Eye on Extremism

February 17, 2022

 

Reuters: Australia Intends To List Hamas As Terrorist Organisation

 

“The Australian government intends to list the entirety of Palestinian militant group Hamas as a terrorist organisation under the country's criminal code, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said on Thursday. A listing by Australia of the whole group, rather than just its military arm as at present, would bring its stance in line with the United States, the European Union and Britain. "The views of Hamas and the violent extremist groups listed today are deeply disturbing, and there is no place in Australia for their hateful ideologies," Andrews said in a statement. Andrews said she had written to Australia's state and territory leaders to consult with them on listing the whole of Hamas, "and will finalise the listing as soon as possible." Hamas has political and military wings. Founded in 1987, it opposes the existence of Israel and peace talks, instead advocating "armed resistance" against Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. "I welcome the news that Australia will list Hamas as a terrorist organization in its entirety," Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement, thanking Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for the move.”

 

Foreign Policy: U.N. Pressures Biden Against Adding Yemen’s Houthi Rebels To Terrorist Blacklist

 

“The White House is facing resistance to a plan to again designate Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, following fierce pushback from opponents who warned that the move could precipitate a collapse of Yemen’s economy and accelerate the region’s poorest country’s descent into famine. The Trump administration first slapped the designation on the Houthis in its final days in office last year; the Biden administration subsequently lifted it on humanitarian grounds. Since then, President Joe Biden’s foreign-policy team has grown fed up with the Houthis as peace talks to end Yemen’s nearly eight-year-long civil war stall and the rebels ramp up drone and missile attacks against U.S. partners in the region. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Israel have all pushed the Biden administration to reverse the president’s decision a year ago and add the Houthis back to the U.S. terrorist blacklist. The White House’s top Middle East official, Brett McGurk, led the drive for imposing the foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designation, but the plan encountered pushback from other U.S. officials, including in a White House meeting of national security deputies on Feb. 4—one of a number of interagency meetings on the matter. Officials who oppose the plan fear it would inflict excessive hardship on Yemeni civilians, according to U.S. and humanitarian officials familiar with internal deliberations.”

 

Syria

 

Al Monitor: Controversy Among Jihadis In Idlib Over Killing Of Islamic State Leader

 

“The Feb. 3 US Special Forces operation that led to the death of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi has angered many jihadis opposing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib. The jihadis raised questions on the role HTS played in Qurayshi’s killing and the possible coordination between the United States and HTS, which controls Idlib. Another group of jihadis accused HTS of treason because it did not interfere to prevent this operation that lasted for more than two hours at the heart of its area of influence, where its security and military staff are heavily deployed. Others have even accused HTS of providing a safe haven for IS leaders and members in Idlib. The controversy escalated among jihadis in light of HTS’ comments on the raid, since it took place at the heart of its area of control and security stronghold, and under the radar of its fighters who were closely watching what happened. In response to the accusations, HTS said in a Feb. 6 statement that it did not know that Qurayshi lived in the safe house in the town of Atmeh before his death, and stressed its rejection of the US raid. “We were not aware of the raid ahead of time,” it read, stating that HTS did not know who resided in the house. At the same time, HTS stressed that it will continue to ward off IS’ crimes.”

 

Iran

 

The Hill: Pelosi Vows US Will Fight With Israel 'Against Terrorism Posed By Iran'

 

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) landed in Israel on Wednesday as part of a congressional delegation and reiterated the United States' steadfast support for the nation's security. “We're together in the fight against terrorism posed by Iran, both in the region and also its nuclear development,” Pelosi said in a speech at the Knesset. “Israel's proximity to Iran is a concern to all of us.” Pelosi traveled to Israel with around a dozen other congressional lawmakers including Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff (Calif.), Ted Deutch (Fla.) and Barbara Lee (Calif.). Some members will also be traveling to Germany and the United Kingdom. “Our delegation brings the representation of the Congress's bipartisan, bicameral commitment to an unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States built on mutual security, our economic interest and our common values, our commitment to democracy,” said Pelosi. As Reuters noted, the congressional delegation's visit takes place amid heightened tension between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the Sheik Jarrah neighborhood. While she did not address the recent tensions, Pelosi stressed the Washington's continued commitment to a two-state solution that “enhances stability and security for Israel, Palestinians and their neighbors.”

