“A suicide bomber struck Monday inside a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani
city of Peshawar, killing at least 20 people and wounding as many as 96
worshippers, officials said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the
bombing, said Saddique Khan, a senior police official in Peshawar who gave the
latest casualty tolls, but the Pakistani Taliban have been blamed in similar
suicide attacks in the past. The bomber detonated his suicide vest as some 150
worshipers — including many policemen from nearby police offices — were praying
inside. The impact of the explosion collapsed the roof of the mosque, which
caved in and injured many, according to Zafar Khan, a local police officer…
Rescuers scrambled trying to remove mounds of debris from the mosque grounds
and get to worshippers still trapped under the rubble, police said. Khan said
said several of the wounded were listed in critical condition at a hospital and
there were fears the death toll would rise.”











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Eye on Extremism


January 30, 2023



Associated Press: Suicide Bomber Kills 20, Wounds 96 At Mosque In NW Pakistan
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“A suicide bomber struck Monday inside a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani
city of Peshawar, killing at least 20 people and wounding as many as 96
worshippers, officials said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the
bombing, said Saddique Khan, a senior police official in Peshawar who gave the
latest casualty tolls, but the Pakistani Taliban have been blamed in similar
suicide attacks in the past. The bomber detonated his suicide vest as some 150
worshipers — including many policemen from nearby police offices — were praying
inside. The impact of the explosion collapsed the roof of the mosque, which
caved in and injured many, according to Zafar Khan, a local police officer…
Rescuers scrambled trying to remove mounds of debris from the mosque grounds
and get to worshippers still trapped under the rubble, police said. Khan said
said several of the wounded were listed in critical condition at a hospital and
there were fears the death toll would rise.”



CNN: At Least Seven Dead In Jerusalem Synagogue Attack, Israeli Police Say
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“Israeli police say at least seven people were killed and three were injured
in a shooting near a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday amid high tensions in
Israel and the Palestinian territories. Friday’s shooter was also later killed
by police forces, according to police, in what police chief Yaakov Shabtai
described as ‘one of the worst terror attacks in the past few years.’ ‘As a
result of the shooting attack, the death of 7 civilians was determined and 3
others were injured with additional degrees of injury,’ police said. Five of
the shooting victims were pronounced dead at the scene, Israel’s Magen David
Adom (MDA) emergency rescue service said: four men and a woman. Five people
were transported to hospitals, where another man and woman were declared dead.”



United States



NBC News: DOJ Charges 3 Men In Murder-For-Hire Plot Against Journalist
Critical Of Iran
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“The Department of Justice has charged three members of an Eastern European
criminal group with ties to Iran with attempting to assassinate a prominent
U.S. journalist and activist critical of the Iranian regime. In a 25-page
indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New
York, the Department of Justice said the three men were enlisted last year to
murder an American citizen of Iranian origin on U.S. soil… Soon after the
charges were announced, writer and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad
revealed that she was the target of the assassination plot. ‘I just learned
from 12 FBI agents that the 3 men hired by the Iranian regime to kill me on US
soil have been indicted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards have been conducting
these terrorist operations for four decades. Islamic Republic is ISIS with oil.
#WomanLifeFreedom,’ she tweeted.”



Syria



Associated Press: Report: Drones Attack Convoy In East Syria Coming From Iraq
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“Drones attacked a convoy of trucks in eastern Syria Sunday night shortly
after it crossed into the country from Iraq, Syrian opposition activists and a
pro-government radio station said. There was no immediate word on casualties.
The strike comes amid heightening tension between Iran and its rivals in the
region. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack on the convoy in
the Syrian border region of Boukamal, which is a stronghold of Iran-backed
militias. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition
war monitor, said the drones appear to have been from the U.S.-led coalition,
adding that they targeted six refrigerated trucks. The group said there were
casualties and ambulances rushed to the area.”



Afghanistan



Reuters: Afghan Female Students Not Allowed To Sit University Entrance Exam
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“The Taliban-run Ministry of Higher Education ordered private universities in
Afghanistan not to allow female students to sit university entrance exams next
month, underscoring its policy to restrict women from tertiary education. A
letter from the ministry was addressed to institutions in Afghanistan's
northern provinces, including Kabul, where exams are due to take place from the
end of February. The letter said those institutions that did not observe the
rules would face legal action. The Higher Education Ministry in December told
universities not to allow female students "until further notice". Days later,
the administration stopped most female NGO workers from working. Most girls'
highschools have also been closed by authorities. The restrictions on women's
work and education have drawn condemnation internationally. Western diplomats
have signalled the Taliban would need to change course on its policies towards
women to have a chance of formal international recognition and an easing of its
economic isolation.”



