Peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have resumed in the
Qatari capital Doha after weeks of delays, escalating violence and a

 

 


<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
Eye on Extremism


February 24, 2021

 

Al Jazeera: Afghan Peace Talks Resume In Doha As US Reviews Taliban Deal
<[link removed]>

 

“Peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have resumed in the
Qatari capital Doha after weeks of delays, escalating violence and a change in
US diplomatic leadership as the Biden administration began. Taliban spokesman
Mohammad Naeem tweeted on Monday night the resumption of the talks, which were
the outcome of an agreement between the Afghan armed group and the US in
February 2020. But the administration of President Joe Biden is reviewing the
agreement, which was aimed at ending the longest war the US has fought. The
Taliban has been fighting the combined forces of the Western-backed Kabul
government and foreign troops since it was toppled in a US-led invasion of
Afghanistan in 2001. Last week, the Taliban in an open letter called on the US
to fully implement the Doha accord, including the withdrawal of all
international troops, saying it had committed to its side of the deal – to
secure US security interests in the war-torn country. There were no details
about the talks except for an announcement that the first item of business
would be setting the agenda.”

 

Associated Press: 9 Women Accused Of Suspected Abu Sayyaf Suicide Bomb Plots
<[link removed]>

 

“Philippine forces have arrested nine women who were related to Abu Sayyaf
commanders and militants in the south and could have been “potential suicide
bombers,” the military said Tuesday. The women were captured Friday in raids on
houses in three towns in the predominantly Muslim province of Sulu, said Lt.
Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., who heads the military’s Western Mindanao Command.
The southern province is the stronghold of Abu Sayyaf, which is known for
ransom kidnappings, beheadings and bombings. Troops also seized bomb parts,
including batteries, detonating cords, suspected explosive powder and oil, an
iron pipe and nails, along with a grenade, cellphones, backpacks and a sketch
of a suspected targeted bombing area, the military said in a statement. “We are
always ready to welcome those who wish to return to the folds of the law but if
you will refuse to do so, we will surely hunt you down and prevent you from
inflicting havoc in the communities,” said Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, who
heads government forces in Sulu. “May this serve as a clear message to the
supporters and remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf,” Gonzales said.”

 

United States

 

Associated Press: Florida Man Indicted, Accused Of Trying To Join Terror Group
<[link removed]>

 

“A former Florida resident accused of traveling to Turkey and attempting to
join the Islamic State group was indicted Tuesday on a terrorism charge. A
federal grand jury in Gainesville formally charged Mohamed Fathy Suliman, 33, a
U.S. citizen, with attempting to provide material support for a designated
foreign terrorist organization, according to court records. If convicted, he
faces up to 20 years in prison. “Protecting national security is a top priority
of this office,” Lawrence Keefe, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of
Florida, said in a statement. “We are absolutely committed to deterring,
disrupting and dismantling the plans of anyone who seeks to support a
designated foreign terrorist organization.” According to the criminal
complaint, Suliman booked a one-way flight in June 2014 from Orlando to
Alexandria, Egypt, with stops in Chicago and Istanbul. Rather than traveling on
to Egypt, Suliman paid cash for a one-way airline ticket to the Turkish/Syrian
border, officials said. Suliman was arrested by Turkish authorities and accused
of illegally crossing into Syria. He was eventually returned to the United
States. A search of Suliman’s emails revealed attachments that contained
various audio files that consisted of messages calling for jihad, officials
said.”

 

Vice: Neo-Nazi Terrorists Planned Fortified Compound In Michigan
<[link removed]>

 

“In the same state where an anti-government militia plotted to kidnap the
governor, a separate group of neo-Nazi terrorists hatched their own plot:
Establishing a white nationalist, heavily armed, and fortified “community” to
launch the so-called race war. At the center of it all was Justen Watkins, 25,
a former leader of the Base—the domestic terror group under the shadow of a
persistent FBI crackdown—now awaiting trial in Michigan. Following a joint FBI
and Michigan State Police investigation, Watkins was charged with gang
membership for his association with the Base and using computers to commit a
felony. (Part of those charges stem from a December 2019 incident, where
Watkins allegedly attempted to intimidate and threaten the life of an
antifascist activist.) According to secret chats obtained by VICE News between
known accelerationist neo-Nazis, a subset of the far right that believes
terrorism will hasten the collapse of the U.S. government, Watkins claimed he
was going to be purchasing and occupying land in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan, not far from where he was eventually arrested. “We are buying houses
and land and fortifying them,” said Watkins under an alias on the encrypted
chat app, Wire, in early 2020. “Land is cheap [...]  I’m setting up a community
up there. Going to have houses set up to get guys moved in and situated.”

