“Reversing a decision by predecessor Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has
approved a Pentagon request to redeploy several hundred American troops to





 


 


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Eye on Extremism


May 17, 2022

 

ABC News: Biden Approves Return Of US Troops For Somalia Counterterrorism
Fight, Reversing Trump
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“Reversing a decision by predecessor Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has
approved a Pentagon request to redeploy several hundred American troops to
Somalia for what the National Security Council calls “a persistent U.S.
military presence” there as part of counterterrorism efforts. The move will
reestablish an open-ended mission in Somalia assisting the country in its fight
against al-Shabab, a local al-Qaida affiliate. The group once ruled Somalia and
has been seeking to regain territorial control over parts of the country. It
has carried out overseas terror attacks in Kenya, including in January 2020
when three Americans died in an assault targeting a U.S. base. The Biden
administration believes the move will “enable our partners to conduct a more
effective fight against al-Shabab, which is al-Qaida's largest, wealthiest, and
deadliest affiliate and poses a heightened threat to Americans in East Africa,”
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said Monday. A senior
administration official told reporters later Monday that the number of U.S.
troops returning to Somalia would be “under 500” and that they would continue
with the same mission of training Somalia's military and assisting local forces
on counterterrorism missions. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stressed on Monday
afternoon that “our forces are not now nor will they be directly engaged in
combat operations.”

 

The Washington Post: Only 22 Saw The Buffalo Shooting Live. Millions Have Seen
It Since.
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“Live-streamed from a camera mounted on the Buffalo gunman’s helmet, the
video is hauntingly gruesome — a first-person view as he fires a rifle into 10
people, some of them crawling on the supermarket floor. When he discovers a
light-skinned man hiding in a checkout aisle, the gunman spares him, saying,
“Sorry.” It is exactly the kind of horrific terrorist video that the world’s
biggest tech companies have vowed to block. But two days after the shooting,
the footage was still widely available online — just as the gunman had hoped,
according to a screed he wrote beforehand, bringing more attention to his
racist cause. The episode shows how little has changed in the three years since
a live-streamed rampage at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, revealed how
mass shooters could harness leading social platforms to make their carnage go
viral. When the Buffalo gunman broadcast the shooting in real time Saturday on
the live-streaming site Twitch, only 22 people were watching, and company
officials said they’d removed it with remarkable speed — within two minutes of
the first gunshots. But all it took was for one viewer to save a copy and
redistribute it online. A jumble of video-hosting sites, extremist message
boards and some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names did the rest, ensuring
millions of people would view the video.”

 

United States

 

Associated Press: Authorities: Hate Against Taiwanese Led To Church Attack
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“A gunman motivated by political hatred against Taiwan chained shut the doors
of a California church and hid firebombs inside before shooting at a gathering
of mostly elderly Taiwanese parishioners, killing a man who tackled him and
possibly saved dozens of lives, authorities said Monday. David Chou, 68, of Las
Vegas — a U.S. citizen who authorities say grew up in Taiwan — drove to Orange
County on Saturday. The next day, he attended a lunch held by Irvine Taiwanese
Presbyterian Church, which worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the
community of Laguna Woods. Though he knew no one there, he spent about an hour
mingling with about 40 attendees and then executed his plot, authorities said
at a news conference. Authorities said Chou chained the doors and put super
glue in the keyholes. He had two 9 mm handguns — legally purchased years ago in
Las Vegas — and three bags, containing among other things four
Molotov-cocktail-type incendiary devices and extra ammunition. He opened fire
and in the ensuing chaos Dr. John Cheng, 52, tackled him, allowing other
parishioners to subdue him and tie him up with extension cords.”

 

Vox: A Neo-Nazi Idea To Spark A Race War Inspired The Buffalo Killings
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“The weekend’s mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, was not merely a random
act of hate. It was the product of a violent strategy, formulated in obscure
neo-Nazi magazines and disseminated on the internet’s darkest corners, that
aims to bring about the destruction of American society. This idea is called
“accelerationism,” and violent white supremacists like the Buffalo shooter see
it as their best chance to stop the so-called “Great Replacement”: the notion
that the West’s white population is being “replaced” with nonwhites, a
deliberate demographic shift often blamed on Jewish cabals. Accelerationists
believe that race and ethnicity create inherent divisions within Western
societies, which individual acts of violence can inflame. The idea is to
“accelerate” the crackup of Western governments — and bring on a race war that
culminates in white victory. In a 180-page document, the Buffalo shooter — who,
per law enforcement, targeted Black people — directly credits his actions to
accelerationist thinking. In a section titled “destabilization and
accelerationism: tactics for victory,” he claims that “stability and comfort
are the enemies of revolutionary change. Therefore we must destabilize and
discomfort society wherever possible.”

