January 3, 2020
The
Washington Post: Pentagon Launched Airstrike That Killed Iranian
Commander Qasem Soleimani, Defense Sec. Mark Esper
Says
“An airstrike near the Baghdad airport has killed Iranian Quds
Force commander Qasem Soleimani and another senior Iranian-linked
figure in Baghdad, Iraqi state television reported Thursday. No one
immediately asserted responsibility for the strike, which Iraqi
television said also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia
commander. But the death of Iran’s most revered military leader
appeared likely to send tensions soaring between the United States and
Iran. Soleimani, who is closely linked to Iran’s foreign proxy groups,
has taken on an enhanced role in Iraq as the country’s Shiite militias
have gained new clout in recent years. Pentagon officials declined to
comment on the airstrike. The attack comes amid already increased
friction between Washington and Iran over what U.S. officials say is a
campaign of sustained aggression against the United States and its
allies. Earlier Thursday, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said Iran
and its proxies may be preparing renewed strikes on U.S. personnel in
Iraq, even as the Trump administration increases the number of troops
in the region. “There are some indications out there that they may be
planning additional attacks,” Esper said at the Pentagon, a day after
members of an Iranian-linked militia, Kataib Hezbollah, withdrew from
the area around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad following their assault on
the diplomatic facility."
Reuters:
U.S. Sees Signs Iran Or Proxies May Be Planning More Attacks: Pentagon
Chief
“U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday there were
indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional
attacks, warning that the “game has changed” and it was possible the
United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American
lives. “There are some indications out there that they may be planning
additional attacks, that is nothing new ... we’ve seen this for two or
three months now,” Esper told reporters, without providing evidence or
details about the U.S. assessment. “If that happens then we will act
and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we
will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces to
protect American lives.” Iranian-backed demonstrators hurled rocks at
the U.S. embassy in Baghdad during two days of protests, then withdrew
on Wednesday after Washington dispatched extra troops. U.S. President
Donald Trump, who faces a re-election campaign in 2020, accused Iran
of orchestrating the violence. He threatened on Tuesday to retaliate
against Iran but said later he did not want war. Iran has rejected the
accusation. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi
criticized American officials, in a statement, saying they have “the
astounding audacity” to blame Iran for protests sparked by U.S. air
strikes.”
The
New York Times: After Embassy Attack, U.S. Is Prepared To
Pre-Emptively Strike Militias In Iraq
“The United States military will pre-emptively strike
Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria if there are indications the
paramilitary groups are planning more attacks against American bases
and personnel in the region, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said
Thursday. The strong warning comes less than a week after Kataib
Hezbollah, an Iranian-supported militia, killed an American contractor
in a rocket attack near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, and is the latest
round of escalating language leveled at Tehran by officials in
Washington. “If we get word of attacks, we will take pre-emptive
action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives,”
Mr. Esper said. “The game has changed.” The American military
responded to the rocket attack last week by bombing Kataib Hezbollah
outposts in Syria and Iraq, killing some of its fighters. The
airstrikes set off a chain of events that culminated Tuesday with many
members of the same militia attacking the American Embassy in Baghdad.
The group that attacked the embassy was distinct from those Iraqis who
have been protesting the Iraqi government for months, demonstrations
in which hundreds have been killed by the country’s security
forces.”
Syria
The
Washington Post: UN Council To Hear Latest On Offensive In Syria’s
Idlib
“The U.N. Security Council is going to receive a closed briefing on
the ongoing offensive in the last rebel stronghold in Syria at the
request of France and the United Kingdom. Vietnam’s U.N. Ambassador
Dang Dinh Quy, the council president for January, told a news
conference Thursday that U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo and
U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock will report to the council Friday
on the current situation in Idlib province. Syrian troops have
captured more than 40 villages and hamlets over the past two weeks in
Idlib, the rebel stronghold in the northwest. Idlib is dominated by
al-Qaida-linked militants and is also home to 3 million civilians. The
United Nations has warned of the growing risk of a humanitarian
catastrophe in the region, which lies along the Turkish border. The
Security Council meeting is taking place following the council’s
rejection on Dec. 20 of rival resolutions that would continue the
delivery of humanitarian aid across borders to more than 1 million
Syrians every month in mainly rebel-held areas. The current mandate
ends on Jan. 10 and ambassador Dang said he thinks all council members
will try their best to resolve differences and allow aid deliveries to
continue.”