Pakistan



Dawn: Security Forces Kill Militant, Arrest Two In Waziristan Operation
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“Local officials said the security forces conducted the operation after they
received information about presence of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan
affiliates in Marsikhel area of Miramshah. They added one militant was killed
during crossfire with the security forces, and two others were arrested. “Two
affiliates of the banned outfit were arrested and arms and ammunition recovered
from their procession,” officials said, adding some cash, Afghan origin SIM
cards and other equipment used for com-munication were also recovered during
the operation. The officials also said the arrested militants were being
interrogated and more arrests were expected.”



Middle East



The Jerusalem Post: 13-Year-Old Palestinian Shoots At Israeli Father And Son
At City Of David <[link removed]>



“A 13-year-old resident of east Jerusalem opened fire on a group of
pedestrians walking home from Shabbat services on Saturday morning near the
City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem. A 47-year-old father and his
22-year-old son were shot by the child terrorist. The younger man, an off-duty
IDF paratrooper officer, was able to shoot back and wound the terrorist, as
shown by security cameras from the site. The video showed the youth lurking
behind parked cars with a handgun – and when a group of Jewish pedestrians
passed, he sprang out and started firing. The father was reported in moderate
condition and his son in serious but stable condition on Saturday night. The
terrorist was in serious condition.”



Outlook: Israel: 7 Killed In Attack At Synagogue In Jerusalem, Terrorist Shot
Dead
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“…The PIJ is a Palestinian terrorist group based in Gaza. It's the
second-largest group in Gaza after Hamas and is dedicated to the destruction of
Israel and establishing an autonomous Islamic Palestinian state in the lands
currently comprising Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, according the think tank
Counter Extremism Project (CEP). Saleh al-Arouri, deputy leader of Palestinian
group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, vowed that Israel "will pay the
price for the Jenin massacre". The Hamas is a Palestinian terrorist group that
controls Gaza. The CEP states, "The group’s ideology blends Islamism and
Palestinian nationalism and seeks the destruction of Israel and the creation of
an Islamic state between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River."”



Turkey



Reuters: U.S. Issues Another Warning Of Possible Terrorist Attacks In Turkey
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“The U.S. embassy in Turkey warned Americans on Monday of possible attacks
against churches, synagogues, and diplomatic missions in Istanbul, marking its
second such notice in four days, following Koran-burning incidents in Europe.
In an updated security alert, the U.S. embassy said ‘possible imminent
retaliatory attacks by terrorists’ could take place in areas frequented by
Westerners, especially the city's Beyoglu, Galata, Taksim, and Istiklal
neighbourhoods. Turkish authorities are investigating the matter, it added. On
Friday, several embassies in Ankara including those of the United States,
Germany, France and Italy issued security alerts over possible retaliatory
attacks against places of worship, following separate incidents in which the
Muslim holy book, the Koran, was burned in Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark. On
Saturday, Turkey warned its citizens against ‘possible Islamophobic, xenophobic
and racist attacks’ in the United States and Europe.”



Nigeria



Voice Of America News: Reprisals Feared In Nigeria After Bombing Of 40
Pastoralists
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“Officials in Nigeria say the death toll from an attack on animal herders has
risen to 40. The strike took place Wednesday in Rukubi, a village on the border
between Nigeria's Nassarawa and Benue states, a region known for ethnic and
religious conflict. Nassarawa state governor Abdullahi Sule has refuted claims
that a military jet bombed pastoralists and said Thursday it was an
unidentified drone operated from an unknown location that exploded. He said he
has deployed security operatives to the area to prevent tensions or reprisals.
"I've been on it all night trying to resolve the matter with chief of defense
staff, Miyetti Allah, and all the security agencies including our commissioner
of police to ensure that we continue to douse the tension that may generate as
a result of this," Sule said. Pastoralists were returning from nearby Benue
state with hundreds of cattle they had bailed out from officials enforcing an
anti-open grazing law when the bomb exploded among them.”



