Eye on Extremism

November 8, 2024

**NOTE: Eye on Extremism media monitoring will be suspended on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. It will resume Tuesday, November 12.**

Reuters: Hezbollah Calls For US Action, Not Words, As Trump Reclaims White House

“Hezbollah welcomes any effort to stop the war in Lebanon but does not pin hopes for a ceasefire on any particular U.S. administration, Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi said on Thursday when asked about Donald Trump's election victory., opens new tab "It might be a change in the party who is in power, but when it comes to Israel, they have more or less the same policy," Moussawi told Reuters. "We want to see actions, we want to see decisions taken." Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah have exchanged fire for more than a year, in parallel with the Gaza war, but fighting has escalated since late September, with Israeli troops intensifying bombing of Lebanon's south and east and making ground incursions into border villages.”

Associated Press: Why Mozambique’s Election Has Sparked Weeks Of Protests And A Violent Crackdown By Police

“Thousands protested in Mozambique’s capital on Thursday and security forces responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets, as weeks of post-election unrest continued in the southern African country. The protests were sparked by a vote last month that will keep the ruling party in power for more than a half-century amid allegations of rigging. Opposition parties and many citizens have rejected the results of the Oct. 9 presidential election as fraudulent and growing protests in the capital, Maputo, and other cities have been met by deadly force from police. Thursday’s protest was the biggest yet. International rights groups say at least 20 people have been killed by police since the unrest began nearly a month ago, while local groups say the death toll is more than 50.”

Recent CEP Press Releases

• Statement on the Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

• One Year After October 7

• CEP Report: Civilian Counterterrorism Militias Take Action, Introduce New Challenges To Combatting Violent Extremism In Africa

• Counter Extremism Project Statement Marking 9/11

• CEP Statement on U.S. Indictment of Hamas Leaders

United States

The Washington Post: Far-Right Extremists Celebrate, See Opportunity In Second Trump Win

““Good morning, Patriots. WE DID IT.” That message greeted members of a Telegram channel for anti-government militias early Wednesday, encapsulating the celebratory mood of far-right extremists who see in Donald Trump an avatar of their dark vision for America. Even before the race was called for Trump, triumphant messages began flowing on social media platforms across the spectrum of MAGA-aligned extremists. Anti-government militia groups, white nationalists, Proud Boys, Christian supremacists and QAnon-style conspiracy theorists all expressed a sense of jubilation mixed with an eagerness to exact vengeance on political opponents.”

Turkey

Associated Press: Turkey’s Foreign Minister Visits Athens To Help Mend Ties Between The Regional Rivals

“Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived Friday in Athens for meetings with his Greek counterpart as part of efforts to ease tension between the two neighbors and regional rivals. Both NATO members, Greece and Turkey have been at loggerheads for decades over a long series of issues, including volatile maritime boundary disputes that have twice led them to the brink of war. The two have renewed a diplomatic push for over a year to improve ties. “Step by step, we have achieved a level of trust so that we can discuss issues with sincerity and prevent crises,” Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said in an interview with Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper published Thursday.”

Afghanistan

Voice Of America: Taliban Leaders In Afghanistan Host Rare Official Talks With India

“Afghanistan's Taliban government has held talks with India on improving bilateral ties and seeking increased humanitarian assistance for the impoverished country, officials reported Thursday. Jitender Pal Singh, the Indian foreign ministry’s point-person for Afghanistan, led his delegation’s meetings with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and a rare interaction with Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob, among others, during the November 4-5 visit to Kabul  “Yes, this was the first meeting with” Yaqoob, Indian media quoted Randhir Jaiswal, the foreign ministry spokesperson, as telling a weekly news conference in New Delhi on Thursday. Jaiswal stated that “humanitarian assistance from India was the centerpiece of the meetings of JP Singh with Afghan officials.””

Pakistan

Reuters: Pakistan Army Says Four Soldiers Killed In Firefight With Militants

“The Pakistan army said on Thursday that four of its soldiers were killed in a firefight with militants near the northwestern border with Afghanistan. Five Islamist militants were also killed, it said. The fire exchange took place in tribal region of South Waziristan, which sits next to the Afghan border - a region that has long been a safe haven for the militants who operate on both sides of the border. Islamabad says the militants use the Afghan soil to train and plan attacks in Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies, saying the militancy has been a home grown problem for the South Asian nation. An umbrella group of the militants called Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have been attacking Pakistan and its forces for years in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with their harsh Islamic system.”

