Eye on Extremism

March 24, 2022

 

Reuters: Senior Yemeni Military Leader Killed In Car Bombing In Aden

 

“A car bombing killed a senior Yemeni military leader and three of his entourage in the southern port city of Aden on Wednesday, three security sources said. The defence ministry confirmed that Brigadier General Thabet Gawas was killed in a "cowardly attack carried out by several terrorist elements" but provided no further details. Gawas was returning from a personal visit when his car was hit by the blast in a suburb of the city, the security sources said. Aden's AIC Television showed footage of a car in flames. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Gawas had long been an enemy of Yemen's Houthi movement, fighting the group in their northern stronghold of Saada even before they ousted the Saudi-backed government from the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. He participated in operations that expelled the Houthis from the southern Lahj region in 2015, the year that a Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen against the Iran-aligned movement.”

 

Syria

 

Al Monitor: Three Years On, Syria Kurds Warn World Allowing IS To Rebuild

 

“The Syrian Kurdish forces that spearheaded the battle to crush the Islamic State group's self-proclaimed “caliphate” in 2019 warned Wednesday that the world's lack of support risked allowing for a jihadist rebirth. The IS proto-state -- which once administered millions of people across swathes of Syria and Iraq, on territory roughly the size of Britain -- was declared defeated on March 23, 2019. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which act as the autonomous Kurdish administration's army, led the battle that flushed out the village of Baghouz where IS made its last stand. The SDF's central command warned in a statement that the countries that provided assistance to the military operation at the time should not turn their backs on the region now. “The absence of a clear, comprehensive long-term international plan increases human and material losses and allows ISIS to strengthen its organisation,” it said, using another acronym for the jihadist group. IS has not had fixed positions in Iraq or Syria since March 2019 but its remnants have continued to launch hit-and-run guerilla attacks from desert hideouts. The SDF said a huge attack on a prison in Hasakeh in January was evidence that IS was seeking to expand its operational capabilities.”

 

Iran

 

Associated Press: Under Sweeping Sanctions, Iran Hawks Its Weapons In Qatar

 

“Iran, under sweeping economic sanctions, was hawking weapons on Wednesday at a Qatari defense exhibit, a surprising sight at the major conference also showcasing American companies and fighter jets. Tucked away in the far left corner of the carpeted convention center, commanders from Iran’s defense ministry marketed their missiles and air defense weapons systems. The defense ministry manufactures arms for both Iran’s military and its powerful paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard, a group that plays a singular role in the creation and execution of Iran’s national security and foreign policy. The DIMDEX exhibition serves to promote Qatar, a major non-NATO ally of the United States that’s home to the largest American military base in the Middle East. The tiny Gulf Arab country, however, also maintains good relations with Iran, with which it shares the world’s largest gas field.”

 

Turkey

 

The Jerusalem Post: Iran Media Accuses Turkey Of Backing 'Terrorists'

 

“Iran may be upping tensions with Turkey. The evidence can so far be found in one article at Fars News which accuses Turkey and its leading AKP party of backing “terrorists.” This comes as the world is changing and countries weigh their next moves amid the Ukraine war. Turkey is seeking to play both sides, being friendly with Russia and also Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia is holding up the Iran deal. Turkey is also critiquing Iran. “Tehran is trying to take advantage of the Ukraine crisis and strengthen its own position in the Syrian arena. Soon after Russia attacked Ukraine in late February, Iran and the Syrian regime increased their strategic engagement by increasing military diplomacy.” Fars News says that Turkey’s foreign policy has fluctuated in recent years. It has moved from having “zero problems” with is neighbors to seeking to recreate a kind of new Ottoman empire. “Although Turkey sought to reduce tensions with its neighbors to zero during Ahmed Davutoglu’s chairing of the Foreign Ministry [this lasted] until the wave of Islamic awakening. Erdogan has since abandoned the strategy in pursuit of widespread influence. He dealt with regional developments even with unreasonable means.”

