Eye on Extremism
July 11, 2022
The Washington Post: Domestic Terror Cases Increasingly Cross Borders, FBI Director Says
“Many domestic terrorism cases now have an international component, as would-be killers are “egging each other on” and drawing inspiration from racist or neo-Nazi attacks overseas, the head of the FBI and his British counterpart said Friday. FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, speaking to reporters alongside Ken McCallum, director general of the British domestic security agency MI5, said their agencies have spent decades developing tip-sharing systems to handle international terrorism cases, but that “muscle memory” is now being applied to domestic terrorism investigations. “Travel and technology,” Wray said, “have really blurred the lines between foreign and domestic threats.” The FBI director said the frequently cited expression of “connecting the dots” to stop a terrorist attack has taken on a new kind of urgency for many investigators because attackers can mobilize so quickly and often are not part of a large, well-established network. In many terrorism cases, Wray said, “you’re talking about largely lone actors, maybe one or two other people who don’t have to do a lot of plotting, who don’t need to have a lot of money … don’t need to do a lot of training, and whose targets are pretty much everywhere.” As a result, Wray continued, “there are very few dots out there, as compared to, say, the 9/11 model of an al-Qaeda sleeper cell. … With fewer dots and much less time in which to connect those dots, it may well be that Ken’s folks have one dot and we have the other dot, and if we’re not super latched up, we’re going to miss the only picture that’s out there and it’s got to happen fast.”
Premium Times Nigeria: Abuja Prison Attack: Nigerian Govt Releases Details Of Escaped Boko Haram Terrorists
“The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has released the details and pictures of the 68 Boko Haram suspects who escaped from the Kuje Correctional facility. According to a report by BBC Pidgin, the officials have also promised to release the details of other prisoners who escaped from the facility. PREMIUM TIMES reported how suspected Boko Haram terrorists stormed the Kuje Custodial Centre (prison) Tuesday night. The terrorists, using high explosives and guns, breached the facility, leading to the escape of over 800 of the 994 inmates on Tuesday night. PREMIUM TIMES also reported that an NSCDC officer and four inmates were also killed during the attack. The spokesperson of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Umar Abubakar, on Wednesday, said over 400 of the escaped inmates had been recaptured while 443 were still at large. Another 16 inmates who sustained various degrees of injuries were receiving treatment. About 24 hours after the incident, a terrorist group, Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP), claimed responsibility for the attack. In a video shared by the terrorist group on Wednesday, many of the inmates were seen fleeing the prison while the terrorists chanted ‘Allahu Akbar.’”
United States
CBS News: Watchdog Finds Department Of Homeland Security Falls Short In Addressing Domestic Terrorism Threat
“The top watchdog at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) found that the DHS “could do more to address the threats of domestic terrorism.” The revelations, in a new 29-page report, follow an uptick in mass shootings that have been shaking the country and prompting questions about the federal law enforcement response. Last month, a state grand jury indicted the alleged Buffalo mass shooter Payton Gendron on charges of domestic terrorism motivated by hate in addition to 10 counts of first-degree murder. In the department's response, DHS Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans Robert Silvers also committed to developing national-level statistics on domestic terrorism by June of next year. DHS spokesperson said the department “will work to implement” the inspector general's suggestions and added that since last year, DHS has issued bulletins and other products to provide information to Americans about the terrorist threat environment and threats, including six National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletins, which communicated information about threats and about “resources for how to stay safe during the heightened threat environment.”
Iran
Asharq Al-Awsat: IRGC Says It Neutralized Terrorist Cell, 4 Of Its Members Killed
“The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had neutralized a “terrorist cell” in Salmas near the Turkish border. The IRGC issued a statement announcing that its ground forces tasked with protecting the border triangle with Turkey and the Kurdistan region of Iraq “neutralized a terrorist cell after intelligence monitoring.” The statement explained that the cell intended to enter the country and carry out sabotage acts, but the officers of Hamza Sayyid al-Shuhada base in the border area, ambushed it ahead of the attack. “The cell was destroyed,” the statement asserted, noting that the IRGC officers confiscated equipment and ammunition. The statement asserted “no losses” for the Revolutionary Guards without referring to the timing of the clashes. On Friday, the Hengaw website for human rights violations in Iran reported that at least four Revolutionary Guards members were killed in armed confrontations with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Kurdish website pointed out that the clash occurred Thursday evening in the mountains of Salmas. The report said at least four IRGC members were killed in the clashes and taken to hospital in Salmas. Armed factions loyal to the Iranian-Kurdish opposition are active in the area between Iran, Turkey, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.”
