Eye on Extremism
September 19, 2024
Associated Press: Lebanon Is Rocked Again By Exploding Devices As Israel Declares A New Phase Of War
“Walkie-talkies exploded in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon on Wednesday in a second wave of attacks targeting devices a day after pagers used by Hezbollah blew up, state media and officials for the militant group said. At least 20 people were killed and more than 450 wounded in the second wave, the Health Ministry said. The attacks — which were widely believed to be carried out by Israel targeting Hezbollah but have also killed civilians — have hiked fears that the two sides’ simmering conflict could escalate into all-out war. Speaking to Israeli troops on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance.” He made no mention of the exploding devices but praised the work of Israel’s army and security agencies, saying “the results are very impressive.””
The Washington Post: U.N. General Assembly Demands Israel End Occupation Of Palestinian Territory
“The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution demanding that Israel end its “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months. The nonbinding resolution also said that Israel should withdraw its military forces; halt the expansion of settlements and evacuate all settlers from occupied land; and demolish parts of a separation wall constructed inside the occupied West Bank. A majority of members — 124 countries — voted in favor. Fourteen countries, including Israel and the United States, voted against the resolution and 43 countries abstained.”
United States
Associated Press: Philadelphia Teen Sought To Travel Overseas, Make Bombs For Terrorist Groups, Prosecutors Say
“A Philadelphia teenager who authorities say wanted to travel overseas and make bombs for terrorist organizations will be tried as an adult. The District Attorney’s office made the announcement Wednesday as it disclosed more details of the allegations against Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman, who was 17 when he was arrested in August 2023. He is now 18, and his bail has been set at $5 million. It was not immediately clear who is representing Abdul-Rahman. Court records for the case could not be located via an online search, and the District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a query about whether he has a lawyer. His father, Qawi Abdul-Rahman, a local criminal defense attorney who previously ran for a judgeship, was not in his law office Wednesday and did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.”
The National: US Denies It Has Offered Houthis Concessions To Stop Attacks
“A top US diplomat on Wednesday denied a claim by Yemen's Houthis that the Biden administration had offered to recognize the Iran-backed rebels in Sanaa if they stopped attacks in the Red Sea and beyond. Special envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking also said he had seen “very worrying” evidence that Russia is seeking to arm the Houthis. A senior Houthi official this week said the US had offered to recognize the Houthis and other unspecified “temptations” for the group to stop attacking shipping in the Red Sea and launching strikes against Israel. “There is no truth to the story,” Lenderking told The National at an event hosted by the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington on Wednesday. “It is not the case that the US is offering any inducements to recognize the Houthis is a legitimate government.”
Iran
Reuters: Iran Condemns Attacks In Lebanon Involving Exploding Communications Devices
“Iran condemned attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday that involved exploding communications devices, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said in a post on the X social media platform on Wednesday, offering help to the wounded. Hand-held radios used by Hezbollah detonated on Wednesday across Lebanon killing at least three people and more than 100 injured, further stoking tensions with Israel a day after similar explosions launched via the group's pagers which caused 12 fatalities. "The terrorism of the Zionist regime causes aversion and disgust. Iran strongly condemns yesterday's criminal explosion of communication devices and today's criminal explosion of walkie-talkies, which resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of Lebanese civilians," Mohajerani said.”
Turkey
Reuters: Turkey Says Its Air Strikes Hit PKK Targets In Northern Iraq
“Turkish air strikes in northern Iraq destroyed 24 targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on Wednesday, the Turkish Defence Ministry said in a statement, adding many militants had been "neutralized" in the attack. Ankara typically uses the term "neutralized" to mean killed. The operations targeted PKK caves, storage areas, and bases in the Hakurk, Gara, Qandil and Asos regions, the ministry said.”
Middle East
Associated Press: Is Israel Preparing For A War With Hezbollah?
“With Israel’s defense minister announcing a “new phase” of the war and an apparent Israeli attack setting off explosions in electronic devices in Lebanon, the specter of all-out combat between Israel and Hezbollah seems closer than ever before. Hopes for a diplomatic solution to the conflict appear to be fading quickly as Israel signals a desire to change the status quo in the country’s north, where it has exchanged cross-border fire with Hezbollah since the Lebanese militant group began attacking on Oct. 8, a day after the war’s opening salvo by Hamas. In recent days, Israel has moved a powerful fighting force up to the northern border, officials have escalated their rhetoric, and the country’s security Cabinet has designated the return of tens of thousands of displaced residents to their homes in northern Israel an official war goal.”
Somalia
Garowe Online: Somali Forces Retake Strategic Al-Shabaab Bastion In Central Region
“The Somali National Army (SNA) has recaptured a key Al-Shabaab stronghold, significantly showcasing the ability to contain violent extremism besides taking over security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The ATMIS team is set to leave Somalia next year and will be replaced by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), a team that will be led by Egypt but with more responsibilities given to the local troops. According to military sources, the forces managed to raid the Mudug region at the strategic village of Baraag in Ali-Gaduud which is approximately 50 kilometers west of Harardhere, an area dominated by the militants. According to military officials, the militants were flushed out of their hideouts after a planned attack against civilians in the country.”
Germany
Reuters: Germany Has Stopped Approving War Weapons Exports To Israel, Source Says
“Germany has put a hold on new exports of weapons of war to Israel while it deals with legal challenges, according to a Reuters analysis of data and a source close to the Economy Ministry. A source close to the ministry cited a senior government official as saying it had stopped work on approving export licenses for arms to Israel due to legal and political pressure from legal cases arguing that such exports from Germany breached humanitarian law. The Economy Ministry said on Thursday there was no ban on arms exports to Israel and there would not be one, with decisions made case-by-case after careful review, adding that international law, foreign and security policy were key factors in their assessments. "There is no German arms export boycott against Israel," a spokesperson for government said on Wednesday, commenting on the report.”
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