Eye on Extremism

September 4, 2024

The Washington Post: U.S. Charges Hamas Leaders With Terrorism, Citing Oct. 7 Attack

“U.S. officials unsealed charges Tuesday against senior Hamas leaders, accusing them of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization, conspiring to murder Americans and conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction. The criminal complaint against Hamas leader Yehiya Sinwar and others was made public as U.S. diplomats are preparing to present Israel and Hamas with a final hostage release and cease-fire proposal, potentially as soon as this week. The charging document — filed under seal in February in federal court in New York — cites the group’s large-scale attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans, and resulted in the taking of about 250 hostages. It doesn’t provide much new information about Hamas but describes a terrorist conspiracy by the group’s leaders dating back to 1997 “to kill nationals of the United States.””

Reuters: Suspected Boko Haram Militants Kill At Least 37 In Nigeria Attack

“Suspected Boko Haram Islamist militants roared into a northeastern Nigerian village on motorcycles, opened fire on a market and set shops and homes ablaze, killing at least 37 people, according to a military official. Residents said the death toll could be even higher, with villagers still missing and feared dead after fighters chased them into the bush. The attack took place on Sunday afternoon in Yobe, one of three states at the frontline of an insurgency that has lasted 15 years. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed and more than 2 million displaced. Yobe police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim said the attack in Yobe's Mafa village was apparent retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram fighters by local vigilantes. After shooting at the market and torching buildings, the militants chased other residents into the bush and shot them, Abdulkarim added.”

The CEP CounterPoint: Expert Analysis

• CEP-KAS: Sahel Monitoring May 2024 
• Counterpoint Brief: ISIS Knife Attack in Solingen, Germany
• Counterpoint Brief: Hamas Names Yahya Sinwar as New Leader
• Counterpoint Brief: Implications of Hezbollah Attack on Majdal Shams
• Reactions to Trump Assassination Attempt From Extreme Right Telegram Channels 

United States

The New York Times: U.S. And Iraqi Commandos Targeted Isis In Sprawling Operation

“American and Iraqi commandos raided several Islamic State hide-outs in western Iraq last week, killing at least 14 ISIS fighters in one of the most sweeping counterterrorism missions in the country in recent years. Seven U.S. soldiers were injured as more than 200 troops from both countries, including backup forces, hunted down fighters in bunkers over miles of remote terrain, U.S. and Iraqi officials said, adding that the size, scope and focus of the mission underscored the terrorist organization’s resurgence in recent months. A senior insurgent commander overseeing Islamic State operations in the Middle East and Europe was the main target, they said.”

Iran

Associated Press: As Iran Threatens Israel, The Danger Of Tehran’s Long-Vaunted Missile Program Remains In Question

“As Iran threatens to attack Israel over the assassination of a Hamas leader in the Iranian capital, its long-vaunted missile program offers one of the few ways for Tehran to strike back directly, but questions loom over just how much of a danger it poses. The program was behind Iran’s unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Israel in April when Iran became the first nation to launch such a barrage since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein lobbed Scud missiles at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War. But few of the Iranian projectiles reached their targets. Many were shot down by a U.S.-led coalition, while others apparently failed at launch or crashed while in flight. Even those that reached Israel appeared to miss their marks. Now a new report by experts shared exclusively with The Associated Press suggests one of Tehran’s most advanced missiles is far less accurate than previously thought.”

Turkey

Associated Press: Suspect Arrested In Turkey For Allegedly Transferring Money To Mossad Operatives, Report Says

“Turkish police have arrested a suspect believed to have been transferring money to operatives from Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency in Turkey, the state-run news agency reported Tuesday. The suspect, identified as Liridon Rexhepi from Kosovo, entered Turkey on Aug. 25, and was detained last Friday and formally arrested on Tuesday, the Anadolu Agency said. The report said he had confessed during interrogation that he conducted the money transfers. Since January, Turkish authorities have detained dozens of people, among them private investigators, on charges of collecting data on individuals, mostly Palestinians residing in Turkey, for Israeli intelligence. Israel has not commented on the arrests in Turkey. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been one of the strongest critics of Israel’s military actions there and has praised Palestinian Hamas militants as a liberation group.”

Yemen

BBC: Salvage Operation For Oil Tanker In Red Sea Not Safe, EU Mission Says

“The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea says private companies have called off attempts to salvage a burning oil tanker because the situation is unsafe. The Greek-owned and flagged MV Sounion, carrying about a million barrels of crude, was abandoned by its crew after it was hit by projectiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi movement on 21 August. Fighters later detonated explosives onboard, sparking several fires. Last Wednesday, the Houthis said they had agreed to allow the tanker to be towed away to avert an unprecedented environmental disaster. The EU mission, which was providing security to the tugs involved in the salvage operation, said “alternative solutions" were being explored. On Monday, the mission reported that fires continued to burn on the tanker’s main deck. “The vessel remains anchored without drifting, and there are no visible signs of an oil spill,” it said.”

Middle East

Associated Press: Israel-Hamas War Latest: Protesters Gather In Tel Aviv Again To Pressure Government To Reach A Deal

“Large protests continued in Tel Aviv, Israel, for a third consecutive night Tuesday as hundreds took to the streets to call on the government to reach a cease-fire deal that would bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza. The protests have come after the Israeli military said six hostages were killed by their captors in Gaza just as troops were closing in on their location. Many Israelis blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the mounting number of dead hostages and are calling for a cease-fire agreement to free the remaining hostages. Meanwhile, the U.S. says it is working on a new cease-fire and hostage deal proposal with its Egyptian and Qatari counterparts. The United Nations Security Council plans to convene Wednesday to discuss the war. Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had killed a Hamas militant who appeared in a widely viewed video from Oct. 7, where he was seen drinking from a bottle of cola in front of two children wounded in a grenade attack that had just killed their father.”

The Counter Extremism Project depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation.

Click here to unsubscribe.