Yemen

Associated Press: Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Shoot Down What Witnesses Say Was A US Drone As American Military Investigates

“Yemen’s Houthi rebels shot down what bystanders described as an American drone early Friday, potentially the latest downing of a U.S. spy drone as the militants continue their attacks on the Red Sea corridor. The U.S. military acknowledged the videos circulating online showing what appeared to be a flaming aircraft dropping out of the sky and a field of burning debris in what those off-camera described as an area of Yemen’s al-Jawf province. The military said it was investigating the incident, declining to elaborate further. It wasn’t immediately clear what kind of aircraft was shot down in the low-quality night video. The Houthis have surface-to-air missiles capable of downing aircraft such as the Iranian missile known as the 358.”

Lebanon

Reuters: Israel Strikes On Lebanon Kill 40 People Around Baalbek, Health Ministry Says

“Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed 40 people around the eastern city of Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley on Wednesday, according to the country's health ministry, and at dusk more strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs. Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have exchanged fire for over a year in parallel with the Gaza war but fighting has escalated since late September, with Israeli troops intensifying bombing of Lebanon's south and east and making ground incursions into border villages. Israeli strikes on Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley killed 40 people and wounded 53, the health ministry said. The Israeli military did not comment. Israel has repeatedly battered strongholds of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut.”

Middle East

Associated Press: A New Law Allows Israel To Deport The Relatives Of Attackers. Experts Expect It To Be Struck Down

“Israel’s parliament passed a law early Thursday that would allow it to deport family members of Palestinian attackers, including the country’s own citizens, to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip or other locations. The law, which was championed by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and his far-right allies, passed with a 61-41 vote. However, legal experts said that any attempt to implement the legislation would likely lead to it being struck down by Israeli courts.  The law would apply to Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of annexed east Jerusalem who knew about their family members’ attacks beforehand or who “express support or identification with the act of terrorism.” They would be deported, either to the Gaza Strip or another location, for a period of seven to 20 years.”

Reuters: More Families Stream Out Of North Gaza, As Tanks Push Deeper

“Israeli forces stepped up bombardment across the Gaza Strip on Thursday and ordered more evacuations, creating a fresh wave of displacement from northern Gaza, to which Palestinians fear they will not be able to return. Palestinian health officials said at least 10 people had been killed and several others wounded in an Israeli air strike on a school housing displaced families in Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hamas command center embedded inside the compound that previously served as a UN-run school. It accused Hamas of exploiting civilian facilities for military purposes, which the group denies. As Israeli tanks advanced in Beit Lahiya, a month into a new push on northern Gaza, dozens of families streamed out. They arrived at schools and other shelters in Gaza City with whatever belongings and food they could bring.”

Somalia

Voice Of America: 11 Somali Soldiers Killed In Clash With Al-Shabab Militants

“t least 11 Somali regional and federal government forces were killed in fierce fighting on Wednesday in the south of the country, officials said. The fighting occurred in the vicinity of Wayaanta, about 60 kilometers southwest of Kismayo, Jubaland state, after the government forces attacked a suspected gathering spot for the militants. Three officials with direct knowledge of the fighting who requested not to be identified because they are not allowed to speak with media told VOA Horn of Africa that 11 regional and government soldiers were killed, and more than 20 others injured. One of the officials claimed more than 20 al-Shabab militants also were killed in the encounter.”

Africa

Reuters: Nigerian Military Warns Of New Militia Threat From Niger And Mali

“Nigeria's military has warned of a new insurgent group, Lakurawas, infiltrating the country's northwest region from neighbouring Niger and Mali, its spokesperson said on Thursday. Defense spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said the group, an affiliate of militias operating in the Sahel region, has been active in northwest Sokoto and Kebbi states. The ideology of the group is not known. "They began an incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states from the Niger and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic," Buba said in statement. The influx of Lakurawas is linked to the July 2023 coup in Niger, which disrupted joint military patrols along the border between Nigeria and Niger.”

Europe

Associated Press: Amsterdam Police Say 5 Hospitalized And 62 Detained After Attacks On Israeli Soccer Fans

“Israeli fans and protesters clashed overnight after a soccer match in Amsterdam, leaving five people hospitalized and 62 arrested, police said Friday. Dutch authorities said attackers systematically targeted Israeli fans. It was not clear how the violence began. Dutch and Israeli leaders denounced the violence as antisemitic. Video also showed Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans in the streets at some point. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema told reporters Friday that the Dutch counterterror watchdog said there was no concrete threat to Israeli soccer fans before the game. Peter Holla, the city’s acting police chief, said at the news conference that the fans were “willfully attacked.””

Reuters: Belarus's Lukashenko Pardons 31 People Convicted Over 'Extremism', State Media Says

“Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 more people convicted of crimes related to "extremism", state news agency Belta said on Thursday. Belta cited Lukashenko's press service as saying that among those pardoned were two women and 29 men.”

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.