Eye on Extremism
August 10, 2022
Associated Press: Security Expert Warns UN Africa Could Be Future IS Caliphate
“The threat from the Islamic State extremist group is growing by the day in Africa and the continent could be “the future of the caliphate,” an African security expert warned the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday. Martin Ewi said the Islamic State “has expanded its influence beyond measure” in Africa, with at least 20 countries directly experiencing the extremist group’s activity and more than 20 others “being used for logistics and to mobilize funds and other resources.” “They are now regional hubs, which have become corridors of instability in Africa,” said Ewi, who coordinates a transnational organized crime project at the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa’s capital Pretoria and was previously in charge of the African Union Commission’s counter-terrorism program. He said the Lake Chad Basin -- which borders Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon -- is the extremist group’s biggest area of operation, areas in the Sahel are now “ungovernable” and Somalia remains the IS “hotspot” in the Horn of Africa. A recent attempt to take over or destabilize Uganda failed, but Ewi said an IS affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces, “remains a serious threat.” In addition, he said, the Islamic State Central Africa has made some regions of Congo and Mozambique “human slaughterhouses.”
Associated Press: Hamas Issues, Then Rescinds, Sweeping Rules On Gaza Coverage
“Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers issued sweeping new restrictions on journalists after the recent conflict there, but then rescinded them, a group representing foreign media in Israel and the Palestinian territories said Tuesday. Palestinians who work with foreign journalists were first informed of the new rules earlier this week in messages sent by the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. They were ordered not to report on Gazans killed by misfired Palestinian rockets or the military capabilities of Palestinian armed groups, and were told to blame Israel for the recent escalation. The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media, including The Associated Press, said the guidelines were rescinded after discussions with authorities in Gaza. The FPA said in a statement that “such a move would have constituted a severe, unacceptable and unjustifiable restriction on the freedom of the press, as well as the safety of our colleagues in Gaza,” Salama Marouf, director of the government media office in Gaza, confirmed the reversal. “There are no restrictions,” he said. “We welcome all foreign journalists and media into Gaza and we call on them to come.”
United States
The New York Times: U.S. Is Urgently Seeking A Country To Resettle A Qaeda Informant
“U.S. diplomats have asked 11 countries if they would be willing to take in a former courier for Al Qaeda who was tortured by the C.I.A. and became a government informant, Justice Department lawyers said in a court filing on Tuesday. The lawyers said that finding a nation to resettle the prisoner, Majid Khan, 42, with his wife and daughter was a priority for the Biden administration at a time when prosecutors are discussing possible plea agreements with other prisoners at Guantánamo Bay. Mr. Khan, a U.S.-educated Pakistani citizen, gained attention last year as the first former prisoner of the C.I.A.’s black site prison network to publicly describe his torture, between 2003 and 2006, by U.S. agents. A U.S. military jury condemned his treatment as “a stain on the moral fiber of America.” Justice Department lawyers described the Biden administration’s efforts to find a place for him in a filing that urged Judge Reggie B. Walton of the U.S. District Court in Washington to essentially take no action for now on Mr. Khan’s petition of habeas corpus. “The government is actively — and urgently — working to facilitate petitioner’s transfer,” the lawyers wrote in a 37-page filing that did not make clear how many of the 11 countries were still considering the request.”
New York Daily News: Gov. Hochul Encourages Local N.Y. Gov’ts To Aid In Combating Extremism And Domestic Terrorism
“Gov. Hochul highlighted steps New York is taking to combat domestic terrorism Tuesday as she encouraged local governments to prepare plans to counter extremism. The governor cited the race-fueled Buffalo mass shooting that left 10 dead in May as she outlined plans to bolster local efforts to prevent similar tragedies, including $10 million in state funds for the development of Threat Assessment and Management Teams. “New Yorkers have been victimized. These are our residents, these are our fellow neighbors and that is why there’s a sense of urgency with how we approach this,” Hochul said during virtual remarks made before a summit hosted by the state Division of Homeland Security. An executive order issued in the wake of the Buffalo massacre requires every county in the state as well as New York City to develop and maintain a plan to address the threat of domestic terrorism, including racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists. According to the governor’s office, local threat-assessment management teams will be made up of law enforcement, mental health professionals, school officials, and “other key stakeholders tasked with identifying, assessing and mitigating the threat of targeted violence.”