 

The Charlotte Observer: What Is The ‘Great Replacement’ Theory And The Role It
Played In The Buffalo Shooting?
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“…The “Great Replacement” is most popular among extremist groups, according
to The Counter Extremism Project, a nonprofit and non-partisan organization
that studies extremist ideologies. The conspiracy theory suggests that
non-white people are being planted into the United States in order to diminish
or “replace” the white voting population to carry out a political agenda.
“Violent white nationalists believe they are ensuring the survival of their own
race through violence against other ethnicities,” CEP states on its website.
The gunman’s alleged manifesto displays a troubling resemblance to writings
published by the Christchurch shooter who killed 51 people at two mosques in
New Zealand in 2019. The title of the Christchurch shooter’s nearly 80-page
manifesto reportedly draws inspiration from the “Great Replacement” theory.
Months after the shooting, another attack took place in a Walmart located in El
Paso, Texas, where 21 people were killed. The shooter reportedly was also
inspired by the conspiracy theory and allegedly believed there was a “Hispanic
invasion of Texas.” Adolphus Belk Jr., professor of political science and
African American studies at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, told NPR that
white nationalist movements, including those inspired by replacement theory,
come about because white supremacists see people of people of color as a
threat. Belk explained that extremists’ dedication to the conspiracy theory
poses a great risk to marginalized ethnic groups.”

 

Turkey

 

Arab News: Turkey Foils Daesh Suicide Bomber In Province Bordering Syria
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“As part of its countrywide counterterrorism operations, Turkey has arrested a
suicide bomber allegedly linked to Daesh who was planning an attack in the
southeastern province of Urfa, bordering Syria. Bashar Al-Mizhen, codenamed Abi
Enes Al-Kathani, has confessed to the authorities. Mizhen, who joined Daesh in
2015 and received special arms training from the terror group, was allegedly
preparing the attack in coordination with the Damascus branch of Daesh. He is
the 10th terrorist caught this year on Turkish soil. The authorities seized
several digital materials and are currently examining various organizational
documents belonging to the terror group. Bashar Al-Mizhen, codenamed Abi Enes
Al-Kathani, has confessed to authorities. Daesh members have carried out a
number of attacks against Turkey, including at least 10 suicide bombings, seven
bombings, and four armed attacks, which killed 315 people and injured hundreds
of others. Last year, Turkey also arrested a Daesh terrorist identified as the
right-hand man of the late terrorist leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. In the first
quarter of this year, dozens of Daesh members, including the sons of its top
officials in Iraq, were caught in several Turkey cities, including Urfa, the
northern province of Samsun and the western province of Izmir. Last month,
Turkey’s intelligence agents also caught two Daesh terrorists who were planning
attacks against the country’s troops on home soil and in Syria.”

 

Pakistan

 

Reuters: Pakistan Says It Foiled Suspected Suicide Attack Against Chinese
Nationals
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“Pakistani police arrested a would-be suicide bomber who planned to blow
herself up near a convoy of Chinese nationals along the China Pakistan
Economic-Corridor (CPEC), a police statement said. Monday's arrest came two
weeks after a woman suicide bomber blew herself up on a university campus in
the southern port city of Karachi, killing three Chinese teachers and their
Pakistani driver. Police arrested the militant in southwestern Balochistan
province that borders Afghanistan and Iran, the statement said. She belongs to
the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has started using women
militants as suicide bombers, police said, a new phenomenon for
counter-terrorism police who are more used to dealing with such attacks by
Islamist militants. “The woman wanted to target a convoy of Chinese nationals,”
police said, adding the attack was planned along a route of China Pakistan
Economic-Corridor (CPEC). Police recovered explosives and detonators from the
woman and investigated her, revealing her plans to target Chinese nationals. No
other evidence was produced to support their accusation. The Karachi suicide
bomber was also a member of the BLA, the police statement said. China is a
close Pakistan ally and the CPEC is $65 billion-plus investment in
infrastructure in Pakistan, part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative to seek
road and sea trade routes to connect with the rest of the world.”

