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Eye on Extremism
February 25, 2021
BBC News: Nigeria's Boko Haram Crisis: Maiduguri Rocket Attack Kills 10
“Militants have killed at least 10 people in Nigeria by using rocket-propelled grenades, which local officials describe as a “new trend”. Suspected Boko Haram militants fired from the outskirts of the north-eastern city of Maiduguri into densely populated areas, according to Borno state governor Babagana Zulumon. He said the use of these weapons “has to be stopped”. It is the worst attack of its kind in Maiduguri in a year. The city is the birthplace of Boko Haram. The militants came through Boboshe village, a known Boko Haram enclave, AFP news agency quotes eyewitness Sama'ila Ibrahim as saying. They then crossed the ditch fortification around Maiduguri and started shooting sporadically which sent people scrambling for safety, he added. Explosives began to rain down near the University of Maiduguri at around 18:00 local time on Tuesday, Reuters news agency quotes witnesses as saying. One of the grenades hit a children's playground, Mr Zulumon said. It is not clear if any of the children are among the casualties. The sound of gunfire died down by 19:30 as the military fought the attackers, Reuters reports. This strike in the heart of the capital of Borno state is a reminder that insurgents can still cause serious harm to civilian populations.”
CNN: Sri Lanka Easter Bombings Investigation Calls For Former President To Be Prosecuted
“An investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka has called for the country's former President as well as senior police and intelligence officials to be prosecuted. The commission of inquiry said Wednesday that “criminal proceedings” should be brought against former President Maithripala Sirisena, who left office in November 2019, for “criminal liability on his part” over the attacks. On April 21, 2019, suicide bombers launched a coordinated series of attacks on three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, killing 270 people and injuring 500 more. Shortly after the attacks, the Sri Lankan government admitted that it failed to act on multiple warnings from intelligence agencies, including from India and the United States. Set up by Sirisena five months after the attacks, the commission found that the former President knew of a possible terrorist threat but “proceeded to India and then Singapore from April 16 to April 21 without making any acting appointment for the post of Minister of Defense.”
United States
CBS News: Oath Keepers Member Committed “Crime Of Terrorism” In Capitol Riot, Prosecutors Say
“An Oath Keepers leader, Jessica Watkins, committed a “crime of terrorism” when she “gleefully” participated in a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors said Tuesday as they argued that she should be detained as she awaits trial. Watkins became the third Capitol rioter accused by prosecutors of a crime of terrorism, following two Proud Boys members, Dominic Pezzola and Ethan Nordean. Unlike involvement in a foreign terrorist organization, domestic terrorism is not itself a criminal charge, but it is a factor that judges can consider when deciding whether to release defendants on bail and when determining the length of their sentence if they are found guilty. Watkins was indicted this month on four charges, one of which was aiding and abetting the destruction of government property — a crime that, if found to be politically motivated, could be considered terrorism. Prosecutors argued Tuesday that because Watkins' actions were “calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government,” it amounted to a federal crime of terrorism and meant that she should be detained before trial. During a hearing Tuesday, the judge delayed making a decision on whether Watkins should remain behind bars until trial, and questioned whether her crime qualified as a crime of violence.”
Turkey
Associated Press: Turkish Police Nab Iraqi ISIS Suspect, Rescue Yazidi Girl
“Turkish police have detained a suspected Iraqi Islamic State group militant and rescued a 7-year-old girl from Iraq’s Yazidi religious minority he had allegedly been holding captive, the state-run news agency reported Wednesday. The man, identified by his initials S.O., was detained in an early morning raid in the capital Ankara, the Anadolu Agency reported. Another person, identified as N.H.R., was also detained during the raid. The suspect had once served as an officer in the Iraqi army, the agency said, adding that police and the country’s intelligence agency had been monitoring his moves. They timed the raid so that the child wasn't placed at risk, the agency reported. The girl was later placed in the care of Turkey’s social services. The ISIS group attacked the heartland of the Yazidi community, at the foot of Iraq's Sinjar mountain, in 2014. Hundreds of Yazidis were killed and thousands of women and children were abducted, many forced into slavery. A day earlier, police detained a French ISIS suspect near the French Embassy in Ankara, Anadolu reported. The woman, who was identified as Sarah Talib, was taken into custody as she approached the embassy to allegedly seek repatriation to France. The pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper said Talib joined the ISIS group in Syria and is believed to have illegally crossed the border into Turkey.”
Afghanistan
Al Jazeera: Taliban Blames Kabul, Washington For Not Abiding By Doha Deal
“The Taliban has blamed the Afghan government and its Western allies for not living up to the agreement signed last year despite months of negotiations, including the release of prisoners and withdrawal of foreign forces. A senior member of the Taliban’s political office in Doha told Al Jazeera all Taliban prisoners were to be released three months after the initiation of intra-Afghan dialogue in the Qatari capital. “It’s been [more than] five months and they haven’t released a single prisoner,” said the Taliban official, who did not wish to be named, blaming the Afghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani for the delay. The comments came as the Afghan armed group resumed talks with the Afghan government in Doha on Tuesday after weeks of delays and a change in US leadership. The Taliban official also raised concerns over the delay in the withdrawal of remaining US forces as the new US administration of President Joe Biden has been reviewing the February 2020 Doha agreement. Biden has backed political solution for the conflict but may not honour the troop withdrawal deadline agreed to by his predecessor, Donald Trump. “We have an agreement with the legal government of the United States and we expect them to abide by their deal.”
