Eye on Extremism

March 25, 2022

 

ABC News: Pakistan Says 4 Troops Killed In Attack Claimed By Taliban

 

“Militants attempting to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan early on Thursday triggered a shootout with soldiers that killed four Pakistani troops, the military said. The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the military statement, the attack happened in Hassan Khel, a border town in North Waziristan, a former militant stronghold, after midnight on Wednesday. It also said that the attack was foiled and that the militants suffered casualties. The statement did not provide any further details. The Pakistani Taliban are known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and they are a separate group from the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, who took over that country in August. However, the two groups are close allies and TTP leaders and fighters have over the years sought sanctuary across the border in Afghanistan. Before the Afghan Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last August, the two countries often blamed each other for sheltering militants.”

 

United States

 

Boston.com: Dropkick Murphys ‘SMASH’ Neo-Nazis With Cease And Desist

 

“…The Nationalist Social Club is identified as a neo-Nazi group by both the Counter Extremism Project and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The group was formed in eastern Massachusetts in 2019 and claims to have small, independent groups throughout Europe and the United States, according to the ADL. The cease and desist letter was also sent to Odysee, where the video was posted. The New Hampshire-based, video-sharing platform launched in 2020 and has attracted far-right creators, including those shunned on other sites as online platforms have reviewed and tightened restrictions around their content standards in recent years. The Dropkick Murphys, through their attorney, demanded their music be removed from the video and in any other media where it was used. The band also asked for details of all instances where the group illegally used its material. “We’ll take your immediate compliance as confirmation that you received this letter,” Milagros-Butler wrote. “If, however, you fail to immediately comply, then my client and their designees and assignees are prepared to take whatever legal action they deem necessary and appropriate to protect their rights in and to the Recording and Compensation, including, without limitation, seeking statutory and punitive damages for your copyright infringement.”

 

Yemen

 

ABC News: Yemeni General's Son Died Alongside Father In Aden Bombing

 

“A car bomb that rocked Yemen’s southern port city of Aden this week and killed a major general also took the life of his son, a junior military officer, and three guards, a media spokesman said Thursday. The bombing on Wednesday targeted the convoy of Maj. Gen. Thabet Jawas, a senior commander in southern Yemen, who was killed. Initial reports said at least four others also died. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack in Aden. The city has been rocked by several bombings in recent years blamed on local affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have also targeted the city with ballistic missiles and explosives-laden drones. On Thursday, Qaed Nasr, a military spokesman for Jawas' division, said that the major general's son, Nabil Jawas, a 26-year-old military officer who was accompanying his father, also died. The two were driving home after attending a relative's funeral when a parked car exploded as Jawas' convoy passed near a fuel supply facility, according to security officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Three guards were also killed, the officials said, while five civilian passers-by who were wounded in the bombing are in hospital and getting medical treatment. Images from the scene showed fire with charred bodies on the ground. An investigation was underway.”

 

Lebanon

 

Reuters: Court Charges Lebanon's Geagea Over Beirut Violence, Judicial Source Says

 

“A Lebanese military court has charged Christian politician Samir Geagea over deadly clashes in Beirut last October, a judicial source and broadcaster Al Jadeed said on Thursday, a move that could stoke political tension two months before an election. An official in Geagea's Lebanese Forces (LF) party said the charge against him was political, and the investigation into the violence had been political from the start. Judge Fadi Akiki told Al Jadeed he had charged Geagea two days ago based on “new information” relating to the Teyouneh events, a reference to Beirut's deadliest street violence in a decade. Reuters could not immediately reach Akiki for comment. Seven people, all of them followers of the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally the Amal Movement, were killed in the Oct. 14 clashes near an old frontline of the 1975-90 civil war. Any attempt to arrest Geagea would likely be resisted by his party, creating the potential for trouble just two months before the parliamentary election, said Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center. Geagea was summoned to a hearing at military intelligence last October over the violence, but did not attend. The Oct. 14 violence began as people were gathering for a protest called by Hezbollah against the judge investigating the 2020 Beirut port blast.”

