Eye on Extremism
February 28, 2023
The Washington Times: Taliban Using Fingerprints, Gun Records To Track Down Afghans Who Assisted U.S., Audit Finds
“Operatives of the Taliban government in Kabul are trying to identify and retaliate against Afghans who cooperated with the 20-year American military and reconstruction effort, using fingerprint records, gun records and other methods to sniff them out and target them for retribution, according to a U.S. government report. Eighteen months after President Biden withdrew the last U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan, the radical Islamist regime remains intent on revenge against those who served in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a survey being released this week. The hasty, bloody evacuation in the summer of 2021 resulted in casualties for U.S. forces and friendly Afghans alike. Critics said the operation left behind tens of thousands of Afghan nationals who had worked with the U.S.-led military mission in the country as the Taliban consolidated power.”
Daily Sabah: Turkish Intelligence Brings Top PKK Figure From Iraq
“Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) caught Ramazan Güneş, a PKK member who was behind 12 acts of terrorism that killed 60 Turkish security personnel in the past, in Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah, media outlets reported Tuesday. The Turkish intelligence agency has stepped up its operations abroad in recent years to stamp out terrorist activities in Iraq and Syria, Türkiye’s two neighbors. In 2022 alone, 23 senior figures of the terrorist group were eliminated in MIT’s operations in the two countries, while a large number of PKK members were transported to Türkiye. Since 2018, more than 100 terrorists have been eliminated by Turkish intelligence. Last week, a PKK member behind a terrorist attack on Istanbul’s Istiklal Street last year was killed in a MİT operation in Syria.”
United States
Homeland Security Today: National Institute Of Justice Examines Link Between Location Of Terrorists And Risk Of Terrorism
“The Office of Justice Programs’ National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has today published an article summarizing an NIJ-supported study that examines where terrorists live and plan terrorist acts, in relation to where the acts occur. According to the American Terrorism Study, 296 terrorism incidents occurred in the United States from 9/11 through 2019. In domestic terrorism investigations, as in conventional policing, place matters. Although the location of terrorist violence is critical, the places where a terrorist lives and plans violent acts can also represent vital evidence.”
Syria
Associated Press: Islamic State Land Mines In Central Syria Kill 10 Workers
“Land mines left behind by the Islamic State group in central Syria went off in two different locations on Monday, killing 10 workers as they were collecting truffles in the countryside and wounding 12, state media reported. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the two mines exploded east of the central town of Salamiyeh. All the casualties were taken to a hospital in the town, the report added. It wasn’t immediately clear what had triggered the explosions.”
The National News: Iraq Repatriates More Than 500 Residents Of Syria's Al Hol Camp
“Iraq repatriated more than 500 residents of Syria's Al Hol displacement camp that houses relatives of suspected ISIS extremists, the US army said in a statement on Monday. The US military's Central Command, the headquarters of US forces in the Middle East, confirmed that ‘154 families, comprising of 582 people’ were transferred by the Iraqi authorities to the Jeddah-I camp on February 26. The Jeddah-I camp is near the northern city of Mosul and has been described by Iraqi authorities as a ‘rehabilitation’ centre for those returning from Syria. ‘Iraq continues to make progress in the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of Iraqis residing at the Al Hol camp for displaced persons in north-east Syria,’ the Central Command said on Twitter. Gen Michael Kurilla, commander of the Central Command, commended the Iraqi government for its ‘constructive and courageous role in this repatriation’.”
Iran
The Jerusalem Post: IRGC Quds Force Finances Terrorism Through Money Laundering Scheme
“High-level Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commanders have set up a host of shell companies used to launder money in a scheme that was brought to light by documents obtained by Iran International, a Washington DC-based Persian language news organization. According to the Iran International report, the documents they obtained outline how IRGC commanders have created fake construction companies in order to funnel money to the regime’s terrorist beneficiaries. The revenue being sent to the extremist organizations primarily originates as revenue collected from Iraq in exchange for legitimate Iranian energy exports. The term ‘Quds Force’ relates to the Arabic term for Jerusalem, ‘al-Quds.’ Iran, which has a long history of financing Palestinian terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah, designates the laundered money for such groups in the name of ‘resistance.’”
