Eye on Extremism
March 20, 2023
AFP News: Israeli-Palestinian Talks In Egypt Aim To 'Restore Calm'
“Israeli and Palestinian officials were holding talks in Egypt on Sunday ‘to restore calm’ after a surge in deadly violence in the occupied West Bank, Egypt's foreign ministry said. The meeting, which follows similar talks last month in Jordan where both sides pledged to prevent more violence, comes amid concerns of a feared escalation during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starting in the coming week. The meeting is aimed at ‘supporting dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to put a stop to unilateral actions and escalation and break the cycle of violence’, Egypt's foreign ministry added. Officials from Egypt, Jordan and the United States were attending the meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, it added. Hussein al-Sheikh, Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) secretary general, said Saturday on Twitter that the Palestinian delegation would participate ‘to demand an end to the continuous Israeli aggression against us’. Few details have emerged from the talks, but the efforts were already rejected by militant Palestinian factions.”
Reuters: East Congo Militants Kill At Least 22 In String Of Attacks
“Suspected militants killed at least 22 people in a string of attacks across the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri and North Kivu provinces overnight Saturday, officials and activists said on Sunday. The incidents were the latest in a stream of continuous violence that has plagued eastern Congo for years, despite increasing interventions from the country's army and U.N. peacekeepers. At least 12 people were killed Saturday in simultaneous raids across several villages in Ituri province. Local officials and civil society leaders blamed the CODECO group, one of several militias that have destabilized the densely forested region.”
United States
New York Post: ISIS Lover Busted For Plotting To Kill Cops On Street Of Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade
“An ISIS-loving radical Islamic extremist from Yonkers was busted by the feds Friday for plotting to kill the city’s police officers and mayor beginning on the street where the local St. Patrick’s Day parade was set to go down, authorities said Friday. Ridon Kola, 32, directly messaged the Yonkers police, saying ‘I will crucify Yonkers cops and their bosses all along McLean ave. It will be a horror scene . . . Allahu Ekberr,’ according to federal authorities. Though Kola didn’t directly threaten the parade, McLean Avenue is the street where the city’s St. Patrick’s Day event is scheduled for Saturday — and it prompted officials to quickly bust him Friday so he couldn’t do any damage at the event. ‘Yonkers is proud to host one of New York’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades and threats like this will not intimidate us from celebrating the many contributions of our Irish American community,’ Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano tweeted after the bust.”
Syria
Associated Press: Palestinian Militant Group: Commander Assassinated In Syria
“A commander in the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad was killed in Syria on Sunday in what it described as an assassination by Israeli agents. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad group, said in a statement that Ali Ramzi al-Aswad, 31, was killed Sunday morning in the Damascus countryside in a ‘cowardly assassination with bullets bearing the fingerprints of the Zionist enemy,’ referring to Israel. There was no immediate statement from Israel on Sunday’s alleged assassination. The Islamic Jihad said in a statement Aswad’s family had been displaced from the city of Haifa in 1948 and settled in the refugee camps in Syria, where he joined the organization as a young man. In 2019, Israeli warplanes fired missiles at the home of Akram al-Ajouri, a member of Islamic Jihad’s leadership living in exile. Ajouri was not harmed, but his son was reportedly killed in the attack.”
Associated Press: Syrian Kurdish Force Says It Lost 9 Fighters In Iraq Crash
“The main U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led force in northeastern Syria said Friday it lost nine fighters, including a commander, when two helicopters crashed this week in neighboring Iraq. The group known as Syrian Democratic Forces said the helicopters crashed during bad weather while en route to the northern Iraqi city of Suleimaniyah on Wednesday night. The nine killed included elite fighters, the group said. The statement added that the Syrian Kurdish fighters were in Iraq as part of an ‘exchange of expertise’ in the fight against the militant Islamic state group. It identified the killed commander as Sherfan Kobani, a cousin of SDF’s top commander, Mazloum Abdi. The SDF did not elaborate on the cause of the crash or provide further details. The group called on local authorities in Iraq to hand over the nine bodies so they could be brought home for burial in Syria.”