Iraq
The National: Iraq’s Elite Forces Recall 'Scary' Months-Long Battle To Drive ISIS Out Of Mosul
“Dressed in their distinctive black uniforms, fours soldiers of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Services last week revisited the scenes of their bloody battles against ISIS in Mosul, the northern city the elite force played a key role in liberating five years ago. The extremist militants put up a fierce resistance to hold on to Mosul, the first Iraqi city they seized after sweeping out of Syria in June 2014 and the last to remain under their control after a grinding campaign by government forces backed by a US-led international coalition. “They were in big numbers here and used car bombs,” said Captain Hassan Ali Hassan, standing in the Aden neighbourhood of eastern Mosul where his unit began their battle in October 2016. Accompanied by three of his CTS comrades, all now part of the force's Nineveh Regiment stationed at the Mosul Dam, the 30-year-old officer was guiding The National through the sites where they battled the militants in the city's eastern and western halves, divided by the Tigris that flows through its centre. Captain Hassan recalled how they crossed Al Khosr River, a tributary of the Tigris, and managed to take over two houses in the neighbourhood. “The biggest challenge was that the fighting and confrontations were among the houses.”
Afghanistan
Oil Price: Attacks By The Islamic State Are On The Rise In Afghanistan
“Ever since they took control of Kabul last summer, the Taliban have sought to assure neighboring countries that Afghanistan is open for business and that they can protect investments. Islamic State is making that sales pitch harder. Take Tashkent’s ambition to build a railway across Afghanistan that would connect Uzbekistan to ports in Pakistan and link Central Asia to new markets: In recent months, top officials from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have discussed moving forward with a survey. The World Bank has reportedly expressed interest. The Taliban has promised security. And Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) – the terror group’s local branch, which has claimed a volley of atrocities targeting civilians across Afghanistan in the last year – has vowed to kill anyone working on it. ISKP sees the railway as a devious scheme by non-Muslims to drag Afghanistan into the modern world. It “is the road by which the apostates plan to bring their democracy,” declared an April message on the Voice of Khorasan (Khorasan Ovozi), an Uzbek-language Telegram channel. “The caliphate's mujahideen will never, under any circumstances, allow the enemies of Islam to realize this insidious plan.” ISKP’s Al-Azaim Media Foundation and Voice of Khorasan released two Uzbek audio statements celebrating an attack that month on the Uzbek border and disparaging the rail project.”
Nigeria
Sahara Reporters: Terrorist Attacks On Churches In Nigeria, An Attempt To Send Fear Into Christians, Restrict Their Religious Freedom – Governor Ortom Tells Audience In Uk
“Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has again condemned the incessant terrorist attacks going on across Nigeria. Ortom described Nigeria as being under siege due to the activities of terrorists who have been killing, maiming, kidnapping, and raping Nigerians, and recently attacking churches and Christian clerics. The governor stated this in London while addressing Nigerian nationals in the diaspora and friends of Nigeria at the Freedom of Religion and Belief International Ministerial Fringe Events on Nigeria, organised by Para-Mallam Peace Foundation and the International Peace-Building and Social Justice. This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Rev. Peter Ichull on Friday. He advised that Nigeria should uphold certain freedoms for all people as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the constitutions of most nations, including Nigeria and other rights documents to end the menace. He said: “The bombing of Churches and killing of worshippers was a calculated attempt to send fear into the living to restrict their religious freedom.” Ortom said his government enacted the ‘Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017’ and other security measures to curb inter-ethnic conflicts in Benue.”
