“Police are on high alert ahead of Germany's traditional carnival celebrations
this week after social media connected to the Islamic State militant group
called for attacks targeting revellers in Cologne and Nuremberg, said police
spokespeople. Bild newspaper reported that a German-language propaganda site
run by IS had published a computer-created collage image calling on viewers to
"choose your next attack target", and listed the dates and locations of
upcoming carnival events. The Festival of Love planned in the Dutch city of
Rotterdam in early March was also listed as a target on the collage featuring a
bloody knife and the hashtag #LetsSlaughter.”











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Eye on Extremism



February 27, 2025



Reuters: German Police On Alert After Islamic State Calls For Carnival Attacks
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“Police are on high alert ahead of Germany's traditional carnival celebrations
this week after social media connected to the Islamic State militant group
called for attacks targeting revellers in Cologne and Nuremberg, said police
spokespeople. Bild newspaper reported that a German-language propaganda site
run by IS had published a computer-created collage image calling on viewers to
"choose your next attack target", and listed the dates and locations of
upcoming carnival events. The Festival of Love planned in the Dutch city of
Rotterdam in early March was also listed as a target on the collage featuring a
bloody knife and the hashtag #LetsSlaughter.”



BBC: Inside The Taliban's Surveillance Network Monitoring Millions
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“In a crowded control centre, surrounded by dozens of TV screens, the
Taliban's police force proudly shows off its newly-acquired network of 90,000
CCTV cameras - used to watch over the day-to-day lives of millions of people.
"We monitor the entire city of Kabul from here," says Khalid Zadran, a
spokesperson for the Taliban police chief, pointing to one of the screens. The
authorities say such surveillance will help fight crime, but critics fear it
will be used to clamp down on dissent and to monitor the strict morality code
enforced by the Islamist Taliban government under their interpretation of
Sharia law. The BBC are the first international journalists allowed to see the
system in action.”





Counter Extremism Perspectives

Active Clubs: White supremacist network
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CounterPod

U.K. Home Office Counter Terror ‘sprint’ report; Donald Trump on Gaza; Eric
Glass; extremism in South Africa; kicked off by an irreverent explanation of
the Tush Push.
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CEP Mentions



Welt: “If You See Anything Strange, Please Inform The Security Authorities
Immediately”
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“Following threats of attacks, carnival parades in Germany are starting with
increased security precautions. "In the current situation, it is unavoidable to
take a closer look," says terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler.”



El Pais: America’s Far Right Celebrates New Leadership At The FBI
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“... All told, there is a sense that white supremacist and far-right groups
are confident they can fly under the radar in this new law enforcement
environment, says Joshua Fisher Birch, an expert on neo-Nazi groups at the
Counter Extremism Project. “If the likelihood of being investigated is
diminished by shifting federal priorities, these groups may be more willing to
take new risks. Some groups may see an advantage in tying their messaging to
the administration in an effort to recruit people,” he adds.”



Bryla: The Villa Of Auschwitz Commandant Rudolf Höss In Oświęcim Will Be A
Centre For Combating Hate. It Will Be Designed By Daniel Libeskind
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“In January 2025, the house at 88 Legionów Street in Oświęcim (known as the
"Hoess villa") was bought by the American non-governmental organization Counter
Extremism Project (CEP). According to the New York Times, the CEP lawyer
revealed that the amount for which the "Hoess villa" was purchased was much
higher than the market value of the house (valued at about PLN 500,000). The
American organization plans to create a center here to combat hate and hate
speech on the Internet and in public debate - ARCHER at House 88. Recently, the
Counter Extremism Project announced that the educational center will be
designed by Daniel Libeskind, an American architect of Polish-Jewish descent,
author of such projects as the Jewish Museum in Berlin, the Imperial War Museum
North in Trafford and the Złota 44 apartment building in Warsaw.”



Salaam Times: Coalition Strikes, Internal Rifts Contributed To Demise Of
Al-Qaeda's Syrian Affiliate
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“The dissolution of Hurras al-Deen, al-Qaeda's last significant affiliate in
Syria, demonstrates how sustained military pressure combined with internal
ideological divisions can sink extremist groups, security analysts said… Hurras
al-Deen claimed more than 200 attacks across Syria before its dissolution,
according to the Counter Extremism Project. Hurras al-Deen was seen as a
“serious threat” from the outset, France-based terrorism analyst Mohammad Yaqub
Hosseini told Salaam Times. "Precise airstrikes targeting the group's
leadership played a crucial role in weakening it," he said.”



