The Trump administration says it strongly objects to Turkey’s recent hosting of
two leaders of Hamas, which the United States regards as a terrorist g

 

 


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Eye on Extremism


August 26, 2020

 

Voice Of America: US Criticizes Turkey For Hosting Hamas Leaders
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“The Trump administration says it strongly objects to Turkey’s recent hosting
of two leaders of Hamas, which the United States regards as a terrorist group.
“President Erdogan’s continued outreach to this terrorist organization only
serves to isolate Turkey from the international community, harms the interests
of the Palestinian people, and undercuts global efforts to prevent terrorist
attacks launched from Gaza,” a State Department statement said Tuesday. It
pointed out that one of the Hamas members who was in Istanbul is alleged to
have been involved in multiple terrorist attacks, hijackings, and kidnappings.
“We continue to raise our concerns about the Turkish government’s relationship
with Hamas at the highest levels,” it adds. Turkey is dismissing the U.S.
criticism. “Declaring the legitimate representative of Hamas, who came to power
after winning democratic elections in Gaza and is an important reality of the
region, as a terrorist will not be of any contribution to efforts for peace and
stability in the region,” its foreign ministry said. This is the second time
since February Turkey has played host to Hamas leaders, the United States says.”

 

Associated Press: Israel Attacks Hezbollah Posts After Shots Fired At Soldiers
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“Israeli attack helicopters struck observation posts of the militant Hezbollah
group along the Lebanon border overnight after shots were fired at Israeli
troops operating in the area, the military said Wednesday. It said no Israeli
forces were wounded, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or major
damage in Lebanon. Earlier, Israeli troops fired flares and smoke shells along
the heavily guarded border. The military also ordered civilians in nearby
communities to shelter in place and blocked roads near the border. Those
restrictions were lifted early Wednesday. The incident took place near the
northern town of Manara. Israel has been bracing for a possible attack by the
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah since an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah
fighter in neighboring Syria last month. On July 27, the Israeli military said
it had thwarted an infiltration attempt by Hezbollah militants in a battle that
raged for more than an hour. Neither side reported any casualties and the
Iran-backed Hezbollah denied involvement. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its
toughest and most immediate threat. After battling Israel to a stalemate during
a monthlong war in 2006, Hezbollah is believed to be far stronger today.”

 

Foreign Policy: U.S. And Sudan Near Pact To Compensate American Terrorism
Victims
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“The Trump administration has reached an agreement in principle with Sudan’s
new transitional government to settle a series of long-standing claims by
American terrorism victims, laying the groundwork for the country’s removal
from the U.S. list of states that sponsor terrorism, officials and
congressional aides familiar with the matter told Foreign Policy. The
deal—which has yet to be finalized—requires Sudan’s fledgling civilian-led
government to deposit $335 million in an escrow account for the families of
victims of terrorist attacks that the former Sudanese regime played a role in
supporting two decades ago. The attacks covered in the agreement are the 1998
embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2000 terrorist attack against
the USS Cole. It would not address claims of families of victims of the 9/11
terrorist attacks in Washington and New York. If finalized, the arrangement
would help restore Sudan’s standing in the international community and allow
for outside investment and aid for the country’s ailing economy. It would also
pave the way for further normalization of U.S. relations with Sudan and amount
to a political victory for Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, whose
fragile transitional government faces mounting pressure since the 2019
revolution that ousted the longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir.”

 

United States

 

Associated Press: Wisconsin Woman Sentenced For Trying To Help Islamic State
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“A Wisconsin woman accused of trying to plan terrorist attacks using hacked
social media accounts has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.
Waheba Issa Dais, 48, of Cudahy, pleaded guilty last year to one count of
providing material support to terrorists. She was sentenced Monday to 90 months
in prison. Prosecutors say the mother of seven tried to recruit people to carry
out attacks for the Islamic State, and provided them with information on how to
make explosives and poisons, including a detailed recipe for the toxin Ricin.
The FBI said its investigation found that Dais used hacked social media
accounts to discuss possible attacks with self-proclaimed members of the
Islamic State group, Authorities never connected her to any attack plots, but
U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger noted the seriousness of her crimes in a
statement released Tuesday. “Dais not only personally pledged her allegiance to
a terrorist organization but took steps designed to help others cause death and
destruction around the world,” Krueger said.”

