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Eye on Extremism
December 10, 2020
The Independent: Manchester Arena Bomber’s Brother ‘Admits Terror Attack Was For Isis’
“The Manchester bomber’s brother said they launched the terror attack in support of Isis, an inquiry has heard. Hashem Abedi denied involvement in the plot until October this year, after he was jailed for life for his part in the murders of the 22 victims. Further details from his admissions, which came in an interview inside prison with the public inquiry’s legal team, were revealed on Wednesday. Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: “Hashem Abedi said he was a supporter of violent jihad in the sense he supported the institution of sharia law through violence and he considered violence was justified in order to bring about change in society.” He said Hashem’s position was “exposed starkly” when he was asked what action he had taken to support Isis and replied: “The Manchester attack.” Isis claimed responsibility for the bombing, which was the second and deadliest terror attack in Britain in 2017, following the Westminster Bridge attack in March. “To put it in simple terms, it represents pro-Islamic State [Isis] propaganda,” he added. Det Ch Supt Simon Barraclough, who led the investigation into the bombing, agreed that publishing Hashem’s written statement or footage of his interview would amount to disseminating Isis propaganda that may encourage further attacks.”
Reuters: 2 Small Iraqi Oil Wells Set Ablaze In 'Terrorist Attack,' Ministry Says
“Two wells in a small oilfield in northern Iraq were set ablaze by explosives in a "terrorist attack" on Wednesday but overall production from the field was not affected, the Oil Ministry and officials said Wednesday. The Oil Ministry gave no further details about the assailants behind the explosive devices that targeted the wells in Khabbaz oilfield, 20 km (12 miles) southwest of Kirkuk. Technical teams isolated the two burning oil wells and there was no impact on output, two sources from the state-run North Oil Company (NOC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. The field produces about 25,000 barrels per day, oil officials said. The ministry said production from the two wells that were targeted did not exceed 2,000 bpd. The ministry statement said a fire erupted at the two oil wells after explosive devices were set off half an hour apart, with one going off at 1:30 a.m. (1030 GMT) and the second at 2:00 a.m (1100 GMT).”
United States
NPR: Militia Group Leader Guilty Of Minnesota Mosque Pipe Bomb Attack
“The leader of an anti-government white supremacist militia group and former sheriff's deputy has been convicted of hate crime charges after a pipe bomb attack on a Minnesota mosque in 2017. Jurors found Michael Hari guilty on five counts, including damaging property because of its religious character, forcibly obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs, conspiracy to commit felonies with fire and explosives, using a destructive device in a crime of violence, and possessing an unregistered destructive device. Hari and two other men — Joe Morris and Michael McWhorter — carried out an attack on the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minn., on Aug. 5, 2017, as several men gathered for morning prayer. According to Morris and McWhorter, who pleaded guilty to their roles in the bombing and testified against the 49-year-old, Hari was the mastermind behind the plot. "Michael Hari's goal in bombing the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center was to spread hatred, instill fear, and threaten the constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion. This act of violence, driven by hatred and ignorance, shook our community," U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said in a statement.”
Penn Live: Inmate Suspected Of Stabbing Pa. Prison Guard Serving 40 Years On Terrorism Charges
“The inmate suspected of stabbing an Allenwood Federal Penitentiary corrections officer in the eye is serving a 40-year sentence on terrorism charges. A U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokesperson would not identify the inmate because he has not been charged but said he is a 22-year-old U.S. citizen. He arrived at the penitentiary on Nov. 2 but has been in the federal prison system since 2016, she said. He was convicted in New York City of charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries and to bomb a place of public use. Corrections officer Dale Fanquet Jr., 51, of Middleburg, was stabbed about 6:15 a.m. Monday when he went into the inmate’s cell. A second officer, who has not been identified, was injured when he attempted to assist Franquet. He was treated at a hospital and released. Franquet was admitted to Geisinger Medical Center near Danville where he underwent surgery in an attempt to save his right eye. The attempt was unsuccessful and he will lose the eye, according to his father, Dale Franquet Sr., of Orwigsburg. A Geisinger spokesman Wednesday said Franquet remains in critical condition. Since he tested positive for COVID-19 he is in a coronavirus isolation unit, his father said.”