 

Middle East

 

Al Monitor: Terror Attack In Beersheba Unsettles Israeli Government

 

“The murderous rampage in one of Israel’s major cities March 22 not only left four Israelis dead in just eight minutes, but also delivered a devastating blow to the ruling coalition. It was the worst terrorist attack in Israel in years, made even worse by the perpetrator being an Israeli citizen, a Bedouin from the village of Hura. He was reportedly also a supporter of the Islamic State who had spent time in Israeli prison for security offenses. The incident happened while an Arab party is part of the governing coalition for the first time in Israel’s history. Members of Ra'am hold important positions in Knesset committees and the party has obtained unprecedented funding on behalf of the Arab sector. Terrorist attacks and security issues in general have been the vulnerable underbelly of every Israeli government, but especially those on the left. The second intifada, which broke out in 2000, led to the fall of Prime Minister Ehud Barak while he was in the middle of a historic diplomatic process with the Palestinians. Just a few years earlier, in 1996, the government of Prime Minister Shimon Peres fell as a result of several horrific terrorist attacks in Israel. They occurred while Peres was trying to fulfill the Oslo Accords and save the legacy of his predecessor Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated just a few months earlier.”

 

The Defense Post: Drones: Militant Game Changer In The Middle East?

 

“Earlier this year, the Yemeni-based Houthis launched a drone attack on an oil storage facility in Abu Dhabi. The attack killed three and injured six. Following the attacks, UAE officials thwarted various other Houthi drone attacks and warned of the rising drone threat. In addition to the Houthis, jihadi groups such as the Islamic State (IS), Hamas, and Hezbollah have used drones for reconnaissance, propaganda, and attacks, with IS being one of the most proficient in its use during the height of its powers from 2015 to 2017. While the recent attacks have cast the militant use of drones into the limelight, the questions that remain to be asked are “how likely is a mass casualty terrorist attack involving drones” and “are drones really a militant game changer?” Between 2016 and 2021, the Houthis were reported to have conducted more than 4,000 drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets. The first type of drone they began using was the commercially available DJI Phantom quadcopter, alleged to have been stolen from a local TV station. From 2017 onwards, the rebels began using larger, fixed-wing aircraft-type drones in attacks. These included the Qasef-1, Qasef-2k, Sammad-2, and Sammad-3, which hinted at Iranian involvement.”

 

Somalia

 

Al Jazeera: Somalia: Five Dead In Attack On Military Base Near Airport

 

“At least five people, including two of the attackers, were killed during a raid by armed fighters on an army base near the Somali capital’s international airport, a diplomatic memo said. On Wednesday, the state-run television said security forces were dealing with a “terrorist incident” at the gates to the camp. A witness said gunmen had forced their way in and started shooting. State radio later reported that the two attackers had been stopped at the Halane 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,” the Somali National Television said. According to Reuters, an internal diplomatic security memo said two security guards, thought to be Kenyan nationals, and a Somali policeman were also killed in the incident. Four others were wounded. The al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabab has said it was behind the attack on the camp near Mogadishu airport. It fired mortars into the camp, where African Union (AMISOM) peacekeeping troops, United Nations and other international organisations are based.”