 

Syria

 

Al Monitor: How Islamic State Returned To Haunt Civilians In Northeast Syria
<[link removed]>

 

“The provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah and Raqqa, and the Manbij area in the
countryside of Aleppo, which are under the control of the Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF), have been subject to a series of attacks by the Islamic State
(IS) over the past few weeks. These attacks, carried out by IS-affiliated cells
and locals who previously fought with IS, are targeting civilians and SDF
members in those areas. IS has stepped up its operations in early 2020 after
having faded away since losing its last strongholds in eastern Deir ez-Zor on
March 23, 2019. These operations included directly attacking checkpoints and
patrols, assassinating SDF members or collaborators, and planting improvised
explosive devices (IEDs) on the roads. IS activity in the areas in the east of
the Euphrates is not limited to specific geographical points, but rather
stretches across the provinces of Raqqa, Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor, and mostly
focus on SDF-controlled areas in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, specifically
the area extending between the cities of al-Suwar and al-Busayrah, as well as
the towns of al-Zer, al-Hawaij, al-Shehail and Darnaj. Orabi Orabi, a
researcher on Islamic groups, told Al-Monitor, “IS follows a strategy of
striking and draining during the stage of weakening [its opponents].”

 

France 24: Dozens Of French Children Await Repatriation From Jihadist Camps In
Syria
<[link removed]>

 

“Some 200 children of French jihadists are spending their fourth winter in
muddy tents at al-Roj camp in northeastern Syria, where dozens of arrested
Europeans have been grouped together. Since the defeat of the Islamic State
group two years ago, France has repatriated 35 children, mainly orphans or
those in fragile health. Fearing they could still be radicalised, France has
barred mothers from returning. As a result, some prefer to keep their children
with them, while others have made the difficult choice to let them go. Our
France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's James Vasina.”

 

Afghanistan

 

Al Jazeera: Afghan Peace Talks Resume In Doha As US Reviews Taliban Deal
<[link removed]>

 

“Peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have resumed in the
Qatari capital Doha after weeks of delays, escalating violence and a change in
US diplomatic leadership as the Biden administration began. Taliban spokesman
Mohammad Naeem tweeted on Monday night the resumption of the talks, which were
the outcome of an agreement between the Afghan armed group and the US in
February 2020. But the administration of President Joe Biden is reviewing the
agreement, which was aimed at ending the longest war the US has fought. The
Taliban has been fighting the combined forces of the Western-backed Kabul
government and foreign troops since it was toppled in a US-led invasion of
Afghanistan in 2001. Last week, the Taliban in an open letter called on the US
to fully implement the Doha accord, including the withdrawal of all
international troops, saying it had committed to its side of the deal – to
secure US security interests in the war-torn country. There were no details
about the talks except for an announcement that the first item of business
would be setting the agenda.”

 

Lebanon

 

The Jerusalem Post: Gantz: If Hezbollah Attacks, All Of Lebanon Will Sadly
Suffer
<[link removed]>

 

“Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke about the ongoing threats posed by
Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon in a Tuesday visit to the IDF's 91st Division
located in Northern Israel. “I’ve completed a situational assessment in a
division protecting what is currently Israel’s most sensitive border,” Gantz
said at the meeting in which a number of high-ranking government ministers
received the assessment from senior IDF staff in the Northern Command. Joining
the meeting was Head of Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate Maj.-Gen. Tal
Kelman, and Minister of Civil and Social Affairs in the Defense Ministry,
Michael Biton. Among the topics of discussion were the threats being posed by
Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies that have stationed themselves along
Israel's borders with Lebanon and Syria. Regarding the consequences of a clash
with Hezbollah, Gantz said that “If Nasrallah and Hezbollah’s threats become
actions, the outcome will be painful for Hezbollah and its leaders. And
unfortunately for the Lebanese people, who are being used as human shields by
Nasrallah - who is hiding weapons and missiles beneath their homes.”

 

Egypt

 

Asharq Al-Awsat: Egypt Postpones Trial Of 5 ISIS Terrorists Till March
<[link removed]>

 

“Egypt postponed the trial of five persons accused of “joining a terrorist
group” to March 28 in the case known as the “October ISIS Cell.” The
investigations of the Egyptian Prosecution indicated that between 2013 and
2015, the first convict founded a terrorist group affiliated with ISIS in the
6th October suburb of Giza governorate. The purpose of this group was to
disrupt public order, endanger the safety of society, attack the general
freedom of citizens, assault members of the armed forces and the police, harm
national unity and social cohesion, and target churches. The Public Prosecution
charged the second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants with “joining a
terrorist group.” It also charged the first to fourth offenders of traveling
outside the country, joining ISIS in Syria where they received training on
weapons and manufacturing and detonating explosive devices. Meanwhile, the
Cairo Criminal Court postponed the retrial of Mahmoud Ezzat, the acting leader
of the Muslim Brotherhood, in the case during the events of January 25 in 2011,
when terrorists stormed Wadi al-Natrun prison and attacked security
institutions.”

