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Eye on Extremism
February 1, 2022
Bloomberg: Uganda, Congo Intensify Fight Against Islamic State-Linked Group
“Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo plan to intensify a joint military offensive against Islamic State-linked militants and degrade their ability to attack civilians. The first phase of the campaign against the Allied Democratic Forces that began with bombardments on Nov. 30 led to the capture of several of the militants’ camps, according to a statement from the office of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Routes have been secured in eastern Congo to enable ground forces to pursue the militants who also operate as the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed Central Africa Province. “We should really work together and finish this problem,” Museveni said in the statement. “We are now ready for phase two.” Forces from the two nations went after the militants who claimed responsibility for bombings in Uganda, one of which left at least seven people dead in the capital, Kampala, in November. Museveni met with Congo’s defense officials in Kampala over the weekend. He urged the Congolese government to create a community defense system that will try and avoid further insurgencies, especially in areas secured by the joint forces.”
New York Post: United Arab Emirates Intercepts Missile Fired By Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthi Militants
“The United Arab Emirates on Monday intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants as Israeli President Isaac Herzog was visiting — the third attack this month. The Middle Eastern country’s state-run media said the “attack did not result in any losses, as the remnants of the ballistic missile fell outside the populated areas.” A US patriot missile battery was engaged, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at Monday’s briefing, but ground-to-air-missiles fired by UAE forces successfully hit the target. “We of course stand with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and our gulf partners in defending against threats to their peoples and their territories,” Kirby said. The attack came as Herzog was visiting the capital Abu Dhabi where he discussed security and relations with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Israeli president left the country later Monday. “While Israel’s president is visiting the UAE to build bridges and promote stability across the region, the Houthis continue to launch attacks that threaten civilians,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Houthi military spokesman Yehia Sarei said that rebels targeted “sensitive sites” in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with Zulfiqar ballistic missiles and drones.”
United States
The xxxxxx: Both the Right and Left Have Illiberal Factions. Which Is More Dangerous?
“…Right illiberal sites can be identified in several ways. Many such outlets identify themselves in their content or with their very names: Alt-Right.com, kkk.com, third-reich-books.com, national-socialist-worldview.blogspot.com, radioaryan.com, and even nwordrmania.com (the actual URL uses the full racial expletive). Such self-identified sites often feature link lists and blog rolls that indicate sites of similar orientation. The Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-defamation League, and the Counter Extremism Project maintain lists of such extremist sites. Academic and journalistic literatures also identify right illiberal outlets, and two openly Far-Right oriented competitors to Wikipedia—Metapedia and InfoGalactic—identify sympathetic websites.”
Syria
The New York Times: Teenage Inmates Found Among The 500 Dead In Syria Prison Attack
“The boy had dark brown hair coated in white dust, and on his chin were the wispy beginnings of a beard. On Sunday, his body and that of another youth were found lying on a dirt road behind the prison in northeastern Syria where a Kurdish-led force, backed by the U.S. military, fought for more than a week to put down an attempt by Islamic State militants to free former fighters held there. The discovery of the bodies was the first confirmation that at least two of up to 700 teenage boys, who had been detained in the prison because they were the children of ISIS fighters, were killed in the fighting. The leader the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which ran the prison, acknowledged Monday that “a very small number” of the boys had been killed. “Some escaped with the adults,” the commander, known by his nom de guerre Mazlum Kobani, said in an interview, his first since the siege began. “They were either rearrested or were killed.” Some had been held as hostages during the prison siege, according to the S.D.F. A fuller accounting of the ISIS prison siege, and the efforts by the Kurdish-led militia and American forces to put it down, emerged on Monday, a day after the Syrian Democratic Forces, or S.D.F., regained full control over the Sinaa prison in the city of Hasaka.”
Washington Examiner: ISIS Prison Raid A 'Big Wake-Up Call' On Terror Group's Capabilities
“Islamic State fighters in Syria launched a coordinated attack on a local prison housing thousands of ISIS militants that national security experts warned showed the group's capabilities. The fighting, which broke out in neighboring communities as well, lasted for multiple days while the Syrian Democratic Forces attempted to regain control, and they had air support from the U.S. military. National security adviser Jake Sullivan announced in a statement on Sunday that the Syrian Democratic Forces were able to “re-take full control of the Hasakah prison.” “Thanks to the bravery and determination of the SDF, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice, ISIS failed in its efforts to conduct a large-scale prison break to reconstitute its ranks,” he said. “The barbarity of ISIS’s actions during this attack reaffirms why this group must be denied the ability to regenerate and why nations must work together to address the thousands of ISIS detainees in inadequate detention facilities. ISIS remains a global threat that requires a global solution.” A day later, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that “senior ISIS leaders were captured or killed during the attempt to free detained ISIS members from detention,” though he didn't specify any names.”