 

Africa

 

The Defense Post: Burkina Attacks Kill 24 Troops

 

“Twenty-four soldiers have been killed as violence surges in Burkina Faso, 13 in a suspected jihadist ambush and 11 after a roadside bomb exploded, the army said. The soldiers were killed Sunday in the sixth and seventh attacks of their kind in the landlocked West African nation in under two weeks. An armed forces communique late Tuesday said that in a “complex attack” around Napade in the eastern region on Sunday 11 soldiers had died. To the south of Natiaboani, close to the border with Togo and Ghana, “a security forces vehicle… hit an improvised explosive device (IED),” a security source had told AFP. The source had on Monday given a provisional toll of five dead. The army had also reported 13 killed Sunday during a security operation in the east near Natiaboani. The army said during the “intense” operation 35 “terrorists” had been killed. The rural community of Natiaboani lies 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Fada N’Gourma, the largest town in the Eastern Region that since 2018 has been regularly targeted by armed groups. Violence has flared again in Burkina Faso after a period of relative calm after a military junta took power in January. Disgruntled officers toppled elected President Roch Marc Christian Kabore after protests over his handling of the bloody insurgency.”

 

The Defense Post: 12 Killed In Rebel Attack In DR Congo’s Ituri Province

 

“Twelve people — one soldier and 11 mainly elderly civilians — were killed in a rebel attack in DR Congo’s troubled northeasterly province of Ituri, hospital sources and local authorities said on Thursday. “We have received 11 bodies of civilian victims of a massacre in the Lopa region at Djugu. There was also the body of one soldier,” John Katabuka, director of the main regional hospital, told AFP. “CODECO militants attacked the village of Tshotsho Wednesday night into Thursday morning. They killed 11 civilians with machetes and guns — a woman and elderly people,” local official Gedeon Dino told AFP. The CODECO group — Cooperative for the Development of Congo — is one of a swathe of rebel groups in the violence-wracked country and local sources said their latest killing spree came in apparent reprisal for an attack on them by the military. “These militants attacked peaceful citizens as they were fleeing military fire,” army spokesman Lieutenant Jules Ngongo told AFP. The village of Tshotsho is some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the main Ituri province town of Bunia. The CODECO is a notorious ethnic militia and political-religious sect that claims to represent the interests of the Lendu ethnic group. The Lendu and Hema communities have a long-standing feud that led to thousands of deaths between 1999 and 2003 before intervention by a European peacekeeping force.”

 

United Kingdom

 

Arab News: Suspect In UK MP’s Murder ‘Admitted Terror Crime To Police’

 

“The man accused of killing British MP David Amess last year told police he had committed a “terror” crime, a court has heard. Ali Harbi Ali, 26, is currently facing prosecution for murder and preparing acts of terrorism for his alleged role in the fatal stabbing of Amess. He has denied the charges. Footage from body cameras worn by police during Ali’s arrest was shown to jurors. Two police officers, armed only with a baton and a pepper spray-like substance, are recorded entering a church where Ali was said to be hiding, armed with a knife. One police officer, PC Ryan Curtis, said he found Ali standing in the aisle of the church with a blood-stained knife in his hand. He was told by Curtis and his colleague PC Scott James to “drop the knife.” Ali did so after a short standoff. Ali was recorded saying “I was prepared to die,” the court heard. He was taken to Southend Police Station and asked if the crime might be domestic or hate-related. Ali told the booking officer: “Terror. Religious,” the jury heard. Ali’s trial continues.”

 

Germany

 

ABC News: German Officials: Ex-Soldiers Tried To Form Mercenary Group

 

“Germany's federal prosecutor on Thursday charged two former soldiers with trying to form a terrorist organization by allegedly attempting to build a mercenary group that would have intervened in the military conflict in Yemen. The federal prosecutor's office said in a statement that “the defendants are sufficiently suspected of having attempted, as ringleaders, to establish a terrorist organization.” They said the men, identified only as Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A. in keeping with Germany privacy laws, allegedly decided in early 2021 to create their own mercenary group of between 100 and 150 former soldiers or members of the police. Both suspects are German citizens and former members of the Bundeswehr. The men’s primary motivation was to earn about 40,000 euros ($43.900) each per month by offering the group’s services to third parties, specifically Saudi Arabia, prosecutors said. The oil-rich kingdom has intervened in the conflict in neighboring Yemen against the Houthi rebel group. Prosecutors said the men’s attempts to contact Saudi officials were unsuccessful. The men were aware that their plans for military intervention in Yemen would inevitably require them to kill people, and they were aware that civilians might be injured and killed too, prosecutors said.”