Iraq
Fox
News: US Updates Iraq Travel Warning Following 'Iranian-Backed
Terrorist Attacks' On Baghdad Embassy
“The U.S. State Department has updated its travel warning for Iraq
in the wake of this week's siege of the American embassy in Baghdad,
notifying travelers that its operations there have been affected
because of “damage done by Iranian-backed terrorist attacks.” The
update comes as The Associated Press released stunning photographs
showing the extent of the destruction at the embassy, which was
targeted Tuesday by angry mobs who were protesting recent U.S.
airstrikes. “On December 31, 2019, the Embassy suspended public
consular services, until further notice, as a result of damage done by
Iranian-backed terrorist attacks on the Embassy compound,” the State
Department says in its latest travel warning. The U.S. continues to
advise Americans not to travel to Iraq due to “terrorism, kidnapping
and armed conflict.” “Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are
active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and
civilians,” the State Department says.”
Kurdistan
24: Iraq Forces Capture ISIS Members In Charge Of Recruitments In
Mosul
“Iraqi security forces announced on Thursday the arrest of two
Islamic State members who were in charge of recruitments for the
terror group in Mosul. The suspects were members of the “Diwan
al-Jund,” or the Soldiers’ Bureau, an entity that oversees the
recruitment and placement of fighters in the so-called Islamic State’s
ranks, an Interior Ministry statement read. The two were captured in
an operation in the village of Al-Ibtisheh, in the Al-Hadr District,
located southwest of Mosul. On Wednesday, Iraqi security forces
detained two other members of the Islamic State in Mosul. One of the
members was working in the terror group’s “Al-Hisbah (Accountability)”
office during its control of Mosul while the other was in charge of
booby-trapping vehicles in the city. Last week, Iraqi security forces
announced the arrest of an alleged Islamic State financier during an
operation in the western Anbar governorate. A few days later, on Dec.
25, Iraq’s military announced it had dismantled an Islamic State
sleeper cell in Anbar, arresting 14 suspects. Although Iraq declared
victory over the Islamic State in December 2017, the extremist group
continues to launch regular attacks, including bombings, kidnappings,
and ambushes against both Iraqi security forces, Kurdish forces, and
civilians in areas liberated from its control as well as in major
cities it never took over, such as Baghdad and Kirkuk.”
Turkey
Xinhua:
Turkey Deports 3 Suspected Swiss IS Militants
“Turkey has deported 3 suspected Islamic State (IS) members of
Swiss nationality to their home country, the Turkish Interior Ministry
said Thursday. The ministry made the announcement in a brief
statement, without providing details or identifying the suspects.
Turkey earlier said it would send thousands of captured IS militants,
including those from Europe, back to their countries even if their
citizenship was revoked. Ankara started to send suspected foreign IS
captives back to their countries of origin in November, 2019. More
than 70 IS suspects have been deported so far.”
Afghanistan
The
Diplomat: Taliban Target Afghan Security Forces, Killing
26
“Days after Taliban officials told the Associated Press that a
temporary ceasefire was in the works, the Taliban unleashed a new wave
of attacks in northern Afghanistan, targeting members of the country’s
security forces and killing at least 26, local officials said
Wednesday. The insurgents quickly claimed responsibility for all of
the attacks. The Taliban today hold sway over practically half of
Afghanistan, staging near-daily attacks that target soldiers, security
forces, and government officials but also kill scores of civilians. In
northern Kunduz province, at least 10 among the Afghan forces were
killed and four others were wounded in an attack on a police
checkpoint in the district of Dashti Archi late on Tuesday night,
according to Mohammad Yusouf Ayubi, the head of provincial council.
