Suspected Islamists killed at least 18 people in attacks in northern Burkina
Faso and central Mali on Wednesday and Thursday, government and security

 

 


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Eye on Extremism


February 19, 2021

 

Reuters: At Least 18 Killed In Attacks In Burkina Faso And Mali
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“Suspected Islamists killed at least 18 people in attacks in northern Burkina
Faso and central Mali on Wednesday and Thursday, government and security
sources said. Attacks by militants with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State are
common in the two West African countries, where Islamists have expanded their
reach in recent years despite the presence of 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers and
5,100 French troops. This week Chad announced it would deploy 1,200 troops to
the area to complement France’s Barkhane counter-terrorism force, as leaders of
the five Sahel countries and their allies met to assess the security situation.
The attack in Burkina Faso happened on Thursday morning between the towns of
Markoye and Tokabangou, where residents were ambushed on their way to a market
across the nearby border in Dolbel, Niger, government spokesman Ousseni
Tamboura said in a statement. Eight people died and nine were wounded, he said.
A security source said that one more person later died of injuries. In Mali, at
least nine people were killed and others were missing or wounded in a spate of
attacks near Bandiagara in the central Mopti region, local government sources
said.”

 

Associated Press: US Reporter Held By Al-Qaida-Linked Group In Syria Released
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“An American journalist, living in northwestern Syria for nearly a decade, has
been released, six months after he was captured by an al-Qaida-linked militant
group, Syrian opposition media reported. Bilal Abdul Kareem, a native of Mount
Vernon, N.Y., has been living in the rebel-held Syrian northwest since 2012,
reporting on the Syrian government military campaigns against areas in
opposition hands. He had been detained last August, following a report he did
about torture in the prisons of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the al-Qaida-linked group
that dominates the area. Local prominent figures had appealed to the militants
to release him. Abdul Kareem had reported and collaborated with Western news
outlets, which had largely stayed out of the war-torn country after a spate of
kidnapping. He later set up his own news network, On The Ground News. The U.S.
State Department designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham a terrorist groups in 2018
despite its move to publicly disassociate itself from al-Qaida the previous
year. Rights groups and the U.N.-backed Commission of Inquiry have accused the
group of detaining and torturing civilians and those who documented the group’s
abuse of Syrian protesters, journalists and women.”

 

United States

 

The Hill: Defeating Domestic Terror Requires Confronting White Supremacy
Across The Globe
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“The Biden administration has vowed to review and revamp America’s approach to
combatting domestic terrorism. Succeeding in this endeavor will require
bringing the full range of domestic counterterrorism tools to the fight.  But
tackling the scourge of the white supremacist, anti-Semitic terrorist threat
facing the country today will also require combatting its sources of strength
beyond America’s shores. The new administration’s move is the right one: the
United States has experienced an unprecedented and sustained wave of terrorist
attacks motivated by an ethno-supremacist ideology starting in 2015 and showing
no signs of abating. 2020 alone saw 15 such terrorist plots either attempted or
executed. The Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol brought renewed focus on the threat.
The spike in racially or ethnically motivated terrorism, or “REMT” in official
government parlance, in the United States over the past half-decade represents
one slice of a larger threat that emerged globally during that same period.
REMT attacks around the world increased by over 300 percent from 2014-2018. 
Attacks have often targeted religious minorities, particularly Muslims and
Jews, including a 2019 attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand that
killed more than 50, a 2017 attack on a mosque in Quebec City that killed six,
and a 2019 attack near a synagogue in Halle, Germany that killed two.”

 

Syria

 

Associated Press: Killings Surge In Syria Camp Housing Islamic State Families
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“The deaths stacked up: a policeman shot dead with a pistol equipped with a
silencer, a local official gunned down, his son wounded, an Iraqi man beheaded.
In total, 20 men and women were killed last month in the sprawling camp in
northeastern Syria housing families of the Islamic State group. The slayings in
al-Hol camp — nearly triple the deaths in previous months — are largely
believed to have been carried out by ISIS militants punishing perceived enemies
and intimidating anyone who wavers from their extremist line, say Syrian
Kurdish officials who run the camp but say they struggle to keep it under
control. The jump in violence has heightened calls for countries to repatriate
their citizens languishing in the camp, home to some 62,000 people. Those
repatriations have slowed dramatically because of the coronavirus epidemic,
officials say. If left there, the thousands of children in the camp risk being
radicalized, local and U.N. officials warn. “Al-Hol will be the womb that will
give birth to new generations of extremists,” said Abdullah Suleiman Ali, a
Syrian researcher who focuses on jihadi groups.”

