CEP Mentions
Welt: “If You See Anything Strange, Please Inform The Security Authorities Immediately”
“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
“... 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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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 Prisoners Released
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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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