Syria
Euractiv: Foreign IS Fighters In Northeast Syrian Camps – A ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ For Europe
“Hundreds of women and children, many of them relatives of foreign fighters, are interned in the al-Hawl camp in Northeast Syria and have created “a miniature version of the Islamic State (IS)”, which risks becoming a breeding ground and risk for Europe’s security. When Turkey launched its ‘Operation Peace Spring’ offensive against the Kurdish self-government zone in northeast Syria in autumn 2019, many feared that in the chaos of the fighting, IS foreign fighters imprisoned in the Kurdish areas could escape and make their way to Europe. Turkey said the offensive was aimed at removing Kurdish fighters, considered terrorists by Ankara, from the border region and establishing a “safe zone” to resettle some of the refugees in the country. Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump discussed Turkey’s plans to establish a “safe zone” east of the Euphrates River in Syria in a phone call on Sunday (6 October), but the White House said US forces would not be involved. While the operation received harsh international criticism from Turkey’s NATO allies, a mass exodus from the camps could be prevented.”
Iran
Arab News: Trump Determined To Designate Pro-Iran Groups As Terrorist
“President Donald Trump wants his years in the White House to be remembered as the most anti-Iranian in the recent history of the US. He does not want to launch a war against Tehran, but he wants to make tough statements that include practical actions to contain Iran. In this regard, there are serious attempts now being pushed forward in Washington to classify both the pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen and the Badr militia in Iraq as terrorist groups. There are many important implications for such a strategy. It is also critical to mention that there are those who oppose the Trump administration designating these two groups as terror organizations. This move faces many difficulties. In Yemen, the UN, a number of European countries, such as Germany and Sweden, and some refugee and relief organizations doing humanitarian work are against labeling the Houthis as terrorists. They fear that such a categorization would make humanitarian work more dangerous and lead to a hardening of the Houthis’ position in the negotiations currently being conducted. Ultimately, they fear this could intensify the civil war in Yemen. In Iraq, the Badr Organization is very powerful and has strong ties with the government."
Middle East
The Jerusalem Post: Amid Terror Finance Allegations, Qatar Lobbies For US F-35 Fighter Jets
“Qatar’s regime, whose monarchy is already reeling from allegations that it finances Islamic terrorist movements, faced new criticism on Wednesday for its lobbying efforts in the US to purchase the F-35 fighter jets. “Given Qatar’s track record of financing and helping terrorists – and given Qatar’s extraordinary links with Iran – giving Qatar F-35s will undermine the advantage of the US, Israel and their regional allies,” Ghanem Nuseibeh, founder of the London-based Cornerstone Global Associates, told The Jerusalem Post. He said that “Selling F-35s to Qatar would be a strategic mistake that will have long-term consequences on the national security of the West. Qatar does not have the manpower to use the F-35sת and the US and its regional allies should ask why Qatar wants them.” Cornerstone’s risk reports on Qatar’s regime have been cited in the British media, including by BBC. Nuseibeh’s comment on Qatar’s lobbying in the US was in response to a blockbuster Tuesday report on the website of ForeignLobby.com.”
Africa
Reuters: Families Suing S.Africa's MTN For Allegedly Aiding Militants Want Case Heard In U.S.
“Families of hundreds of U.S. soldiers who are suing South African telecoms firm MTN for allegedly aiding militant groups in Afghanistan have filed papers challenging the firm’s argument that the case should not be heard in the United States. The original suit, filed in December 2019 in the United States District Court in the District of Columbia, alleges that MTN violated the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act by paying protection money to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. MTN, Africa’s largest mobile operator by subscribers, has denied the allegations, and reiterated on Wednesday it would “defend its position accordingly.” In new court papers, filed on Tuesday by Washington-based law firms, the families’ argue that MTN must be held accountable in a U.S. court for the alleged offence. “The Court should recognise and reject MTN’s argument for what it is: an attempt to enshrine a rule that a foreign company can obtain U.S. financing, use the financing to support terrorist attacks on Americans, and face no accountability for doing so,” the papers read. The case centres around allegations that MTN paid more than $100 million to al-Qaeda and the Taliban so its cellular towers would not be targeted for destruction.”