Iraq
AFP News: Turkish Drone Kills 3 PKK-Affiliated Fighters In Iraq: Kurds
“A Turkish drone attack Monday in northern Iraq killed at least three fighters from the minority Yazidi community affiliated with the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Iraqi Kurdish officials said. ‘A drone from the Turkish army targeted a vehicle’ in the region, killing an officer and two combattants from the Yazidi Sinjar Resistance Units, a statement from the Kurdistan region's anti-terrorist squad said. The three fighters were heading towards Sinjar, a stronghold of the Yazidis, at the time of the attack. Turkey has dozens of military facilities in northern Iraq for use in its war against the PKK, and it has repeatedly carried out strikes targeting the group in northern Iraq, where it has bases, and its allies. The Turkish army has yet to comment on Monday's reported drone strike.”
Mehr News Agency: 1 Killed As ISIL Terrorists Renew Attack On Iraq's Diyala
“According to the reports, the ISIL terrorist group renewed its attack on the northeast of Diyala province on Monday, leaving an Iraqi citizen killed and two others wounded. The terrorist attack occurred near an area in the east of Lake Hamrin in Iraq's Diyala Governorate. In another development, the Iraqi security forces announced the arrest of three dangerous terrorists, who had been wanted, in Baghdad. In December 2017, after nearly three and a half years of fighting with the ISIL terrorist group, which occupied about a third of the country, the Iraqi government announced the liberation of all its territories from the hands of this terrorist group. The remaining elements of ISIL are still operating in areas of Baghdad, Saladin, Diyala, Kirkuk, Niveneh, and Al Anbar provinces.”
Mehr News Agency: Iraqi Army Kills 17 ISIL Members In Al Anbar
“Iraqi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasoul in a statement announced that the country's anti-terrorism unit clashed with ISIL terrorists on Monday morning in the Akashat area located in the desert of Al Anbar province, killing 17 members and one of the leaders of the group. In December 2017, after nearly three and a half years of fighting with the ISIL terrorist group, which occupied about a third of the country, the Iraqi government announced the liberation of all its territories from the hands of this terrorist group. The remaining elements of ISIL are still operating in areas of Baghdad, Saladin, Diyala, Kirkuk, Niveneh, and Al Anbar provinces.”
Pakistan
Firstpost: Pakistan Threatens Afghanistan With War Even As Taliban Refuses To Act Against TTP Bases
“Pakistan has warned of military action inside Afghanistan if the Afghan Taliban continues to provide support to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, the Afghan Taliban has denied the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases inside Afghanistan. According to reports in the Pakistani media, a delegation from Pakistan led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif delivered this message during a meeting in Kabul with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the acting deputy prime minister of Afghanistan. Asif was accompanied by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum and other senior officials from the defence and foreign ministries of Pakistan.”
Opindia: After Imtiaz Alam From Hizbul, Former Commander Of Terrorist Group Al Badr Shot Dead In Pakistan: Read About The Terror Group And Their Jihad Against India
“On Sunday, February 26, unidentified men killed Syed Khalid Raza, a former commander of the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Al Badr. The dreaded terrorist was shot outside his residence in Gulistan-e-Johar Block 7 area of Karachi, Pakistan. For almost 8 years in the 1990s, Syed Khalid Raza was the commander of the Al-Badr terror group in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Jamaat e Islami President Karachi, the deceased was also associated with JeI Talba Wing.”
Pakistan Observer: CTD Arrests Terrorist Of Proscribed Lashkar-E-Jhangvi
“Sindh Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Monday arrested an alleged terrorist affiliated with proscribed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who was involved in sectarian target killings. According to spokesman for CTD, accused identified as Muhammad Siddiq son of Nasir-ud-Din, was arrested on a tip off from Garden area of the megalopolis. The accused during initial interrogation confessed his involvement in sectarian target killings. He revealed that he had escaped to Hyderabad after his house was raided by law enforcement agency for number of times. He had returned to Karachi few days back. Further investigations were underway and the arrested was handed over to concerned authorities.”
Middle East
The Times Of Israel: Hunt For Terrorists Who Killed 3 Continues; 8 Detained In Overnight West Bank Raids
“After a brief lull in West Bank operations, Israeli troops detained eight wanted Palestinians during overnight raids, as manhunts continued for a number of terrorists who killed three Israelis in recent shooting attacks, the military said Tuesday morning. Violence has spiked since two Israeli brothers from the West Bank settlement of Har Bracha were shot to death on Sunday in the nearby Palestinian town of Huwara. Settlers seeking revenge rampaged through Huwara hours later, further inflaming the volatile situation. One Palestinian was killed and hundreds more were hurt amid the violence.”
