“…‘The presence of al-Qaida in Iran is a sort of a chip that the Iranians
have,’ said Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former senior United Nations
counterterrorism official who is now an adviser to the nonprofit Counter
Extremism Project. ‘They're not entirely sure how or when they might play it
but … it was something that they considered to have potential value,’
Fitton-Brown told VOA, adding that al-Adel running the terror group from Tehran
is ‘not that big a change from what the situation was before Zawahiri was
killed.’ ‘Al-Qaida has always been a consultative organization,’ he said. ‘They
have a Shura, a leadership, and Saif was already part of it. He was already a
very important voice in that leadership. He's now a more important voice in
that leadership.’”











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<[link removed]>



Eye on Extremism


February 15, 2023



Voice Of America News: New Al-Qaida Leader Commanding From Iran
<[link removed]>



“…‘The presence of al-Qaida in Iran is a sort of a chip that the Iranians
have,’ said Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former senior United Nations
counterterrorism official who is now an adviser to the nonprofit Counter
Extremism Project. ‘They're not entirely sure how or when they might play it
but … it was something that they considered to have potential value,’
Fitton-Brown told VOA, adding that al-Adel running the terror group from Tehran
is ‘not that big a change from what the situation was before Zawahiri was
killed.’ ‘Al-Qaida has always been a consultative organization,’ he said. ‘They
have a Shura, a leadership, and Saif was already part of it. He was already a
very important voice in that leadership. He's now a more important voice in
that leadership.’”



Associated Press: US Military Downs Iranian-Made Drone In Syria
<[link removed]>



“U.S. forces shot down an Iranian-made drone flying over a base housing
American troops in northeastern Syria, the U.S. military said Wednesday. The
incident comes more than a week after a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked
Turkey and Syria, followed by a significant deescalation of violence across the
war-torn contry. U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the
reconnaissance drone flew over Mission Support Site Conoco on Tuesday afternoon
before American forces shot it down. No group claimed responsibility for flying
the drone in northeastern Syria, where it is not uncommon for bases housing
U.S. troops to come under rocket fire or mortar attacks. Iran-backed militia
are based nearby, as are sleeper cells of the Islamic State group that was
defeated in Syria in March 2019. There are roughly 900 U.S. troops in Syria,
including in the north and farther south and east, who work alongside
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces targeting IS militants and their sleeper
cells.”



United States



Associated Press: Virginians Face Terrorism Charges Years After Pakistan Trial
<[link removed]>



“It was almost 15 years ago when five young men from northern Virginia left
the U.S. to pursue dreams of jihad in Afghanistan, only to find themselves
under arrest in Pakistan when their farewell video prompted family members to
contact the FBI. Now, after the five served a decade in a Pakistani prison,
U.S. prosecutors are moving forward with plans to put them on trial again for
terrorism charges. At a status hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court in
Alexandria, however, a judge gave strong indications that she plans to toss out
charges against one of the men on grounds that torture and solitary confinement
he allegedly endured in Pakistan have rendered him mentally incompetent. In
fact, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema has questioned the utility of
bringing charges against any of the five, given the fact that they were
convicted and punished already in Pakistan.”



Iran



Iran International: Terror Suspect Arrested Near Iran International HQ Pleaded
Not Guilty <[link removed]>



“A man arrested in the vicinity of Iran International’s headquarters and
charged with a terrorism offence pleaded not guilty in a court session on
Tuesday. Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev (Mohammad-Hussein Dovtaev), 30, an Austrian
national, was detained at Chiswick Business Park on Saturday by officers from
the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command. He appeared at Westminster
Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty, speaking via a
German-Austrian interpreter. The first session on Monday was adjourned without
the suspect saying anything because only a Russian interpreter was available at
the court. The suspect's name in Russian spelling signals that he is originally
from one of the former Soviet republics, more likely from a Muslim-majority
country. Dovtaev was bearded and wearing a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit
bottoms.”



Iraq



MENAFN: 3 IS Militants Killed In N. Iraq: Military
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“The Iraqi military said on Tuesday that its forces killed three Islamic
State (IS) militants in the northern part of the country, trend reports citing
Xinhua. The three IS militants were killed in Wadi al-Shay, a rugged area
southwest of the northern city of Kirkuk, the media office of the Joint
Operations Command (JOC) said in a statement. It added that the operation was
based on intelligence reports and the three militants had been tracked for more
than three days before the operation. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the
Iraqi intelligence service said that 'intelligence personnel tracked down some
IS leading figures in more than one country and were able to arrest them in a
non-neighboring country and transfer them to Iraq.'”