 

Afghanistan

 

Long War Journal: U.S. Offers $10 Million Reward For Leader Of Islamic State Khorasan Province

 

“The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program has offered a new $10 million bounty for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the leader of the Islamic State Khorasan Province. Sanaullah Ghafar, the emir of the Islamic State Khorasan Province who is also known as Shahab al-Muhajir, is described by Rewards for Justice as “an experienced military leader and one of ISIS-K’s [Islamic State Khorasan Province or ISKP] ‘urban lions’ in Kabul who has been involved in guerrilla operations and the planning of suicide and complex attacks.” Ghafar is an Afghan native who “is responsible for approving all ISIS-K operations throughout Afghanistan and arranging funding to conduct operations.” He was named the leader of ISKP in June 2020 after the group’s previous emir, Aslam Farooqi, was captured by Afghan forces that April. Farooqi was freed from prison after the Taliban took over Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021. He was killed in a shootout in Jan. 2022. In a June 2021 report by the United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, Ghafar was identified as “an ambitious new leader.” That report also noted that ISKP and Ghafar maintain “Member States have varying assessments of the extent of ISIL-K and al-Muhajir’s links with the Haqqani Network,” the Taliban subgroup with close ties to Al Qaeda and the Pakistani military and intelligence establishment.”

 

Yemen

 

Arab News: Houthi Attacks On Saudi Arabia And UAE Are ‘Terrorist Actions’: Kosovo PM

 

“Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the continuing series of Houthi attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, and more recently the UAE, agreeing that such assaults reveal the Houthis to be a terrorist group. “We were appalled by these images and all these attacks. Absolute violence against civilians, which has nothing to do with respect for human dignity, for human rights, for society and community, is something that we can never tolerate and it is our task to always condemn (them),” he said. Asked whether he agrees that as a result of this deliberate targeting of civilian targets the Iran-backed Houthi militia should be designated as a terrorist group, Kurti said: “Yes, I think that all these attacks on civilians are terrorist actions.” Kurti spoke to Arab News during an exclusive interview at his office in Pristina to mark the 14th Independence Day of Kosovo. The prime minister lauded his country’s cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the fields of countering terrorism, intelligence sharing and the ideological battle against violent extremism. “I think that we have good cooperation and we would like to continue it because when we fight violent extremism and terrorism, and all these kinds of violent fundamentalism, we are on the same page,” he said.”

 

Lebanon

 

Reuters: Hezbollah Can Turn Rockets Into Precision Missiles, Make Drones -Nasrallah

 

“The leader of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said for the first time on Wednesday that it has the ability within Lebanon to convert thousands of rockets into precision missiles and to produce drones. “We have been producing drones in Lebanon for a long time, and whoever wants to buy them, submit an order,” Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech to followers. He said Hezbollah was able to transform standard rockets into precision missiles with the cooperation of “experts from the Islamic Republic of Iran”. Such production had been spurred by arch-foe Israel's increased use of drone technology, he said. Hezbollah and Israel fought a month-long war in 2006 and have at times in the years since traded fire across Lebanon's southern border. There was no immediate Israeli response to Nasrallah's statements. While the Israeli military outguns Hezbollah guerrillas, Israel worries that in a future war they could use precision-guided missiles to knock out parts of its national infrastructure like ports or power stations. Israel has said in the past that it has brought down several Hezbollah drones that had crossed into Israeli air space. Hezbollah says its increased anti-drone capabilities have led to a decline in Israeli drone overflights.”

 

Nigeria

 

All Africa: Nigeria: France, Nigeria Collaborate To Contain Terrorism, Piracy

 

“The France government, yesterday, pledged to collaborate with Nigeria in a renewed bid by both countries to contain terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. France made the pledge as the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), sought more proactive intelligence gathering mechanism and technological support to drive new information sharing regime in aid of the military campaigns in the country. He sought the renewal of the existing bilateral military agreements between Nigeria and France to reflect real-time security related needs of the two countries. Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, while requesting for technical interface between the two parties to examine critical areas of mutual benefits in the proposed rebirth of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the countries, gave assurances that her country would reinforce efforts to end terrorism in Nigeria and piracy in Gulf of Guinea. The French envoy, who was accompanied on the visit by the Defence Attache, Embassy of France in Nigeria, Colonel Guillaume Dujon, thanked the defence minister for the audience aimed at strengthening the existing bilateral agreements between the two countries.”

 

Mali

 

Associated Press: France Hosts Talks On Mali, Intends To Withdraw Troops

 

“French President Emmanuel Macron met with African and European leaders Wednesday evening in Paris ahead of an expected announcement of the withdrawal of French troops from Mali. Paris intends to maintain its military operations to fight Islamic extremism in other countries in Africa's broader Sahel region. Macron is set to unveil the details in a news conference Thursday. Tensions have grown between Mali, its African neighbors and the European Union, especially after the West African country's transitional government allowed Russian mercenaries to deploy in its territory. Discussions at the presidential palace in Paris were expected to address the potential consequences of a French pullout that could shake the whole region. Talks were also to address the involvement of a U.N. peacekeeping force and the status of an EU training mission. An EU-Africa summit is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Brussels. The EU this month imposed sanctions on five senior members of Mali’s transitional government, including Prime Minister Choguel Maiga, accusing them of working to obstruct the country's transition from military to civilian rule. The heads of states of Chad and Niger and Mauritania's foreign minister were attending the Paris talks.”