Iran
Iran International: FBI Accuses Iran Of Attempted Terrorist Attacks, Kidnappings, Cyberattacks
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation says the Iranian regime and “its terrorist partners” aren’t just a threat to the Middle East, but also a critical risk for the United States. In a number of tweets on Monday, the FBI said Iran and its proxy groups “don't just endanger the Middle East -- they also put Americans, US national security, and our country's critical infrastructure at risk.” Sharing a link to a page on its website about how it is fighting back against the Iranian threat, the bureau added that the risk by the Islamic Republic is not theoretical. “Through intel and law enforcement partnerships, the FBI has countered an array of threats from Iran's government -- such as attempted terrorist attacks and kidnappings, espionage and foreign influence ops, and cyberattacks.” Reiterating its commitment to identifying and disrupting all Iranian intelligence and military operations that threaten the Americans, the FBI said, “We'll use every tool and authority at our disposal to investigate crimes that Iran’s government and terrorist partners direct.’”
Yemen
The Jerusalem Post: How Is An Explosion In Yemen Connected To Palestinian Islamic Jihad?
“Early Monday morning, not long after a ceasefire was reached between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza, an explosion shook the city of Sanaa in Yemen. While the conflict in Gaza and the explosion in Yemen likely have no direct connection, the facility where the explosion was reported can be linked back to an Iranian unit that works closely with both Yemen's Houthis and the Islamic Jihad, according to independent Israeli intelligence analyst Ronen Solomon, who runs the Intelli Times blog. The explosion reportedly hit the al-Hafa military camp, where the Houthi rebel group has missile storage and manufacturing facilities. According to the Saudi news network Al-Arabiya and Al-Ain news, the explosion was caused after a missile that was being moved exploded. The explosion reportedly caused a second explosion in a weapons production facility at the camp as well and six Iranian and Lebanese missile experts and dozens of Houthi militia members were killed in the explosion, according to Al-Arabiya. The details of the explosion were not confirmed by Houthi officials.”
Middle East
Associated Press: Palestinians: Israeli Troops Kill 3 Militants In West Bank
“Israeli troops killed three Palestinian militants and wounded dozens in a shootout that erupted during an arrest raid in the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. The shootout came a day after a cease-fire ended three days of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group in the Gaza Strip. In a separate incident in the West Bank city of Hebron, the Palestinian Health Ministry said a 17-year-old was killed by Israeli fire. The Israeli military said forces were responding with live fire, among other means, to a violent protest. Israeli police said security forces encircled the home of Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, who they say was wanted for a string of shootings in the West Bank earlier this year. They confirmed that al-Nabulsi and another Palestinian militant were killed in a shootout at the scene, and that troops found arms and explosives in his home. The Israeli military said that troops came under attack from Palestinians throwing rocks and explosives, and that soldiers responded with live fire. It confirmed Palestinians were shot, but did not elaborate on their condition. The Palestinian Health Ministry said three people were killed — al-Nabulsi, Islam Sabouh and Hussein Jamal Taha — and at least 40 were wounded.”
Nigeria
Associated Press: Nigeria Arrests Men Suspected Of Deadly Church Attack
“The suspected gunmen who killed dozens of worshippers during a church service in southwestern Nigeria in June have been arrested, Nigeria's top military officer said on Tuesday, two months after the attack which shocked many in the West African nation. “We have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo,” General Leo Irabor, Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, said in a meeting with local media, according to the Abuja-based Daily Trust newspapers. Neither Irabor nor the police who confirmed the arrest to The Associated Press provided further details into the development. The Nigerian general however said investigations are still ongoing and “in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country.” The gunmen stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state just as the worshippers gathered on Pentecost Sunday and killed at least 40 of them, authorities said. The incident shocked many in Ondo which is one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states and had been largely spared the violent attacks across the West African nation, particularly in the troubled north where Islamic extremist rebels of Boko Haram and other armed groups operate.”
