Eye on Extremism
November 26, 2024
Newsweek: Yemeni Fighters Reportedly Join Russia’s War In Ukraine
"The Russian military has recruited "hundreds" of Yemeni fighters, according to a new report, as Moscow pays dearly in casualty counts for gains in eastern Ukraine. Yemeni citizens were promised high wages and Russian citizenship before traveling to Russia to be "forcibly inducted into Moscow's army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine," the Financial Times reported on Sunday. The travel was facilitated by a company linked to Yemen's Houthi rebels. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment via email. It's not clear how close Russia is with the Houthis, which maintain control of swathes of the country devastated by civil war. But the grinding conflict in Ukraine has seen Russia—a pariah state in the eyes of many Western countries—court relationships with countries hostile to the U.S. and other nations backing Ukraine."
Politico: Top Counterterrorism Official Warns Of ISIS’ Rapid Rise In Africa
“The top U.S. counterterrorism official is warning that the Islamic State terror group has set its sights on Africa as its new frontier — and that its activities there are increasingly dangerous for the U.S. “The ISIS threat in Africa, in our view, is potentially one of the greatest long-term threats to U.S. interests,” Brett Holmgren, the head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, or NCTC, said in an interview. “They’ve clearly prioritized Africa as a growth opportunity.” ISIS in Africa is nothing new, but most top administration officials have rarely talked about it in their public addresses on national security. Holmgren’s assessments offer a stark warning to a Washington that is eager to move on from the war on terror era and focus on great power competition against rivals like China and Russia — a priority for both the outgoing Biden administration and incoming Trump administration.”
United States
The Washington Examiner: AGO Task Force Looks At ‘Extremism’ From A Public Health Perspective
“As the Washington State Attorney General’s Office continues work on a pilot project for a hotline to report “bias incidents,” it has separately started a task force focused on “extremism and mass violence” from a public health perspective, the first of its kind in the nation. However, concerns have already been raised as to the true purpose of the group and the intent of its members regarding the impact to private citizens’ right to express their views without fear of government retaliation. Speaking during the task force’s first meeting on Friday, Sharon Damoff told the task force that “too often, the government goes after citizens they disagree with politically, such as parents speaking at school board meetings and prolife citizens, these people have been falsely labeled domestic extremists.””
Fox News: Blinken Set To Testify On Afghanistan Withdrawal In House Amid Looming Contempt Vote
“Facing the threat of a contempt of Congress vote, Secretary of State Antony Blinken finally agreed to testify in front of the 118th Congress' House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal after being sought to do so for months, according to a spokesperson for the committee's GOP majority. President Biden's Secretary of State is set to appear for a public hearing on Dec. 11, an HFAC majority spokesperson told Fox News Digital. His testimony will take place over three years after the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken did testify directly after the withdrawal in front of the Democrat-controlled HFAC in September 2021. Blinken has previously refused to comply with the GOP-led committee's subpoena for testimony in 2024 on the Afghanistan withdrawal.”
Afghanistan
Reuters: UN Says Taliban Detained Journalists Over 250 Times In Afghanistan Since Takeover
“The United Nations' mission to Afghanistan said on Tuesday the ruling Taliban had arbitrarily detained journalists 256 times since their takeover three years ago, and urged authorities there to protect the media. In a reply accompanying the report, the Taliban-led foreign ministry denied having arrested that number of journalists and added that those arrested had committed a crime. Journalists in Afghanistan worked under "challenging conditions", the U.N. mission (UNAMA) and the U.N. Human Rights Office said in a statement. "They often face unclear rules on what they can and cannot report, running the risk of intimidation and arbitrary detention for perceived criticism," said Roza Otunbayeva, the special representative of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.”
Reuters: Russia Pledges Broader Afghanistan Ties, Says US Should Help Rebuild
“Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council, told Afghanistan's Taliban leaders on Monday that Moscow wanted to help achieve a durable peace in the country, Russian news agencies reported. Shoigu, a former defence minister, also said the U.S. should play a leading role in rebuilding Afghanistan in view of its many years of military involvement in the country. Taliban leaders asked Shoigu to help them ease the pressure imposed by U.S. sanctions against the Kabul government, according to the Russian news agency reports. Shoigu headed a Russian delegation that held talks with senior officials in Kabul, including deputy prime ministers and the defence and interior ministers. "Let me confirm our readiness to establish a constructive political dialogue between our countries and among the goals would be providing an impulse for the process of a settlement among Afghans," the agencies quoted him as saying.”
Pakistan
Reuters: Four Soldiers Killed In Pakistan As Protesters Demand Release Of Ex-PM Khan
“Four paramilitary soldiers were killed on Tuesday during clashes near Pakistan's parliament between security forces and protesters who were demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The interior ministry confirmed the deaths but did not say who was responsible. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed the protesters, accusing them of ramming the paramilitary troops with a convoy of vehicles. "It is not a peaceful protest. It is extremism," Sharif said in a statement, aimed at achieving "evil political designs". Information minister Attaullah Tarar said the protesters appeared bent on fomenting chaos but said authorities would not allow that, adding: "No one will be spared."”