Somalia
Voice Of America: Somalia Experts: Ending Al-Shabab’s Funding A Major Challenge
“Somalia's new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to shut down revenue streams for al-Shabab terrorists. The Islamist militants are believed to make millions of dollars per year from taxes they impose in areas of Somalia under their control. But security analysts say cutting off the terrorist funding won’t be easy. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud this week said his government will crack down on funding steams for the al-Shabab militant group. Speaking Tuesday to Somali troops training in Turkey, Mohamud accused the Somali group of using extorted taxes to help finance terrorism across Africa and the world. His remarks were carried on Somali National Television. Mohamud says they have evidence that the money collected by al-Shabab is used in financing terror groups in Mozambique and Nigeria, with some going to al-Qaida terrorists. The Somali president did not elaborate on the evidence, which the militant group dismissed in a Thursday press release as “baseless accusations.” Mohamud’s comments were the first by Somalia’s government acknowledging that al-Shabab earns money through extortion. The U.N. Panel of Experts report on Somalia earlier this year said al-Shabab has about 100 checkpoints throughout the country where they impose taxes on trucks transporting goods.”
Africa
The Washington Post: Infants, Patients Among 13 Killed In Congo Hospital Attack
“Rebels attacked a hospital in Congo and killed at least 13 people, including infants and patients, according to hospital and military officials. The Congolese army said three attackers were killed when the military intervened. Some hospital staff are missing and several houses were burned in the attack Thursday night on the medical center in Lume, North Kivu province. It’s the largest health facility in the region. Among those killed in the attack were three infants and four patients, hospital chief Kule Bwenge told reporters. “Four blocks of the medical center were set on fire. Several sick guards, as well as a nurse, are missing,” he said. The reason for targeting the hospital was unclear. In the nearby village of Kidolo, four other people were killed with machetes and shot, apparently as part of the same attack. North Kivu military spokesman Anthony Mualushayi said the attackers were Mai-Mai militia members from the Dido group. In addition to the attackers who were killed, one was captured in the ensuing clashes, he said. But local civic groups accused rebels of the Uganda-based Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, of carrying out the attack. ADF rebels have been active in eastern Congo for decades and have killed thousands in the region since they resurfaced in 2013.”
Reuters: Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Attack In Congo
“Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on Thursday that targetted the town of Lume in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the group's news agency said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Saturday. On Friday, two witnesses said assailants had killed at least a dozen patients at a clinic overnight, blaming the raid on Islamist fighters allied to Islamic State.”
United Kingdom
Reuters: Ex-Counter-Terrorism Chief Named New Head Of London's Beleaguered Police Force
“Mark Rowley, Britain's former counter-terrorism police chief who led investigations into a series of attacks in 2017, was on Friday named the new head of London's beleaguered police force, which is reeling from a series of shocking failings and revelations. Just last month, the Metropolitan Police was placed in a special monitoring and improvement program by a watchdog after criticism over its handling of a string of high profile cases, coming on top of disclosures of a culture of bullying, racial discrimination and misogyny within its ranks. The force was particularly shaken last year by the abduction, rape and murder of a woman, Sarah Everard, by one of its officers, and then the policing of a vigil in her honour was later found to be unlawful by a London court. “Our mission is to lead the renewal of policing by consent which has been so heavily dented in recent years as trust and confidence have fallen,” said Rowley, the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, who had resigned from the force in 2018 after 30 years of policing. In February, former chief Cressida Dick stepped down after London Mayor Sadiq Khan told her he was not satisfied she could root out the problems that existed within the force. That came after a catalogue of shocking cases. In December, two officers were jailed for sharing pictures from a crime scene after the murder two sisters.”
The Times: ‘Don’t Let ISIS Beatle Who Exploited Our Daughter Walk Free’
“The family of a student acquitted of smuggling almost £16,000 in her underwear to a suspected member of the Isis “Beatles” hostage-taking gang have accused him of ruining her life as police prepare for his return to the UK within days. Aine Davis was due to be released yesterday from a maximum security prison in Turkey after serving a 7½-year sentence for being a member of Isis. He will be deported as early as this week. Labelled the “Fourth Beatle”, he will automatically be arrested and questioned by counterterrorism officers on his arrival. However, legal sources believe the chances of him being charged with new offences are slim. It means Davis, 38, a Muslim convert and a former drug dealer, is likely to be freed…”
The Guardian: Growing ‘Culture Of Extremism’ Among UK And European Police Forces, Report Warns
“Police forces in the UK and across Europe are suffering from a growing “culture of extremism”, according to a report that warns of an increase in officers sharing racist and far-right content online. The report, by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), says UK policing has a growing extremist problem, and highlights issues across Europe. In France, 81% of gendarmes declared they would vote for far-right politician Marine Le Pen. In France, Belgium, Germany and Hungary former high-ranking police officers have become extreme-right mayoral and parliamentary candidates. In the UK, a series of recent cases involving the Metropolitan police have further damaged the reputation of a force long accused of being “institutionally racist”. They include officers sharing images on WhatsApp of two murdered black sisters. Another group of officers, at a central London station, were found to have joked about rape, killing black children and beating their wives. The Met was last month placed on special measures after scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer, the strip-searching of innocent black children, and stop-and-search controversies including that of the British Olympic sprinter Bianca Williams.”