Afghanistan



Associated Press: Taliban Forces Kill 3 IS Members In Raid On Kabul Building
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“Taliban intelligence forces killed three Islamic State group militants and
arrested one in an overnight operation in the Afghan capital of Kabul, an
official said Tuesday. The raid on a residential building targeted IS militants
who organized recent attacks in the capital, said Khalil Hamraz, a
Taliban-appointed spokesman for Afghanistan's general director of intelligence.
He called the target in the Karti Naw neighborhood an important IS hideout. The
Islamic State group did not immediately respond to the government's claims.
During the operation, three IS members were killed and one militant was
arrested. Ammunition and military equipment were seized by the troops, he
added.”



The Hindu: Afghanistan Remains Primary Source Of Terrorist Threat For Central
And South Asia: UN Report
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“Afghanistan remains the primary source of terrorist threat for Central and
South Asia, with groups such as ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan
enjoying greater freedom of movement in the country owing to the absence of an
effective Taliban security strategy, a UN report has said. The 31st report of
the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team (ISIL, Al-Qaida), was
issued here on Tuesday. ‘It originates from groups including the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant- Khorasan (ISIL-K), Al-Qaeda, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan,
as well as ETIM/TIP (Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement/Turkistan Islamic
Party), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Islamic Jihad Group, Khatiba Imam
al-Bukhari, Khatiba al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, Jamaat Ansarullah and others. These
groups enjoy greater freedom of movement in Afghanistan owing to the absence of
an effective Taliban security strategy,’ the report said.”



Pakistan



Samaa: Karachi Police Arrest Two Terrorists From North Nazimabad Area
<[link removed]>



“The Karachi Police on Wednesday detained two terrorists during operation in
North Nazimabad area and recovered explosive material from their possession.
Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in a
joint raid foiled the attacking plan of the terrorists. During the operation,
officials seized at least 1,000 detonators from the terrorists’ hideout, which
were to be used in future attacks. Apart from this, two coil detonators were
also recovered from their possession. Some of the accomplice of the terrorists
during the raid managed to flee, while search operation for them was launched.”



La Prensa Latina: 7 Suspected Taliban Militants Killed Pakistan Gun Battle
<[link removed]>



“Seven suspected Taliban militants, including three under-trial prisoners,
were killed in a gun battle after insurgents opened fire on security forces in
the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, police said on Tuesday. A
police statement said the three under-custody suspects were being taken from
Miranshah to Bannu when a group of militants opened fire at the security forces
near Mir Ali Bypass to free their accomplices. ‘In the exchange of fire, four
terrorists of (the) banned outfit (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) were killed
while five to six, taking advantage of darkness and bushes, escaped,’ the
police statement said. The police claimed that the three suspects died of
bullets fired by the assailants. The four insurgents who attacked the security
personnel belonged to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the police said. The police
alleged that the slain militants were involved in targeted killings and grenade
attacks on security forces.”



Middle East



The Jerusalem Post: Bill Revoking Citizenship For 'Pay-For-Slay' Terrorists
Reaches Final Vote <[link removed]>



“A bill to revoke Israeli citizenship and deport convicted terrorists who
received payment from the Palestinian Authority passed its second and third
readings on Tuesday and will be presented at the Knesset plenum on Wednesday.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Ministry legal adviser Avital Sternberg
said there was an issue with a clause that says the PA cannot dispute
affiliation with the terrorist. ‘The responsibility to prevent the next attack
is on us, not on any lawyer,’ Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz (Likud) said. ‘Those
who intend to oppose what we are bringing here, after all the compromises we
have made, are welcome to explain it to the bereaved families and the people of
Israel.’ If the bill passes in the Knesset, the interior minister would be able
to revoke Israeli citizenship or residency over what is commonly referred to as
‘pay-for-slay’ – stipends given to terrorists and their families.”



The Times Of Israel: Prison Guard Probed For Allegedly Smuggling Phones To
Terrorist Behind Deadly Attack
<[link removed]>



“A guard at Ramon Prison in southern Israel is being investigated for
allegedly smuggling phones to a convicted terrorist serving a life sentence for
a deadly attack, police said on Tuesday. The guard, an Ofakim resident in his
30s, was questioned by police over suspicions that he smuggled phones to Wail
Nairat, who was part of a terror cell that carried out a deadly bombing attack
on the Qalandiya Checkpoint in the West Bank on August 11, 2004, in exchange
for bribes from the prisoner’s brother. The attack on the checkpoint killed two
Palestinian men, Ayid Mustafa Abed Raba Daghr and Saleh Rashid Abu Sneina, and
injured several Border Police officers. Nairat is kept in a separate security
wing because he poses a danger to other prisoners and personnel, the Israel
Prison Service said. In addition to the questioning, police reportedly searched
the suspect’s home and locker at the prison on Tuesday morning.”