Middle East
Associated Press: What’s Blocking A Ceasefire Between Israel And Hezbollah?
“Diplomats and other officials say there have been several sticking points in ceasefire talks to end the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, even as conditions for an agreement appear to be ripe. Israel’s military has killed nearly all of the militant group’s top leaders, but it continues to fire missiles into Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis who were evacuated from the border months ago are pressuring their government to help them go home. And the world wants to stop regional conflict from spreading after more than a year of fighting. Following the latest visit to the region by a U.S. mediator, Israel hit central Beirut over the weekend, and Hezbollah responded with its biggest barrage in weeks as each applied pressure to reach a deal.”
BBC: Israel And Hezbollah Close To Lebanon Ceasefire Deal
“Israel and Lebanon appear to be close to a ceasefire deal, with the Israeli cabinet set to meet on Tuesday to discuss it, Israeli and US officials say. A 60-day truce is being proposed to end fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah. It is said to include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and an end to the Hezbollah presence in the area. "We believe we've reached this point where we're close," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. But he added, "We're not there yet." The US and France - a long-term ally of Lebanon - have been involved in the search for a ceasefire. It is often said that the darkest hour is before the dawn.”
Associated Press: Middle East Latest: Israeli Ambassador To US Says Hezbollah Ceasefire Deal Could Come ‘Within Days’
“The Israeli ambassador to Washington says a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants could be reached “within days.” Ambassador Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio on Monday there remain “points to finalize” and any deal requires agreement from the government. But he said “we are close to a deal.” Israeli officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet was set to convene Tuesday to discuss a proposed ceasefire. Among the issues that remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. Israeli warplanes bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut and parts of southern Lebanon and the country’s Health Ministry said 31 people were killed on Monday.”
Mali
The New York Times: Mali’s Junta Replaces Civilian Prime Minister With One Of Its Own
“The ruling junta of Mali appointed its spokesman as the country’s new prime minister on Thursday, after his civilian predecessor was fired for criticizing the administration. The spokesman, Gen. Abdoulaye Maiga, replaced former Prime Minister Choguel Maiga — the two are not direct relatives — after Choguel Maiga told reporters that the junta was making decisions about the postponement of elections in “total secrecy.” He condemned the administration for failing to transition the country back to democracy within two years, as it had promised after seizing power in 2020. Choguel Maiga, who had served as prime minister since 2021, had consistently defended the junta before his comments, even as Mali’s neighbors and former Western partners criticized it for delaying elections and working with Russia.”
Africa
Associated Press: Militia Detains 300 Migrants In The Desert In Libya’s Effort To Contain Sea Crossings
“Libyan military officials said Monday they apprehended hundreds of migrants traversing the country’s vast desert hoping to ultimately cross the Mediterranean Sea in pursuit of a better life in Europe. The 444 Brigade, a powerful militia group that operates under the auspices of the Libyan army, said in a statement that its patrolling commanders detained more than 300 migrants and referred them to authorities. The group in a post on Facebook condemned smuggling and human trafficking and said its patrols would continue efforts to block smuggling routes. It posted satellite images of the desert and pictures of what appeared to be migrants sitting in rows in front of armed and masked militants. The apprehensions come as Libya remains a primary point of departure for men, women and children from the Middle East and Africa aiming to reach Europe.”
Voice Of America: Horn Of Africa Forum Opens In Djibouti Amid Ethiopia-Somalia Tensions
“Somali scholars, politicians and traditional leaders from across the Horn of Africa gathered in Djibouti on Monday for a three-day forum on strengthening regional stability. The annual forum, the eighth of its kind, was organized by the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies in Somalia, an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan research group in Mogadishu. Mursal Saney, executive director of the institute, said the forum is providing an opportunity for Somalis from across the region to discuss issues of concern. “We have invited nearly 300 delegates including regional experts to provide them an opportunity to discuss and exhibit constructive ideas on how the Horn of Africa region can strengthen its stability and the importance of rule of law,” Saney said.”
Europe
Associated Press: Middle East Latest: EU Urges Israel To Accept Ceasefire Deal With Hezbollah
“The European Union’s top diplomat said Tuesday there were “no excuses” for Israel to refuse to implement a ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying all its security concerns had been addressed in the U.S.-French-brokered deal. Josep Borrell, the outgoing EU foreign policy chief, called for increased pressure on Israel to blunt extremists in the government who are refusing to accept the deal. Speaking on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting in Italy, Borrell warned that if a ceasefire is not implemented, “Lebanon will fall apart.” Israeli officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet was set to convene Tuesday to discuss a proposed ceasefire.”
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