 

Africa

 

Associated Press: Burkina Faso Junta Leader Inaugurated As Nation's President

 

“Burkina Faso’s junta leader Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been sworn in as president Wednesday, less than a month after mutinous soldiers seized control of the West African country in a coup. The inauguration ceremony at the Constitutional Court was broadcast nationally. Addressing the nation on state television after taking the oath, Damiba paid tribute to the security forces and the country’s population who he said have been facing threats from extremism for more than six years. “I swear in front of the people of Burkina Faso and on my honor, to preserve and respect, to uphold and defend the constitution, fundamental acts and the law, to do everything to guarantee justice for all the inhabitants of Burkina Faso,” he said. “Our country has always been strong during storms. That’s why these tough times must be for us an opportunity to get to better horizons.” Damiba seized power promising to secure the war-torn country from growing jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that’s killed thousands and displaced more than 1.5 million people. Since taking control, Damiba has met with security forces, civil society, diplomats and politicians, but hasn’t set a timeline for the transition to elections, something the international community has said must be done as soon as possible.”

 

Germany

 

Associated Press: Germany To Mark Victims Of Terrorism Annually On March 11

 

“The German government said Wednesday that the country will formally commemorate the victims of terrorism every March 11, starting next month. The date marks the anniversary of 2004 bomb attacks in Madrid and is already commemorated each year by the European Union. Germany's top security official said the Cabinet approved adopting the date for a national remembrance day for the victims of terrorist violence. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said acts such as the Islamic extremist attack on a Berlin Christmas market in 2016 and far-right killings in Hanau and Halle had shaken Germany, too. “Islamist, far-right and far-left attacks have caused great suffering,” she said. “We want to make the state and society more aware of the fate of the victims and their relatives.” Federal buildings will mark the day by flying flags at half-staff.”

 

Canada

 

Global News: Canada’s First Convicted Terrorist Deemed Too Dangerous For Parole

 

“The first Canadian convicted under anti-terrorism laws enacted after the 9/11 attacks has lost his bid for release after the Parole Board ruled he wasn’t ready to leave prison. The decision followed a hearing at which Mohammad Momin Khawaja struggled to explain how he had reformed since he was arrested when police disrupted a 2004 bomb plot. He also appeared to downplay his actions, claiming he thought at the time that he was supporting a “good cause,” and was simply responding to “social injustice” and “suffering.” “It is the Board’s opinion that you will present an undue risk to society if released, and that your release will not contribute to the protection of society,” read the decision released Wednesday. Khawaja, 42, is serving a life sentence for five terrorism offences stemming from his involvement with Al Qaeda supporters who were planning bomb attacks in the United Kingdom. He has been imprisoned for 18 years. At a hearing on Feb. 3, the Correctional Service of Canada said it opposed his application for day parole, saying he “would present an undue risk if released at this time.” But Khawaja argued he should be allowed to move into an Ottawa halfway house, and said he wanted to study law and volunteer for humanitarian organizations that help refugees.”

 

Europe

 

New York Post: Ericsson Shares Tank After CEO Says Telecom Giant ‘May Have Paid ISIS’

 

“Shares of Ericsson tanked on Wednesday after its CEO said the Swedish telecom giant may have made payments to ISIS in an effort to gain access to the Iraqi market. CEO Borje Ekholm said in an interview that the company identified “unusual expenses dating back to 2018” when it purchased transport routes “through areas that have been controlled by terrorist organizations, including ISIS.” Ekholm’s comments to the Dagens Industri newspaper, which were cited by Bloomberg, sent shares of Ericsson down by more than 14% during trading as of Wednesday afternoon Swedish local time. The CEO said that the company hasn’t made a determination as to who was the “final recipient” of the money. Ekholm’s comments come just a day after his company released a statement indicating that it would “continue to invest significantly” in an internal investigation that began in 2019 of company transactions that took place between 2011 and 2019. Ericcson said it “found serious breaches of compliance rules” and the firm’s business ethics code that included “corruption-related misconduct.” Company employees who were operating in Iraq broke rules by “making a monetary donation without a clear beneficiary…funding inappropriate travel and expenses, and improper use of sales agents and consultants.”

 

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