Nigeria



Leadership: Police Kill 2 Terrorists In Katsina
<[link removed]>



“Katsina State Police command has killed two suspected terrorists in a gun
duel with some hoodlums in the state. This is contained in a statement issued
by the command spokesman Gambo Isah, made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday. He
said on receiving a distress call that terrorists in their numbers were
shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles and attacking Kitibawa village,
Dutsinma local government area, where one 55 years old Alhaji Ado Rumawa, was
kidnapped, the area commander, Dutsinma, led Police patrol team to engaged the
terrorists in a gun duel and repelled the attack and neutralized one of them.
‘Many of the terrorists were suspected to have fled the scene with gunshot
wounds. Police teams are presently combing the area with a view of arresting
the injured hoodlums and/or recovery of their dead bodies. The investigation is
ongoing’, he said Similarly, the command also acted on distress calls about
some terrorists, armed with dangerous weapons, blocking Danja – Bakori road,
along Unguwan Balarabe junction, robbing unsuspecting members of the public of
their belongings.”



The Guardian: Troops Kill Eight Boko Haram Suspects In Borno, Hunters Kill Two
<[link removed]>



“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North East and the Civilian JTF
have killed eight suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Mafa Council, Borno State.
The ground troops also arrested a suspect on December 26, 2022 as well as
recovered four motorcycles and AK-47 rifle. A counter-insurgency expert in the
Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed, on Monday, in Maiduguri that
neutralisation of the terrorists came after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),
Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, charged the troops to redouble their efforts in smoking
them out from Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region. According to him, the
successful operation was coordinated based on credible intelligence at Ngwom
community, near Maiduguri. The information received from the community,
however, paid off, he said, as the troops instantly eliminated the fleeing
terrorists.”



Africa



Associated Press: At Least 32 Civilians Killed In Eastern Congo, Says The U.N.
<[link removed]>



“At least 32 civilians have been killed by rebel groups in eastern Congo’s
Ituri province, said a spokesman for the United Nations. Twenty people were
killed by the militia group CODECO and a dozen were killed by the Allied
Democratic Forces, which is allied to the Islamic State group, U.N. spokesman
Stephane Dujarric said in a press conference on Monday. Calling the situation
‘confusing,’ Dujarric said it is hard for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in
Congo to get more information due to restricted movement in the area. Fighting
between CODECO, a loose association of various ethnic Lendu militia groups, and
Zaire, a mainly ethnic Hema self-defense group, has been ongoing since 2017 but
has worsened recently. At least 32 civilians were killed by CODECO last month,
say local officials. In December, the United Nations said the insurgent group
was expanding its areas of control, attacking civilians and Congo’s military,
and taxing communities in the areas that it holds.”



United Kingdom



CapX: The Prevent Review Suggests That In Britain Antisemites Can Still Act
With Impunity
<[link removed]>



“‘Jews don’t count’, they say, except perhaps in the malign statistics of
hatred. Last week’s Shawcross review of the Prevent programme shone a light on
just how pernicious and deep-seated antisemitism is among those judged to be at
risk of becoming terrorists. Shawcross looked at a number of ‘Channel‘
referrals and was alarmed by what he found. Channel is the part of Prevent,
past the initial screening triage, where those judged to be genuinely risky
potential extremists get tailored intervention from counter-terrorism
professionals. While the language used in virtually every official description
of the Prevent programme is achingly neutral on this process, bingeing on the
verbiage of ‘vulnerability’ and ‘safeguarding’, when you get to Channel things
are more straightforward: you’re a potential terrorism risk to others. To
illustrate the point, in the latest government Prevent statistics, of the 6,848
referrals in the year ending March 2022, only 13% were adopted as a Channel
case. Shawcross found a prevalence of ‘extreme antisemitism’ in the Channel
cases he dip sampled. What’s striking is that antisemitism is an equal
opportunities hatred. It is mobilised by extreme left, right and Islamist
ideologues and their followers.”