And in Balkh province, the Taliban killed nine police officers in an
attack on their checkpoint. The fate of four other policemen who were
at the checkpoint was unknown, said Mohammad Afzel Hadid, head of the
provincial council. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that
the insurgents in the Balkh attack had infiltrated police ranks a
while ago, and were waiting for a chance to strike. Although the
Taliban often exaggerate their claims, the insurgents also on occasion
disguise themselves in Afghan uniforms to get easier access to their
targets.”
Voice
Of America: US Chief Negotiator To Meet Taliban In
Qatar
“U.S. lead negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad is expected to meet
Qatar-based Taliban envoys later this week to find out whether the
insurgent group is ready to reduce violence in Afghanistan for the
sake of resuming peace talks. An official at the American Embassy in
Kabul, who requested not to be identified, made the disclosure
Thursday, nearly three weeks after Khalilzad paused the dialogue as
retaliation to a major Taliban attack on the largest U.S. military
base north of the Afghan capital. The U.S. embassy official, while
referring to recent Taliban statements, noted the Taliban leadership
has debated the issue in internal deliberations, and Khalilzad wants
to learn the outcome at the upcoming meeting. In his last interaction
with insurgent negotiators in Doha on December 12, the Afghan-born
U.S. envoy had asked them “to consult their leadership” about
observing a temporary cease-fire, or a reduction in violence, before
the two sides could return to the negotiating table. Taliban spokesman
Zabihullah Mujahid earlier this week confirmed its leaders have
conducted internal consultations, saying they focused solely on a U.S.
request for easing “the scale and intensity of violence” against
foreign troops.”
CNBC:
G4S And MTN Sued Over Alleged ‘Protection Payments’ To Terrorists In
Afghanistan
“U.K. security giant G4S and South African telecoms provider MTN
are among six multinational corporations named in a U.S. lawsuit over
alleged “protection payments” to terrorists in Afghanistan. A
complaint under the Anti-Terrorism Act was filed in a federal court in
Washington D.C. on December 27 on behalf of 385 claimants, comprising
U.S. military and civilian personnel injured or killed in terrorist
attacks in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2017, and their loved ones.
The plaintiffs span more than 100 service members killed and wounded
during the period. The complaint, filed by law firms Kellogg, Hansen,
Todd, Figel & Frederick PLLC, Sparacino PLLC and Willkie, Farr
& Gallagher LLP alleges that G4S Holdings International and its
subsidiaries, MTN and four American corporations provided funding for
the Taliban, Haqqani Network, Pakistani Taliban and their allies. All
of these entities were part of an Al-Qaeda led terrorist syndicate,
according to the filing. The complaint alleges that the corporations
either directly made, or turned a blind eye to, ‘protection payments’
to the terrorist organizations in order to preserve their business in
Afghanistan and divert attacks away from their own business
interests."
Xinhua:
10 Taliban Militants Surrender In N. Afghan Provinces
“Ten Taliban militants have surrendered in two Afghan northern
provinces, authorities said Thursday. “Five Taliban militants, who
were members of Taliban Sarra Keta or the militants' special force
squad, surrendered to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces
(ANDSF) in Qaysar district of northern Faryab province late on
Wednesday,” Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen based in
the region, told Xinhua. In northern Badakhshan province, five Taliban
gave up militancy and surrendered to ANDSF in Jurm district of the
restive province Wednesday night, according to Rezai. The former
militants also called on fellow Taliban members to join the peace and
reconciliation process, the military official noted. They also handed
over 10 AK-47 guns, one telecommunication radio and a motorcycle to
military officials. The Afghan government set up a High Peace Council
and launched the peace and reconciliation process in 2010, to
encourage Taliban to disarm and give up militancy against the
government. Since then, more than 10,000 Taliban militants have laid
down arms and joined the process, according to peace officials, but
the claim has been rejected by the armed outfit as “baseless.”
Lebanon
Reuters:
Lebanon's Hezbollah To Continue Path Of Iranian Commander After U.S.