Vanguard News: Troops Eliminate Terrorists’ Commander, Abu Illiya, 32 Others
In Borno
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“The Nigerian Army troops of Operation Hadin Kai in collaboration with hybrid
forces of the Civilian Joint Task Force have eliminated 32 terrorists including
a top Boko Haram commander, Abu Illiya, during a raid in the terrorist camps in
Konduga Local Governments of Borno State. According to a Counter Insurgency
Expert and Security Analysts in Lake Chad, “the troops achieved the feats
during an intelligence-led aggressive fighting patrol in some identified Boko
Haram hideouts in Kayamari, Habasha and Yuwe villages. “Troops made contact
with the terrorists in the course of the counter-offensive patrol in Yuwe which
led to a heavy gun battle.””



Somalia



Garowe Online: Al-Shabaab Assassinates Regional Minister In Somalia
<[link removed]>



“A regional minister became the latest casualty of Al-Shabaab terrorists, the
Galmadug state announced on Saturday evening, following an unprecedented
shooting in the capital Mogadishu, in the latest incident involving senior
government officials and the Somalia-based militants. According to a statement
issued by authorities in Dhusumareb, Farhiya Abdi Mohamed, the state minister
for Transport and Aviation, was killed instantly by armed Al-Shabaab militants
who were trailing her in the heavily fortified zone in the capital city, which
is under surveillance by security forces. It is not clear why the militants
targeted thee minister but traditionally, Al-Shabaab militants have been
targeting senior government officials, members of security forces, and even
innocent civilians. The militants have been on a revenge mission having been
toppled from strategic towns by advancing security forces.”



Garowe Online: Al-Shabaab Commander Surrenders To Somalia Troops
<[link removed]>



“A number of Al-Shabaab militants have continued to use the amnesty window
given by the Somali National Army [SNAI, with one of the high-ranking
commanders officially defecting from the group, which has been counting losses
in the last seven months across the Horn of Africa nation. State media reported
that Aden Isaq Hassan, a member of the militant group Al-Shabaab surrendered to
the Somali National Army in Baidoa, the capital of the South West State today
on Saturday. Southwest has been one of the most infiltrated states by the
militants according to records. For the last three years, state media reported,
Hassan has been in charge of the Al-Shabaab guerrilla unit that was terrorizing
citizens in the Middle Jubba, Bakol, and Bay regions. The Somali National Army
has been camping in their particular regions for the last couple of months.”



MSN: Somali Government Announces More Than 130 Jihadists Killed In Last Two
Days Of Operations
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“The Somali government announced Sunday that 136 militiamen of the jihadist
organization Al Shabaab have been killed during the last two days of military
operations in the country, as part of the ‘total war’ declared by President
Hassan Shaykh Mohamud against the terrorist group. The operations have been
concentrated in the Lower Shabelle region and among the dead jihadists there
are prominent leaders of the organization such as its head of coastal
operations, Salman Dheere, or the regional commander Macalin Hashi. At least 98
jihadists were wounded in these operations, reported the Somali deputy
information minister, Abrahman Yusuf al Addaala, in comments reported by the
portal Hiraan on Line. In addition, the Somali president is finalizing an
announcement in which he will announce the exact amount of money seized from
the jihadist organization following the economic offensive launched by the
government against its sources of financing and hidden accounts both at home
and abroad. The total amount seized is expected to amount to ‘millions of
dollars’.”



Africa



TRT World: Militant Attacks Kill Over Dozen In Eastern DRC
<[link removed]>



“A wave of attacks on villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of the
Congo attributed to Daesh-affiliated ADF militants have killed at least 15
people, local officials said. Sunday's killings come a week after a similar
attack left at least 23 people dead. "There were simultaneous attacks this
Sunday between 4:00 and 5:00 am on three villages...," said local official
Dieudonne Malangai. "In Manyala village we found seven bodies... at Ofay, there
were eight dead, including seven women," Malangai told AFP news agency, and
indicated that the final toll might be higher. A humanitarian source confirmed
seven fatalities in Manyala and "at least eight" in Ofay. "These ADF rebels
also attacked Bandibese village but ran into resistance from soldiers who
intervened and so there were no civilian deaths," Malangai said after the raids
on three villages in Ituri province bordering Rwanda.”