 

Pakistan

 

Nikkei Asia: Surge In IS Attacks Forces Pakistan To Engage On Third Front

 

“The latest surge in terrorist attacks by the Islamic State group is giving Pakistan the challenge of a third front of engagement, as it is already battling the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and Baloch separatists, pushing Islamabad to further enhance cooperation with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in an attempt to contain IS threats locally. During March, the terrorist activities of IS in Pakistan have suddenly increased. On March 4, a suicide bomber killed 64 Shiite worshippers in the northern city of Peshawar. On March 8, another suicide blast killed seven security personnel guarding the route of President Arif Alvi in Sibi, a city in the southwestern Balochistan Province. The first attack was claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) chapter and the second by the Islamic State Pakistan (IS-P) chapter. Both groups have been operating in Pakistan, but their exact areas of operations are unclear. IS-P is said to be a relatively new group and its background is little known. “While Pakistan is using its law enforcement resources to counter [the Balochistan Liberation Army] and the TTP, the resurgence of IS presents a third-front challenge for the country,” a security official told Nikkei Asia on the condition of anonymity. The official added that the uneven nature of the attacks and the target selection by the groups overall had made it harder for the Pakistani government to counter them.”

 

Yemen

 

Reuters: Saudi-Led Coalition Foils Houthi Attack On Oil Tankers -Saudi State TV

 

“The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen destroyed two explosive-laden boats on Wednesday which the Iran-aligned group was planning to use in attacks on oil tankers in the south of the Red Sea, Saudi state TV reported. There was no immediate confirmation from Houthis.”

 

Middle East

 

The Times Of Israel: Terrorist Was Called A ‘Ticking Bomb’ In The Past, Was Sentenced To 4 Years

 

“The terrorist who killed four Israelis in Beersheba on Tuesday was reportedly called a “ticking time bomb” by prosecutors in a previous security case and was given a four-year prison sentence. Mohammad Ghaleb Abu al-Qi’an, 34, killed two women and two men in a ramming and stabbing attack in the southern city before being shot to death by armed civilians. He was a terror convict from the Bedouin town of Hura in the Negev who served four years in prison for plotting to join the Islamic State. He was released in 2019. Abu al-Qi’an was an elementary school teacher when he was indicted in 2015 for his affiliation with Islamic State and for attempting to recruit people to the jihadist group. He admitted while in custody to having established a secret group that would hold clandestine meetings related to the Islamic State, and to planning to leave Israel on the pretext of a pilgrimage to Mecca, but with the true goal of joining terrorist fighters in Syria. Channel 12 reported that in the 2015 case, during Abu al-Qi’an’s sentencing, the prosecution said, “Criminals like the defendant are a ticking time bomb, and it’s impossible to know when the countdown will begin.” “The State of Israel is a country plagued by terror, and the security damage is made much more severe when it’s caused by Israeli citizens,” the prosecution said. Most terror attacks in Israel are carried out by Palestinians, not Israeli Arabs like Abu al-Qian.”

 

Nigeria

 

All Africa: Nigeria: Terrorism Suspect Escapes From Court Premises - Police

 

“A man who was standing trial for alleged terrorism has escaped from custody in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria's South-south, according to the police. The suspect, identified as Etiene Malachy Akpan, is said to have escaped at a court premises in Akwa Ibom during the continuation of his trial, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Odiko MacDon, said in a statement on Tuesday. The police did not give details about the suspect's escape. The police said he was also standing trial for serial murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. The suspect, also known as Anthony Malachy Akpan, is 34, and hails from Atan Midim in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is dark in complexion and 1.6 metres tall, according to the police. “He is wanted by the Police in connection with series of armed robberies, kidnapping, murders and terrorism in the (Akwa Ibom) State. “The suspect who was on trial for the above offences escaped within the court premises when brought for the continuation of his trial,” said Mr MacDon, a superintendent of police. The police spokesperson said Mr Akpan has been declared wanted. He appealed to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the suspect to contact the nearest police station or any security agency.”