The Jerusalem Post: US To Send Islamic Terrorists To Ukraine, Syria's Assad Tells Russian Media
“The United States plans to send Islamic terrorists from Syria to Ukraine to aid in the war against Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Russian state-owned media RIA Novosti. On Wednesday, Assad met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since the Ukraine-Russia War began to discuss Syria and Russia’s political, economic, and military relationships. RIA spoke to Assad after the meeting about the situation in Ukraine and the United States' presence in Europe and the Middle East. Both the interviewer from RIA and Assad accused the US of harboring terrorists and manipulating the war for its own benefit.”
Iran
Reuters: Iran Court Sentences Two To Death Over Deadly Shrine Attack
“An Iranian court has handed out death sentences to two men over an attack on a Shi'ite shrine in Iran that killed 15 people in October and was claimed by the militant group Islamic State, the official news agency IRNA reported on Saturday. Fars Province judiciary head Kazem Mousavi said the two men had been found guilty of charges including ‘spreading corruption on earth’ and acting against national security, IRNA reported, adding that the sentences can be appealed. CCTV footage broadcast on state TV showed the attacker entering the popular Shah Cheragh shrine in the southern city of Shiraz after hiding an assault rifle in a bag and shooting as worshippers tried to flee and hide in corridors. The gunman, identified as a citizen of Tajikistan, later died in a hospital from injuries sustained during the attack. The two men sentenced to death said during the trial that they had been in contact with the Islamic State in neighbouring Afghanistan and helped organise the attack, Iranian media reported.”
Iraq
Daily Sabah: Helicopter Carrying PKK Terrorists In Iraq Owned By PUK Members: KRG
“As the mystery lingers over a helicopter crash that killed members of the PKK terrorist group in Iraq, the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq issued a new statement regarding the incident last week. The helicopter was purchased by a group within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) political party, the premier of the KRG said, according to local media. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani noted that the helicopter crashed in the Duhok region during Nowruz Festival celebrations on Saturday. ‘Actually, the helicopter was purchased by a group within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), but we don't know how it got into the hands of the SDF (PKK/YPG),’ Barzani said, adding that there was so far no further information about a second helicopter in the area whose presence was speculated by media outlets.”
Afghanistan
The Khaama Press News Agency: ISIS In Afghanistan Capable Of Overseas Attacks, Says US Commander
“…The terrorist group carried out four high-profile attacks from December-January 2022, hitting Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, the military section of Kabul’s airport, the Pakistani embassy, and a hotel housing Chinese guests, according to the nonprofit Counter Extremism Project. Security remains a significant challenge for Afghanistan’s de facto authorities among other critical issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and economic challenges.”
Prensa Latina: Taliban Attack ISIS Hideouts In Balkh Province, Afghanistan
“The spokesman described the attack as a substantial blow against the insurgents and stated that Taliban security forces have launched special operations against ISIS militants in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province. Several ISIS fighters were killed as a result of the operation and a member of the Islamic Emirate’s security personnel was wounded, Mujahid said. In addition, local sources reported a clash between Taliban forces and anti-government militants in the Dashte Shor area of Mazar-e-Sharif. The self-styled Islamic State of Greater Khorasan (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack on the Tabyan Cultural Center in Mazar-e-Sharif, killing and injuring dozens of journalists. The group also launched ruthless attacks on educational institutions and also on senior Taliban officials in Kabul.”
Pakistan
The Indian Express: Pakistani Court Grants Imran Khan Protective Bail In 8 Terrorism Cases, One Civil Case
“In a relief to embattled Imran Khan, a top Pakistani court here granted protective bail to the former prime minister on Friday in eight terrorism cases and a civil case after he appeared before the court, hours after another court suspended non-bailable arrest warrants against him till March 18 in a corruption case. Khan, the 70-year-old chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, travelled to the Lahore High Court (LHC) in a bulletproof vehicle to seek protective bail in nine cases. A two-member bench of the LHC, comprising Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Farooq Haider conducted the hearing on bail pleas filed against the cases that are lodged under terrorism sections, according to Geo TV. For the five cases in Islamabad, the court granted bail to the PTI chief till March 24 and for the three cases in Lahore, Khan received bail till March 27, the report said.”