Iraq
Asharq Al-Awsat: Iraqi Army Targets ISIS Remnants
“Iraq's outgoing Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mustafa Kadhimi, continues to ensure the country's security by launching a campaign against ISIS remnants. ISIS and all armed organizations and factions are taking advantage of the intense political rivalry between blocs and parties. However, the Prime Minister maintained all military and security efforts against the terrorist organization. Last week, ISIS terrorists attacked an army brigade in the Hawi al-Azeem area, killing 11 soldiers. In response, the Counter-Terrorism Service and the Joint Operations Command launched several operations against the terrorist organization. Furthermore, ISIS tried to implement several operations to create chaos in the country, especially after the recent escape incident from al-Hasakah prison in Syria, where several detainees entered Iraq. The developments prompted Kadhimi to visit the border area between Iraq and Syria and address ISIS. Meanwhile, Security Media Cell announced on Sunday that security units tracked and arrested three terrorists in Heet, Anbar, after receiving information from the Intelligence Department of al-Jazeera Operations Command. The judiciary wants the terrorists under the provisions of Article 4 of terrorism.”
Afghanistan
Al Jazeera: Taliban Killed Dozens Of Former Afghan Officials: UN Report
“More than 100 former members of the Afghan government, its security forces and those who worked with international troops have been killed since the Taliban took over the country in August, according to a report by the United Nations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Sunday’s report addressed to the UN Security Council that “more than two-thirds” of the victims were allegedly killed extrajudicially by the Taliban or its affiliates. “Despite announcements of general amnesties for former members of the Government, security forces and those who worked with international military forces, [the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan] UNAMA continued to receive credible allegations of killings, enforced disappearances, and other violations” against former government and coalition members, the report said. The UN mission documented 44 cases of temporary arrests, beatings and threats of intimidation, 42 of them by the Taliban. It also received “credible allegations of extrajudicial killings of at least 50 individuals suspected of affiliation with ISIL-KP”, the ISIL affiliate operating in Afghanistan, according to the report. Eight civil society activists were killed, including three by the Taliban and three by the ISIL-affiliated ISKP (ISIL-KP or ISIS-K), and 10 were subjected to temporary arrests, beatings and threats by the Taliban.”
Nigeria
Reuters: Gunmen Kill 11 Nigerian Security Agents, Some Villagers -State Governor
“Gunmen in Nigeria have killed 11 security agents and several villagers after attacking remote villages in the north-central state of Niger, its governor Alhaji Bello said on Monday. Gangs have been terrorising areas of northern Nigeria in recent years, forcing thousands to flee and perpetrating mass kidnappings for ransom. Bello said the latest incident, which he blamed on “terrorists”, had happened on Sunday afternoon in the Shiroro local government area. Local officials said last year that suspected Boko Haram militants were now present in Shiroro. The Islamist group has been engaged in an insurgency in Nigeria's northeast for more than a decade. “Terrorists, numbering over 100 are said to have invaded the community in broad daylight, killing about 11 Joint Security Taskforce members, several villagers and leaving many injured,” Bello said, adding that scores of gunmen were killed during a gunfight with security forces. Dahiur Muhammed, a resident of Galadiman Kogo village in Shiroro, told Reuters via phone that at least 30 villagers were killed and dozens more abducted after gunmen on motorbikes attacked three villages and set houses on fire. Several people were fleeing to Niger state capital Minna where there is better security, he said. Niger shares a boundary with the capital Abuja.”
All Africa: Nigeria: Boko Haram Releases Four Chibok Girls From Captivity
“Armed Boko Haram terrorists suspected to be members of ISWAP group who invaded Kautikari village of Chibok Local Government Area in Borno state have freed four girls hitherto abducted on Friday 14th January, 2022, relevant sources have said. Recall that during that incident, about nine residents of Kautikari village were abducted, before they released about two old women and some children, Unfortunately, the four young ladies were taken to Dille village axis of nearby Askira Uba Local Government Area that shares Local border with Sambisa forest. During that attack, a church and some residential houses including that of a renowned business man (name withheld) were all set ablaze before snatching a cell phone belonging to his wife. Kautikari is located East and about 15km drive from Chibok town predominantly occupied by Christian faithful. A son inlaw (name withheld) of the businessman who resides with his family in Maiduguri confirmed the release of the four young girls. “I can exclusively confirm to you that the four young girls who were in captivity of insurgents have regained freedom today (Sunday).”