 

United Kingdom

 

BBC News: Sahayb Abu Trial: Terror Plot Accused 'Wanted To Be Famous Rapper'
<[link removed]>

 

“A man who wanted to become a rapper has denied buying an 18-inch (46cm) sword
for a terror attack, saying he had only wanted to be “famous”. Sahayb Abu, 27,
from Dagenham, admits buying the sword, as well as a knife, a combat vest and
balaclavas but denies they were for a terror attack. His brother Muhamed Abu,
32, from Norwood, south London, is also on trial at the Old Bailey. He is
accused of failing to disclose Sahayb's activities. The court has previously
been shown videos of a masked Sahayb rapping about bombs and eliminating
opponents. Giving evidence, he told jurors he had wanted to “create a rap
character” that would make people “cry with laughter” through “rap parody and
comedy”. He said the name of his “persona” was the “Masked Menace” and that he
hoped to get famous through his music and that his videos would get noticed and
lead to sponsorship. “I'm trying to become somebody”, he added. The court heard
that Sahayb discussed guns with an undercover police officer he met through a
Telegram app chat group for Islamic State supporters. Giving evidence, he told
jurors that when growing up in Ilford, he had the Koran “battered into him” at
home with “fist, hand, belt”, The local culture also included listening to
grime artists and he said: “I just wanted to be a musician, a rapper, famous. I
wanted to be famous instead of just books.”

 

Germany

 

Associated Press: Far-Right Incidents Surge In German Military
<[link removed]>

 

“The number of suspected far-right incidents in the German military surged to
477 last year from 363 in 2019, parliament's commissioner for the military said
Tuesday. Eva Hoegl stressed as she presented her annual report that “soldiers
are not under general suspicion and the absolute majority does a responsible
job every day.” But she said the number of incidents involving far-right
extremism are a source of concern and show that “there's a lot to do.” “There's
no place for far-right extremism in the army,” Hoegl wrote in the report. “We
need investigations, sanctions and prevention — in a consistent, complete and
fast way.” Hoegl demanded that more staff be hired to speed up investigations.
The report comes at a time of broader concerns that Germany has not done enough
to tackle right-wing extremism within its Bundeswehr military in general. The
country's special forces, the KSK, have faced particular scrutiny after
numerous allegations of far-right extremism in recent years. As a consequence
of far-right scandals involving the special forces, the defense minister
disbanded one of the KSK's units in July and vowed to to further investigate
extremism and implement reforms. The rise in far-right extremism in the army
mirrors a growing overall number of anti-Semitic, anti-migrant or homophobic
attacks in Germany.”

 

Agence France-Presse: German 'IS Leader' Faces Verdict
<[link removed]>

 

“A German court will hand down Wednesday its ruling in a case against Abu
Walaa, a notorious Iraqi preacher believed to be the Islamic State jihadist
group's de facto leader in Germany. Ahmad Abdulaziz Abdullah Abdullah, better
known as Abu Walaa, is accused of being “IS' representative in Germany” and
directing a jihadist network which radicalised young people in Europe and
helped them travel to Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi preacher, 37, is in the dock
with three other men in a costly and high-security trial that began in 2017 in
the northern German town of Celle. Abu Walaa is charged for his membership of
IS, while the other three defendants are accused of backing the jihadist
organisation. Prosecutors have sought a prison sentence of eleven and a half
years for Abu Walaa. The defence however demanded an acquittal, with Abu Walaa
himself declining to make a closing statement last week. Abu Walaa arrived in
Germany as an asylum seeker in 2001, and was arrested in November 2016 after a
long investigation by Germany's security services. Based in a mosque in
Hildesheim, Lower Saxony, he is alleged to have recruited at least eight
jihadists -- most of them “very young” -- to IS, including a pair of German
twin brothers who committed a bloody suicide attack in Iraq in 2015.”

 

Technology

 

The Independent: New App Launched For Reporting Terrorist Material As
Extremists ‘Exploit Pandemic’
<[link removed]>

 

“A new app is being launched for the anonymous reporting of terrorist material
found online. The project comes amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic has
created fertile conditions for isolated and vulnerable people, including
children, to become radicalised. The iREPORTit app, which will become available
on Wednesday morning, will allow users to flag online material to the national
Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU). Neil Basu, the head of UK
counterterror policing, said: “Specialist officers are ready and waiting to
look at each and every single referral sent via the app. “Where material
breaches UK terrorism legislation, they will seek its removal, even if the
website host is based in another country, because every piece that is removed
from the internet is no longer out in the ether, potentially radicalising
vulnerable people and encouraging them to cause serious harm to others.”
Developers Raven Science said the app was confidential and anonymous, and that
no personally identifiable information would be collected. Reports will be seen
only by the CTIRU. Jon, a former far-right extremist who did not want his full
name published, said that terrorist material like Isis propaganda videos can be
used by radicalisers on both sides of the spectrum.”



Click here to unsubscribe.
<[link removed]>