 

Iran

 

Foreign Policy: The Increasingly Violent Conflict Between Shiites And Iran’s
Proxies
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“Lokman Slim, a political analyst, activist, filmmaker, and prominent critic
of Hezbollah, was killed in cold blood by unknown assailants on the night of
Feb. 3. His bullet-ridden body, shot multiple times in the head and the neck,
was found in his car in Hezbollah-dominated South Lebanon. “The truth, I know
the truth of who killed him in my heart,” Slim’s sister Rasha al-Ameer told
Foreign Policy. Her implication was clear: It was Hezbollah. Slim had been
receiving threats for a while, and he had warned in a letter he wrote last year
that the Iran-backed Hezbollah should be blamed for any attempt on his life.
(Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has denied any role in the killing.) But
aside from being a personal tragedy, Slim’s killing is part of an important
geopolitical trend. Analysts and activists have pointed to a parallel between
his death and a spike in killings of activists in Iraq, also allegedly by
Iran-backed militias. They say that Slim was a target because he was Shiite and
seen as a traitor by Hezbollah for weakening its sway in the religious
community the group depends on as a political base and as foot soldiers in
regional conflicts.”

 

Afghanistan

 

Associated Press: Afghan Official: Bombing Kills 2 Kabul University Lecturers
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“An explosion in the Afghan capital on Thursday killed two lecturers at the
Kabul University, after a bomb attached to the car they were traveling in went
off, a police spokesman said. The attack took place around noon near the
university, said Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz. No group immediately
claimed responsibility for the bombing. The two lecturers, Mubasher Muslimyar
and Marouf Rasikh, taught at the university's Islamic studies faculty,
according to an Afghan official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he
was not authorized to talk to the media. Two years ago, Muslimyar had been
briefly arrested by the Afghan intelligence agency over allegations of
promoting militant propaganda by the Islamic State group among university
students. No charges were raised and he was later released. Kabul police said
an investigation team had arrived at the scene of the explosion. This was the
second explosion on Thursday in Kabul. An earlier one had targeted police in
the District 10 area of Kabul but caused no casualties. Afghanistan has seen a
nationwide spike in bombings, targeted killings, and violence on the
battlefield as peace negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the Afghan
government have stalled.”

 

Voice Of America: NATO Defers On Afghanistan Pullout, Calls On Taliban To
Negotiate In 'Good Faith'
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“NATO defense ministers wrapped up a two-day, virtual meeting Thursday,
refusing to commit to a deadline to withdraw forces from Afghanistan by May 1,
as required by last year’s agreement between the United States and the Taliban.
Instead, the alliance called upon the Taliban to negotiate in “good faith” and
said NATO members would continue to consult about possible next steps, holding
out hope talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government may be able to
produce a lasting peace. “We are faced with the many dilemmas and there are no
easy options,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, saying
no decision has been made. “If we stay beyond the first of May, we risk more
violence, we risk more attacks against our own troops, and we risk, of course,
also to be part of a continued presence in Afghanistan that will be difficult,”
he said. “But if we leave, then we also risk that the gains we have made are
lost and that Afghanistan again could become a safe haven for international
terrorists.”  Stoltenberg also warned the Taliban against launching their
traditional spring offensive, which usually begins sometime in March, after the
top U.S. general in Afghanistan indicated preparations for the military
campaign may be under way.”

 

Pakistan

 

Eurasia Review: Pakistan And Terror Financing
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“If international terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force [FATF] had
thought that the tweet in which it “strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete
its full action plan by Feb 2021,” would galvanize a reticent Islamabad into
action, then it’s sadly mistaken. Similarly, if the people of Pakistan really
share Foreign Minister [FM] Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s optimism that the FATF,
would in its February 2021 plenary meeting, give a decision “in favour of
Pakistan,” then they are in for a really rude shock. Because despite exuding
confidence on exiting FATF’s grey list, Islamabad has subtly conceded that this
may not happen soon. Readers may recall that after New Delhi abrogated Article
370, Pakistan’s UN envoy Ms Maleeha Lodhi had during the 2018 United Nations
General Assembly [UNGA] session argued that this move was “in flagrant
violation of multiple Security Council resolutions.” Coming from a person with
impressive qualifications and vast experience, many of her countrymen and the
pro-Pakistan lobby in Kashmir took Ms Lodhi’s assertion as gospel truth.
However, there were others who weren’t at all convinced since she gave no
logical or robust reasons in support of her contention.”

 

Nigeria

 

Pulse Nigeria: Troops Kill More Terrorists, Destroy Meeting Point In Yobe
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“The Nigerian Army says its troops of Operation Tura Takaibango have
eliminated more Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)
terrorists at their meeting point in Baiomari town in Yobe. The Director, Army
Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Yerima in a statement on Wednesday in
Abuja, said the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, had continued to degrade the
terrorists in the North-East. Yerima said the troops of 159 and 233 Battalions
in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force, had on Tuesday, engaged the
terrorists following credible information on the movement of the terrorists to
Baiomari. He said that the troops engaged the terrorists with fierce volume of
fire and neutralised two of them in the process while some escaped with
gunshots wounds. He said that the troops captured one AK 47 rifle and one AK 47
rifle top cover from the encounter. Yerima said the troops were currently in
pursuit of the enemies, adding that they had continued to dominate the general
area. He also said that the continuous successes recorded by the troops against
the Boko Haram/ISWAP main hideouts was an indication of their capitulation in
the North-East.”

