Email from Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Global News on Extremism and Terrorism Eye on Extremism April 17, 2025   **NOTE: Eye on Extremism will be suspended Friday, April 18th through Monday, April 21st.. It will resume Tuesday April 22nd.** Top Stories Associated Press: Russia’s top court lifts terror group designation on Afghanistan’s Taliban Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a ban on Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban, a group that was designated as a terrorist organization more than two decades ago. The move was a diplomatic victory for the Taliban, who were put on Russia’s list of terrorist organizations in 2003, making any contact with them punishable under Russian law. Deutsche Welle: Nigeria confronts new 'drone threat' from ISWAP The Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) recently deployed four armed drones carrying locally made grenades in an attack on the Forward Operating Base in the Wajikoro area of Borno, Northeast Nigeria, leaving about five soldiers injured. Nigeria's military has stepped up efforts to contain ISWAP and Boko Haram insurgents. This week, local media reported that the army had thwarted plans by ISWAP to establish bases in Plateau and Bauchi states. Using weaponized drones marks a significant shift in the insurgent group's tactics. Residents and critics are worried the new shift could further prolong the conflict in the region. Authorities have since banned the flying of drones, citing security concerns, while acknowledging that non-state actors have used the technology against military targets and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Several African countries have adopted the use of drones, particularly the Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle, in their fight against armed groups.   CEP Resources Countering Extremism in West Africa: What Options Are Left? Friends and Enablers of Hamas: State Actors Eyes of the Regime: How the Houthi Security and Intelligence Service Ensures Political Domination in Yemen Vehicles as Weapons of Terror   Analysis Jerusalem Post: Has Jordan struck a blow against Muslim Brotherhood-backed terror? The Kingdom of Jordan arrested sixteen members of what is believed to be a Muslim Brotherhood-linked terrorist cell that was involved in assembling rockets and threats to the country. “The plot aimed at harming national security, sowing chaos, and causing material destruction inside the kingdom,” a Jordanian government statement said on Tuesday. The terror plot is a serious development in the kingdom. Jordan is usually seen as stable, but in recent years, there have been Iranian-backed plots against Amman. Groups that back Hamas also want to destabilize the kingdom. The fact that the terror cell sought to assemble rockets and drones is a major development as well. This is more than just smuggling weapons or explosives; it illustrates thought and know-how. The Palestinian Authority put out a statement backing Amman, as did Iraq and the Arab League. Jerusalem Post: Iran shifts tune on nuclear deal, downplaying optimism After a week of optimism, Iran appears to be slightly less optimistic about a possible deal with the US. It’s unclear if this is in reaction to US envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent statements or an attempt to downplay the second round of talks expected to take place soon. Iran cannot afford to wait for a deal with Washington, the country’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said. What she means is that Iran has economic needs, and if a deal does not happen soon, the door might close, apparently. Mohajerani said the government’s position aligns with that of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who said national problems should not be tied to negotiations,” the Iranian state media report said. She downplayed a deal and noted that it would take a while for the benefits of a potential agreement to trickle down to the public. Clearly, Iran doesn’t want the people to get their hopes up. United States MIT Technology Review: US office that counters foreign disinformation is being eliminated The only office within the US State Department that monitors foreign disinformation is to be eliminated, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, confirming reporting by MIT Technology Review. The Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (R/FIMI) Hub is a small office in the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy that tracks and counters foreign disinformation campaigns. In shutting R/FIMI, the department’s controversial acting undersecretary, Darren Beattie, is delivering a major win to conservative critics who have alleged that it censors conservative voices. Created at the end of 2024, it was reorganized from the Global Engagement Center (GEC), a larger office with a similar mission that had long been criticized by conservatives who claimed that, despite its international mission, it was censoring American conservatives. In 2023, Elon Musk called the center the “worst offender in US government censorship [and] media manipulation” and a “threat to our democracy.” France 24: 'Trump doesn't want to go to war with Iran', former top White House adviser says FRANCE 24 spoke to Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. Abrams, who served as Special Representative for Iran from 2020 to 2021 in the first Trump administration, discussed the ongoing talks between US and Iranian officials about Iran's nuclear programme – the first of their kind in years. The meetings "should be no surprise", he said: US President Donald Trump "certainly doesn't want to go to war" [with Iran]. BBC: Trump administration threatens Harvard with foreign student ban The US government has threatened to ban Harvard University from enrolling foreign students - after the institution said it would not bow to demands from President Donald Trump's administration and was hit with a funding freeze. The White House has demanded the oldest university in the US make changes to hiring, admissions and teaching practices - to help fight antisemitism on campus. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has asked for records on what she called the "illegal and violent" activities of its foreign student visa-holders. Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky resident who fought for ISIS sentenced. ‘Violent jihad’ A Kentucky resident who fought overseas for a terrorist organization has been sentenced to eight years and five months in federal prison. Mirsad Ramic, of Bowling Green, was convicted of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, known as ISIS; conspiracy to support the organization; and receiving military training. France France 24: New attacks target French prison guards, Macron vows assailants will be ‘punished’ Since Sunday, unknown assailants have hit several jails and facilities across France, torching cars, spraying the entrance of one prison with automatic gunfire, and leaving mysterious inscriptions. Cars were set on fire at a prison in Tarascon in southern France early on Wednesday, said French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin in what he called an attempt by "people" to try to "destabilise the state by intimidating it". France 24: French parliament restricts birthright citizenship in Mayotte, left slams 'laboratory of far right' France's parliament on Tuesday definitively adopted a bill to restrict citizenship rights for children born in its Indian Ocean overseas territory of Mayotte. The bill put forward by the right does not affect the "right of soil", also known as "jus soli", for the rest of France. But critics on the left have slammed the bill as a concession to the anti-immigration far right and fear it paves the way for restrictions nationwide. France 24: Gaddafi’s son Saif doubles down on Sarkozy funding claim, alleges pressure to retract Muammar Gaddafi’s former heir apparent has told FRANCE 24’s sister radio RFI that he was personally involved in giving Nicolas Sarkozy suitcases of cash ahead of his victorious 2007 presidential run. Saif al-Islam claims he was pressured to change his testimony by emissaries of the former French president, who is on trial over alleged campaign financing by Libya. Germany B.Z.: Israel-haters occupy university lecture hall - large-scale police operation It has happened again: Israel-haters occupy a Berlin university. On Wednesday, they hijacked a lecture hall at Humboldt University. According to the police, 300 officers were deployed to clear the building. At around 2 pm, the occupiers forced their way into the Emil Fischer lecture hall on Hessische Straße (Mitte). In the stairwell of the building, red triangles were sprayed on the wall - symbols of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas. The slogan "Glory to the Resistance" was also painted on the wall, also glorifying the terrorists. The squatters and their sympathizers spread photos and short videos on Instagram. They show people wearing masks on a balcony of the university building. They put up banners there. The Humboldt University will not enter into "negotiations" with the squatters this time, it said. A spokeswoman told B.Z.: "The presidium of Humboldt University has decided to ask the police to evacuate the building." The reason was documented damage to property inside and on the façade. "Slogans glorifying violence were used on banners and lettering, Israel's right to exist was denied and symbols of the terrorist organization Hamas were used," the university spokesperson continued. ZEIT: Mayor of Zwickau receives right-wing extremist death threat Zwickau's mayor Constance Arndt has received a suspected right-wing extremist threatening email. The local politician addressed the public on Instagram and shared a picture of the email. She announced that she had filed a criminal complaint against unknown persons. The letter comes from an anonymous sender who calls himself "Adolf Hitler". According to Arndt's post, it literally reads: "Think of Walter Lübke. Always be careful." The sender is referring to CDU politician Walter Lübcke. The Hessian district president was shot dead by a right-wing extremist on the terrace of his private home in 2019. The Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court sentenced the perpetrator to life imprisonment in 2021. According to her post, the sender address of the threatening email to Arndt was "[email protected]". This is a reference to the so-called National Socialist Underground (NSU). The terrorist group killed ten people between 2000 and 2007 for racist and right-wing extremist motives. Politico: German parties’ boycott of far right looks to be over — with AfD on course for key jobs The party that won Germany’s election is radically softening its approach to working with the far right as the reality of the country’s transformed political landscape starts to bite. While the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU) — the party of Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel — has for decades