Africa
Africanews: 60 Militants Killed Ahead Of Burkina Coup - France
“France says dozens of militants have been killed in Burkina Faso in operations involving local and French troops. The assaults were conducted as part of the French-led Operation Barkhane against Islamist groups in the Sahel region of Africa - before the 23 January coup. According to the French military, it took part in four operations alongside Burkinabè troops between 16 and 23 January. It said the objective of these assaults - using fighter jets, attack helicopters and drones - was to locate “terrorist” groups in their zones of refuge, along the northern border with Mali. The French authorities said up to 60 militants were killed, while about 20 motorbikes and several armed trucks were destroyed. As many as 2,000 people have died in jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso since 2015, when militants linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State group started conducting raids from Mali. Islamist militants now move freely across entire swaths of the country and have forced inhabitants of some regions to conform to a strict version of Islamic law.”
Africanews: At Least 10 Killed In Kenya When Vehicle Runs Over Explosive
“Six people died Monday when a minibus was destroyed by a roadside bomb during an ambush by armed men in northeastern Kenya near the border with Somalia, police said. The assailants opened fire on the 14-seater vehicle after it ran over the explosive device about eight kilometres (five miles) from the town of Mandera. “Six people were killed during an attack on a vehicle,” said national police spokesman Bruno Shioso. “A security operation is under way to get the attackers.” There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault. A police report said a General Service Unit patrol team, which was on foot and nearby, engaged the attackers, who fled towards the Somali border. The assailants used guns and rocket-propelled grenades during the assault, it added. The minibus, which was completely mangled in the attack, was carrying an unknown number of passengers. Shioso told AFP seven people had survived but had “various degrees of injuries”. The Mandera region is prone to raids over its long and porous land border with Somalia, where the Al-Shabaab Islamist militant group controls swathes of countryside. Other regions bordering Somalia are also susceptible to attacks and Kenyan officials are often quick to blame the militants for assaults on its soil.”
United Kingdom
BBC News: Birmingham Terrorist Who Plotted Soldier Beheading Denied Parole
“A terrorist who plotted to kidnap and behead a British Muslim soldier is to remain in prison after the Parole Board decided he should not be released. Parviz Khan, from Birmingham, was handed a life sentence, with a minimum of 14 years at Leicester Crown Court in February 2008 after pleading guilty to the plan. The board said it was “not satisfied” Khan was suitable for release. His case will next be considered again in about two years' time. Khan's trial heard he was claiming benefits of over £20,000 a year while claiming to be a full-time carer for his elderly mother during the time he plotted to kidnap a serviceman and decapitate him “like a pig”. Four other men were sentenced alongside Khan, but the trial heard he was the prime mover in the Birmingham-based cell. A document detailing the Parole Board's decision said the risk factors at the time of his offending included his “acceptance of extremist ideology”. It added he had “problems with his self-identity and had needed the excitement and status which involvement in terrorist conspiracies had provided. This raised concerns about his ways of thinking and the decisions he made”. A subsequent conviction for violence in prison “suggested possible anger management problems and difficulties in dealing with extremes of emotion.”
France
“…'Kafir' has been a word used by supporters of ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other Islamic extremist groups, to refer to 'Muslim and non-Muslim adversaries' through 'various propaganda materials', according to the Counter Extremism Project. Lawyer Jean Tamalet told AFP: 'He is told that he is going to be beheaded and slaughtered. We won't let a single threat pass. 'We will file a complaint against anyone threatening this gentleman.' Three members of the charity association, which received the council payout of €64,640, accused by prosecutors as being used for offering Islamic education, are to appear in court alongside the mayor of Roubaix on Wednesday. French legislation states that public bodies are prohibited from contributing to religious charities, a law which is designed to uphold the secular values and views of the state. Mayor Guillaume Delbar, 50, is facing charges of breaking this law 'by negligence' when he gave the go-ahead for the association to receive funding, but he says he may have been tricked. The three charity members are accused of breach of trust - which they deny. They say the association never offered religious lessons.”
Europe
The Guardian: Revealed: How Fake Passports Allow IS Members To Enter Europe And US
“A booming online industry specialising in fake passports with official visas and travel stamps is offering people with links to Islamic State the opportunity to leave Syria and travel onwards to the UK, EU, Canada and the US, a Guardian investigation has found. One such network, run by an Uzbek with extremist links living in Turkey, is now selling high-quality fake passports for up to $15,000 (£11,132) purporting to be from various countries. In at least 10 cases the Guardian is aware of, people who illegally crossed the Syrian border into Turkey have used his products to depart through Istanbul airport. Sellers claim the EU is the most popular destination but say in at least two cases people were able to travel from Istanbul to Mexico on fake Russian passports and, from there, illegally over the border into the US. Niger and Mauritania are also popular destinations, as are Ukraine and Afghanistan. The Uzbek’s business is doing so well he recently opened a new channel on the encrypted messaging app Telegram with the official-sounding name “Istanbul Global Consulting”. The growing trade suggests that dangerous extremists could be slipping under the radar of security services around the world, escaping justice for past crimes and potentially able to continue terrorist activity in countries other than Syria.”
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