 

The Hill: House Democrats Request Briefing On Seizure Of Terrorist
Cryptocurrency Assets
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“Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) asked the Trump
administration on Monday to provide more details on the recent seizure of
cryptocurrency assets of several major terrorist groups. The request came two
weeks after the Justice Department announced that the federal government had
seized and dismantled cryptocurrency efforts of al Qaeda, ISIS and the
al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing. The cyber-enabled cryptocurrency
schemes used social media to raise money for the groups that included using the
COVID-19 pandemic to raise funds. Cleaver, the chairman of the House Financial
Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and
Monetary Policy, and Gottheimer, a member of the subcommittee, requested that
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Attorney General William Barr brief the
subcommittee on the operation. “It is vital that Members of the Subcommittee on
National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy receive a
briefing, at the appropriate classification level, on this action, the largest
ever seizure of online terrorist financing, from the Department of Justice, the
Department of the Treasury on this investigation,” Cleaver and Gottheimer
wrote.”

 

Afghanistan

 

Reuters: Three Killed, 41 Wounded In Taliban Truck Bomb In Afghanistan
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“Taliban insurgents set off a truck bomb on Tuesday in an attack on Afghan
army commandos, killing three people and wounding 41, the defence ministry
said, despite steps towards peace talks with the U.S.-backed government. The
Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast in the northern province of Balkh,
saying on Twitter they had attacked the commandos. The defence ministry said
two members of the commando force were killed and six wounded, while the rest
of the casualties were civilians. The blast came as a Taliban delegation
visited the Pakistani capital to discuss a peace process underpinned by an
agreement between the Taliban and the United States on the withdrawal of U.S.
forces in exchange for Taliban security guarantees and a promise to open
power-sharing talks with the government. But despite what many Afghans see as
the best hope for peace since the latest phase of Afghanistan’s war began in
2001, the level of violence has remained high. Diplomats and officials say the
violence is sapping the trust needed for talks. The government has asked
repeatedly for a ceasefire before negotiations start in Qatar’s capital of
Doha, a request the Taliban have refused.”

 

Pakistan

 

Reuters: Pakistan Eager To See Taliban Start Dialogue With Kabul: Foreign
Minister
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“Pakistan urged the Taliban on Tuesday to start talks soon with the Afghan
government to end decades of conflict, telling visiting officials of the group
that an intra-Afghan dialogue could help ensure regional stability. The meeting
between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and a Taliban team
comes as Afghanistan’s peace process has stalled over disagreements on a
prisoner exchange. “Pakistan is eager to see an intra-Afghan dialogue start
soon to ensure regional peace and stability,” Qureshi said in a statement after
meeting a delegation led by the head of the Taliban’s political office Mullah
Abdul Ghani Baradar. Talks between the Taliban and an Afghan-government
mandated committee were to be held in the Qatari capital Doha following the
completion of the prisoner exchange between the two sides. But the completion
of the swap has been delayed by disagreements between the Taliban and the
Afghan government. There are also concerns over rising violence, which
diplomats say is sapping trust needed for the talks. The insurgent group has so
far rejected implementing a ceasefire before the talks start. “We deliberated
on the complications, and what could be their solution,” Qureshi said in a
short media briefing, where no question was taken.”

 

India

 

Reuters: India Charges 19, Including 7 Pakistanis, Over Kashmir Bombing
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“India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged 19 people, including 7
Pakistani nationals, on Tuesday over a deadly bomb attack on a security convoy
in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir last year. The bombing on Feb. 14,
2019 killed 40 paramilitary policemen, leading to aerial clashes between India
and Pakistan, two long-time, nuclear-armed rivals. Pakistan-based militant
group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack. On Monday, the
NIA said four of the seven Pakistani nationals charged in the attack were at
large, while the other three had been killed in separate clashes with security
forces. “The charge sheet has brought on record the all-out involvement of
Pakistan-based entities (in) carry(ing) out terrorist strikes in India and to
incite and provoke Kashmiri youth,” an NIA statement said. The other 12 accused
are local residents of Indian Kashmir, some of whom have been killed in
clashes, some arrested with the rest missing. One of the accused, a 20-year-old
man from Kashmir’s capital city Srinagar, ordered 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) of
aluminium powder on Amazon to help his accomplices make explosives used in the
attack, according to the NIA.”

