Eye on Extremism
August 25, 2022
Voice Of America: Somalia's President Vows 'Total War' Against Al-Shabab
“In a televised speech Tuesday night, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that his government will launch a “total war” against al-Qaida-affiliated militant group al-Shabab, after the group staged a deadly hotel siege in Mogadishu on Friday, killing at least 21 people and wounding more than 100. Mohamud said that it is time to come together to defeat the enemy and said the military’s recent operations in parts of the country gained significant ground, including in central Galmudug state and Southwest state. His remarks were made after he met with the country’s security council to discuss the latest attack on Hotel Hayat in the capital. He said that he knows that the Somali people are tired of the endless mourning and that people lose their loved ones in every attack carried out by the terrorists. He urged people to be prepared for an all-out war against the ruthless terrorists who are hostile to the country’s peace. He added that al-Shabab's only principle is killing, intimidation, humiliation and carrying out atrocities against the civilians. He said when he assumed the office of the presidency, he promised that he would launch a fight against al-Shabab to end the scourge of terrorism. There have been tangible victories, especially in Galmudug, Southwest and Hirshabele, he said.”
Associated Press: US Airstrikes Target Iran-Backed Militia In Eastern Syria
“The U.S. military said early Wednesday it carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria that targeted areas used by militias backed by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activist collective Deir Ezzor 24 said the airstrikes targeted the Ayash Camp run by the Fatimiyoun group made up of Shiite fighters from Afghanistan. The war monitor reported that at least six Syrian and foreign militants were killed in the airstrikes, while Deir Ezzor 24 reported 10 deaths. A few hours later, Syrian state media reported that two U.S. bases in that part of Syria had been shelled by artillery. Deir Ezzor 24 said unnamed Iran-backed militias were behind the attack. No casualties were immediately reported. Neither the U.S. nor Iran immediately confirmed the attack. Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, told reporters the U.S. airstrikes demonstrated that “the United States will not hesitate to defend itself against Iranian and Iran-backed aggression when it occurs.” He said the U.S. decision to launch the strikes was based on both the nature of the militia attacks and the fact that, based on recovered drone parts, “we believe we have Iran dead to rights on attribution” for an Aug. 15 attack at the al-Tanf Garrison, where U.S. troops are based in the south.”
Iraq
Kurdistan 24: Two Suspected ISIS Militants Killed In Series Of Iraqi Airstrikes
“A number of airstrikes by the Iraqi forces in different areas killed at least two alleged ISIS militants in Kirkuk province, the military announced. The killed militants were targeted by a “series of airstrikes” in Mount Ma Ma in Kirkuk early on Tuesday, Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji of the Security Media Cell announced. Two more airstrikes hit a hideout in a remote area of Anbar province, killing those inside it, according to the military official. He did not disclose further details on the number of casualties. In Anbar’s Al-Rutba district on early Wednesday, the Iraqi fighter jets conducted six airstrikes on five hideouts, the official added. Later on, the special forces were airdropped to the targeted sites, the official added. Following the end of the US-led coalition’s combatant role in late December last year, the Iraqi forces have accelerated airstrikes against alleged positions of ISIS across the country, particularly in the remote areas, where they are believed to have numerous hideouts. Iraqi forces regularly conduct operations to target the remnants of the group. Although the group has been territorially announced defeated since 2017, it is still capable of launching a low-level insurgency. At least three police and a civilian were killed in numerous suspected ISIS attacks in Kirkuk on Monday night.”
Afghanistan
National Review: Taliban Taps Former Gitmo Detainee To Crush Afghan Resistance
“Afghanistan’s Taliban government tapped a former Guantanamo Bay detainee to lead the group’s campaign to counter a resistance movement in the country’s Panjshir Province, a spokesman announced yesterday according to MENAFN. That commander, Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir, will be in charge of snuffing out resistance efforts in Panjshir and part of Baghlan province. After the Taliban’s return to power in the country last year, resistance forces led by Ahmed Massoud’s National Resistance Front (NRF) continued their fight. In the immediate aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a few U.S. lawmakers called on the Biden administration to assist Massoud’s forces, but those calls have mostly gone unanswered. Massoud has since fled Afghanistan and is reportedly leading the fight from Tajikistan. Zakir’s case is particularly interesting, as he was a detainee at Guantanamo Bay from 2001 until 2007 when the U.S. transferred him to the custody of the Afghan government. He was released the following year. Although the Panjshir resistance claimed to have captured some Taliban fighters, they reportedly control little territory and are waging an insurgency against the government.”
