Eye on Extremism
July 13, 2022
The New York Times: U.S. Military Says Senior ISIS Leader In Syria Killed In Drone Strike
“The U.S. military carried out a drone strike in Syria on Tuesday that officials said killed a top Islamic State commander, the third major American counterterrorism operation in the country’s northwest in the past month. The attack killed Maher al-Agal, the leader of the terrorist group’s Syria branch and one of its top five leaders worldwide, and seriously injured another militant, according to statements from the White House and the military’s Central Command. Mr. al-Agal was responsible for “aggressively pursuing the development of ISIS networks outside of Iraq and Syria,” the military said. “His death in Syria takes a key terrorist off the field and significantly degrades the ability of ISIS to plan, resource and conduct their operations in the region,” President Biden said in a statement. “It sends a powerful message to all terrorists who threaten our homeland and our interests around the world,” he added. “The United States will be relentless in its efforts to bring you to justice.” The drone strike was the latest in a series of American military operations against ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria, which have been relatively rare since the fall of the Islamic State’s so-called caliphate in 2019. On June 16, Army Delta Force commandos seized Hani Ahmed al-Kurdi, a top Islamic State bomb maker and operations facilitator also known as Salim, in a ground raid in Aleppo, Syria.”
Reuters: Nine EU States Reject Israeli 'Terrorist' Designation For Palestinian NGOs
“Nine European Union states said on Tuesday they would continue working with the six Palestinian civil society groups that Israel designated terrorist associations last year, citing a lack of evidence for that claim. Israel designated the Palestinian groups as terrorist organisations and accused them of funneling donor aid to militants, a move that drew criticism from the United Nations and human rights watchdogs. The groups include Palestinian human rights organisations Addameer and Al-Haq, which document alleged rights violations by both Israel and the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and which reject the charges. In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden said they had not received “substantial information” from Israel that would justify reviewing their policy. “Should evidence be made available to the contrary, we would act accordingly,” they said. “In the absence of such evidence, we will continue our cooperation and strong support for the civil society in the oPT (occupied Palestinian territories).” The Israeli foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.”
Syria
Kurdistan 24: SDF Arrests 12 ISIS Suspects In A Large Operation In Hasakah Province
“The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday announced the arrest of 17 ISIS suspects in the northeastern Hasakah province. The SDF said it arrested 12 ISIS suspects in Hasakah, al-Hol, Tal Hamis, Tal Brak, and Derik in coordination with the International Security Forces (Asayish). They confiscated a large quantity of ammunition and weapons during the operation. “The terrorist organization of ISIS is trying to take advantage of the threats launched by the Turkish occupying State against north and eastern Syria,” the SDF media centre said. The SDF earlier warned that the Turkish threats will negatively affect their operations against ISIS. Since May, Turkey has repeatedly said it is ready to launch a military operation in northern Syria. Nevertheless, the SDF has continued operations against ISIS suspects with support from the US-led coalition. “Coalition Forces & our SDF partners remain united in their pursuit of ridding NE Syria (Northeast Syria) of ISIS remnants so that local communities can rebuild & flourish,” the official Twitter account of the US-led coalition tweeted on Tuesday.”
Turkey
Daily Sabah: Top PKK Terrorist Killed In Anti-Terror Op: Surrendered Terrorist
“A PKK terrorist who surrendered to Turkish security forces during Operation Eren Blockade-2 confessed that a "senior" terrorist has been killed, which has led many other terrorists to panic. In his testimony, the unidentified terrorist, who surrendered in the Hakkari province, told security forces that top PKK terrorist Rıdvan Alkan, codenamed “Bager Erdal,” who is in the Red Category of the Interior Ministry’s Wanted List, was killed in a counterterrorism operation. He noted that Alkan’s death has been kept a secret from other terrorists to prevent panic and further dissolution. Alkan was among the eight terrorists killed in the counterterrorism operation that took place in the Yüksekova district on Aug. 19, 2021, the surrendered terrorist said.”
India
The Hindu: Police Officer Killed, 2 Injured In Srinagar Militant Attack
“A police officer was killed and two others were injured in a militant attack in Srinagar city on Tuesday evening. “Terrorists fired upon a police naka party at Lal Bazar area of Srinagar city. Three police personnel were injured and they have been shifted to hospital,” police said. One of the injured policemen, identified as assistant sub-inspector Mushtaq Ahmad, succumbed to his injuries. “The other two injured personnel are being treated,” they said. There is a heightened security in Kashmir due to the ongoing Amarnath yatra. Habbal Crossing, which is just 2.5 km from the attack site, is one of the key routes for pilgrims to reach the Baltal camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal area. Police have set up multiple checkpoints in and around Lal Bazaar area and the movement of two-wheelers was being monitored closely amid Eid celebrations in the city.”
Nigeria
Al Jazeera: Latest Nigerian Jailbreak Could Usher New Era Of Insecurity – Experts
“Moments after an attack on the advance convoy of the president in Katsina state in northwest Nigeria, another set of gunmen stormed Kuje medium-security prison, 50km (31 miles) outside of Nigeria’s capital city last Tuesday. Almost four hours later when they left, they had released more than 900 inmates, including 64 Boko Haram members in detention. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), an offshoot of Boko Haram now allied with ISIL (ISIS) group, is the latest instalment in the escalating attacks on prisons across the country. Nigeria’s prisons are usually overcrowded well beyond official capacity. Available statistics on the Nigerian Correctional Services portal, the agency responsible for the management of the prison system, as of July 4, 2022, show that two-thirds of the entire prison population – in 240 prisons across the country – have yet to be convicted for any crime. So apart from being a target for armed groups, the country’s prisons have always been susceptible to outbreaks of riots due to the poor treatment of inmates and congested, delapitated facilities. Still, analysts say the attack is different from the others the country has witnessed in the past 24 months and that it could be a new chapter in Nigeria’s long-running war with Boko Haram and other elements fuelling insecurity nationwide.”
Somalia
All Africa: Somalia: At Least 12 Al-Shabaab Members Killed In Army Raid - Official
“Somali army carried out a planned operation against Al-Shabaab bases on the outskirts of Mahas district in the Hiran region, officials said. The leading Commander of the SNA's 27th Division Mohamed major Hassan Bakaay confirmed the troops regained control of Al-Shabaab strongholds. Speaking to the local media, the officer said the operation led to the murder of at least 12 Al-Shabaab fighters and destroyed a major base. Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab has not yet commented on the military claims. In recent days, Somali government forces have been conducting stepped-up military operations in several areas of the central region to ensure security.”
Africa
Associated Press: Genocide Survivors Welcome Rwandan’s Conviction In France
“Genocide survivors in Rwanda welcomed the conviction of Laurent Bucyibaruta, the highest-ranking Rwandan to have faced trial in France over the 1994 genocide. Many in this East African country support President Paul Kagame’s efforts to get France and other countries to arrest and try all genocide suspects still at large in Europe. Bucyibaruta, 78, was sentenced to 20 years in Tuesday’s decision following his trial on genocide charges. The Paris court convicted him of complicity to commit genocide and crimes against humanity, but acquitted him of charges of war crimes and genocide, saying there was no proof that he was the main perpetrator.”
United Kingdom
Reuters: Right Wing Terror Threat Rising, Groups Recruiting From Military - UK Committee
“Britain's parliamentary intelligence committee said on Wednesday that the threat from extreme right-wing terrorism was on the rise, with individuals often seeking to join the military and groups looking to recruit from within the military. "Individuals often seek to join the military, groups seek to recruit within the military, and military experience is a source of legitimacy among ERWT (Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism) groups," parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee said in a statement.”
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