Axios: Frustrations In Sudan Over U.S. Delays On Terror List Deal
“Most Sudanese thought until recently that getting off the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list was a done deal. Now they realize it's more complicated. Why it matters: One crucial element of the trilateral deal between the U.S., Israel and Sudan was the restoration of Sudan's sovereign immunity, which would protect the country from future terror-related lawsuits. While Sudan will soon be officially removed from the terror list, it still needs the U.S. Congress to pass the immunity legislation in the coming days, or else foreign investors may steer clear of Sudan for fear of entanglement in multi-billion dollar terror claims. Background: Prime Minister Abdulla Hamdok's government agreed to pay compensation to resolve the existing lawsuits, which were tied to the harboring of al-Qaeda by former dictator Omar al-Bashir. The government argued that without the compensation payments there would be no delisting and no sovereign immunity legislation from Congress. The other side: That decision angered many Sudanese, who felt they should not pay for the deeds of the previous regime. Quite to the contrary, some argued they should be rewarded for toppling Bashir.”
United Kingdom
BBC News: Terror Accused Felt 'Affiliation' With Mass Killers
“A man accused of terrorism offences in Edinburgh felt "an affiliation" with notorious American mass killers, a court has been told. A forensic psychiatrist who met with Gabrielle Friel told police the accused felt jealous and rejected and felt an affinity with Californian spree killer Elliott Rodger. Mr Friel, 22, denies charges of intending to commit acts of terrorism. He also denies expressing a "desire to carry out a spree killing mass murder". In a statement to the court, Dr Alexander Quinn's said: "I asked him if he shared some of the ideals of Rodger, in particular his attitude to hating women for not being interested in him sexually. He agreed at times he did." The High Court in Edinburgh heard the psychiatrist met Mr Friel in August last year. The accused was referred after being arrested by police in 2017 following an incident at Edinburgh College when he was armed with a knife. Mr Friel said he had thought about committing "suicide by cop" and became an inpatient at the Orchard Clinic secure unit at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. He was released back into the community in June 2018.”
France
The New York Times: France Takes On Islamist Extremism With New Bill
“The French government, determined to combat an ideology it views as “the enemy of the Republic,” on Wednesday unveiled draft legislation to combat radical Islamism, calling the measure “a law of freedom” essential to peaceful coexistence in French society. The law, which has been assailed by Turkey and other Muslim countries, and criticized as “heavy-handed” by the U.S. envoy on international religious freedom, reflects President Emmanuel Macron’s resolve to address a series of terror attacks that have left more than 260 people dead in France since 2015. Three such attacks in recent months, including the beheading of a history teacher, Samuel Paty, who had shown caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad to his class, have hardened positions around the legislation. “This bill is not a text aimed against religions or against the Muslim religion in particular,” Prime Minister Jean Castex declared after the cabinet approved the draft law. “It is the reverse — it is a law of freedom, it is a law of protection, it is a law of emancipation against religious fundamentalism.” Earlier, Mr. Castex told the French daily Le Monde that “The enemy of the Republic is an ideology that calls itself radical Islamism, whose objective is to divide French people from one another.”
Germany
Vice: Anti-Lockdown Protesters Placed Under Surveillance In Germany Over Extremism Fears
“Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has placed a group orchestrating volatile anti-lockdown protests under surveillance, officials announced Wednesday, as concerns rise over the growing radicalisation of the movement. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg has officially classified the group Querdenken 711 (Lateral Thinking 711) as an “object of observation.” “A limit is crossed when extremist endeavours abuse constitutional freedoms in order to feed their extremist and ideological conspiracy narratives,” the Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister Thomas Strobl said in a statement announcing the move. "The advanced radicalisation of Querdenken makes an observation of their organisational level … essential.” It’s the first time a group behind the country’s conspiracy-infused, anti-COVID lockdown protests, which have attracted growing concern for their increasing violence and far-right involvement, has been formally placed under surveillance.”