 

Nigeria

 

Today Nigeria: Nigerian Military Bombs Boko Haram Commander’s Convoy, Kill
Scores
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“Troops of the Nigerian Army under the auspices of Operation Hadin Kai have
bombed a convoy of Abubakar Sarki, a Commander of Boko Haram in Sambisa forest,
killing scores of terrorists who were with him. Sources said the offensive was
coordinated by the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Nigerian Army and
Commander Sector 1 North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj Gen Waidi Shaibu
on Saturday May 14 2022, at Yuwe location, within the Konduga Local Government
Area of Borno State. The Army was said to have deployed a massive artillery gun
after sighting 8 moving convoys conveying Abubakar Sarki and unconfirmed
numbers of fighters in devastating hits. The source said that based on
intelligence information, Abubakar Sarki and his team were heading toward
Abu-Ubaida’s camp to engage its rival fighters from the Islamic State of the
West African Province (ISWAP), in a battle of supremacy. Counter Intelligence
expert with knowledge of terrorists activitiest in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama
confirmed the artilery bombing of the BH Commander’s convoy. “A ground
assessment confirmed that 3 guntrucks with all its occupants were completely
destroyed, while the remaining 5 vehicles including Abubakar Saraki escaped”
the source said.”

 

Somalia

 

All Africa: Somalia: Somali Forces Detain Two Al-Shabaab Militants
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“Elite forces of Somali National Army (SNA) on Saturday arrested two
al-Shabab militants after conducting operations in several locations of the
Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, officials said. Commander of SNA's
16th Danab Unit Mohamed Abdukadir Ali told SNA-Radio Mogadishu that the
operations aimed at pursuing al-Shabab militants who force locals to pay levy
(zakat), which is a form of extortion. “Our forces arrested two al-Shabab
militants from their hideouts and recovered an AK47 rifle gun during the
operation in several areas in the Lower Shabelle region. We are committed to
eradicate al-Shabab terrorists throughout the country,” Ali said, adding that
the operation against the militants will be intensified across the country. The
latest arrest comes amid heightened security in and around Mogadishu, the
capital of Somalia, ahead of the presidential elections Sunday. The police on
Saturday imposed a curfew starting in the evening ahead of the elections which
will be contested by 39 presidential candidates. Police Spokesperson Abdifatah
Aden Hassan announced suspension of all public and traffic movements in
Mogadishu, from 9 p.m., local time, Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday and advised
the residents to remain indoors before the country holds a long-delayed
presidential election.”

 

All Africa: Somalia: Lawmakers Urge Dialogue To Curb Terrorism
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“Several newly elected lawmakers in Somalia have asked the government to open
channels of dialogue with the terrorist group al-Shabaab to explore peace in
the African country. “Most Somali people believe reconciliation is important.
If you can't defeat al-Shabaab at least you have to open a dialogue, if you do
not have to have any alternate solution,” Sadiq Abdullahi Abdi, former public
works minister and current member of parliament told Anadolu Agency. Somalia is
holding its long-delayed presidential vote on Sunday, with 39 candidates vying
for the post, including incumbent Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, two former
presidents, several top officials, and one woman - Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam, a
legislator who once served as Somalia's foreign minister. Abdi said a friendly
government including Turkiye needs to assist Somalia to improve security. “Not
only African Union, but we also need friendly countries like Turkiye. Most
Somalis believe Turkiye is the only country that genuinely 100% supports
Somalia's security,” he added. Omar Ibrahim Hashi, another member of parliament
supported opening a dialogue with the al-Shabaab. He said Somalia is not ready
to be in a permanent state of insecurity.”