Middle East
Associated Press: Military: Rocket Fired From Gaza Lands On Southern Israel
“The Israeli military said Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket toward southern Israel Saturday evening. The rocket fell and exploded in an open area, triggering warning sirens in the Nahal Oz community to the east of Gaza City. There were no reports of casualties or damage. The Israeli military usually responds to such rocket fire with airstrikes in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, raising the possibility of further violence just ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.”
i24 News: West Bank: IDF Soldiers Shoot Dead Knife-Wielding Palestinian Terrorist
“Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on Friday shot a Palestinian terrorist who tried to stab one of them. No Israel Defense Forces troops were wounded in the incident, which took part outside the Givat Assaf settlement, not far from Ramallah. After the terrorist unsuccessfully tried stabbing one of the soldiers, they fired warning rounds into the air, telling the Palestinian to drop the knife. After the assailant failed to comply, soldiers shot and wounded him. He died of his wounds later.”
The Times Of Israel: 2 Jewish Teens Indicted On Terror Charges For January Firebombing Of Herzliya Mosque
“Two Jewish suspects, including a minor, were indicted Friday on terror charges for recently firebombing a mosque in the central city of Herzliya. The Tel Aviv residents, aged 16 and 19, were arrested by police in the past few days for targeting the Sidna Ali Mosque in January with Molotov cocktails as an act of revenge for Palestinian terror attacks, according to a Justice Ministry statement. The suspects were charged with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism and arson offenses. The roof of the mosque was left covered in soot due to the act.”
Nigeria
Associated Press: Officials Abducted, Jihadists Repelled In Nigeria Vote
“Security forces repelled an attack by Islamic extremists on a coalition center in northeastern Nigeria and several election officials elsewhere were kidnapped as results trickled in Sunday from the gubernatorial vote. Meanwhile, the incumbent governor in the battleground state of Lagos appeared to have secured reelection, though results from more than two-thirds of the states were still being counted. Festus Okoye, a spokesman for Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, said Sunday it had received reports of violence and was reviewing them. Nigeria’s election laws grant the electoral body the power to void the outcome of an election in certain circumstances.”
Sahara Reporters: Exclusive: Three Young Nigerian Soldiers Killed After Patrol Vehicle Drives Over Bomb Planted By Iswap Terrorists In Borno
“Three young personnel of the 152 Task Force Battalion, Banki town in Borno State have been confirmed dead after running into an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād. SaharaReporters gathered that the troops were on fighting patrol around 10 am on Thursday when the vehicle drives over the planted IED. One of the victims was identified as Ogbosomi; he reportedly joined the Army in 2020. ‘Three of our men were killed after a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) struck a convoy of troops during a fighting patrol.’”
Punch: Election Day Attack: Soldiers Kill 60 Terrorists In Borno
“The military in Borno State averted what could have been a major governorship and state assembly election day tragedy by foiling an attempted attack by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province on the Mafa Local Government Area collation centre in the state. Dependable reports said the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the army base serving as a collation centre for the March 18 elections. Troops, according to the sources, swiftly mobilised and confronted the terrorists, instantly killing 60 of them in a fierce duel. Military sources in Maiduguri said the terrorists stormed Mafa Town in gun trucks and motorcycles around 2am and headed towards the military base where the collation of votes for the LGA was ongoing.”
Somalia
Garowe Online: Somalia: Burundian Linked To Al-Shabaab Suicide Bomb In Jana Cabdalle
“A Burundian national was directly linked to the recent Al-Shabaab attack in Jana Cabdalle, a town located in Jubaland, the group has claimed in a statement. This development exposes the militants' recruitment strategy, which is expanding rapidly across East Africa and the Great Lakes region. Recently, the group acknowledged that Kenyan and Tanzania nationals participated in an attack targeting US Naval base in Manda Airbase within Kenya which left at least three Americans dead. The attack was mainly engineered by foreigners with two Somalis also taking part.”