Strike: TV
“Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday
his powerful Shi’ite militia group would continue the path of Iran’s
Major-General Qassem Soleimani after his death in a U.S. air strike,
broadcaster Al Manar reported. Nasrallah said the United States would
not be able to achieve its goals with this “big crime” and just
punishment was the responsibility of all fighters, Al Manar
reported.”
Middle East
Asharq
Al-Awsat: Israel Seeks Truce With Hamas, Prepares For Escalation With
Iran
“The Israeli cabinet continues to debate concluding a truce
agreement with Hamas movement, as ruling coalition parties seem to be
in consensus to support the army's position in favor of a speedy
settlement with the movement, despite an objection from Israel’s
Security Services, the Shin Bet. Political sources said that the army
chief of staff, Aviv Kochavi, convinced officials that reaching a
truce with Hamas is a necessity, in order for the army to devote
itself to facing the imminent danger from the north, hinting at
Lebanese “Hezbollah” and Iranian forces and militias. Security and
political leaders believe the situation in Gaza Strip must remain
stable through extensive economic measures, according to Maariv
military expert Tal Lev Ram. Israeli Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi
seemed very excited about introducing a new formula; “truce with Hamas
and escalation with Hezbollah.” In addition, the Defense Minister
Naftali Bennett asked his staff to initiate persistent and continuous
attacks against Iranian targets in Syria. The Defense Minister
believes that it is time to change the strategy of attacking Iranian
and Syrian targets only after finding out that military equipment was
delivered to Syria.”
The
Jerusalem Post: Shin Bet Head: Don't Allow Hamas To Turn Into
Hezbollah
“As Israel moves toward a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza,
the head of Israel’s Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Nadav Argaman,
has warned the Security Cabinet against allowing Hamas to turn into
the second Hezbollah by not limiting the terror group’s military
buildup as part of the arrangement. According to a report by Yediot
Aharonot, during the security cabinet meeting on Wednesday that was
attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister
Naftali Bennett and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Argaman
read an article that discussed Israel’s failure to stop Hezbollah’s
intensive military buildup following the Second Lebanon War and warned
of a similar possibility in Gaza. Most of the clauses in the ceasefire
moderated by the Egyptians are reported to have already been agreed
upon by defense and government officials and it is expected to be
signed before Israel once again goes to the polls in March. As part of
the agreement, Israel will reportedly increase the number of entry
permits for Gazan laborers and merchants, as well as widen the fishing
zone off of the blockaded coastal enclave, currently set at 14
nautical miles. Infrastructure projects, like the construction of a
natural gas pipeline, and increased medical assistance and equipment
for hospitals, as well as other goods are also reported to be part of
Israel’s concessions.”
Nigeria
Sahara
Reporters: Nigerian Army Rescues 165 Civilians From Militants Across
Borno
“The Nigerian Army has said that had rescued 165 civilians, most of
them women and children from camps of terrorists affiliated to Boko
Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Army spokesperson,
Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said in a statement that the military had
recovered ammunition and captured several terrorists. Iliyasu added
that the operations were carried out in conjunction with the
multinational joint task force. The strike team deployed to Super Camp
7 at Bama area of the state killed one terrorist, captured one alive
and rescued eight women and six children at Tafana 1, 2 and 3 villages
in Bama on December 27, 2019. According to him, troops also recovered
Boko Haram flags, 16 arrows and 32 refilled rounds of 7.62mm special
ammunition during the encounter. In another operation, 25 Task Force
Brigade deployed at Super Camp 2 in Damboa arrested a Boko Haram
informant/logistics supplier, Ibrahim Buba, and two others suspected
to be his couriers at Shuwari Village in Damboa District. Troops of
242 Battalion in Monguno arrested suspected terrorists’ logistics
suppliers, Abubakar Aisami and Modu Baba, with foodstuff and drugs
concealed in a bag of smashed corn powder for delivery to the
terrorists during a different raid.”