United States



CBS News: U.S. Charges Tajik Man Living In New York With Conspiring To Help
ISIS
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“A Tajik man living in New York was arrested and charged with conspiring to
provide material support to the ISIS and ISIS-K terrorist groups, according to
court documents unsealed Wednesday. Federal prosecutors alleged that Mansuri
Manuchekhri, a Tajik national who was illegally living in Brooklyn, facilitated
the transfer of over $70,000 to ISIS-affiliated individuals in Turkey and Syria
between December 2021 and June 2023, including to one person who was arrested
in Turkey for attacking a church in Istanbul in 2024. ISIS-K, or ISIS-Khorasan,
is one of the terrorist group's most dangerous branches and publicly claimed
responsibility for the attack.”



The Guardian: Police Cited ‘Malfunctioning’ Barrier In New Orleans Attack But
Didn’t Take Up Maker’s Offer To Inspect And Repair
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“After the deadly truck ramming attack on New Orleans’s Bourbon Street early
on New Year’s Day, local police said they had intentionally left down a
hydraulic barrier meant to prevent such violence because it had a history of
malfunctioning – prompting the blockade’s manufacturer to contact the city with
an urgent offer of free inspection and maintenance, according to recently
obtained emails. “We would like to bring out a technician for no charge in
order to inspect all the Delta Scientific barriers in New Orleans and ensure
they are functional and offer any solutions for maintenance or repairs needed,”
Dianne Kennedy, the company’s assistant to general counsel and manager of
contracts, wrote to the office of the New Orleans mayor, LaToya Cantrell.”



ABC News: ISIS Arrest In Brooklyn: Feds Say Man Sent Thousands To Support
Islamic State
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“A Tajik national living in Brooklyn was arrested Wednesday on charges he
conspired to support the Islamic State and its offshoot in Central Asia,
ISIS-K, by providing tens of thousands of dollars to ISIS followers in Turkey
and Syria. Mansuri Manuchekhri is also charged with possessing a firearm while
unlawfully in the United States and immigration fraud. The FBI said he entered
the United States in June 2016 on a nonimmigrant tourist visa and remained
after his visa expired in December 2016.”



Syria



Reuters: Exclusive: US Sanctions Hold Up Qatari Support For Syria, Sources Say
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“Qatar is holding off providing Syria's new rulers with funds to increase
public sector pay due to uncertainty over whether the transfers would breach
U.S. sanctions, four sources said, a setback to efforts to revive the
war-stricken economy. The delay in Qatar's plan to help pay for the increase,
which Reuters reported in January, underlines the considerable challenges
Syria's new Islamist authorities face as they seek to stabilise the fractured
state and assure foreign powers about their leadership. While the previous U.S.
administration issued a sanctions exemption on January 6 to allow transactions
with Syria's governing institutions for six months, Qatar does not see this as
enough to cover payments it would need to make via the central bank to finance
the salary increase, the sources said.”



Reuters: Exclusive: More Than 1,000 Syrians Died In Airport Prison Under
Assad, Report Says
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“More than 1,000 Syrians died in detention at a military airport on the
outskirts of Damascus, killed by execution, torture or maltreatment at a site
that was widely feared, according to a report to be published Thursday tracing
the deaths to seven suspected grave sites. In the report, shared exclusively
with Reuters, the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre said it identified
the grave sites by using a combination of witness testimony, satellite imagery
and documents photographed at the military airport in the Damascus suburb of
Mezzeh after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December. Some sites
were on the airport grounds.”



Iran



Associated Press: Iran Accelerates Production Of Near Weapons-Grade Uranium,
IAEA says, As Tensions With US Ratchet Up
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“Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium as
tensions between Tehran and Washington rise after the election of U.S.
President Donald Trump, a report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen
by The Associated Press on Wednesday showed. The report by the Vienna-based
International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of Feb. 8, Iran has 274.8
kilograms (605.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%. That’s an increase of
92.5 kilograms (203.9 pounds) since the IAEA’s last report in November. That
material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. A
report in November 2024 put the stockpile at 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds). It
had 164.7 kilograms (363.1 pounds) last August.”



Turkey



Voice Of America: VOA Kurdish: Kurdish Peshmerga Commander Warns Of Security
Gaps In Former ISIS Areas
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“A Kurdish peshmerga commander has raised concerns about the security gaps
between peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army, especially in areas that were once
controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The commander pointed
out that the two forces do not have the ability to control these areas
together, which leaves them vulnerable. Despite several requests for
cooperation, there has been no agreement on how to address these security gaps.
Since Oct. 16, 2017, these areas have been at risk of ISIS attacks.”



Reuters: Turkey's Pro-Kurdish Party Visits Jailed Militant Leader
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“A delegation of Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party visited jailed militant
leader Abdullah Ocalan on Thursday in his island prison, where he was expected
to give them a statement that Ankara hopes will pave the way for his outlawed
group to disarm. Broadcaster CNN Turk said it had learned that Ocalan, leader
of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was expected to give a one-page statement
saying that laying down arms was a necessity and calling for a democratic
struggle on a political level. Turkey's Justice and Interior Ministries said
they could not verify the authenticity of the statement published by CNN Turk.”