Somalia
Voice Of America: Al-Shabab Faces Pushback In Ethiopia’s Somali Region
“Ethiopia’s Somali region is mobilizing against al-Shabab militants to prevent further incursions by the group. The region had been hailed as the most peaceful in Ethiopia since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. But that was put to the test three weeks ago when al-Shabab fighters forced their way into the region, igniting a deadly confrontation deep in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has now amassed troops along the border for possible military operations against al-Shabab. But the Somali region is also mobilizing community leaders including religious scholars, women and traditional elders. Business leaders have pledged funds and pastoralists have donated livestock to the security forces. The apparent goal is to resist infiltration of al-Shabab’s ideology in a region known for its tolerance and peaceful cohabitation between various faith communities. Sheikh Mohamed Hassan Burawi is one of the clerics who spoke out against al-Shabab during a recent government-organized gathering in the region’s capital, Jigjiga. “They want to manipulate people by saying they want to spread religion and jihad,” Burawi told VOA Somali in a phone interview. “We have to give people awareness that what these men are preaching is not jihad, but it’s independent of the religion.”
Africa
Al Jazeera: At Least 15 Soldiers Killed In Northern Burkina Faso Blasts: Army
“At least 15 soldiers were killed in northern Burkina Faso when a transport vehicle drove over a hidden explosive, killing several troops before a second explosion killed those who rushed to their aid, the army has said in a statement. The incident occurred on a rural road in the Bam province of the country’s Central-North region, where soldiers and civilians are routinely targeted by armed groups. Those linked to al-Qaeda and the ISIL (ISIS) armed group have been active in the region since at least 2015. The attack was carried out during an escort mission, the army said in a statement on Tuesday. “One of the vehicles in the convoy, which was carrying troops, hit an explosive device near Namsiguia district in Bam province,” it added. “While rescue and security operations were being organised, a second device was obviously activated remotely, causing numerous casualties,” it said. No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but investigations are currently under way to determine the perpetrators, the army said. The attack came less than a week after armed fighters killed four soldiers and nine civilian army volunteers in another Bam province ambush. Burkina Faso’s military government took power in a January coup that removed former President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, amid widespread anger about the government’s failure to improve the security situation in the country.”
United Kingdom
The Telegraph: Islamic Terrorists ‘Refuse To Be Deradicalised In Prison’
“Britain’s most dangerous convicted Islamic terrorists are boycotting prison work, education, training and deradicalisation programmes that could rehabilitate them, a watchdog has revealed. An investigation by Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, found almost all the Islamic terrorists currently being held in special high-security “separation” units were “refusing to take part” in any purposeful activity or work to change their beliefs or behaviour. The nine currently being held at two high-security jails, HMP Frankland in County Durham and HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire, are regarded as the highest risk prisoners and are held in separation units because of fears they could radicalise other prisoners. They are believed to include Hashem Abedi, who helped organise the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, and at least one Islamic State fighter. Mr Taylor’s report comes just months after a terrorism watchdog warned that prison staff were so concerned about being accused of racism that Muslim terrorists had been able to seize control of wings and set up sharia courts behind bars. The investigation by Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorist legislation, said that Islamic extremists had sought to dictate diets and washing habits of non-Muslim prisoners, and had gone unchallenged when they insisted warders should be barred from attending Friday prayers.”
Daily Mail: Convicted Terrorist Who Was Jailed For Four Years For Helping Teenage Jihadist Join Islamic State Is Sent Back To Prison After Failing To Tell Police About Two Cars And Hiding Finance Accounts
“A convicted Islamic terrorist who helped a teenage jihadist join Islamic State in Syria has been sent back to jail for keeping secret financial accounts from authorities. Muslim convert Kristen Brekke was 19 when he was convicted of preparation of terrorist acts and jailed for four-and-a-half years following an Old Bailey trial in 2016. Brekke was one of three men jailed for helping a teenage jihadi follow in his big brother's footsteps and Islamic State fighters in Syria in 2014. The Welshman helped Aseel Muthana, 18, travel to the Middle East like his 21-year-old brother, Nasser, who he left his Cardiff home in February 2014 for Syria. Brekke knew Muthana from working alongside him at 'Ice Cream Passion' in Cardiff and together filmed themselves holding an imitation gun on a hillside known locally as 'Asda Hill' because it overlooks the supermarket. Brekke bought items for potential use in combat, such as camouflage clothing, on eBay, although Aseel did not take most of them with him. At the end of the 2016 trial, Brekke, of Grangetown, Cardiff, was convicted of preparation of terrorist acts and jailed for four-and-a-half years. Brekke reappeared at the Old Bailey today after to admitting four breaches of an anti-terrorism order and was sentenced to nine months in prison.”
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