Eye on Extremism
August 12, 2022
Associated Press: Death Toll From Weekend Israel-Gaza Fighting Rises To 48
“The Palestinian death toll from last weekend’s fighting between Israel and Gaza militants rose to 48 Thursday after an 11-year-old girl and a man died from wounds they suffered during the worst cross-border violence in over a year. Meanwhile, two wounded Gaza children, ages 8 and 14, were fighting for their lives in a Jerusalem hospital. In all, more than 300 Palestinians were wounded over the weekend when Israel struck Islamic Jihad targets across Gaza and the militant group fired hundreds of rockets at Israel. The death of 11-year-old Layan al-Shaer at Mukassed Hospital in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem brought to 17 the number of children killed in the fighting. Hani al-Shaer, a relative, said she was wounded in a drone attack during a surprise opening salvo launched by Israel, hours before any rockets were fired. Israel said it launched the initial wave of airstrikes, which killed an Islamic Jihad commander, in response to an imminent threat from the militant group, days after Israeli troops arrested one of its leaders in the occupied West Bank. Two other Gaza children, 14-year-old Nayef al-Awdat and 8-year-old Mohammed Abu Ktaifa were being treated in the intensive care unit at Mukassed.”
Washington Examiner: US Military Says It Killed Four Al Shabaab Terrorists In Somalia In Three Drone Strikes
“U.S. Africa Command said it conducted three airstrikes in Somalia on Tuesday, killing four al Shabaab terrorists, while harming no one else. AFRICOM's release did not provide details as to who the targets were, only that it was in response to an attack on Somali troops near Beledweyne. “The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties,” the release said. “These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabab regularly conducts against the civilian population.” President Joe Biden, back in May, agreed to deploy roughly 500 troops to Somalia roughly 18 months after the previous administration withdrew them just days before the current administration commenced. A senior administration official told reporters at the time that al Shaabab has “unfortunately only grown stronger” and “has increased the tempo of its attacks, including against U.S. personnel,” while Gen. Stephen Townsend, the former commander of AFRICOM, testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee in mid-March and warned lawmakers that the terror group “has only grown stronger and bolder over the past year.”
Afghanistan
Reuters: Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Attack On School In Kabul
“The Islamic State claimed on Thursday responsibility for an attack on a seminary in Kabul that killed a prominent Taliban cleric, according to the group’s channel on telegram.”
Pakistan
Reuters: Militants Attack Indian Army Post In Kashmir; 3 Soldiers, 2 Attackers Die In Shootout
“Militants attacked an Indian army post in the disputed Kashmir region on Thursday, killing three soldiers, while two attackers died in the shootout that came amid heightened security ahead of India's independence day celebrations. The attack in the Rajouri area of India's only Muslim majority region took place in the early hours, and the area around the post was cordoned off afterwards as security forces conducted searches, an army official told Reuters. “Three soldiers were killed and two were injured in the attack. However, troops fired back and killed two militants,” the official said, asking not to be named as he was not authorised to speak with the media. Coming just days after the third anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy by the Indian government, the attack was sandwiched between two significant dates, with India set to celebrate the 75th anniversary on Monday of independence from British colonial rule. Many Kashmiris saw the loss of special autonomy as another step in the erosion of the rights of Muslims by India's Hindu-nationalist government. The government rejects that, saying it would promote the region’s development by drawing it closer to the rest of the country.”
Newsweek Pakistan: Terrorism ‘Global Threat’ With Potential To Destabilize Region: Gen. Bajwa
“Describing terrorism as a “global threat,” Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday warned it has the potential to destabilize the South Asian region and needs a “well-coordinated response” to counter its spread. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army chief conveyed his thoughts on the issue to Iraq Navy Commander Lt. Gen. Ahmed Jasim Maarij Abdullah Al Zayid during a meeting in Rawalpindi. It said the officials had discussed various matters of mutual interest, regional security issues, and measures to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration. During their meeting, Gen. Bajwa assured the visiting official that Pakistan valued its ties with Iraq and acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by the Iraqi nation in fighting terrorism. The ISPR cited Lt. Gen. Al Zayid as acknowledging the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces. It said he also offered condolence on the loss of lives during last week’s helicopter crash in Balochistan. Appreciating Pakistan’s role in regional stability, he pledged to enhance military cooperation between the militaries of Pakistan and Iraq.”
