anti-terrorism efforts by Erbil, Baghdad and the coalition remain a priority.” In his statement on the incident, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the two fallen Peshmerga heroes, Surkew Rashid and Ismaeil Fars, who lost their lives last night while repelling an attack by ISIS terrorists in Kulajo village, Garmian region.”  The incident occurred in the south of the autonomous region in the small town of Kulajo, located within the Garmiyan Administration, an unofficial province in the Kurdistan Region that includes the three districts Kalar, Kifri, and Chamchamal.”

Afghanistan

Long War Journal: Taliban Touts More Elite ‘Red Unit’ Fighter Training On Social Media <[link removed]>

“There has been no slowdown in the Taliban’s propaganda, as two of the group’s top spokesmen continue to take to social media to tout the training of its military personnel. One of their latest posts appears to show fighters from the Red Unit, the Taliban’s special operations unit that spearheads its assaults throughout the country. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid pushed out the images of the Red Unit on Twitter on April 4. Qari Yusuf Ahmadi promoted images from a Taliban camp in Paktika on Twitter on April 7. The images have yet to be published on the Taliban’s official website, Voice of Jihad. However, the photographs bear the watermark of El Emara Studio, which is the official media wing of the Taliban. While Mujahid did not explicitly identify the fighters in his photographs as members of the Red Unit, a prominent Taliban booster who has accurately reported on Taliban issues has confirmed. The photographs support his claim. In his tweet, Mujahid named the lead trainer: Ammar Ibn Yasser, who is described as “the Mujahideen of Mujahideen.” In the photographs, Yasir and two other trainers were seen wearing shirt emblazoned with the logo of the Taliban’s “special forces.”

Middle East

The Times Of Israel: Top Hamas Official Says Terror Group Willing To Enter Prisoner Swap Talks <[link removed]>

“A senior Hamas official said Wednesday that the terror group was willing to enter talks “tomorrow” to return two Israeli civilians and the bodies of two soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza War. Musa Dudin, a member of the Hamas political bureau, speaking on a Hamas-affiliated TV channel, said Israel had a “window of opportunity” that it can take advantage of before it will once again be forced to “negotiate under more difficult conditions,” apparently referring to the willingness to make a humanitarian gesture during the coronavirus crisis. Hamas is believed to be holding two Israeli civilians — Avera Avraham Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed — who are though to have entered the Gaza Strip of their own accord in 2014-2015, as well as the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, IDF soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza war. Dudin said “Israel knows what the demands are and that they should not be discussed in the media.” His remarks come after Palestinian media said Hamas was holding internal deliberations on whether to enter talks with Israel and that the Egyptian military had offered to mediate between Israel and Hamas.”

Nigeria

All Africa: Nigerian, Nigerien Troops Battle Insurgents In Borno <[link removed]>

“Joint troops from Nigeria and Niger Republic yesterday battled fighters of Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) in Tumbun Tago and Tumbun Fulani in Borno State. This is coming as the Nigerian Navy yesterday recovered 140 litres of stolen crude oil from an illegal oil refinery site in Warri, Delta State. The troops had a fierce encounter with the insurgents at Kure village along Tumbun Rago and Tumbun Fulani general areas of Borno State. A war update issued by the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) said the combined troops of 403 Special Forces Brigade Baga and Niger Republic troops supported by Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole decimated scores of the terrorists. “In continuation with the ongoing clearance operations in the North-east theatre of operation, combined troops of 403 Special Forces Brigade Baga, Niger Republic Troops supported by Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole had a fierce encounter with some Boko Haram/ISWAP elements at Kure village along Tumbun Rago and Tumbun Fulani general areas of Borno State. “Consequently, the terrorists were decisively dealt with during the encounter. The terrorists suffered heavy casualties and unconfirmed number escaped with gunshot wounds,” it said.”

United Kingdom

BBC News: Terror Suspect Unable To Attend Court Due To 'Self-Isolation' <[link removed]>

“A terror suspect accused of plotting to fight against so-called Islamic State was unable to attend his latest court hearing because he is “self-isolating”. Former soldier Daniel Burke is being held in custody after being charged with three terrorism offences. His case was brought before Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. But the 32-year-old, from Manchester, was unable to appear via video link from prison as he is self-isolating due to the virus pandemic, the court heard. The defendant, who allegedly expressed a desire to travel to Syria to fight for Kurdish militia, was charged in December last year after being stopped at a port. It is alleged that, between 7 October and 5 November last year, Mr Burke of Amberwood Drive engaged in conduct with the intention to assist another person to commit, prepared or instigate an act of terrorism. Between 18 September and 2 November last year, he allegedly entered into or became concerned in an arrangement with others to provide money and military equipment while having reasonable cause to suspect that it would or may be used for the purposes of terrorism.”

France

Reuters: France Knife Attack Suspect Charged With Terrorism Offences, Murder <[link removed]>

“A man who killed two people in a knife attack in southeastern France at the weekend is a refugee from Sudan and has been charged with terrorism offences and murder, the French anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday. Five people were also wounded in Saturday’s attack. The 33-year-old suspect probably acted alone, “without having been given any orders by a terrorist organisation”, the office said in a statement. It added that the man, who worked locally, had not been known to police forces or intelligence services. He had arrived in France in August 2016 and obtained refugee status in June 2017. When police arrested him shortly after the attack, he was kneeling on a pavement and praying in Arabic. A search of his home revealed documents with a religious connotation in which the author complained in particular of living in a country of “unbelievers”. France has experienced a wave of attacks by Islamist militants in recent years. Bombings and shootings in November 2015 at the Bataclan theatre and other sites around Paris killed 130 people, and in July 2016 an Islamist militant drove a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86.”

The Trumpet: Jihadist Kills Two In France <[link removed]>

“The French are more concerned about terrorism than most in the developed world. This has been true since 2014, even before the migrant crisis. Polling data by the Counter Extremism Project shows that “the French public, relative to public opinion in the United States and other European countries, has long viewed Islamist-based extremism as one of its greatest threats.” A 2017 Pew Research poll indicated that 88 percent saw the Islamic State as a major threat to the country. Radical Islam isn’t going away. In France and around the world, coronavirus lockdowns are making the loss of liberty feel normal—even necessary. People are trusting the government with their safety and welfare. All this to fight a virus. What about when it comes to fighting the virus of Islamic extremism? France will soon look to a strong leader for protection.”

Canada

Global News: Violent Extremists May Exploit Coronavirus Pandemic, Target Hospitals, Threat Report Warns <[link removed]>

“Violent extremists may try to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic by attacking hospitals and supermarkets, according to a U.S. threat assessment circulated in Canada by the RCMP. “Pandemics and other natural crises create unprecedented challenges that terrorists could exploit to conduct attacks against and already stressed society, and strained government and public safety system,” it said. “While most citizens isolate in their homes, public safety personnel, hospitals and establishments, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, serve the largest number of co-located individuals, making them potentially attractive targets.” The April 1 warning was written by the U.S. National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC) but was included in a security advisory prepared by the U.S. rail industry. According to two sources who did not want to be publicly identified, they industry advisory was distributed in this country by the RCMP’s First Responder Terrorism Awareness Program. A copy was obtained by Global News. The report also included an April 1 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assessment of attempts by extremists to encourage supporters to spread COVID-19 to law enforcement members and minority communities, as well as at places of worship and on public transit.”



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