Pakistan
Reuters: Pakistan Court Extends Former Premier Khan's Pre-Arrest Bail On Terrorism Charges
“A Pakistani court on Thursday extended former Prime Minister Imran Khan's pre-arrest bail for one week in a terrorism case over a speech, his lawyer said, shortly after the former premier appeared in court in person amidst tight security. Khan's lawyer and political aide Babar Awan told Reuters bail had been granted until Sept. 1, after which they will apply for another extension. The former premier maintained after the hearing he had said nothing wrong in the speech last week. Police filed charges on Saturday against former cricket star and national team captain Khan over what they said was a threat when he spoke about police torture of an aide who faces sedition charges for inciting mutiny in the military. Political tensions in Pakistan remain high as Khan rallies support for elections that are not due until October next year. The former premier, who has attracted large crowds in gatherings across the country since being ousted in April, said his opponents were spooked by his popularity.”
Lebanon
The Times Of Israel: In Beirut, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad Heads Discuss ‘Next Stage’ Of Anti-Israel Action
“Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah met with Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziyad Nakhaleh in Lebanon on Wednesday and discussed regional developments, including in Gaza and the West Bank, according to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese news outlet Al Mayadeen. The meeting was held in a southern suburb of Beirut, the report said, with the two sides reviewing recent events in the Palestinian territories and the results of this month’s round of fighting between Israeli forces and PIJ terrorists in Gaza, dubbed by Israel Operation Breaking Dawn. Nasrallah and Nakhaleh assessed the battle on the field, as well as its “political and media levels,” the report said. The report also suggested potential future cooperation between the two terror organizations, saying the pair discussed “the expected roles of the various parties in the axis of resistance in the next stage.” The report did not elaborate on what that “next stage” could entail. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah over offshore fields thought to hold natural gas deposits and repeated threats by Nasrallah that have raised concerns in Israel over a potential flare-up on its northern border. Israel and Lebanon have been engaged for over a year in US-brokered talks aimed at resolving the dispute over some 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of the Mediterranean Sea that both countries claim for themselves.”
Reuters: Lebanon Investigates Recorded Death Threats Against Saudi Embassy
“Lebanon's interior minister on Wednesday asked security forces to investigate death threats against the Saudi embassy in Lebanon after Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon shared a recording containing such threats on his Twitter account. Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said his order was based on his "concern for Lebanon's interest and security and good relations with brotherly nations, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", a ministry statement said. Saudi Ambassador Walid al-Bukhari earlier shared a tweet from a pro-Saudi account containing a recording by a man, who the interior ministry believes to be a Saudi national living in Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The interior ministry statement said he was "wanted by Saudi authorities for terrorist crimes".”
Middle East
Associated Press: Gaza Militants Hold Parade After Latest Battle With Israel
“Dozens of Islamic Jihad militants displayed life-sized replicas of their rockets during a parade in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, in a show of defiance after three days of heavy fighting with Israel earlier this month. The flare-up left 49 Palestinians dead, including the militant group's top two commanders and 10 other fighters, before an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire took effect. The militants fired some 1,100 rockets, but no one on the Israeli side was killed or seriously wounded. It was the deadliest exchange of fire since last year's war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza for the last 15 years — and which did not take part in the latest fighting. The militants drove pick-up trucks with different sizes of rocket replicas and posters of their slain commanders. People lined the streets, throwing flowers. Israel and Western countries consider both Hamas and Islamic Jihad to be terrorist groups because they have carried out scores of deadly attacks over the years targeting Israeli civilians. Many Palestinians view the militants as freedom fighters resisting Israel's 55-year military occupation of lands the Palestinians want for their future state.”
The Jerusalem Post: Terrorist Weapon Cache Explodes In Gaza, 1 Dead, Several Injured - IDF
“A terrorist weapon cache in a home in Khan Younis, Gaza, exploded on Tuesday, killing one and injuring several, according to IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht and Palestinian media.