 

The National: Germany Closes Al-Mustafa Community Centre Citing Links To Hezbollah

 

“A German city has ordered the closure of a community centre citing links to Hezbollah and anti-Israel literature discovered in its premises. Authorities in Bremen have shutdown the Al-Mustafa Community Centre due to alleged support for terrorism against Israel. Ulrich Mäurer, Bremen’s interior minister, said the measure was “absolutely necessary” for public security. “Al-Mustafa actively propagates and promotes violence or comparably serious acts contrary to international law such as terrorism against the state of Israel,” he said in a statement. “The ban of this association is therefore absolutely necessary. It was also proven that there were anti-Israel books and writings in the association's premises, including, for example, a flyer by the political and religious leader of Iran. “The flyer contains messages aimed solely at negating the legitimacy of the state of Israel and using violence to resist Israel.” A report by a Bremen intelligence agency previously alleged the centre has collected donations for Hezbollah in Lebanon. In 2020, Germany’s Federal Interior Ministry outlawed all Hezbollah activities following similar moves by the US, UK, Canada and many European nations. Earlier this year, the US Treasury Department announced further sanctions on Hezbollah financiers.”

 

Europe

 

Irish Examiner: 'Sufficient Evidence' To Consider Whether Lisa Smith Was Member Of Isis, Court Rules

 

“The Special Criminal Court has ruled there is sufficient evidence for it to consider whether former soldier Lisa Smith was a member of Isis and if she funded the terrorist organisation. Ms Smith's lawyers had applied to the court to direct not-guilty verdicts on the grounds there is no evidence to support the prosecution case and that to even consider a verdict would be unfair and could lead to a miscarriage of justice. Mr Justice Tony Hunt on Thursday said he could see no basis as to how it would be unfair to ask the court to assess the evidence and consider verdicts. He said the prosecution case, taken at it highest, could support a conviction without necessarily leading to a miscarriage of justice. The weight to be given to the prosecution evidence is a matter for consideration during deliberations, he said. Referring to previous legal judgements, Mr Justice Hunt said withdrawing a case at this stage in a trial should only be an “exceptional measure to avoid the manifest risk of wrongful conviction”. In relation to the funding terrorism charge, he said there was sufficient evidence for the court to consider the intent or knowledge of the accused when she sent €800 to a man who the prosecution allege was, at the time, a member of Isis. Following the ruling, Michael O'Higgins SC, for Ms Smith, said he intended to call one witness, an expert on “caliphates” — states where Islamic law is imposed.”

 

Southeast Asia

 

Al Jazeera: US Asks Sri Lanka To Stop Terror Law Detentions, Improve Rights

 

“The United States has urged Sri Lanka to end detentions under its draconian anti-terror law and ensure justice for wartime atrocities. Sri Lanka’s rights record has drawn the ire of the international community with Colombo accused of carrying out war-time atrocities against its Tamil minority during the decades-long civil war that ended in 2009. Under pressure from the European Union – which threatened to revoke the country’s favourable trade status – Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Tuesday amended its controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) but opposition legislators have said the changes will not stop abuses under the law. On Wednesday, US Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, stressed “the importance of the non-governmental sector, journalists and civil society, and ending surveillance, ending detention [under the PTA] and ending harassment”, after talks with local leaders in capital Colombo. Her remarks came a day after Colombo reduced detention without judicial supervision under the PTA from 18 to 12 months. “We commend the first steps… particularly the amendments passed yesterday to the PTA and the release of soft prisoners,” she said. “There is more to do.” As many as 78 Tamil prisoners are behind bars under the act without being formally charged — some of them for more than three decades.”

 

The Counter Extremism Project depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation.

Click here to unsubscribe.