Since Hamas and Islamic Jihad remained on the sidelines in the Syrian civil war
and left their respective offices in Damascus in 2012, Iran, a staunch

 

 


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Eye on Extremism


July 14, 2020

 

Al Monitor: Iran Offers Unconditional Support To Hamas, Islamic Jihad
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“Since Hamas and Islamic Jihad remained on the sidelines in the Syrian civil
war and left their respective offices in Damascus in 2012, Iran, a staunch ally
of the Syrian regime, suspended its financial support to both movements,
cutting off their largest sources of funding. The return of these relations,
however, seems to be in the offing, especially with the recent events in the
region. On May 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his
government intends to annex 30% of the West Bank. Head of the Hamas political
bureau Ismail Haniyeh said July 6 that he had received a message from Iran’s
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, confirming that his country will
continue to provide support to the Palestinians. “Iran will spare no effort to
support the Palestinian people to restore their right and hold off the evil
schemes of the Zionist entity,” the message read. The message comes after
Iranian Shura Council Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf made two phone calls to
Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah July 1, to
discuss mechanisms and ways to thwart Israel’s annexation plan.”

 

The Jerusalem Post: Israeli Research Center Finds 28 New Hezbollah Missile
Launch Sites
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“There are at least 28 missile launching sites belonging to Hezbollah in
civilian areas in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, a report by ALMA Research and
Education Center has found. The report found that the never-before-published
sites concentrated mainly in Hezbollah-dominated areas of Beirut are related to
the launch, storage and production of the group’s Fateh 110/M600 medium-range
missiles and are “the same as those subject to the Hezbollah precision-guided
missile project (PGMs).” “The world must understand and know that these launch
sites are located at the heart of residential and urban civil infrastructure,”
Tal Beeri, head of the Research department at ALMA Center, told The Jerusalem
Post. Hezbollah, he said, is using the population of Beirut as human shields by
“not hesitating to place their launch sites near public buildings, educational
institutions, factories and more.” According to the report, Hezbollah has an
estimated 600 Fateh 110/M600 missiles, which have a range of up to 300 km.,
while improved models called “D’ Al-Ficar” have a range of up to 700 km.”

 

BBC News: Neo-Nazi Group Led By 13-Year-Old Boy To Be Banned
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“A neo-Nazi group that was led by a 13-year-old boy from Estonia should be
banned as a terrorist organisation, the UK government has announced. Feuerkrieg
Division, an international group that largely existed online, said earlier this
year it had dissolved. But Home Secretary Priti Patel has now asked Parliament
for permission to outlaw it in the UK. This would make it a criminal offence to
be a member of or invite support for the group. Ms Patel said: “This vile white
supremacist group advocates violence and seeks to sow division, targeting young
and vulnerable people online.” A Home Office statement said the organisation
advocated the “use of violence and mass murder in pursuit of an apocalyptic
race war”. The statement added that, in retaliation for the arrest of one of
its British followers last year, the group distributed a list of police
buildings and an image of a senior police officer with a gun to his head and
the words “race traitor” across his eyes, urging followers to carry out
attacks. FKD was created in late 2018 and sought recruits online, particularly
through its channels on encrypted messaging applications.”

 

United States

 

The Washington Post: The U.S. Must Respond Forcefully To Russia And The
Taliban. Here’s How.
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“In late 2017, when I was commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, an
Afghan governor whom I knew well and trusted came to my headquarters in Kabul.
He brought a small cache of weapons that he said had been provided to the
Taliban by Russian operatives coming across the northern border from
Tajikistan. This marked a significant change from the pre-2014 days of
cooperation with the Russians, when they facilitated our logistics through
Central Asia. Unfortunately, support to the Taliban fit into what U.S.
intelligence showed was a pattern of increasing Russian malign activity, which
included cooperation with the Taliban and disinformation tactics aimed at
undermining U.S. and NATO legitimacy, jeopardizing prospects for peace and
endangering our troops. Russia provided small arms, ammunition and money with
the intention of sustaining the Taliban in the fight and gaining influence
ahead of the anticipated withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. While this
assistance did not significantly alter the tactical balance on the battlefield,
it helped the Taliban inflict more casualties on Afghan security forces and
increased the danger to their U.S. and coalition advisers. I concluded at the
time that the Russian assistance was calibrated.”