Somalia
The
Washington Post: Somali Mourners March Against Extremist Blast That
Killed 79
“Hundreds of mourners and government officials in Mogadishu
gathered at the capital’s Police School on Thursday to mourn the 79
people killed by a tragic truck bomb last week. Somali government
officials and residents marched through Mogadishu’s streets to show
solidarity with those who lost their loved ones in the bombing that
was the country’s biggest and most deadly in two years. Several
mourners said that they reject terrorism. Women and men carried flags
and placards denouncing the killings. “Evil-doers are not our sons”
and “Collaborate with the security forces” read some of the posters in
the Somali language. Somalia’s al-Shabab Islamic extremist rebels
claimed responsibility for the weekend bomb at a busy checkpoint in
which many of those killed were university students. Mogadishu mayor
Omar Filish, the mayor of Mogadishu who organized the event, told the
crowd that the perpetrators of the attack failed to destroy the spirit
of the Somali people and instead increased their anger at the
extremist group. “We will not cry but we will take revenge for the
blood of the innocents killed in that truck bomb,” said Filish. “We
need to apprehend the al-Shabaab terrorists in their hiding places and
assist each other to fight them,” said Dahir Jesow, a member of
Somalia’s parliament.”
BBC
News: Somalia Attack: Demonstrations Held In
Mogadishu
“Hundreds of people have attended a local government-organised
protest against militant group al-Shabab in Somalia's capital,
Mogadishu. The demonstration comes after the militants killed more
than 80 people in a bomb attack on Saturday. On Monday, the group
apologised for the attack and offered condolences to victims'
families. The UN and African Union-backed government is battling
al-Shabab for control of the country. Saturday's blast took place at a
checkpoint at a busy intersection in the capital and was one of the
deadliest the militants have carried out. The protest was organised by
Mogadishu's local administration and was held at the secure General
Kahiye police academy. The demonstrators carried placards with slogans
demanding unity and warning that “those who kill our brothers, will
also want to kill us”. “I have come here to share the pain and loss
with my Somali people as we mourn the deaths of so many people,”
protester Nasteha Mohamud Weliye told the BBC. “I pray to God that we
see end of this continuous tragedy. I am calling for all of us to
unite against the enemy.” A similar protest against al-Shabab was held
in October 2017 following a vehicle bomb attack that killed more than
500 people in the city.”
Africa
Reuters:
Ethiopia Relaxes Curbs On Political Gatherings With New Anti-Terror
Law
“Ethiopia’s parliament on Thursday passed an anti-terrorism law
that relaxed restrictions on political gatherings, broadening reforms
introduced under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The legislation repealed
the 2009 anti-terrorism law that said staging gatherings that could
cause “serious interference or disruption of any public services” was
an act of terrorism. The new legislation states: “If the disruption of
public services was caused by a legally recognized protest, meetings
or job strikes, the act will not be taken as a terrorist act.” Since
coming to power in 2018, Abiy has implemented a series of reforms that
have reshaped public life in Ethiopia. He made peace with Eritrea,
freed political prisoners, and is opening up the economy to foreign
investment by loosening state control. The country is due to hold a
general election this year, which will test the popularity of Abiy’s
reforms. Under the new law, Ethiopians who suffer abuses at the hands
of law enforcement can receive compensation of up to 50,000 Ethiopian
Birr ($1,500). For anyone convicted of terrorism, though, the new law
maintains sentences of death or jail terms of 15 years to life.”
Stars
And Stripes: Kenyan Officials Say Al-Shabab Attack On Bus Convoy Kills
Four
“Kenyan officials say four people were killed on Thursday when a
convoy of passenger buses was fired on by Islamic militants in the
country's eastern coastal area. Somalia's al-Shabab rebels have
claimed responsibility for the attack. The gunmen fired at a convoy of
three buses and two vans that was being escorted by police to Lamu,
said Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia. The four were killed
when the vehicles were sprayed with gunfire by attackers in the
Nyongoro area of Lamu county along Kenya's Indian Ocean coast, he
said. The first bus was hit with bullets on its side and tires but the
driver managed to speed away, he said. Other vehicles in the convoy
stopped and the gunmen opened fire at passengers fleeing on foot into
the bushes, he said. The police escort had been delayed and was behind
the convoy but arrived in time to prevent a massacre, he said. Police
escorts for passenger vehicles in the area became mandatory after 2014
when al-Shabab killed nearly 90 people in two attacks in Lamu county.
