“A rare video has appeared of al-Qaida's chief praising an Indian Muslim woman
who in February defied a ban on wearing the traditional headscarf, or h

 

 


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Eye on Extremism


April 7, 2022

 

Associated Press: Al-Qaida Leader Circulates Video, Dispels Rumor Of His Death
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“A rare video has appeared of al-Qaida's chief praising an Indian Muslim woman
who in February defied a ban on wearing the traditional headscarf, or hijab.
The footage is the first proof in months that the man who was once Osama bin
Laden's No. 2 is still alive. Rumors of the death of Ayman al-Zawahri have
persistently circulated, but in a video released Tuesday and translated by the
SITE Intelligence Group, the reclusive al-Qaida chief praises Muskan Khan who
defied a ban on the wearing of the hijab in schools in India’s southwestern
state of Karnataka. Two months ago, Khan garnered attention when she publicly
shouted “God Is Great” as Hindu radical students jeered at her over the Islamic
headscarf. In March, the court in India's Karnataka state upheld the ban,
outraging civil activists and Muslim groups in India and elsewhere. A previous
video of al-Zawahri, which circulated on the anniversary last year of 9/11, did
not reference the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August. It did mention
the Jan. 1, 2021 attack that targeted Russian troops on the edge of the
northern Syrian city of Raqqa. “He could still be dead, though if so, it would
have been at some point in or after Jan 2021,” SITE director Rita Katz tweeted
following al-Zawahri's 9/11 anniversary video.”

 

The Wall Street Journal: Former Islamic State Hostages Testify To Cruelty Of
British-Accented Guards
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“When Federico Motka got on the witness stand to testify last week in the
trial of Islamic State member El Shafee Elsheikh, he shared vivid memories
about three prison guards who spoke with east London accents and dominated his
14 months as a hostage when the terrorist group controlled much of Syria. One
had a specific scent and would sometimes wrap a scarf around his head, said Mr.
Motka, an aid worker from Italy. Another described stealing mopeds in London
and could debate the differences between Islam and Christianity. He testified
that he once saw the shadows of two of the guards’ faces through the cell hatch
in the twilight hours. Mr. Motka spoke so softly that jurors asked the court to
remove the plastic barrier that was placed around the witness stand during the
pandemic, so they could better understand him. Prosecutors are trying to build
the case that Mr. Elsheikh, who was born in Sudan in 1988 and grew up in
London, was a member of that group of apparently British guards who oversaw the
foreign hostages and were responsible for murdering four Americans among them.
They are relying on the emotional testimony of several released hostages who
interacted with the guards in intimate ways but never looked at them directly.”

 

United States

 

The Guardian: Court Hears US Hostage’s Emotional Letter To Father As IS Trial
Continues
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“An American hostage’s harrowing story about captivity at the hands of the
Islamic State militants who would kill him was recounted in court in Virginia
on Wednesday. A letter from the late Peter Kassig was read aloud during the
terrorism trial of El Shafee Elsheikh, a 33-year-old former British citizen and
alleged member of a kidnap-and-murder cell known to captives as the “Beatles”
because of their British accents. The court in Alexandria heard how, by May
2014, the American hostage Peter Kassig was losing hope. “Dad, I’m paralyzed
here. I’m afraid to fight back. Part of me still has hope. Part of me is sure
I’m going to die,” he wrote to his father, Ed Kassig, who read the letter from
the witness stand. Peter Kassig wrote that his captors tried to tell him and
the other hostages that they had been abandoned by their families and their
countries for refusing to meet the Islamic State’s demands. “But of course we
know you are doing everything you can and more. Don’t worry, Dad, if I do go
down I won’t go thinking anything but what I know to be true, that you and Mom
love me more than the moon!” Kassig wrote. He added: “If I do die, I figure
that at least you and I can take some refuge and comfort in knowing that I went
out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering and helping those in need.”

 

Syria

 

WTOP News: The Hunt: Al Qaida Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri Resurfaces
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“On this week’s edition of “The Hunt with WTOP National Security Correspondent
J.J. Green,” Dr. Hans Jakob-Schindler, senior director of the Counter Extremism
Project, said Ayman Al- Zawahiri left clues to his whereabouts.”

 

Iraq

 

Asharq Al-Awsat: Iraq, NATO Discuss Means To Confront Terrorism, Maintain
Regional Stability
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“Iraq’s Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and his deputy, Hakim
al-Zamli, held talks on Tuesday with a Danish delegation from the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly, led by its head Mads Fuglede. They discussed the
importance of future relations and means of countering all forms of extremism
and terrorism. Halbousi said the meeting touched on bilateral ties between Iraq
and Denmark, in particular, and with all NATO member countries, in general, as
well as bolstering cooperation to combat terrorism in the areas determined by
the Iraqi government. Zamli, for his part, considered Iraq’s stability a key
factor to maintain stability in the Middle East region. All world countries
have a united goal to counter terrorism, coordinate in the field of armament,
training and intelligence information to address the threat posed by terrorist
groups, his office stated. He underscored the need to maintain cooperation with
the NATO Alliance in the fields of security, training and counterterrorism.
Meanwhile, international coalition logistics convoy in Iraq came under an IED
attack on Tuesday. Assaults targeting the US-led international coalition forces
have been occurring progressively, with attacks sometimes taking place daily.”