“Another tragedy in the Gaza Strip today,” tweeted Hecht. “Weapons stored unsafely in the house of a member of a Palestinian terrorist group exploded and killed a young child in the vicinity.” However, Palestinian media outlet Shehab News reported the death caused by an “accidental explosion” near a house as being that of Nidal al-Attal, a young man. A young girl was reportedly injured in the incident. Terrorist organizations in Gaza such as Hamas have previously been recorded storing munitions in civilian objects and within residential areas. In late July, the IDF revealed a target list that included a weapons warehouse next to Shifal Hospital, and an ammunition depot in a mosque. A munition production facility was identified in a residential building and another next to a public library. “An explosion, an accident or even a fire in the warehouse could result in injuries to civilians, from worshipers in the mosque to people who come to receive humanitarian aid,” the IDF warned of one of the ammunition storage sites. “These are the sad consequences of militarizing civilian areas for terrorist activity.”
Nigeria
Punch Nigeria: Foreign Suspects Linked To B’Haram Nabbed In Benue
“Members of the Community Volunteer Guards in Benue State have arrested five suspected foreign fighters known as Ambazonian Fighters in the state. The Special Adviser on Security, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (retd), in a statement, said the foreign fighters linked to Boko Haram were arrested on Monday afternoon at Jato Aka roundabout, near a drinking joint. The suspects were identified as Stanley Vincent, 25; David Ojong, Ronado Njeke, 42; Emmanuel Ngum, and Samuel Obem, 26. Hemba said one of the suspects, Stanley, when questioned, disguised to be personnel with the Nigerian Army serving at Ojo, Lagos State. The special adviser stated that Stanley said he was assigned by his boss to escort them to Cameroon, adding that they became suspicious when his identity card was not found on him. The statement read in part, “On August 22, 2022, around 3pm at Jato Aka roundabout, near Dzoho Aondofa Drinking Joint, Kwande LGA, BSCVG arrested Five Ambazonian Fighters suspected to have had linked with not only Boko Haram but also Ambazonians fighting the Republic of Cameroon for years. “Further checks revealed that chemical weapons which carry a labels ‘DANGER’, military uniform, charms, and ammunitions were found on the Amazonians who further disclosed to have stayed at Agogo Hotel, Jato Aka, for a period of six months uninterruptedly, a hotel owned by one Dooorun Agogo.”
Somalia
All Africa: Somalia: The Army Chief Calls On Troops To Continue Offensive On Al-Shabaab
“The Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and the Chief of the Somali National Army, General Odowaa Yusuf call for the Liberation of the Hiran region. They thanked the armed Forces for fighting Al-Shabaab and the capture of key areas in the central region from Al-Shabaab. The SNA boss urged the Govt forces to make sure that Al-Shabaab will not return to the areas they were liberated from in the Hiran region. He said that it is also necessary to remove the militants from other areas that are still under their control so that the aid agencies will assist the people hit by the drought. The Minister of Defense and the Commander of the Armed Forces are on their trip to the Hiraan Region amid a war against the Al-Shabaab. The President and Prime Minister have declared an all-out offensive against Al-Shabaab after deadly hotel attack in Mogadishu early this week which killed 21 people.”
Germany
Associated Press: Top German Court Rejects Appeals In Far-Right Killing
“Germany’s top court on Thursday dismissed appeals in the killing of a regional politician who had advocated helping refugees, confirming the life sentence handed to a far-right extremist convicted of carrying out the execution-style slaying that shocked the country. Walter Luebcke, a member of then-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party who led the regional administration in the Kassel area of central Germany, was shot dead on his front porch in 2019. A Frankfurt regional court last year convicted neo-Nazi Stephan Ernst and ruled that he would not automatically be eligible for release after 15 years due to the severity of his crime. The Federal Court of Justice rejected an appeal by Ernst’s lawyers challenging that decision. Judges also dismissed an appeal by Luebcke’s family against the Frankfurt court’s decision to acquit an acquaintance of Ernst’s of accessory to murder in the case. Markus H., whose surname wasn’t released for privacy reasons, was instead convicted of weapons violations and sentenced to 18 months probation.”
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