France
The National: After Her Time With ISIS, French Prisoner Seeks Rehabilitation
“In the relative comfort of a prison outside Paris ― after nearly five years in a spartan Kurdish detention camp in north-eastern Syria ― a policeman’s daughter once described as a dangerous terrorist now talks of regaining “the life of a mother and a woman”. Emilie Konig, now 37 and the mother of five children, three of them born in Syria, was among the 16 French women repatriated to France this week along with their 35 children. She must now answer for her actions during a Syrian experience that began in 2012 when she turned her back on western society and her middle-class origins to join ISIS. Prosecutors have charged her with involvement in terrorist conspiracy. She is accused of acting as a key propagandist and recruiter who, adopting the name Ummu Tawwab, called for attacks on French targets, including soldiers’ wives. Konig insists she has changed. Her lawyer says she is ready to co-operate fully with the authorities and recognises the hurt she has caused. But Konig has not always been so contrite. She told one interviewer she did not see why she should be jailed, declaring: “I have no blood on my hands.” Agnes de Feo, a sociologist and documentary maker who met Konig several times before her departure for Syria, told The National her interviews revealed a “tortured state of mind.”
Europe
The Guardian: ‘We Lost Our Fear’: The Basque Terror Group’s Killing That Made Spain Say Enough Is Enough
“The place where it happened is out past the hotel, the roundabout, the pharmacy and the blocks of flats hung with washing and geraniums, out where the small Basque town of Lasarte-Oria gives way to a narrow road fringed with trees and ferns. Today, little carries on the humid coastal air save for birdsong, the barking of a distant dog and the growl of a cultivator. But, 25 years ago this week, two shots from a .22 calibre Beretta pistol rang out beneath the trees and echoed across the length and breadth of Spain. At 4.40pm on 12 July 1997, Miguel Ángel Blanco, a 29-year-old councillor for the conservative People’s party (PP) in the Basque town of Ermua, was murdered on the outskirts of Lasarte-Oria. His killers were three members of Eta, the terror group that waged a violent campaign over four decades for an independent Basque state. Despite two bullets to the back of his head, Blanco was still alive when he was found a few minutes after the shooting by a pair of locals, his hands bound behind his back. He died in hospital at 5am the next day. Blanco had been kidnapped while on his way to work two days earlier, chosen as the human bargaining chip in Eta’s latest public ultimatum: if the PP government of prime minister José María Aznar did not move all Eta prisoners to jails in the Basque country, the young councillor would be dead within 48 hours.”
The Irish Times: Lisa Smith Faces Up To Eight Years In Prison For Isis Membership
“Lisa Smith, the former Irish soldier convicted of joining the Islamic State (Isis) terror group, faces up to eight years in prison when she is sentenced this week. The 40-year-old mother of one was found guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court last month of membership of an unlawful organisation after the court heard she travelled to northern Syria out of allegiance to the terrorist organisation. She was acquitted of one count of financing terrorism in relation to a €800 payment she made to an injured Isis fighter. The Dundalk woman is to appear before the court on Monday morning for sentencing. Under the Offences against the State Acts she faces a maximum of eight years in prison and an unlimited fine. The maximum penalty was increased from seven years in 2005 under anti-terrorism legislation. The court is expected to hear mitigation from Smith’s counsel Michael O’Higgins SC. Legal sources say the circumstances of Smith’s background and the fact that there is no evidence she personally took part in terrorist activity will mean she will likely receive substantially less than the maximum terms. The fact she has a young daughter will also lessen the potential term of imprisonment, sources predicated.”
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