 

Afghanistan

 

Al Jazeera: Afghanistan: Kabul Mosque Hit By Grenade Attack
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“At least six people have been wounded in a grenade blast at a mosque in a
densely populated area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, police said, minutes after
worshippers offered midday prayers. Attacks on public targets have largely
diminished since the Taliban seized power in August last year, but ISIL (ISIS)
affiliates continue to operate in parts of the country. “We had finished the
prayers and were heading out of the mosque when the blast occurred,” worshipper
Mohammed Yasin told the AFP news agency. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran
told AFP a grenade was thrown into the Pul-e-Khisti mosque and a suspect was
arrested at the scene. The mosque is located in a densely populated area of
Kabul and is surrounded by busy shops and markets. No group has claimed
responsibility, but the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP, ISIS-K) group
has carried out recent attacks in Kabul and other cities. The ISKP claimed the
attack on a military hospital in Kabul in November which left 19 dead. The
group also claimed the October suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Kandahar
which in at least 60 people were killed. Taliban officials insist their forces
have defeated the group, but analysts say the ISKP is a key security challenge
to the new rulers of Afghanistan.”

 

Middle East

 

The Times Of Israel: Terror Suspect With Explosive Device Arrested In
Overnight West Bank Raid, Police Say
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“Police say undercover officers arrested a terror suspect in the Jenin refugee
camp in the northern West Bank at dawn. During the arrest, an explosive device
was found hidden in the suspect’s scooter near his home, police say. The
Palestinian man has been taken to the Shin Bet security agency for further
questioning. The arrest comes as part of Operation Breakwater — targeting
individuals suspected of planning future attacks, as well as some thought to be
tied to recent deadly attacks in Israel.”

 

Nigeria

 

Sahara Reporters: Boko Haram Terrorists Attack Borno Town, Raze Government
Hospital, Residential Buildings
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“Boko Haram terrorists of the Islamic State West Africa Province formerly
known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād on Tuesday night attacked
Damboa in Borno State. A security analyst and counterinsurgency expert in the
North East, Zagazola Makama disclosed this on Twitter. According to Makama, the
terrorists set some buildings on fire including the Damboa General Hospital.
“Damboa LGA is currently under heavy attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP. Reliably
informed that they have infiltrated into the town already,” he wrote last
night. “The ISWAP are currently setting some building on fire including Damboa
general hospital.‪ @NigAirForce support urgently needed. Troops of Operation
Hadin Kai currently engaging the terrorists in a heavy gun battle. ‪@CAS_IOAmao
@NigAirForce support needed.” Since the death of JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau,
ISWAP has been consolidating its grip in locations around Lake Chad. Just
recently, it appointed Wali Sani Shuwaram, a 45-year-old, as the new leader
(Wali) of ISWAP in Lake Chad. The sect’s membership has swollen with the
defection of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters under Shekau. The Nigerian Army
has repeatedly claimed that insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently
underplays any losses. The terror group has caused over 100,000 deaths and
displaced millions of people mainly in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.”

 

Somalia

 

All Africa: Somalia: Al-Shabab Denies Plan To Attack Somali Leaders
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“The al-Qaeda-allied al-Shabab militant group has dismissed reports that it
was planning an attack against the Somali president and prime minister.
Pro-al-Shabab Somali Memo website quoted an unnamed senior al-Shabab commander
who termed the claim by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency
(Nisa) “laughable”. The Shabab commander said Nisa was “not capable” of
unearthing the group's operations. The militants claimed the statement from the
spy agency “indicates an imminent threat” against some officials because of
political disputes. “Although the leaders and the officials of the apostate
(Somali government) are always our targets, we will not allow them to involve
us in their disputes,” the jihadist commander was quoted as saying. The group
also denied the existence of a senior al-Shabab operative named Mohamed Mahir,
who Nisa said was leading the alleged attack plot. Somalia's security situation
continues to be jeopardized by political wrangles over its delayed election.”

 

United Kingdom

 

The Independent: Victims Of Extremism Urged To Share Experiences To Help UK
Tackle Terror
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“People who have been targeted by extremists are being urged to share their
experiences as part of a major independent review that will help the Government
tackle hatred and division. The Government’s independent adviser for social
cohesion and resilience, Dame Sara Khan, is launching a call for evidence on
Thursday to help understand how extremism harms communities. Responses from
victims, local authorities and members of the public will shape her
recommendations on how the Government can better support and protect them. “Too
often, the response to those sowing hatred and division is slow and
ineffective. “That is why I have been asked by the Prime Minister to examine
what more is required to protect social cohesion and build resilience against
extremism at a local level. “I will be seeking to hear from victims of
extremism whose life-changing experiences are often unrecognised and from local
authorities and communities who play an invaluable role.” She added that she
will take an “independent, impartial and evidence-based approach” in the public
consultation, which will form part of her wider review of social cohesion and
resilience. The widower of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far-right
terrorist in her West Yorkshire constituency during the EU referendum campaign
in 2016, called on people to take part.”