Middle East
The Washington Post: As Gaza’s Factions Vie For Influence, Civilians Bear The Cost Of War
“Safa Shamalakh sat in a shady doorway and stared at the tangle of concrete and metal that was once her home. An Israeli missile, targeting the apartment of a suspected Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative next door, had demolished both structures last weekend. She and her neighbors were warned to evacuate in the minutes before the blast. It’s not the first time her block has been collateral damage. The building one lot over was destroyed by Israel a year ago during an 11-day war against Hamas, Islamic Jihad’s biggest internal rival. She blames Israel for the bombings, but laments the “bad luck” of living where both militant groups are active. Shamalakh, a 31-year-old shopkeeper with a lifelong neurological condition that limits her ability to walk, has no affiliation with either group, designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. But as they compete for support in the Gaza Strip, and battle with Israel, it is civilians like her in this densely packed enclave of 2.2 million people that often pay the price. “Every year it is getting nearer,” she said. “This time, we lost everything.” This time it was Islamic Jihad that engaged in two days of hostilities with Israel, which left 47 Gazans dead. The escalation began after Israel arrested one of the group’s senior leaders in the West Bank. Israel then launched a “preemptive” strike Friday against what it said was an “imminent” reprisal attack being planned by the group.”
The Times Of Israel: Military Court Extends Detention Of Islamic Jihad Leader That Sparked Gaza Conflict
“A military court on Thursday extended the remand of a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad member, a week after his arrest sparked a round of fighting between Israel and the terror group in the Gaza Strip. Bassem Saadi was arrested on August 1 by Israeli troops in the West Bank city of Jenin. The PIJ at the time announced it was declaring a state of alert, and the Israel Defense Forces said it had “concrete” indications of an “imminent” attack on the Gaza border, putting the area on lockdown for several days. The IDF then on Friday launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza against a senior PIJ commander and several anti-tank guided missile squads, which prompted rocket fire from the Strip. After nearly three days of fighting a ceasefire agreement was signed, which reportedly included “Egypt’s commitment to work towards the release of” Saadi and another Palestinian detainee, Khalil Awawdeh, a terror group spokesperson said. Israel has no intention of releasing the prisoners early, officials said after the ceasefire. On Wednesday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he was “not familiar with a promise to release terrorists.”
The Indian Express: Explained: Palestinian Islamic Jihad, The Group That Signed A Fragile Truce With Israel
“…According to a report by the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad “is dedicated to eradicating Israel and establishing an autonomous Islamic Palestinian state in the lands currently comprising Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The PIJ believes that the land of Palestine is consecrated for Islam, that Israel usurped Palestine, something they consider an an affront to God and Islam. As a result, the report states, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad rejects a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In line with its ideologies, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad is also strongly critical of Palestinian authorities making concessions, and particulalry of Palestinian authorities conducting political engagement with Israel. Researchers believe that over the past decade, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has only grown and has become more influential in the region. Israel has previously accused the Palestinian Islamic Jihad of having extenisve quantities of low-cost weapons scattered across the West Bank and Gaza, and has also accused the group of having military bases and arsenals in Syria. Israel has also accused the group of having ties with Iran and has accused Tehran of providing military training and support to the group’s al-Quds Brigades.”
Nigeria
Voice Of America: Nigerian Authorities Say Airstrikes Kill 55 Members Of Kidnapping Gangs
“Nigeria's air force said airstrikes this week killed 55 members of criminal gangs who were involved in abduction-for-ransom operations. An air force spokesman said after the airstrikes, the militants released people they were holding hostage. Nigeria's government has come under heavy criticism for failing to stop mass abductions and Islamist militant attacks. The Nigerian Air Force said airstrikes in north central Kaduna state on Tuesday killed 28 members of a kidnapping-for-ransom gang, including a gang leader. It said many others were injured. Air Force Public Relations Director Gabriel Gabkwet told reporters that authorities had received intelligence that the bandits were gathering in the area. He said the success of the raid led to the release of captives they held. Gabkwet said other airstrikes in northwestern Katsina state this week killed 27 bandits. He did not take calls from VOA for further comment. The airstrikes come a week after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari presided over a national security meeting and said he had given security forces the full freedom to deal with terrorists. Darlington Abdullahi, president of the alumni association of Nigeria’s National Defense College, said Buhari's words were a morale booster for troops.”