Al Jazeera: UNICEF Urges Release Of 13 Kidnapped Children In Eastern DRC
<[link removed]>



“The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF urged on Friday for the release
of 13 children who were abducted during a deadly attack in the Democratic
Republic of Congo’s eastern region this month. In a statement, the agency said
11 boys and two girls were believed to have been kidnapped by an armed group
during an attack on a village in North Kivu province. “UNICEF which condemns
the abduction, is concerned that the abducted children are being inhumanely
treated and is calling for them to be released immediately,” it said. On
January 22, suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) members killed at least 23
people during an attack on the village of Makugwe and kidnapped several people,
sources previously told AFP. The ADF is one of the deadliest armed groups in
eastern DRC, a volatile region that has been plagued by violence for decades.
The armed group – which the ISIL (ISIS) group has claimed as its central
African affiliate – has been accused of slaughtering thousands of Congolese
civilians and carrying out bomb attacks in Uganda.”



United Kingdom



Reuters: British Police Charge Soldier With Terrorism Offence
<[link removed]>



“British police said on Friday that they had charged a 21-year-old serving
soldier with a terrorism offence and an explosives-related charge, following an
investigation. London's Metropolitan Police said they had charged Daniel Abed
Khalif, from Stafford in central England, with eliciting or attempting to
elicit in August 2021 information that could used by a person committing or
preparing an act of terrorism. Khalif was also charged on Friday with the
offence of placing an article which other people might fear was a bomb, police
said in a statement, adding that the offence took place on or before Jan. 2
this year.”



CBS News: U.K. Jails Right-Wing Extremist Who Helped "Inspire" U.S. Mass
Shootings
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“A 19-year-old British man whose extreme right-wing videos helped ‘inspire’
two recent U.S. shootings, according to police, was sentenced Friday to 11
years in prison by a U.K. court. Daniel Harris was convicted of encouraging
terrorism. He had been previously found guilty of six terrorism offenses in
November of 2022, following a slew of online posts on the World Truth Videos
platform spewing racist rhetoric and issuing calls for the death of minorities.
Harris was also convicted of the possession of a 3D printer with the intent to
make his own gun. The teenager's online videos were referenced several times by
the gunman behind the supermarket shooting in Buffalo, New York last May, as
well as the suspect in the mass killing at a Colorado gay club in November.”



Europe



Associated Press: Spanish Ministry: ‘Bomb Workshop’ Found In Retiree’s Home
<[link removed]>



“Police in Spain discovered a bomb-making workshop in the home of a
74-year-old man charged with terrorism for sending six letters containing
explosives to high-profile diplomatic and government targets, the Spanish
Interior Ministry said Friday. Spain’s National Court said earlier it had
charged the retiree with six offenses for allegedly sending letter bombs to the
country’s prime minister and to the U.S. and Ukrainian embassies in Madrid. An
employee at the Ukrainian Embassy was slightly injured while handling one of
the letters. An Interior Ministry statement issued as the suspect appeared in
court Friday detailed items in the man’s home that indicated meticulous
planning had gone into making the letter bombs.”



The National News: Far-Right Extremist Burns Quran Outside Danish Mosque
<[link removed]>



“A far-right extremist sparked fresh anger on Friday when he burnt a copy of
the Quran outside a mosque in Denmark, streaming his stunt live on Facebook.
Loud music blared from inside the mosque in Copenhagen as anti-Islam activist
Rasmus Paludan spoke outside, in an apparent attempt to drown out his words.
“This mosque has no place in Denmark,” said Mr Paludan, wearing a protective
helmet and surrounded by riot police. The activist was later driven away in a
police car. Later, in front of the Turkish embassy, the Danish-Swedish activist
said: “Once he [Erdogan] has let Sweden into Nato, I promise that I will not
burn the Quran outside the Turkish embassy. Otherwise, I will do so every
Friday at 2pm.” Mr Paludan had performed the same stunt in Sweden last
Saturday.”



Southeast Asia



United News Of Bangladesh: CTTC Arrests 5 ‘Huji Militants', 1 ‘Al Qaeda
Member’ In Dhaka
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“The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka
Metropolitan Police arrested five suspected members of banned militant outfit
Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) and a member of Al Qaeda from different parts
of the capital on Friday. The arrestees were Fakhrul Islam, 58, Saiful Islam,
24, Suruzzaman, 45, Abdullah Al Mamun, 46, Din Islam, 25 and Mohammad Abdullah
Al Mamun, 46. During the drives, the law enforcers also seized nine mobile
phone sets from their possession, said Md Asaduzzaman, chief of the Counter
Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit, in a press briefing on Saturday.”



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