BBC: Israeli-American Killed In West Bank As Unrest Intensifies
“An Israeli American has been shot and killed in the occupied West Bank as retaliatory unrest intensifies. Elan Ganeles, 26, was killed in an attack on vehicles on a highway near the city of Jericho. The shooting happened after Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages in the West Bank on Sunday night, with dozens of cars and houses burned. That attack came after two settlers, from a nearby village, were shot dead by a Palestinian on Sunday.”
Middle East Monitor: Israel Sentences Hamas Official To 20 Months
“An Israeli occupation court yesterday sentenced Hamas official and Palestinian MP Hassan Yousef to a 20-month suspended sentence in addition to renewal of his administrative detention, Quds Press reported. Yousef's son, Owais, said that the Israeli court of Ofer renewed his father's administrative detention until July and issued him with a 20-month suspended sentence. Yousef, 65, was arrested on 13 December 2021 from his house in the neighbourhood of Bitonya, near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. He has spent a total of approximately 22 years in Israeli jails, most of them under administrative detention – without charge or trial.”
Nigeria
Igbere TV: Children Injured As Terrorists Attack Voters In Borno Community (Photos)
“Five persons including children sustained injuries when Boko Haram insurgents fired shots targeting voters from Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, IGBERETV reports. Borno commissioner of police, CP Abdu Umar, who confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen, said several gunshots were fired at voters from the top of the Mandara mountain He said the injured victims comprised two females and three males, adding that the troops of the Nigerian Army were deployed to the area. ‘Efforts of the military within the area of responsibility helped in chasing the terrorists, forcing them to flee due to the superior firepower,’ he said.”
Africa
The Star: Man Found With Bomb After Shouting To Mombasa Airport Officials He Had Explosive
“Mystery surrounds the motive of a 50-year-old man who was arrested after he shouted to airport officials at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, that he had a bomb. After a search of his luggage, police said they found a bomb on Wednesday, February 23. Harrison Njenga Kiarie,50, was being screened for departure when he shouted at staff he was carrying a bomb in his bag. It is not clear what motivated him. Police called it bizarre.”
United Kingdom
BBC: Manchester Bomber Friend Known To MI5, BBC Reveals
“A Muslim preacher who was close to the Manchester bomber had been suspected by MI5 of being a radicaliser more than a decade earlier, the BBC can reveal. A public inquiry into the atrocity will this week report on how Salman Abedi was radicalised, and whether security services missed chances to stop him. The preacher, Mansour Al-Anezi, had been investigated before another close associate of his tried to carry out a suicide bombing in Exeter in 2008. Al-Anezi died before the arena attack.”
France
Arab News: French Daesh Midwife Faces 30 Years’ Imprisonment
“A French woman accused of acting as a midwife for Daesh is facing more than 30 years’ imprisonment, The Times reported. Douha Mounib, 32, is on trial in Paris after having spent several years in a French prison following her arrest in Turkiye in 2017 and subsequent repatriation. She is one of more than 30 women from France alleged to be former members of Daesh, with many having returned to the country from Syria or Turkiye following the collapse of the terror group. Mounib, who was completing her third year of midwifery studies at the time she first traveled to Syria in 2014, returned to the caliphate a second time a year later.”
India
Reuters: Indian Security Forces Battle Kashmir Militants After Killing Of Hindu
“Indian security forces shot dead two militants in Kashmir on Tuesday during a 12-hour battle in the disputed region in which a soldier was also killed, the chief of police said. The battle occurred in a village south of Srinagar after security forces launched a manhunt for the suspected killers of a Hindu security guard who was shot dead on Sunday in another nearby village, Kashmir Police Chief Vijay Kumar said. ‘One of the slain militants , Aquib Mushtaq, was responsible for killing (security guard) Sanjay Kumar Nath,’ he said. On Monday, members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party held a protest in Kashmir against the killing.”
News 18: Kashmiri Pandit Bank Guard's Murder 'Avenged'. Pulwama Terrorist Killed In Encounter
“The terrorist killed in the Awantipora encounter in the early hours of Tuesday has been identified as Hizbul Mujahideen, who had shot dead a Kashmiri Pandit bank guard two days ago. ‘The killed terrorist has been identified as Aqib Mustaq Bhat of Pulwama (A category). He initially worked for Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, but later joined The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba,’ the Kashmir ADGP said, adding that the killer of bank guard Sanjay Sharma had been neutralised. Two Army personnel were also injured in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Awantipora area. Sources said that one of the soldiers succumbed to injuries. However, there’s no official confirmation yet.”
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