steadfastly refused to cooperate or do deals with politicians on the extremes, that “firewall” now appears to be crumbling as the German parliament works out how to organize itself in the wake of the country’s Feb. 23 snap election. United Kingdom BBC: Man arrested over terrorism offences found dead A man has been found dead a day after he was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. Thames Valley Police said the body of the man, aged in his 30s, was found early on Wednesday morning near Partridge Chase, Bicester. Russia Reuters: Putin and Qatari emir discuss Syria and Gaza at Moscow talks Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that Syria's new leader was keen to build ties with Moscow. The assurance from Sheikh Tamim comes as Putin attempts to retain Russia's use of two military bases in Syria and avoid a serious blow to its strategic influence in the region, after the fall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in December. Assad was toppled by rebels led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has replaced him as president. Times of Israel: Putin hosts ex-hostages at Kremlin, hails Hamas for ‘humanitarian act’ of freeing them Russian President Vladimir Putin met Wednesday evening with freed hostage Sasha Troufanov at the Kremlin in Moscow, along with his mother, Elena Trufanova, and partner, Sapir Cohen, both of whom are also former captives. “The fact that you managed to go free is the result of the fact that Russia has stable, long-term relations with the Palestinian people, with its representatives, and with a wide variety of organizations,” Putin told the ex-hostages in a video clip from the meeting published by the state-funded RT television network. He also hailed Hamas for its “humanitarian act” of releasing them: “We need to express words of gratitude to the leadership of the political wing of Hamas for cooperating with us and carrying out this humanitarian act.” Israel Jerusalem Post: Hamas 'reviewing' Israeli hostage and ceasefire deal The Israeli ceasefire and hostage deal proposal was received by Hamas on Wednesday, Israeli media reported, citing sources in the terror organization. "We are reviewing the Israeli proposal from the mediators and are expected to submit our response in the coming hours," the source reportedly said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a situational assessment on hostage negotiations earlier on Wednesday with the negotiation team and security officials, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced in a statement. Netanyahu "issued directives for the continuation of the steps to advance the release of our hostages," the statement continued. Earlier this week, Hamas agreed to release nine hostages held in Gaza captivity, showing a shift in positions, as the terror group previously stated it would only release a single hostage. Times of Israel: US envoy: I’m sure Edan Alexander is in a decent place; we’ll come for Hamas if he’s harmed The Trump administration’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler speculated on Wednesday that the lone living American-Israeli hostage in Gaza is in “a decent place,” asserting that Hamas wouldn’t be “dumb” enough to harm him, as doing so would lead the US to “come after” the terror group. “Because I think that Hamas is not dumb… Edan [Alexander] is in a good place… Because if Edan gets sick, if Edan has a cold, guess who’s getting blamed? Hamas,” Boehler told Al Jazeera. “I hope no hair on his head is hurt, or we’re going to come for them, and it’s not going to be pretty. So I believe Edan is fine.” France 24: Israel says troops to remain indefinitely in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday troops would stay in "security zones" in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, potentially complicating ceasefire and hostage talks with Hamas. Israeli forces, having retaken over half of Gaza, resumed operations last month to pressure Hamas after a truce collapsed. CNN: Palestinian Islamic Jihad releases first-ever video of Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski A Palestinian militant group in Gaza released a video on Wednesday of Rom Braslavski, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier who was taken hostage from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. The 7-minute propaganda video, released by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is the first time Braslavski has been shown on camera during his captivity. The video indicates that Islamic Jihad, which coordinates with, but is independent from Hamas, is holding at least one of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza. It is not clear exactly when the video was filmed. Lebanon Naharnet: LF urges deadline for Hezbollah arms handover, Aoun reportedly dismisses appeal The ministers of the Lebanese Forces on Thursday reiterated their call for setting a timeframe for the handover of Hezbollah’s weapons, Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury said. Speaking after a Cabinet session, Khoury said all Lebanese and non-Lebanese weapons should be handed over within six months, adding that the process can start from the Palestinian refugee camps. Naharnet: Salam says state working to monopolize arms 'north and south of Litani' The Lebanese army has increased its deployment in the country’s south over the past few months, confiscating Hezbollah’s arms and dismantling its positions under the terms of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between the militant