The Christian Post: Terrorists Kill Elderly Christian, Kidnap Others In Northern Nigeria
“Suspected Muslim terrorists in northern Nigeria killed an 86-year-old Christian in his home on Aug. 2 and kidnapped two others who were later released, likely after ransom payments, sources said. The gunmen killed Daniel Yatai at his home in predominantly Christian Manchok village, Kaduna state, shortly after 11 p.m., according to his son Philip Daniel Yatai, who said the assailants kidnapped his niece, 21-year-old Brenda Friday. “The terrorists forcefully broke into their home as they were already sleeping, shot our dad and kidnapped my niece,” Yatai told Morning Star News. “They phoned us on Wednesday morning [Aug. 3] asking for a ransom of 15 million naira [US$35,845] before my niece can be released.” While not disclosing whether a ransom was paid, Yatai on Aug. 5 confirmed that his niece had been released. Also kidnapped from his home in Manchok on Aug. 2 and held for ransom was Amos Magbon, rector of the Federal School of Statistics in Manchok, who was also released by Aug. 5, Magbon’s brother, Innocent Magbon, told local media. Area residents said the assailants attacked the village in Kaura County, southern Kaduna, with gunfire before breaking into some homes.”
Mali
Al Jazeera: Mali Says Soldier Death Toll In Tessit Attack Has Risen To 42
“A “complex and coordinated” weekend attack in Mali’s restive central region killed 42 soldiers, the country’s military government has said, sharply raising the earlier death toll of 17 soldiers. The assault in the town of Tessit in the Gao region on Sunday was one of the deadliest in recent years for Mali’s security forces fighting armed groups in the region. Authorities on Monday had said at least four civilians were also killed in the attack, which stood out for its sophistication. In its latest update on Wednesday, the government said 22 soldiers were also wounded, while 37 fighters had been killed. “The Malian army units of Tessit … reacted vigorously to a complex and coordinated attack by armed terrorist groups, presumably from Islamic State in the Greater Sahara [ISGS], characterised by the use of drones, explosives, car bombs, and artillery,” it said in a statement read on by national broadcaster, ORTM. The statement said reports of “clandestine, overflight operations, indicates unequivocally that the terrorists have received major support, including outside expertise”. On Wednesday, authorities declared three days of national mourning.”
Africa
The North Africa Post: Morocco: Police Foil Major ISIS Terror Plot
“Moroccan authorities announced this Thursday the arrest of a dangerous Jihadist who was planning to carry out terrorist attacks in the North African Kingdom. The 36-year-old man was captured by police anti-terror units in the Northern city of Tetouan. He was very active on social media networks, promoting extremist ideology and encouraging criminal acts against some personalities, public infrastructures and private sites. The investigators are focusing on the terrorist’s plans and targets as well as on his links with other terrorist cells and organizations operating both in Morocco and overseas. The arrest of this jihadist is part of the continuous efforts made by the Moroccan security services in the fight against extremist cells threatening the country’s peace and stability.”
Europe
Politico: Belgium Received Over 200 Terrorist And Extremist Threats Last Year
“Belgium received 218 terrorist and extremist threats last year, according to the annual assessment of the country’s coordinating body for threat analysis (OCAM), published Thursday. According to the report, in 2021 the overall threat level remained on average at medium throughout the year. Just over 50 percent of threats were rated as low-level, and one-third as medium-level. One was deemed very serious and imminent. It related to an armed far-right extremist former military man, Jürgen Conings, who in May and June of last year, made threats against Belgian politicians and against virologist Marc Van Ranst. OCAM operates under the Ministries of Justice and the Interior, and works alongside Belgium’s National Crisis Center and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to the report, one-third of the threats were based on jihadist ideology, and one in 10 were right-wing extremist threats. Social networks and text messaging applications remain the preferred means of issuing threats. The majority of threat reports concerned a “lone actor” – someone having no structural link with terrorist or extremist groups.”
Australia
Associated Press: 2nd Australian State Bans Public Displays Of Nazi Swastikas
“A second Australian state on Thursday banned public displays of Nazi symbols. New South Wales, the nation’s most populous state, followed Victoria, the second most populous, which banned the public display of Nazi swastikas in June. The law was passed with the unanimous support of the state parliament’s upper chamber. The lower chamber passed the bill on Tuesday. Queensland and Tasmania states have foreshadowed similar laws, which would mean half of Australia’s eight states and territories and most of the Australian population were banned from displaying Nazi symbols. New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark described the passing of the law as a historic day for the state. “Nazi symbols are a gateway to violence and are used as a recruitment tool by extremists,” Bark said. “Banning their display is a long-overdue and much-needed law in our state. The perpetrators will finally be held to account,” he added.”
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