 

Syria

 

Reuters: Russia Says Joint Patrol With Turkey Hit By Bomb Attack In Syria
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“A roadside bomb planted by Syrian militants in the de-escalation zone in
Idlib detonated near a joint Russian-Turkish patrol on Tuesday morning,
injuring three Russian soldiers and some Turkish soldiers, the Russian Defence
Ministry said. Russia called off the patrol following the blast near the town
of Ariha in Idlib province that damaged one Russian and one Turkish armoured
personel carrier, the ministry said. It was evacuating its equipment from the
area and moving its troops to the Hmeimim air base where some of them would
receive treatment, it said. An unconfirmed social media video of the attack
circulated by Russia’s RIA news agency showed a powerful explosion right by a
convoy of passing armoured vehicles. Two Turkish sources said there were no
Turkish casualties in the attack.”

 

Afghanistan

 

The New York Times: Taliban Stage A Major Attack, As Violence Intensifies In
Northern Afghanistan
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“The Taliban waged a sustained assault against an Afghan intelligence complex
in the city of Aybak on Monday, killing at least 11 people and wounding more
than 60 others, part of a bloody wave of violence across the country’s north.
With the opening of peace talks between the insurgency and the Afghan
government stalled for months, the Taliban have intensified their offensives,
creating one of the deadliest years of the long war. On Monday, insurgents
detonated a car bomb at the entrance of the provincial headquarters of
Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security in Aybak, the capital of
Samangan Province, about 150 miles northwest of Kabul. The blast, which also
struck a nearby municipal compound, opened the way for fighters to enter the
intelligence agency complex, where they battled the Afghan forces for hours,
said Sefatullah Samangani, the deputy governor of the province. Mr. Samangani
said 11 officers of the intelligence agency, mostly men but at least one woman,
were killed and 63 others were wounded. Only 15 of the wounded were
intelligence officers and the rest civilians. “The blast was so strong that it
broke people’s windows three kilometers away,” Mr. Samangani said.”

 

Pakistan

 

The Nation: A New Wave Of Terrorism In Pakistan
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“The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) attack in Karachi and a series of terrorist
attacks in Ghotki, Hyderabad and Rawalpindi coupled with the assaults on
Pakistani patrolling troops at Iran’s bordering areas marks a new wave of
terrorism in Pakistan. The Baloch, Sindhi and MQM-London linked
ethno-separatist groups have forged a new alliance under the Indian patronage.
Pakistan’s top political and military leadership has blamed India for the PSE
attack.  This new wave of terrorism in Pakistan should be seen in the broader
context of the evolving regional security situation, particularly the
intra-Afghan peace process and the India-China border dispute in the Himalayan
region. The shifting geopolitical sands in South Asia are throwing up new
opportunities to a plethora of anti-Pakistan militant groups, particularly the
ethno-separatist outfits. Of the 73 terrorist groups banned by the National
Counter Terrorism Authority, 13 are ethno-nationalist outfits. Unable to match
China’s conventional military superiority, India has chosen the asymmetric
option of targeting the Chinese economic interests and projects in Pakistan.”