 

Yemen

 

The Defense Post: Al-Qaeda Blows Up Yemen Clinic After Executing Dentist
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“Al-Qaeda blew up a medical center in war-torn Yemen on Tuesday, 10 days after
executing a dentist it accused of guiding US drone strikes against its
militants. The clinic in the Somaa district of Al-Baida province was where the
dentist worked before his execution, a local official told AFP. The jihadists
shot Motthar al-Youssoufi, then crucified his body and left it outside the
health center on August 15. On Tuesday, they blew up the clinic. Al-Qaeda in
the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is active in Yemen, is considered by the
United States as the radical group’s most dangerous branch. Washington has
carried out a drone campaign against its leaders for the past two decades. But
the Sunni extremist group has thrived in the chaos of civil war between Yemen’s
Saudi-backed government and Shiite rebels who control the capital Sanaa.”

 

Lebanon

 

The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Won’t Send Aid To Lebanese Government Over
Terror-Finance Concerns
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“The Trump administration is worried humanitarian aid for Lebanon will end up
in the hands of U.S.-designated terror group Hezbollah if routed through the
government in Beirut, according to senior U.S. officials. The U.S. and other
countries have shipped emergency food and medical supplies to Beirut in the
wake of the blast earlier this month that razed much of Beirut’s downtown, but
officials in Washington are adamant about using alternative channels for
further aid to ensure its contributions aren’t used by the group…The U.S. will
“be there with the immediate humanitarian emergency help that any human being
would want to offer at a moment of stress like this,” Mr. Hale told journalists
in a briefing. “But for the kind of substantial assistance that the Lebanese
are asking for in order to restructure their finances and their economy, it’s
going to take leadership that’s committed to these deep reforms that we’ve been
talking to the Lebanese about for years now.” U.S. officials are particularly
concerned that Hezbollah’s expansive role in a government that is plagued by
corruption would mean the Iran-backed group would benefit from humanitarian
supplies and financing funded by American taxpayers.”

 

The Washington Post: Man Convicted In 2005 Assassination Of Former Lebanese
Prime Minister Was Part Of A Hezbollah Hit Squad, Officials Say
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“A Lebanese man convicted in the 2005 killing of former prime minister Rafiq
al-Hariri was part of a dedicated hit squad that carried out at least four
other assassinations under orders from the militant group Hezbollah, current
and former security officials said, citing previously undisclosed intelligence
about the case. The assassinations team, known as Unit 121, is controlled by
Hezbollah’s top leadership and had already been active for years under
different identities when on Feb. 14, 2005, operatives detonated the bomb that
killed Hariri and 21 others on a seaside avenue in Beirut, the officials said.
Details about the still-active hit squad were provided by current and former
security officials from the United States and three European and Middle Eastern
countries who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive
intelligence about the assassination and its aftermath. The revelations come a
week after a U.N.-backed international tribunal ended its 11-year investigation
of the murder with a guilty verdict for Salim Jamil Ayyash, a 56-year-old
Hezbollah operative and accused co-conspirator in the assassination. But the
panel found no conclusive evidence linking Hezbollah’s leadership to Hariri’s
killing.”

 

Somalia

 

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“The U.S trained Somali forces unit Danab have killed three Alshabab militants
in El-Gellow in a special operation conducted in middle Shabelle on Sunday.
Osman Abdimalik Malim, a special forces (Danab) commander, told the military
radio that Somali forces killed the militants while planting landmine in the
road. “During the operation we killed three militants and destroyed landmines
they were planting on the road,” he said. He said that the operation will
continue until the group is wiped out of the region. The latest operation comes
came barely three days after the Somali security forces killed 10 Alshabab
militants in another operation in the outskirts of Bosaso town in the northern
region of Bari region. The militants who are affiliated to Alqaeda control much
territory in rural areas in Somalia and are fighting the internationally
recognised central government since 2008 to establish Islamic Sharia-based in
their own interpretation.”

 

Mali

 

Associated Press: French Troops Stay In Mali After Coup, No End In Sight
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“It was a picture postcard meant to portray unity in the vast and fragile
lands that once were French colonies: President Emmanuel Macron standing with
the leaders of five West African countries where France has spearheaded a
counter-terrorism war since 2013. “We are all convinced that victory is
possible,” Macron said at the summit in Mauritania. That was less than two
months ago. Today, one of the five leaders has fallen. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita,
the president of Mali — the country at the center of the battle against
Islamist extremists — was ousted last week in a coup d’etat. But an unflinching
Macron is pressing on, refusing to withdraw France’s 5,100 troops from West
Africa, even though extremist attacks have multiplied and victory looks like a
mirage in the crescent-shaped sand dunes for which France’s Operation Barkhane
is named. “Operation Barkhane ... continues,” French Defense Minister Florence
Parly tweeted last week, after the bloodless coup in Mali by a clutch of
military officers who detained Keita and his prime minister.”