 

Sahara Reporters: Over 7000 Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists Surrender In One Week — Nigerian Army

 

“No fewer than 7000 Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have turned themselves in since last week, the Nigerian Army has said. This was made known by the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Christopher Musa while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Wednesday. According to the General, sustained operations against the ISWAP and Boko Haram have led to significant successes. “Thousands of insurgents comprising of combatants, non-combatants, foot soldiers alongside their families, continued to lay down their arms in different parts of Borno,” he noted. He added that the repentant terrorists and their families would be profiled by the army and other agencies before they undergo rehabilitation processes. Musa assured that the military and other security agencies would continue to devise and implement strategies to end terrorism. About 30,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered in the last nine months.”

 

Somalia

 

Reuters: Somali Forces Kill Two Gunmen Trying To Enter Mogadishu Army Base -State TV

 

“Somali security forces shot dead two armed attackers who tried to burst into an army base near Mogadishu's international airport on Wednesday, state media said. Earlier in the day, state TV had said security forces were battling a “terrorist incident” at the camp's gates. A witness said gunmen had forced their way in and started shooting. State radio reported later that the two attackers had been stopped at the base gates. “Security Forces have shot dead two armed terrorists who attempted to force their way into the army base near #Mogadishu’s Adan Abdulle International Airport on Wednesday and police will give details shortly,” state TV said. Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab said it was behind the attack, and had fired mortars into the camp, where African Union (AMISOM) peacekeeping troops, United Nations and other international organisations are based. Abdiasis Abu Musab, an al Shabaab spokesman, said the group's fighters had gained entry to the base and inflicted casualties, but he did not provide proof. Mahad Hirsi, a witness at the compound, told Reuters that he saw the attackers force their way through the gate and start shooting, and that “a number of injured AMISOM soldiers (were) lying on the ground”. Spokespeople for AMISOM and the United Nations' Somalia office did not immediately respond to Reuters calls and messages requesting comment.”

 

Africa

 

All Africa: Mozambique - Thousands Continue To Flee Violence In Cabo Delgado

 

“One year after brutal attacks by suspected Al Shabab militants began in northern Mozambique, thousands continue to flee ongoing violence in Cabo Delgado province, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday. “According to partners in the region, a series of attacks by non-State armed groups between January and mid-March displaced some 24,000 people within Nangade district,” UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov told journalists at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. With hundreds of families reportedly still on the move, he said that “they need urgent humanitarian assistance and protection services”. Some 5,000 people have also sought protection in the neighbouring district of Mueda, a remote area bordering Tanzania, after witnessing and suffering atrocities, including “killings and the decapitation and dismemberment of bodies, sexual violence, kidnappings, forced recruitment by armed groups, and torture,” said Mr. Cheshirkov. Meanwhile, the threat of renewed violence continually increases the number of new arrivals as UNHCR and partners work closely with local authorities to provide shelter materials and household items to vulnerable families, monitor protection risks, and supporting authorities to manage sites hosting the displaced.”

 

United Kingdom

 

BBC News: David Amess Killing: Suspect Looked 'Self-Satisfied' After Attack

 

“A terror suspect had a look of “self-satisfaction” moments after stabbing an MP to death, a parliamentary aide said. Sir David Amess, the MP for Southend West, died after he was stabbed 21 times during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October. Ali Harbi Ali, 26, on trial at the Old Bailey, denies murder and preparing acts of terrorism. Julie Cushion, a long-term member of Sir David's team, told the jury she heard a “piercing scream”. Sir David was attacked in a back room of Belfairs Methodist Church during an appointment made by the defendant, the prosecution said. Giving evidence from behind a screen, Ms Cushion said: “A piercing scream was the first thing I heard. Then a very loud crash which I assumed was furniture going over. “I got up and walked through, I assumed something structurally had happened.” She said that another aide, Rebecca Hayton, ran from the room “screaming that Sir David had been stabbed”. “At that moment I picked up my phone to call for help,” Ms Cushion added. Asked how Mr Ali looked, she told the jury: “Self-satisfaction, I would describe it.” The jury also watched a police interview with Ms Hayton four hours after the attack where she described seeing Mr Ali stand up and stab Sir David.”

 

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