Africa
Reuters: Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Killing 10 People In Eastern DRC
“Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that took place in an eastern village in the Democratic Republic of Congo killing 10 people and injuring many others, a telegram account for the group said on Sunday. ‘This is our first attack in Lubero province and this is expansion for the IS operations’ the account said.”
Free Press Kashmir: US Conducts ‘Counter-Terrorism’ Drills In West Africa
“A two-week US-led counter-terrorism exercise that assembled over 400 soldiers from across West Africa with the aim of combatting extremist violence in the region has concluded in Ghana. According to the US military trainers overseeing the drills, the platform was also used to press nations in the region to rely on each other rather than on non-Western powers, the Russian TV Network RT reported. Military personnel from Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria took part in the exercises, dubbed ‘Flintlock’, which wrapped up on March 15. During the maritime and cross-border drills, soldiers learned, among other things, how to use motorcycles to counter jihadist insurgent attacks. ‘You have governments with so many problems that they begin reaching out to other malign actors who are perhaps more exploitive of the resources in those countries,’ Colonel Robert Zyla of the US Special Operations Command Africa told Reuters.”
United Kingdom
BBC: William Howitt: Man, 26, Charged With Terrorism Offence
“A 26-year-old man has been charged with a terrorism offence. William Howitt, of Holme Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, was arrested on Tuesday by counter-terrorism officers. Police said he had since been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism, under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. At Westminster Magistrates' Court Mr Howitt was given a trial date of 31 March at the Old Bailey.”
The National News: UK Tests Emergency Response Systems By Holding ‘Terror Attacks’ In London And York
“A knife-wielding terrorist rampaging through York Racecourse and suicide bombers targeting London's transport systems were part of two terrorism exercises held to assess the UK's emergency response systems. Surprised onlookers were met with armed police and ambulances attending staged terrorism incidents where actors were covered in fake blood and injuries. The events were held to test the UK’s response systems after emergency services were criticised following the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured more than 1,000 others when he detonated a bomb in his backpack at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. An inquiry into the attack made a number of recommendations, which included calling for emergency responders to become more effective and improve how they work together.”
Oxford Mail: Blackbird Leys Woman Will Stand Trial In November On Terrorism Charges
“A woman from Oxford will stand trial in November accused of sharing Islamist ‘terror publications’ online. Roma Iqbal, 23, appeared before the Old Bailey this morning (March 17), when Mr Justice Baker fixed her trial for November 13. The case is expected to be sent to Winchester Crown Court. Granting her conditional bail, the High Court judge told Iqbal she was next due before the court in July for a mention hearing.”
Technology
The Jerusalem Post: Social Media Videos Instruct Terrorists How To Carry Out Attacks
“Instructional videos on how to kill Israelis in stabbings and shootings are being circulated online, according to a report by the Jewish Chronicle on Friday. One video, which was translated by the JC showed two men demonstrating how best to stab a person. The video provides instructions on what type of knife to use and where best to stab. The video instructs prospective stabbers not to use kitchen knives or blunt knives, according to the JC's translation.”
Mirror: EXCLUSIVE: Britain's Biggest Fascist Group Sharing Far-Right Propaganda And Racist Slurs On Youtube
“…YouTube says it does not allow hate speech under its terms of service and removes any content that incites violence or hatred. But a joint investigation by this newspaper and the Counter Extremism Project found videos contravening this policy have been online for up to two years.”
The Sun: 'BEGGARS BELIEF' Youtube Still Broadcasting Racist Song Videos Which Inspired Terrorist Neo-Nazi Anders Breivik
“…Sir Ivor Roberts, senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, said it ‘beggars belief’ they are on YouTube 12 years on. He added: ‘It’s sickening to think such material can be easily accessed by children and vulnerable adults — and essentially act as recruiting videos, glamourising and justifying a violent neo-Nazi cause. ‘The laws requiring wealthy social media giants to prevent such harmful material from being broadcast are simply not robust enough.’ Breivik was jailed for Norway’s maximum term of 21 years. YouTube was approached for comment.”
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