“Afghanistan’s Taliban have ordered their members not to harbor “foreign” fighters in their ranks in an attempt to dispel allegations the Islamist insurgency continues to maintain close ties with al-Qaida and other terror groups in breach of a February 2020 peace deal with the United States. The U.S.-Taliban pact, sealed in Qatar a year ago, requires all American and allied troops to leave Afghanistan by May 1, provided the Taliban are also honoring their commitments, including cutting ties with terrorist groups that threaten the United States and its allies. U.S. President Joe Biden’s new administration is reviewing the deal to decide whether to withdraw the remaining 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan by the May deadline to close what has been the longest war in U.S. history. NATO-led U.S. partners have fewer than 10,000 troops in the country. “All commanders and mujahideen (fighters) are directed that they are barred from bringing foreign nationals into their ranks or giving them shelter,” the Taliban’s so-called military commissions said in an order reportedly delivered to insurgent fighters. The Taliban statement, circulating on social media, warned that violators will face punitive action, including disbandment of their groups.”
Egypt
Arab News: Egypt Pledges Commitment To War On Terror In Call With US Secretary Of State
“Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry on Wednesday pledged his country’s commitment to the war on terror during a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The call from Blinken was the first official contact Egypt had received from the new American administration of President Joe Biden. Shoukry told Blinken that Egypt was keen to build on the progress made over recent decades to develop cooperation between the two countries. According to an official statement, their talks focused on regional and international issues of joint interest. They also discussed the latest developments in Libya and Palestine, and the need to continue working together to combat terrorism and other challenges and security threats facing the region. Highlighting the historic partnership between the US and Egypt, the officials agreed to further develop political, economic, and cultural ties while promoting issues related to human rights. US State Department spokesman, Ned Price, said that Blinken’s call to Shoukry showed the importance that America attached to its strategic partnership with Egypt, especially in the areas of security, combating terrorism, and the exchange of views on regional matters.”
Nigeria
Vanguard: Nigeria: Troops Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Recapture Marte
“Nigerian Troops have successfully charged through Marte Local Government Area, LGA, of Borno State, killing scores of ISWAP/ Boko Haram terrorists who seized the area few days ago. This came as heavy explosions and sound of gunshots late which yesterday engulfed parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, reportedly claimed several lives with many others sustaining different degrees of injuries. A Military Officer while confirming the successful operation said troop successfully and safely detonated series of IEDS laced along the routes and finally dominated the general area. According to him, “new Marte is effectively in our hands since 3pm. Our will and determination are unshaken. We are ever determined not to let our Service Chiefs and the nation down.” Recall that after insurgents captured Marte Local Government Area, and allegedly hoisted their flag in the area, weekend, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru on Sunday, gave troops of the Nigerian Army, 'Operation Lafiya Dole' 48 hours to clear insurgents off Marte LGA. General Attahiru also directed troops to clear off terrorists from Kirenowa, Kirta, Wulgo, Chikingudo communities of Marte and Ngala LGA in the state.”
Australia
Australian Associated Press: NSW To Watch Uni Student For Terror Threat
“A Sydney university student with extensive connections to violent extremists will be monitored for three years, despite a finding that he hasn't shown a current desire to become a terrorist. The NSW Supreme Court this week ordered Marsfield man Maywand Osman submit to 46 supervision conditions until 2024, including electronic monitoring, a nightly curfew and restrictions on him changing his identity or appearance. Even though Osman has not committed a terrorism offence “or demonstrated a current inclination or tendency to do so”, he had what might be considered to be a well-documented history of associations with people who have, Justice Ian Harrison said. That may be considered of no particular significance in many circumstances, the judge said, but there was evidence suggesting Mr Osman was particularly vulnerable to the influence of extremists, including his currently jailed brother Milad. Osman in November finished a five-year prison sentence for recklessly causing grievous bodily harm after driving a car into a person in 2013. His passenger at the time was Mustafa Dirani, who was later jailed for assisting in the Islamic State-inspired shooting of NSW Police employee Curtis Cheng in 2015.”
The Guardian: Far Right 'Exploiting' Anger At Lockdowns To Radicalise Wellness Community, Police Say
“Rightwing extremist groups have “exploited” anger at Covid-19 lockdowns to radicalise Australians in wellness and alternative medical circles into adopting white supremacist ideologies, Victoria police have warned a parliamentary inquiry into extremism. The inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism has separately been warned by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation that Australians as young as 13 are involved in onshore terrorism, both in Islamist and rightwing extremist circles, and that encrypted online communication channels are preventing authorities from intervening before “lone actors” become radicalised and carry out attacks.”
Southeast Asia
The Straits Times: Indonesia Steps Up Measures To Curb Terrorism Financing
“Indonesia will soon approve a regulation to stem money laundering and terrorism financing by requiring fintech players to report suspicious transactions. Providers of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, equity crowdfunding and other financial technology services will have to report such transactions to the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) under the new regulation, which amends one issued in 2015, its chief Dian Ediana Rae told The Straits Times.”
Technology
Newsweek: Democrats Say Facebook 'Knowingly' Allowed Extremists To Promote Capitol Attack
“A collection of Democratic representatives has called on Facebook to do more to prevent far-right extremist organizing on the world's largest social media platform, accusing CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his team of “knowingly” hosting content promoting the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Rep. Diana DeGette, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Doyle, and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Rep. Jan Schakowsky wrote to Zuckerberg on Tuesday, demanding more information on Facebook's anti-extremism measures. The letter cited multiple reports that even Facebook staff were concerned about the “rapid spread of extremism and disinformation” on the platform, but their fears were ignored by Zuckerberg and other executives. “This deadly attack on the Capitol laid bare the dire consequences of hyperpolarization and extremism in our current political discourse—much of which is occurring on your platform,” the four lawmakers wrote.”
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