Germany



Reuters: 'Follow The Money' Approach Required To Map Right-Wing Extremists'
Money Laundering, Criminal Networks -NGO
<[link removed]>



“…There has not yet been enough current and in-depth analysis of the
right-wing extremist terror and organised crime nexus in the same way those
links have been identified in Islamist extremism, said Alexander Ritzmann, a
senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project in Berlin. "Now, this has led
potentially to the narrative that there is no financial, sophisticated strategy
or activity within the broader right wing extremist milieus. This could be in
Germany or somewhere else. The overall narrative is these guys are self-funded.
They take their salaries, they collect donations, and they do some small stuff
on the side, but that's basically it," Ritzmann told a webinar last week. The
Counter Extremism Project's new research, prepared for the German government
and to be published next month, paints a different picture, however. Right-wing
extremists make money from cash-based activities such as music festivals,
combat sports which needs to be laundered. These groups are increasingly
getting into real estate to launder funds. Its research also shows a new
typology, violent right-wing extremism organised crime.”



Southeast Asia



The National News: Indian Anti-Terror Agency Raids Against ISIS Sympathisers
<[link removed]>



“India’s anti-terror agency on Wednesday raided several places across
southern states in a clampdown on people accused of having links with ISIS. The
National Investigation Agency raided 60 locations in Kerala, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu in connection to a bomb blast in a car laden with explosives in
Tamil Nadu in October last year. The federal agency searched the belongings of
the suspects and seized digital devices and what it said were incriminating
documents. A bomb had exploded in a car in front of Kottai Eswaran Temple in
Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu on October 23. Jameesha Mubin, who was driving the
car, was killed in the blast.” senses that he was doing wrong, and regretted
joining the extremist outfit.”



Asian News International: Pulwama Anniversary: 8 Of 19 Attackers Killed, 7
Arrested, Says ADGP Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar
<[link removed]>



“8 of 19 attackers killed, 7 arrested, says ADGP Kashmir Zone Vijay KumarOn
the fourth anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack, Additional Director
General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar on Tuesday said of the 19
militants involved in the attack in 2019, eight have been killed, seven
arrested and four, including three Pakistanis, are still alive. Talking to the
mediapersons after paying tributes to the fallen CRPF men in the dastardly
attack, ADGP Kumar, said the security forces are after Jaish-e-Muhammad and
almost all their top commanders have been neutralised. ‘At present, the JeM
only has 7-8 locals and 5-6 active Pakistanis, including Mossa Solaimani
(wanted terrorist),’ he said, adding that police are after them and they will
be neutralised soon. He said the police are not only busting militant modules
but are also cracking down on narco-terrorism and terror funding. ‘We have been
able to recover Rs 41 lakh and recently in Baramulla, Rs 26 lakh was
recovered,’ he said. He also said the cases registered against OGWs
(over-ground workers) involved in such activities are being disposed of at a
rapid pace.”



India Blooms: Delhi Court Sentences Four Persons With Al-Qaeda Links To 7.5
Years In Jail
<[link removed]>



“Special Judge Sanjay Khanagwal after hearing arguments on behalf of the
Prosecution and Defence Counsel was punished with seven years and five months
imprisonment for the four persons namely Mohd Asif, Mohd Abdul Rehman, Zafar
Masood and Abdul Sami. Counsel for the convicted persons submitted before the
court that they have already spent around seven years in Jail which will be
also considered as part of the punishment. On February, 10 the court acquitted
two co-accused Syed Mohd Zeeshan Ali and Dr Sabeel Ahmad in the matter after
hearing the submissions on behalf of Advocates MS Khan and Qausar Khan. They
submitted before the court that the prosecution failed to prove the case
against them. The court had framed charges against six accused persons in 2017
under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Police alleged that
Rehman ran a madrassa in Uttar Pradesh and was trying to radicalise the youths
who enrolled there for carrying out alleged terror activities.”



Technology



The Hill: Pro-ISIS Content At Heart Of Section 230 Supreme Court Arguments
<[link removed]>



“The Supreme Court will have its sights set on Big Tech next week when it
hears arguments involving Section 230, a controversial liability shield for
online platforms, in cases in which Twitter, Google and Facebook are at the
center. But the dispute may have broader impacts for diplomats and
international organizations. It was brought about by families of terrorist
attack victims for pro-ISIS content posted to and recommended on social media,
but the companies also are arguing they don’t need Section 230 protections
because they weren’t liable under a federal anti-terrorism law in the first
place. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and some legal scholars argue taking Big
Tech’s position would let terrorism sympathizers off the hook, while other
observers contend that holding the companies liable would lead foreign
countries to reciprocate in their courts against the U.S.”



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