 

Germany

 

The Guardian: German Police Raid Neo-Nazi Cells Across Country
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“German authorities have swooped on alleged neo-Nazi militant cells and
arrested four suspects as the country pursues a forceful crackdown on far-right
extremists. In what Der Spiegel magazine called “the biggest blow against the
militant neo-Nazi scene in the recent past”, the federal prosecutor’s office
said more than 1,000 officers had raided the homes of 50 suspects in 11 states.
“The four men arrested are accused of membership of a rightwing extremist
criminal organisation,” it said in a statement, adding that some had also
received other charges, including grievous bodily harm. Spiegel reported that
one of the suspects was a non-commissioned officer in the German armed forces. 
The suspects targeted on Wednesday were believed to belong to the far-right
martial arts group Knockout 51, the banned Combat 18, named after the order in
the alphabet of Adolf Hitler’s initials, the US-based Atomwaffen Division or
the online propaganda group Sonderkommando 1418. Germany’s centre-left-led
government under chancellor Olaf Scholz took office in December pledging a
decisive fight against far-right militants after criticism that the previous
administration had been lax on neo-Nazi violence.”

 

The National: Germany Arrests Syrian Accused Of Torturing Captives With ISIS
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“German investigators on Wednesday arrested a Syrian man accused of war crimes
for allegedly torturing captives while he was with ISIS, the terrorist group,
in Syria in 2014. Federal prosecutors said the man, identified only as Raed E
in line with German privacy rules, was arrested in Berlin. He is suspected of
membership in a foreign terrorist organisation, crimes against humanity, war
crimes and bodily harm. The suspect joined ISIS in summer 2014 and participated
in an attack that August on the Shueitat tribe in the Deir el-Zour region of
eastern Syria, prosecutors said. Activists reported death tolls ranging up to
700. Raed E is accused of abusing and torturing three captives after that
attack. Prosecutors say that he had a man – who was looking for his 13-year old
brother kidnapped by ISIS – arrested and then tortured him at various ISIS
prisons. The suspect allegedly also ordered the 13-year-old suspended from a
ceiling with his hands tied behind his back. And he is accused of twice
physically abusing a third captive during months in captivity. Prosecutors said
that in addition to working in ISIS prisons, he handled transactions in which
the freedom of Shueitat captives was bought, and manned two checkpoints for the
extremist group.”

 

The National: German Security Officials Visit Far-Right Extremists To Warn
Them Not To Travel To Ukraine
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“…In a webinar hosted by the Counter Extremism Project, experts warned
European nations to prepare for the fallout. “If we have groups of highly
motivated, combat experienced far-right extremists with post-traumatic stress
disorders, then attacks in European countries may look very different in the
future,” terrorism expert Alexander Ritzmann said. “We need to prepare
societies so we have measures in place ready to deal with the returnees.” He
said CEP was working with officials in Germany to identify violent extremists.
“The federal government is reaching out to far-right extremists telling them
not to go” to Ukraine, he said. On Wednesday, German authorities investigating
neo-Nazis arrested four people they said were leading members of a far-right
combat sports group. They said the organisation, Knockout 51, held
street-fighting sessions to indoctrinate young men and has links to other
far-right extremists in Germany. The group tried to set up a “Nazi
neighbourhood” in Eisenach and its members injured several people, prosecutors
said. In all, 61 properties in various parts of Germany were raided.
Prosecutors said they were investigating 21 people suspected of keeping alive
the Combat 18 Deutschland group, despite a ban by German authorities, and 10
people suspected of involvement in the Atomwaffen Division Deutschland
terrorist group.”

 

Southeast Asia

 

Associated Press: Indonesia Jails Activist Lawyer Over Islamic Radicalism
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“A former Indonesian human rights lawyer who joined an Islamic hard-line group
was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday on charges of incitement
with the aim to establish a caliphate in a secular country. The three-judge
panel at East Jakarta District Court found Munarman guilty of hiding
information from authorities about militants pledging allegiance to the Islamic
State group in January 2015 in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi
province, and instead “giving a speech inciting people to carry out terrorism
acts.” “The defendant does not support the government’s program in eradicating
terrorism,” the presiding judge said in the ruling. Munarman, 53, who goes by a
single name, was the general secretary of the now-banned Islam Defenders Front,
widely known by the Indonesian acronym FPI, which has a long record of
vandalizing nightspots, hurling stones at Western embassies and attacking rival
religious groups. It wants Islamic Shariah law to apply to Indonesia’s 230
million Muslims. Police arrested Munarman in April 2021 after interrogating
scores of suspected militants following the Palm Sunday bombing outside a Roman
Catholic cathedral on March 28, 2021, that killed two suicide attackers and
wounded 20 people.”

 

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