 

Somalia

 

Dalsan Radio: Somalia: Forces Foil Al-Shabaab Attack In Bosaso
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“Security forces in Puntland state have foiled an Al-Shabaab attack in Bosaso
in an operation. In a statement, the security forces said that had seized
explosives fixed by Al-Shabaab militants in Al-Madow mountains. “Puntland
security forces in Bossaso has succeeded in thwarting Al Shabaab improvised
explosive devices in Bossaso,” the statement read in part. The forces captured
naked wires metals, cable reel, powder in a container according to the
statement. Al-Shabaab fighters and ISIS operate in Galgala mountain ranges to
topple UN-backed central government. Puntland security forces have often
thwarted attacks from both groups.”

 

Africa

 

Al Jazeera: Algeria Trial Opens Over Kidnapping And Murder Of French Tourist
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“The trial in the 2014 kidnapping and beheading of a French tourist claimed by
an armed faction affiliated to the Islamic State group has opened before an
Algiers court on Thursday. Just one of the alleged kidnappers of 55-year-old
mountain guide instructor Herve Gourdel was in court for the trial – the other
seven are being tried in absentia. Members of Gourdel’s family, including his
partner Francoise Grandclaude, were in the public gallery. The main defendant
Abdelmalek Hamzaoui was brought to court by ambulance in a wheelchair
accompanied by a medical team and watched over by police special forces. At the
request of defence lawyers, the trial opening had been delayed for two weeks
because of his ill health. Six other defendants in court are accused of failing
to inform authorities promptly of Gourdel’s abduction. Five were Gourdel’s
climbing companions and spent 14 hours in captivity along with him. The sixth
is accused of failing to promptly report the theft of his car by the kidnappers
to transport the captive Frenchman. All six face up to five years in prison if
they are found guilty. Gourdel’s murder sparked outrage in both France and
Algeria.”

 

United Kingdom

 

BBC News: Teen, 16, Arrested On Suspicion Of Terrorism Offences In Derbyshire
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“A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Derbyshire Police said the teenager was detained by officers from Counter
Terrorism Policing East Midlands at a property in the north west area of the
county at 07:20 GMT on Thursday. The boy - who cannot be named for legal
reasons - is being held on suspicion of possession of information relating to
terrorism. He remains in custody while inquiries continue, the force added.”

 

Sky News: Sahayb Abu: 'Jihadi Rapper' Bought 18in Sword As He Allegedly
Plotted Terror Attack, Court Told
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“An alleged terrorist planning a sword attack during lockdown filmed himself
in a combat hat and balaclava he had bought for the mission, rapping that he
was a “bad man”, a court has heard. Sahayb Abu, 27, sent a message in which he
called Khalid Masood, the killer of PC Keith Palmer a “lion” and mocked the
“infidel kuffar”, a reference to non-believers, his trial was told. He met with
an undercover officer called Rachid in Surrey Quays in East London to discuss
getting a firearm smuggled into the country from North Africa, it was alleged.
The next day the drill rap fan from Dagenham, east London bought an 18in (47cm)
gladiator-style sword, a combat vest, two balaclavas, fingerless gloves and a
combat-style hat as he allegedly prepared his attack, the Old Bailey heard. He
allegedly talked of assassinating a rival imam and researched the US, Israeli,
Indian, Russian and Saudi embassies in London. Sahayb's older brother, Muhamed
Abu, 32, from South Norwood, London, is accused of failing to inform police of
his brother's plans after the pair were caught on CCTV looking at swords on an
iPad at a takeaway in east London.”

 

Germany

 

Yahoo News: ISIS Recruiter Charged With Murder And Attempted Murder Of Gay
Couple In ‘Homophobic’ Dresden Knife Attack
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“Wielding a large kitchen knife, Abdullah al-H H, a 20-year-old Syrian,
allegedly stabbed the couple, who were visiting Dresden on 4 October.
Prosecutors claim al-H H, based in Aleppo, targeted the couple because they
were gay and was motivated by radical Islamist ideology, being a recruiter for
the Islamic State (ISIS). He was charged last Thursday (11 February) with
murder and attempted murder, according to Deutsche Welle. The victims, one aged
53 and another 55, had visited Dresden for a vacation from the western state of
North Rhine-Westphalia. The 55-year-old died of his injuries while the
53-year-old survived being badly wounded.Dresden knife attack ‘draws attention
to the dangers of Islamist violence’, says minister. It was an attack that
rippled through Germany and deeply alarmed government ministers, reportedly
being the first known Islamist-motivated killing of a gay person in the
country, Deutsche Welle stated. “Investigations have shown that the dreadful
killing in Dresden had an Islamist background,” justice minister Christine
Lambrecht said of the incident at the time. “Islamist terror is a major,
enduring threat to our society that we have to tackle determinedly."



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