group and Israel, according to Washington Post interviews with PM Nawaf Salam, Lebanese military officials and diplomats. So far, an additional 1,500 troops have been deployed in the southern part of the country, closest to the border with Israel, bringing the total to 6,000 with 4,000 more still being recruited, military officials said. The armed forces have also resumed reconnaissance flights, set up checkpoints and secured towns after the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers. Naharnet: Qatar renews $60 mn grant for Lebanon army salaries Qatar is sending scores of military vehicles to the Lebanese army and a new, $60 million donation to help it pay salaries to officers as the small Mediterranean country recovers from the fighting in Hezbollah's latest war with Israel, the two Arab countries announced Wednesday. Gas-rich Qatar has been a main backer of the Lebanese army since an unprecedented economic crisis engulfed the country in late 2019. Qatar was first sending food aid for the military while cash donations began in 2022. Syria Kurdistan24: 241 ISIS Families Repatriated to Iraq from al-Hol Camp in Syria A group of 241 Iraqi families linked to ISIS fighters was repatriated on Tuesday from Syria’s al-Hol camp in Hasakah province to Iraqi territory as part of ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the camp. "This is the 25th convoy of Iraqi families returning to their country since the beginning of this year," Shukri Haji, head of the departure office at al-Hol camp, told Iraqi media. Haji emphasized that the focus this year has been on evacuating Iraqi families who voluntarily wish to return home. Coordination between the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Iraqi government remains active to facilitate returns. Approximately 20 Iraqi buses arrived in Hasakah earlier to transport the families through the al-Yaarubiyah border crossing in eastern Hasakah. The convoy is being escorted by US-led coalition armored vehicles to ensure their safe passage into Iraq. This latest group follows a similar repatriation at the end of March, when 186 Iraqi families—comprising 681 individuals—were relocated from the al-Hol camp to Iraq. Reuters: Operation Assad: the air mission to smuggle the Syrian despot's valuables As his enemies closed in on Damascus, Bashar al-Assad, who ruled over Syria with an iron fist for 24 years, used a private jet to spirit away cash, valuables and confidential documents mapping the corporate web behind his wealth. Yasar Ibrahim, the president's top economic adviser, arranged the leasing of the plane to transport Assad's treasured assets, relatives, aides and presidential palace personnel to the United Arab Emirates aboard four flights, according to an account of the operation pieced together by Reuters from more than a dozen sources. New Arab: Syria's Sharaa named as one of Time's top 100 most influential people Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim president of Syria, was named as one of Time Magazine's top 100 most influential people of 2025 on Wednesday. The list was first published in 1999 but made a yearly event in 2004. Sharaa is the Middle East's only leader on this year's list and is joined by seven other world leaders, including Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Sharaa, who led the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which was formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda, became the interim president of Syria after leading an offensive that ousted longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Turkey Jordan News: Turkey Arrests 89 Suspected ISIS Members Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Wednesday the arrest of 89 individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) during coordinated security operations. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Yerlikaya said that simultaneous raids were carried out across 17 provinces, including Istanbul, targeting individuals believed to be active within the ISIS network. He clarified that these operations were launched based on an investigation initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Afghanistan Amu: Amid rifts, Taliban deputy minister briefs Hibatullah’s aide in Kandahar Amid growing rifts within the Taliban leadership, Rahmatullah Najib, the Taliban’s deputy minister of interior, has briefed Mullah Shirin, the Taliban governor of Kandahar and a close aide to their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, on his trip to the province, which has become the power center of Taliban. The meeting, confirmed by the governor’s media office, offered no detailed account of the report but said “important topics” were discussed. Amu: Sources: Pakistani envoy warned Taliban over militants’ access to US weapons Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan has warned Taliban officials that militant groups operating in Afghanistan have gained access to US military equipment left behind after the American withdrawal, two sources familiar with the matter told Amu TV on Thursday. During a meeting on Wednesday, April 16, in Kabul with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Pakistani envoy Mohammad Sadiq expressed growing concerns about security threats, including militants’ access to advanced weaponry, the sources said. Amu: Taliban expand ban on broadcasting images of living beings to 14 provinces The Taliban’s ban on broadcasting images of living beings, which they deem religiously forbidden, has now been extended to a 14th province — Kunduz — according to the Afghanistan Journalists’ Center. The group said that Taliban authorities in Kunduz have officially ordered local media outlets to cease the filming and publication of any images depicting humans or animals. The ban stems from the Taliban’s enforcement of their “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” regulations, under which the depiction of living beings is considered contrary to Islamic principles as interpreted by the group. Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister To Visit Kabul In Push To Normalise Ties Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, announced on Thursday that he will soon travel to Kabul as part of Islamabad’s efforts to normalise relations with neighbouring countries. Speaking at a joint press conference with Hungary’s Foreign Minister in Islamabad, Dar said his upcoming trip to Afghanistan would aim to strengthen diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Pakistani media have reported that the visit is expected to take place on Saturday, 19 April. Afghanistan International: Taliban Summons Uruzgan Residents To Witness Public Flogging Of 15 The Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture in Uruzgan has issued a public notice inviting residents to witness the public flogging of 15 individuals at the Tarinkot stadium on Thursday morning. The group claims the accused are being punished for committing “various criminal offences,” although no specific charges have been disclosed. Afghanistan International: Taliban Kill Teen In Ghazni Province, Detain 12 Relatives After Alleged Attack Local sources in Jaghori district, Ghazni province, report that Taliban fighters have killed a teenage boy and detained at least 12 of his relatives, including several school students, following an alleged attack on the district administrative building. According to sources speaking to Afghanistan International, the teenager, identified as Mahdi, was shot dead by Taliban forces last Wednesday near the Jaghori district centre. His body was later handed over to his family with instructions to bury him quietly and without funeral prayers. Iran New Lines Magazine: How Iran Is Weaponizing Europe’s Criminal Underworld Meanwhile, with crippling international sanctions and without access to global financial markets, Iran needed to evade punitive measures in order to generate revenue to keep its military machine running. It had to procure vital military equipment to supply its armed forces and its proxies. It also needed to eliminate key opponents abroad, such as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), and the domestic Green Movement. It achieved this by adopting the statecraft equivalent of Bruce Lee’s maxim: “Be like water.” In this spirit, Iran changed tactics and became more pragmatic. It became less reliant on ideological allies like Lebanon’s Hezbollah and successfully turned transnational crime cartels into a tool of foreign policy. It relied on both Iranian and foreign criminal organizations to carry out its wishes with a cover of plausible deniability. Times of Israel: Iran’s FM says uranium enrichment ‘non-negotiable,’ after US says it cannot continue Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran’s uranium enrichment as part of its nuclear program was “non-negotiable,” after US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff said the processing program must be dismantled as part of any deal between the sides. “Iran’s enrichment is a real, accepted matter. We are ready to build confidence in response to possible concerns, but the issue of enrichment is non-negotiable,” Araghchi told reporters after a cabinet meeting. Witkoff’s comments Tuesday were themselves a reversal of those he made a day earlier, contrary to Israel’s position, that Washington would be satisfied with a cap on Iranian nuclear enrichment and would not require the dismantling of its nuclear facilities. Associated Press: UN nuclear watchdog says US-Iran talks at a ‘very crucial’ stage Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program are “in a very crucial” stage, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said Thursday while on a visit to the Islamic Republic. The comments by Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Tehran included an acknowledgment his agency likely would be key in verifying compliance by Iran should a deal be reached. Iran and the U.S. will meet again Saturday in Rome for a new round of talks after last weekend’s first meeting in Oman. Reuters: Iran's Khamenei sends letter to Putin ahead of talks with US Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sent his foreign minister to Moscow on Thursday with a letter for President Vladimir Putin to brief the Kremlin about nuclear negotiations with the U.S., which has threatened to bomb the Islamic Republic. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with bombing and to extend tariffs to third countries that buy Iranian oil if Tehran does not come to an agreement with Washington over its disputed nuclear programme. The United States has moved additional warplanes into the region. Amu: Taliban deny involvement in assault on Afghan student at embassy in Tehran Afghanistan’s embassy in Tehran, controlled by the Taliban, on Thursday denied involvement in an assault on an Afghan doctoral student, saying the incident occurred outside the diplomatic mission’s building. In a statement, the embassy said that the altercation involving Mehr Agha Mosadeq, a political science doctoral student at the University of Tehran, took place “at an internet café near the embassy” and not within the embassy premises. Iraq Kurdistan24: Iraq Summons Lebanese Ambassador Over President Aoun's Remarks on PMF Iraq's Foreign Ministry summoned Lebanon's ambassador to Baghdad, Ali al-Habhab, on Wednesday to protest recent comments made by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun concerning Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The ministry expressed dissatisfaction over Aoun's remarks in a recent media interview, during which he dismissed the idea of replicating the PMF model to integrate Hezbollah into the Lebanese army.