 

Yemen

 

Reuters: Yemeni Houthis Say They Hit Saudi Oil Facility In Drone, Missile
Attack
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“Yemeni Houthi forces hit a large oil facility in the southern Saudi Arabian
city of Jizan in drone and missile attacks overnight, a Houthi military
spokesman said on Monday. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said
earlier it had intercepted and destroyed four missiles and six explosive drones
fired by the Houthis over the border towards Saudi Arabia. There was no Saudi
confirmation of where they were intercepted or whether anything was hit. Oil
company Saudi Aramco operates a 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery in the Red Sea
city of Jizan, which lies around 60 km (40 miles) from the Yemen border. Aramco
declined to comment. “With many drones our armed forces targeted military
aircraft, pilot accommodation and Patriot systems in Khamis Mushait, and other
military targets at Abha, Jizan and Najran airports,” said Yahya Sarea, a
Houthi military spokesman. “Additionally, the giant oil facility in the Jizan
industrial zone. The strike was accurate.”  Khamis Mushait, Abha, Jizan and
Najran are all in southwest Saudi Arabia near the Yemen border. Cross-border
attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement have escalated since late May when
a truce prompted by the coronavirus pandemic expired. In late June, missiles
reached the Saudi capital Riyadh.”

 

Nigeria

 

Sahara Reporters: 602 Ex-Boko Haram Terrorists Prepare For Freedom After
Repentance, Training By Nigerian Government
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“Some 602 repentant Boko Haram terrorists on Monday denounced membership of
the group and swore oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They
took the oath before an 11-man quasi-judicial panel headed by Justice Nehizena
Afolabi of the Federal High Court, Gombe. The denunciation followed months of
participation in Operation Safe Corridor, a multi-agency humanitarian effort
led by Defence Headquarters, that was launched in 2016 to encourage Boko Haram
terrorists to surrender. The programme is based on De-radicalisation,
Rehabilitation and Re-Integration of former members of the insurgent group that
has terrorised the North-East region for over 10 years. Speaking during the
exercise, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Shafa, Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, said
the appearance of the repentant insurgents before the judicial panel was a
major requirement before their reintegration into the society. He said, “The
panel is for the clients to appear before it to confess their pasts and
denounce their membership of Boko Haram, Islamic State’s West Africa Province
as the case maybe. “And swear oath of allegiance to be loyal, discipline and
obedient citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and then make commitment.”

 

Caj News Africa: Nigeria Scheme Snubs Ex-Boko Haram Women
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“Nigeria's programme to rehabilitate repentant members of the Boko Haram has
come under criticism for shunning women that quit the terror group. The
criticism comes as the West African country has rehabilitated about 900
ex-insurgents under the Operation Safe Corridor (OSC). It is the biggest
project by Nigeria to address the terrorism that has left thousands dead and
millions displaced northeast of the country. Nextier Security, Peace and
Development (SPD) however said the programme appeared male-focused and
repentant women were merely released back to their communities. “Processes for
females with links to Boko Haram are not clear,” the Abuja-based think-tank
stated. According to the experts, the government's programme overlooks the fact
that some women were involved as perpetrators. Nextier SPD said the chances of
survival for women with links to Boko Haram would be worse even as they were
reportedly released into communities without adequate psychosocial support and
empowerment. In some cases, these women are snubbed by the community. There is
concern therefore that with no means of livelihood or support, the chances of
the women returning to Boko Haram remain high.”

 

Somalia

 

Associated Press: Somalia’s Army Chief Survives Bombing Of His Convoy; 1 Dead
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“Somalia’s army chief has survived an assassination attempt when a suicide car
bomber targeted his convoy in the Somali capital Monday, officials said. At
least one person was killed by the blast, they said. The blast took place when
the bomber tried to ram his vehicle into the convoy escorting Gen. Odowa Yusuf
Rage bringing his bodyguards to open fire and the vehicle detonated, said Capt.
Mohamed Hussein, a senior Somali police officer. A pedestrian standing nearby
was killed by the blast, as well as the bomber, he said. Several people
including some of the army chief’s bodyguards were injured, Hussein told The
Associated Press. Casualties may rise as some of the wounded sustained serious
injuries, he said. Shops and businesses were damaged by the blast which
occurred on a road to a military camp where the army chief was heading, said
Col. Ahmed Muse, a police officer. At least one dead body could be seen lying
at the scene of the blast, he said. Somalia’s extremist rebel group al-Shabab,
which is linked to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the blast in an
announcement on its Andalus radio station. The blast highlights challenges
facing the government’s efforts to restore security in the long-chaotic nation
in the Horn of Africa.”