Europe
Associated Press: EU Wants To Boost Border Security Against Extremist Attacks
“The European Commission wants member states to reinforce external border controls and police cooperation to better protect the 27-nation bloc from extremist attacks. As part of its Counter-Terrorism Agenda unveiled Wednesday, the EU’s executive arm said an efficient detection of suspects at the bloc’s borders is crucial to guarantee European citizens’ security. Since the deadly Paris attacks five years ago in which fighters who had returned from Syria were involved, the EU has been repeatedly hit by extremist actions. In 2019, seven jihadist terrorist attacks were carried out in the EU, and twice that number of plots were thwarted by law enforcement. “Member states should urgently complete the modernization of our external border management within the agreed roadmaps, with the ambition of developing the world’s most modern border management system,” the commission said. Under the Schengen Information System regulations implemented two years ago, national authorities are already required to create alerts related to “terrorist offenses” and member states need to share information with Europol.”
Reuters: Finnish Minister To Face No Charges Over Push To Bring Home Islamic State Children
“Finland’s foreign minister Pekka Haavisto should not face charges despite breaking the law in an effort to quickly bring to Finland children of Finnish mothers who joined Islamic State, a parliamentary committee ruled on Wednesday. Like other European countries, Finland has struggled with the question of what to do with its citizens who joined the violent Islamist movement that seized swathes of Syria and Iraq, and with their children who were born or taken there. Many Europeans and their children ended up in camps in Syria after the group was defeated there two years ago. Fifteen children of Finnish women have been brought to Finland so far. Parliament’s constitutional committee found that Haavisto, who had pushed for the children to be brought to Finland quickly last year, had broken the law by trying to replace an official who refused to act. But it said the breach did not meet a threshold to press charges. “I want to express a feeling of relief,” Haavisto said after the ruling. “It was clear all the time that helping the children in distress was also our legal responsibility.” Haavisto says he pressed for quick action last year because winter was approaching and conditions were deteriorating at the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria where the children were being held with their Finnish mothers.”
The Brussels Times: Hearings Over 22 March Terrorist Trial Will End Today
“Hearings held to prepare for the mammoth trial of those accused of the March 2016 terrorist attacks are expected to end in Brussels today, earlier than expected. The hearings have been held in the new Justitia court site at the former Nato headquarters on the edge of the city. The main purpose was to determine who would go to trial, what the charges would be, and what sort of trial it will be. Those are deliberations that take place before any trial involving charges serious enough to merit a prison sentence, and normally are completed in a day. The 22 March trial, however, is of a complexity never seen before in Belgium, to the extent that a new court site has had to be created to house the parties taking part. Firstly, there are ten men accused of taking part in the organisation of the attack, one of whom actually took part. The other three bombers involved at Brussels Airport and at Maelbeek Metro station died in the attacks they triggered themselves. One man, however, turned up at the airport with his suitcase bomb but left before the attack. He was arrested later. As well as the accused and their lawyers, there are also some 680 civil parties – representing the people killed or injured in the two attacks. Each of them has the right to attend the trial and speak.”
Technology
“EU lawmakers have just unveiled a wide-ranging counter-terrorism agenda as they set out plans to beef up regional security. The plan touches on some key tech topics — the most keenly watched of which is encryption. Here, concerns have been mounting that the bloc could be moving toward legislating against end-to-end encryption — in response to pressure from some Member States over law enforcement and security services’ access to encrypted data. At the same time, such pressure isn’t exactly new. Albeit, the rule of crypto wars history is the access issue must roll around afresh again and again. And last month a draft resolution from the Council of the European Union triggered a fresh wave of anxiety that an EU ban on e2e encryption might be in the works. Today’s Commission agenda is unlikely to lay such fears to rest entirely. Perhaps mostly for its tortured language — with oxymoronical talk of “‘improved access” to encrypted information in a text that’s simultaneously peppered with caveats about “respecting the right to privacy”. Here’s how the Commission answers its own impossible question [emphasis its]: Encryption technology is one of the main building blocks in setting up and maintaining the Digital Single Market and in safeguarding fundamental rights, privacy and data protection of citizens.”
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