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack on its Andalus radio
station, saying its fighters spared Muslim passengers and only killed
Christians.”
Africanews:
2019 Review: How Terrorists Unleashed Hell In The
Sahel
“Active armed conflicts continues to ravage parts of Africa be it
as a result of the state versus terrorist groups or infighting between
political factions, a typical case of the latter being South Sudan.
Some of the deadliest anti-terror campaigns are in West Africa
specifically in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions. Al-Qaeda in the
Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, continues to make incursions into the Sahel
with heavy death toll – on the part of combatants and civilians. Boko
Haram, a decade on, continues to wreak havoc in the Lake Chad region,
an area straddling Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger. Al-Shabaab is
ever active in Somalia whiles Democratic Republic of Congo and
Mozambique are all battling insurgencies in the east and north
respectively. The area is an semi-arid zone that stretches miles from
Mauritania, through much of northern Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso till
Chad – it extends to as far as the extreme north of Ethiopia. The
region is bordered to much of north and west Africa by the Sahara
desert. In the case of the particular area that is hit by active
terrorist activity, five countries are in line of the fire.
Mauritania, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who form the G5 Sahel
bloc.”
United Kingdom
The
Telegraph: It Can Never Be Certain That Terror Attackers Have Been
'Cured', Warns Deradicalisation Psychologist
“The psychologist behind the UK's main deradicalisation programme
for terror offenders has warned it can never be certain that attackers
have been “cured”. Christopher Dean said some terror offenders who
take part in his Healthy Identity Intervention (HII) scheme appear to
regress due to complex reasons such as who they mix with. Mr Dean's
comments come after HII participant Usman Khan stabbed two people to
death near London Bridge on November 29. Khan was a convicted
terrorist who had been a member of an al Qaida-inspired group that
plotted to blow up the London Stock Exchange. The HII scheme involves
offenders like Khan attending sessions with a psychologist who
encourage them to talk about their motivations, beliefs, identity and
relationship with society. Former senior Home Office official Ian
Acheson said attention was drawn to shortcomings of the HII programme
in 2016. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Dean said
individuals can both progress and regress under healthy identity
intervention. “Sometimes people move up two rungs, sometimes
individuals may say I've had my doubts about this or that and they may
be willing to speak to people, but equally they may go down rungs as
well.”
Germany
Bloomberg:
How Dangerous Is Germany’s Far Right?
“German pundits and politicians have a new favorite phrase: “Resist
beginnings.” It comes from Ovid, who cautioned that “the remedy comes
too late when the disease has gained strength by long delays.” But
whereas Ovid was talking about the danger of love, Germans are warning
against hate. More than probably anyone else, they’re anxious about
rising far-right extremism, including neo-Nazism. In the home of the
original Nazism, it’s always hard to tell if people are being
hysterical about the threat or naive in belittling it. An increase in
hate speech, anti-Semitism and racist violence certainly appears to be
a trend that spans the whole West, from Britain to New Zealand and the
U.S. But for obvious reasons, the same phenomenon resonates
differently in Germany. So it did when a killer recently tried to
force his way into a German synagogue to wreak carnage (the
congregants successfully blocked him from entering, but he murdered
two others). Or when the country’s president actually had to call on
Germans to make Jews feel safe enough to wear kippahs in public. Or
when a right-wing sniper assassinated a pro-immigrant politician as he
was sitting on his front porch.”