Lebanon



Associated Press: Lebanon’s Government Wins Confidence Vote, Says Only Armed
Forces Should Defend Country In War
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“Lebanon’s new government on Wednesday won a confidence vote in Parliament,
with the support of Hezbollah’s bloc, even though the government statement
adopted took a swipe at the group’s weapons. Ninety-five out of 128 lawmakers
supported the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a prominent jurist who
previously headed the International Court of Justice. He was appointed last
month to form a new government after a devastating war between Israel and
Hezbollah, which killed over 4,000 people and caused widespread destruction.
The government statement adopted said that only Lebanon’s armed forces should
defend the country in case of war.”



Middle East



Associated Press: Middle East Latest: Hamas Says It Is Ready To Negotiate The
Next Phase Of The Ceasefire In Gaza
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“Hamas said Thursday it was ready to negotiate the the next phase of the
ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after a swap in which it handed over what it said
were the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of more than 600
Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It was the final such exchange the two
sides agreed to as part of a truce that’s set to end this weekend. Negotiations
over a second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens of remaining hostages
in exchange for more prisoners and a lasting ceasefire, have not yet begun.
Hamas said in a statement that the “only way” for Israel to secure the release
of the remaining hostages was through negotiations and adhering to the
agreement.”



Associated Press: Israeli Official Says The Army Won’t Withdraw From A Gaza
Corridor In Potential Jolt To Truce
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“Israel will not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as
called for by the ceasefire, an official said Thursday. Israel’s refusal could
spark a crisis with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the
fragile truce. Hours earlier, Hamas released the remains of four hostages in
exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, the last planned swap of the
ceasefire’s first phase, which ends this weekend. Talks over the second and
more difficult stage have yet to begin. The official, speaking on condition of
anonymity in line with regulations, said Israeli forces needed to remain in the
so-called Philadelphi corridor, on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, to
prevent weapons smuggling.”



BBC: Israel Confirms Hamas Handed Over Hostages' Bodies As Palestinian
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“Israel has completed forensic tests confirming the identities of four dead
Israeli hostages whose bodies were handed over by Hamas in exchange for the
release of Palestinian prisoners. On Wednesday night, without a ceremony, Hamas
passed four coffins to the Red Cross from Gaza. The confirmation that they
contained the remains of Shlomo Mansour, 86, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan,
50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69, came on Thursday morning from their families and
communities. The handover cleared the way for the delayed release of more than
600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. It was the last exchange of the
six-week-long first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, with questions over what
happens next.”



Nigeria



Voice Of America: Nigeria's Counterterrorism Center Warns Of Threats, Launches
Review Of Strategy
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“Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) warns that terrorist
groups are getting more sophisticated — using new technologies and exploiting
political and economic grievances to expand their operations. In response,
authorities have launched a review of the national anti-terrorism strategy to
address emerging threats. The official anti-terror strategy document was first
developed in 2014 and revised two years later. Authorities say this latest
revision is necessary to reflect evolving security threats and ensure
counterterrorism measures remain effective.”



Africa



Reuters: Ethiopia's Abiy Visits Somalia, Holds Talks With President Mohamud
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“Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Somalia's capital Mogadishu
on Thursday to hold discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia's
presidency said, following a thaw in icy relations. The relationship soured in
January 2024 when Ethiopia announced plans to lease a stretch of coastline in
Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region. Ethiopia planned to build a naval base
and commercial port in exchange for possible recognition of Somaliland's
independence. Somalia accused Ethiopia of undermining its territorial
integrity, threatened to eject its peacekeepers, and strengthened ties with
Ethiopia's arch foes Egypt and Eritrea.”



Associated Press: UN Food Agency Pauses Aid To Famine-Hit Sudan Displacement
Camp Of Half A Million People
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“The United Nations’ food agency says it has paused aid distribution in
Sudan’s famine-hit Zamzam displacement camp of a half-million people as
fighting intensifies between the country’s warring sides, and it warns that
thousands could now starve. The World Food Program said Wednesday that fighting
in the past two weeks between the military and the Rapid Support Forces
paramilitary group, or RSF, has forced its partners to leave the camp in
western Darfur for safety. “Without immediate assistance, thousands of
desperate families in Zamzam could starve in the coming weeks,” said the
agency’s regional director, Laurent Bukera, who urged the warring sides to stop
fighting and facilitate the delivery of aid.”



United Kingdom



BBC: Teenage Boy Charged With Planning Terrorist Attack
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“A 15-year-old boy has been charged with planning a terrorist attack and
membership of a banned neo-Nazi group. He is charged with engaging in conduct
in preparation for committing acts of terrorism. The boy, from Northumberland,
was arrested last week and a property was searched, Counter Terrorism Policing
North East said. He is remanded in custody to appear at Westminster
Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The group he is accused of being part of is The
Base, which was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in 2021.”



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