 

Africa

 

Voice Of America: Accused Islamist Extremist Mali War Crimes Trial Set To
Start Tuesday In ICC 
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“An alleged Islamist arrested in Mali is set to go on trial Tuesday at the
International Criminal Court for orchestrating war crimes and crimes against
humanity in the city of Timbuktu. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag
Mahmoud was arrested in 2018 in Mali, where he was said to be a key member of
Ansar Dine  (“Defenders of the Faith”), a militant group that ruled northern
Mali for nearly a year in 2012. Prosecutors allege Al Hassan orchestrated a
range of crimes, including torture, rape, sexual slavery and other inhumane
acts. The chief prosecutor of the ICC, Fatou Bensouda said, Al Hassan was also
accused of being involved in the destruction of ancient artifacts that paid
homage to supposed idols.”

 

United Kingdom

 

BBC News: Coventry Man Denies Whatsapp Terror Videos Charges
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“An engineer has denied using WhatsApp to send videos glorifying terror
groups. Aftab Khan, 52, is charged with five counts of disseminating terrorism
material and possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing or
preparing acts of terrorism. Mr Khan, of Dorset Road, Coventry, pleaded not
guilty to sending the videos between 2014 and 2019 during an appearance at
Birmingham Crown Court. He will next appear on 29 September.”

 

Germany

 

Agence France-Presse: Two Al-Qaeda-Linked Syrians Arrested On Suspicion Of
Aiding Group
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“Two Syrians have been arrested in Germany on suspicion of helping to carry
out an execution by an Islamist terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda, prosecutors
said Monday. Named only as Khedr A.K. and Sami A.S., the men are accused of
having “jointly killed a person protected under international humanitarian
law,” prosecutors said. The men were arrested and their apartments searched in
Naumburg, near Leipzig, and in the western city of Essen. Khedr A.K. joined the
Ghurabaa Muhassan group in Syria, part of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist
organization, some time before July 2012, prosecutors said.  At that time,
Jabhat al-Nusra was Al-Qaeda's sister organization in Syria. On July 10, 2012,
Khedr A.K. was involved in the execution of a lieutenant colonel with the
Syrian army who had been captured by the group, they said. He is accused of
guarding the prisoner, who was bound by his hands and subjected to severe
mistreatment, as he was transferred to his place of execution in Syria. Both
men appeared before the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on Monday and are now in
custody.”

 

Europe

 

Reuters: Spanish Police Detain Two Algerian Citizens In Anti-Terrorism
Operation In Barcelona
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“Spanish police detained two Algerian citizens in Barcelona on Tuesday morning
in an anti-terrorism operation, the local Catalan police force said on its
Twitter account. The two men were preparing a terror attack, Spanish radio
station Cadena Ser reported, quoting unidentified sources close to the
investigation. Local police didn’t confirm that information.”

 

New Zealand

 

The New York Times: White Supremacist Who Admitted Christchurch Killings Plans
To Represent Himself
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“An Australian white supremacist who pleaded guilty to killing 51 worshipers
at two mosques in New Zealand last year plans to represent himself at a
sentencing hearing in August, a court heard on Monday, raising concerns that he
might use the proceedings to push his views and traumatize the survivors once
again. The white supremacist, Brenton Tarrant, initially denied involvement
before pleading guilty in March to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted
murder and one count of terrorism for the killing spree in Christchurch on
March 15, 2019. The massacre, the deadliest shooting in New Zealand’s history,
led the government to ban most semiautomatic weapons and spurred an effort to
restrict racist and violent content on the internet. The gunman had posted a
white-supremacist manifesto online and live-streamed part of the shootings on
Facebook. On Monday, a judge at Christchurch’s High Court confirmed that Mr.
Tarrant, who appeared via video link from Auckland Prison, had waived his
rights to legal representation before allowing his lawyers, Jonathan Hudson and
Shane Tait, to withdraw from the case, according to the local news media.”



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