Deutsche
Welle: Don't Ignore Far-Left Extremists, German Police Say After
Leipzig Attacks
“The violence that broke out between police officers and members of
the far-left scene in the eastern German city of Leipzig on New
Year's Eve triggered plenty of heated political reaction. “This act
shows that inhuman violence also comes from the left-wing extremist
scene,” Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told the dpa news agency on
Thursday, before adding that a strong state needed a strong police
force. The point was echoed by Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung, a Social
Democrat who has faced criticism from right-wing parties in the past
for failing to crack down on the city's left-wing extremists. “The New
Year, unfortunately, did not begin peacefully at all, but started with
a serious criminal outbreak of violence,” Jung told dpa. “My thoughts
are with the injured policeman and his family, and I wish him a speedy
recovery.” A 38-year-old police officer had to undergo an emergency
operation after being attacked in the city's Connewitz district, known
for its left-wing scene. According to the police statement released in
the early hours of New Year's Day, a group of people pushed a burning
shopping cart into a group of police just after midnight then threw a
barrage of fireworks at the officers. A total of 10 people were
arrested, with police launching an investigation for attempted
murder.”
Russia
Radio
Free Europe: Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Deadly Attack In
Ingushetia
“The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility
for an attack in Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia, in
which a police officer was killed. Two young men rammed their car into
a police officer on December 31, and then attacked other police
officers with knives in the Ingush capital, Magas. Regional
authorities said one police officer died and three others were wounded
in the incident. One of the attackers, 18-year-old Mikail Miziyev, was
killed while another, 23-year-old Akhmed Imagozhev, was wounded and is
currently in hospital. The IS group said in a statement dated January
1 that it was responsible for the attack, according to the SITE
Intelligence Group, which tracks the online activity of jihadist
organizations. Ingushetia's leader, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, publicly
criticized police for what he called “insufficient measures to beef up
security on New Year's Eve.” Attacks on police and authorities have
persisted for years in the volatile North Caucasus region after Russia
drove out a separatist government in one of the region's provinces,
Chechnya, in the second of two devastating post-Soviet wars.”
Europe
The
Brussels Times: Belgian Authorities Worried About Online
Radicalisation
“Federal Prosecutor Frédéric Van Leeuw is constantly on the alert
for terrorism in Belgium, but is particularly concerned about
“inspired terrorism,” such as online influence and radicalisation of
people in front of their computer screens, he explained on Thursday to
Sudpresse. “What is holding our attention from now on is not
structured terrorism as we know it,” Van Leeuw said. “In the future,
we have a better chance to intercept and control that, especially
since the original base, the physical Caliphate, has fallen. What
worries us more is ‘inspired terrorism’, with people who become
radicalized in front of their computers (…) Single individuals are
harder to spot than structures.” The Office of the Federal Prosecutor
operates like a fire service, he explained. “We try to put out the
fire. We need to make sure the fires no longer break out and that they
are easier to put out. It requires resources (we have received them)
but it also requires the grass in our society to be less dry and for
fewer people to be radicalized,” he said.”
Technology
The
Wall Street Journal: Police Tracked A Terror Suspect—Until His Phone
Went Dark After A Facebook Warning
“A team of European law-enforcement officials was hot on the trail
of a potential terror plot in October, fearing an attack during
Christmas season, when their keyhole into a suspect’s phone went dark.
WhatsApp, Facebook Inc. ’s popular messaging tool, had just notified
about 1,400 users—among them the suspected terrorist—that their phones
had been hacked by an “advanced cyber actor.” An elite surveillance
team was using spyware from NSO Group, an Israeli company, to track
the suspect, according to a law-enforcement official overseeing the
investigation. A judge in the Western European country had authorized
investigators to deploy all means available to get into the suspect’s
phone, for which the team used its government’s existing contract with
NSO. The country’s use of NSO’s spyware wasn’t known to Facebook. NSO
licenses its spyware to government clients, who use it to hack
targets. On Oct. 29, Facebook filed suit against NSO—which has been
enmeshed in controversy after governments used its technology to spy
on dissidents—in federal court in California, seeking unspecified
financial penalties over NSO’s alleged hacking of WhatsApp software.
It also sought an injunction prohibiting NSO from accessing Facebook
and WhatsApp’s computer systems.”
|