​ The National: Iraq invites Syria’s leader to attend Arab Summit in Baghdad Iraq has invited Syria’s leader Ahmad Al Shara to the Arab Summit scheduled to be held in Baghdad next month, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said on Wednesday. Iraq’s government cautiously welcomed the removal of Bashar Al Assad's regime from power in December by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a mostly Sunni group formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda. Yemen Associated Press: Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 1 in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa, Houthis say An intense series of suspected U.S. airstrikes hit sites across Yemen held by the Houthi rebels into Thursday morning, with at least one person reportedly being killed in the capital, Sanaa. The strikes took place around multiple governorates in the country overnight, with the Houthis providing few details about the sites hit. The U.S. military’s Central Command has provided no specifics on targets as well in its campaign, which has been hitting sites in Yemen since March 15. Somalia Reuters: US-Somali airstrikes kill al Shabaab militants, hit weapons ship, government says Two joint Somali-U.S. airstrikes killed 12 al Shabaab militants in central Somalia and destroyed a ship carrying weapons for the al Qaeda-linked group, the Somali government said on Thursday, following recent advances by the Islamists. The airstrikes came hours after the Islamists attacked the strategic town of Adan Yabal, which lies about 245 km (150 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, and has been used as an operating base for raids on al Shabaab. Reuters: Al Shabaab attacks strategic Somalia town as it presses offensive Al Shabaab fighters attacked a town in central Somalia on Wednesday that government forces have been using as a staging area for their efforts to drive back the militants, who have been gaining ground in recent weeks, residents said. Advances by the al Qaeda affiliate, which included briefly capturing villages within 50 km (30 miles) of Mogadishu last month, have left residents of the capital on edge amid rumours al Shabaab could target the city. Sudan France 24: Sudan’s paramilitary forces declare rival government two years after civil war erupts Two years into a war that has left tens of thousands dead, Sudan's paramilitary force on announced its own government to rival the army-backed administration it is battling. The United Nations has said that the conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023 is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 13 million people displaced – including more than 3.5 million to other countries – and no sign of peace on the horizon. Technology City Journal: Criminals Are Outpacing the Police in the Tech Arms Race Criminal ingenuity thrives on adaptation, turning benign technological advancements into tools of subversion. This phenomenon—what scholars call “malevolent innovation,” or “the use of creativity for destructive ends”—is not new. From the fertilizer bombs Timothy McVeigh used in Oklahoma City to the pressure-cooker IEDs of the Boston Marathon bombing, widely available resources can be harnessed for terror. Yet, today’s technological landscape offers an unprecedented level of access and lethality. Consider generative artificial intelligence (AI), a field advancing at breakneck speed. By 2025, estimates suggest that 77 percent of personal devices will incorporate AI in some form, with annual market growth exceeding 120 percent for the foreseeable future. Kharon: Investigation: Amid US conflict, Houthis leverage Western social media to spread their message Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked hundreds of military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, a month after the war in Gaza began. Last month, the U.S. responded by conducting retaliatory strikes against the Houthis and redesignating them as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO)—a move aimed at isolating the group and cutting off their support, financial and otherwise. But as the Houthis’ conflict with the U.S. has escalated, Kharon has identified a network of Houthi-connected media organizations that are continuing to flood Western social media platforms with a stream of visually polished propaganda, much of it laced with hate and designed to incite violence. CEP Podcasts Unpacking the week's extremism-related anniversaries and news, as well as counter extremism developments and prospects. A deep dive into CEP's research and topics that are relevant to our mission, from our Berlin-based team.   The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization working to combat the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies. CEP depends on the generosity of its supporters. 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