 

Africa

 

All Africa: Mozambique: War Against Terrorism 'Almost At An End'
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“The General Commander of the Mozambican police force, Bernadino Rafael, said
on Friday that “the war against terrorism (in the northern province of Cabo
Delgado) is almost at its end, but warned that the final military operations
will be tougher. Rafael was speaking to a contingent of troops from Rwanda, in
the Chai administrative post, in Macomia district. “We aren't saying that we've
come to the end, but we're almost there”, said Rafael. He claimed that 70 per
cent of the military operations planned against the terrorist groups have been
carried out, leaving just 30 per cent to be undertaken. “The war is tougher,
more difficult, when it is nearing its end”, he said. To illustrate successes
in the fight against terrorism, Rafael said that 54 jihadists had been killed
in the last two months, in clashes that pitted the terrorists against the
forces of Mozambique, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community
(SADC). He claimed that, in these operations, four terrorists were captured,
and 195 people escaped from terrorist control. The results on the ground showed
that the government forces “are hitting the enemy hard”, declared Rafael. “We
shall continue to fight the terrorists, without respite, until their final
hideout”, he pledged. Rafael urged the jihadists to lay down their weapons and
go home.”

 

United Kingdom

 

Daily Mail: Government’s Counter-Terrorism Programme Targeted Mainstream
Rightwing Views As 'Far-Right' While Ignoring Islamist Extremism And Backing
Groups That Promoted The TALIBAN, Says Bombshell Leaked Report
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“Britain's counter-terrorism programme has focused too much on far-Right
fanatics and should now crack down on Islamist extremism, a report has found.
An official review of Prevent – the Government's flagship counter-extremism
policy – has found there has been a 'double standard when dealing with extreme
Right-wing and Islamism', according to leaked draft extracts. There were more
referrals to Prevent relating to far-Right extremism than to Islamist
radicalisation for the first time last year. The leaked extracts, seen by The
Guardian yesterday, are also critical of Prevent-funded community groups and
organisations, claiming some 'have promoted extremist narratives, including
statements that appear supportive of the Taliban'. It also warned 'a renewed
focus on Islamist extremism is needed, including when individuals do not yet
meet the terrorism threshold'. The review, being carried out by Sir William
Shawcross, a former chairman of the Charity Commission who is leading the
evaluation into Britain’s flagship deradicalisation programme, also said
Prevent was 'carrying the weight' for overstretched mental health services.”

 

Australia

 

The Guardian: Australia Quietly Shuts Down Anti-Terror Taskforce Set Up After
Christchurch Attack
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“A taskforce of Australian government agencies and social media companies set
up to counter violent extremism online following the Christchurch terror attack
has been quietly disbanded. The revelation that the taskforce was wound up last
year comes after the Buffalo shooting in the US, as the government faces fresh
criticism about its response to the 2019 terror attack by an Australian man.
The white 18-year-old male charged with the murders of 10 people at a
convenience store in Buffalo, New York on Saturday cited the Great Replacement
Theory and the manifesto of the Christchurch shooter in his own manifesto. In
response to the Christchurch attack, the government convened a taskforce made
up of government bodies, internet service providers and social media platforms
to help tackle online extremism from far right and white supremacy groups in
Australia. They made recommendations to government in June 2019, including to
work to proactively remove terrorism and violent material online, and routinely
report back to government on how different aspects of implementing the report
were being achieved. But since then, the taskforce has met just three times,
with the last meeting in May 2021, when the taskforce was disbanded and
responsibility shifted to the eSafety commissioner and Department of Home
Affairs.”

 

Europe

 

The Brussels Times: Belgium Looks To Bring Families Of IS Fighters Back From
Syria
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“Belgium is looking into whether it can bring back the wives of ISIS fighters
from Syria, Het Laatste Nieuws reported. In 2021, six women and ten children
were repatriated, but it is not clear how many people will meet the
requirements this time. Last year Belgium for the first time ever returned
women and children from a relief camp in Roj, near the Iraqi border. Women and
children that were imprisoned in the Al-Hol prison camp couldn’t be reached
because it was considered too unsafe in the prison camp. Yet Syrian Kurds who
run the ramps have relocated several Belgian mothers and their children from
Al-Hol to Roj. A Belgian research team visited them recently and questioned the
mothers while taking DNA samples from the women and children to determine
whether the children were actually born to Belgian parents. It is not clear how
many women and children will be eligible for repatriation in 2022 and when the
process would start. During the last round of repatriation, at least four
Belgian mothers and their children were staying in Al-Hol, although it is
likely there would have been more. Belgian authorities are looking into whether
more women and children meet the standards for repatriation. Six women were
allowed back on 16 July 2021 and were taken into custody upon arrival. Two of
them are currently in prison, while the other four have been formally charged.”

 

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