 

Africa

 

The Daily Caller: ‘Yet Another Insurgency Hotspot’: Islamic Extremists Take
Over Port In African Nation, Government Prepares For Battle
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“The government of Mozambique is expected to launch an attack to regain
control of the strategic Mocímboa da Praia port after it was captured by
Islamic extremists earlier this month. Analysts say the Islamic State Central
African Province showed previously unseen levels of organization and weaponry
during the skirmish that saw the group seize the port earlier this month,
according to the Associated Press. The conflict in the northeast province of
Cabo Delgado is quickly unfolding into “yet another insurgency hotspot,” the
Associated Press reported. “The fall of Mocímboa da Praia is a major strategic
victory for the insurgents,” said Eric Morier-Genoud, a historian at Queen’s
University Belfast. “They took five days to capture the town and its port.” The
extremists consider themselves an affiliate group of the Islamic State and
first began their assault in 2017, The Washington Post reported. Mozambique has
seen the largest increase in Islamic extremist violence globally with more than
1,500 people reportedly dead and an additional 250,000 reportedly displaced,
according to the Washington Post. The insurgency also threatens a potentially
lucrative natural gas industry in Mozambique.”

 

United Kingdom

 

BBC News: Man From Surrey Charged With Right-Wing Terror Offences
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“A man accused of right-wing terror offences posted videos celebrating the
Christchurch mosques terror attack, a court heard. Michael Nugent, 37, from
Surrey, is accused of sharing “extreme ideology”, including a manifesto
published by the Christchurch mosque attacker. He appeared at Westminster
Magistrates' Court charged with 12 offences. Mr Nugent spoke via videolink only
to confirm his name and date of birth during a five-minute hearing. He was said
in court to have shared the manifesto of Brenton Tarrant, who is being
sentenced in New Zealand for killing 51 worshippers at two mosques last year.
He is also accused of posting a video of the Christchurch terror attack on its
one-year anniversary in March. Mr Nugent, of Parkland Grove, Ashford, Surrey,
is charged with two counts of encouraging terrorism, one of disseminating a
terrorist publication about how to carry out a silent assassination, and nine
counts of collecting information likely to be useful to a person committing or
preparing an act of terrorism. He was remanded in custody by deputy chief
magistrate Tan Ikram until 2 October, when he will appear before the Old
Bailey.”

 

Europe

 

Middle East Monitor: Switzerland Considers Banning Hezbollah
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“Switzerland is considering banning the Iranian-backed Shia group, Hezbollah,
after the country’s federal council agreed last week to review a report
investigating the group’s activities within its borders. The application was
submitted by Marianne Binder, a politician in the Christian Democratic People’s
Party of Switzerland and is titled, “Report on the activities of the Shi’ite
Islamist Hezbollah in Switzerland”. The application, according to a report by
the Jerusalem Post, could lead to a complete ban on Hezbollah in Switzerland
with the organisation’s access to bank accounts and assets seized and frozen.
Calling for the ban, Binder’s application argues that, “in view of the
neutrality of Switzerland, however, the activities of Hezbollah cannot be
legitimised, and a report is also advisable for reasons of security policy.”
The initiative, which was first submitted in June, was quoted by the Jerusalem
Post as citing Germany’s decision to ban Hezbollah’s military and political
arms in late April as a catalyst for Switzerland to consider a similar move.”

 

Southeast Asia

 

Jakarta Globe: Indonesia Leads UN Security Council Meeting On Islamic State
Threat
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“UN Security Council President Dian Triansyah Djani of Indonesia presided over
a meeting on the threat posed by terror network Islamic State to international
security and peace on Monday. Indonesia holds the rotating presidency of the
Council for the month. The video-teleconference discussed a recent report by
Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the issue and UN efforts in
support of member states in countering the threat. Vladimir Voronkov, the head
of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, told Council members that the Islamic
State and other terrorist groups continued to pose a serious threat to the
global security during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Since the start of the year, we
have seen contrasting regional disparities in the threat trajectory. In
conflict zones, the threat has increased, as evidenced by ISIL’s regrouping and
increasing activity in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, and among some of its
regional affiliates,” Voronkov told the conference, using another acronym of
the terror network. “However, in non-conflict zones, the threat appears to have
decreased in the short term. Measures to minimize the spread of Covid-19, such
as lockdowns and restrictions on movement, seem to have reduced the risk of
terrorist attacks in many countries,” he added.”



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