Eye on Extremism December 10, 2018

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Eye on Extremism
December 10, 2018
RE: info@counterextremism.com

The Independent: Far-Right Groups Across Europe 'Using Islamist Techniques' To Recruit Followers, Report Says

“Far-right extremists across Europe are successfully integrating themselves into the political mainstream by shunning street violence and adopting the same recruitment techniques used by jihadis, according to a new report. The research, carried out by the Counter Extremism Project, was revealed exclusively to The Independent ahead of a major march in London organised by Ukip and English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. David Ibsen, executive director of the Counter Extremism Project, said: “Portraying themselves in this way is definitely a tactic to increase the reach of their message and, as such, increase the potential of radicalisation.” He said anti-Islam figures and white nationalists were using online channels to “build communities” around specific issues, in a way that has previously been seen with jihadis who capitalise on topics like the Iraq War and airstrikes. “The real worrying issue is that, with the power of social media, these claims create an ecosystem where people looking for legitimate mainstream movements access extremist culture,” Mr Ibsen added. “What we cannot ignore is how these groups will affect pluralism, peace and tolerance.”

The New York Times: Battered ISIS Keeps Grip On Last Piece Of Territory For Over A Year

“The Islamic State has been stripped of nearly all the territory it ruled in Iraq and Syria and has been pummeled by nearly 30,000 airstrikes. But the extremist group has still managed to retain a small pocket of land on the Syria-Iraq border for more than a year. The militants have even on occasion struck back with some of their former vigor from their toehold, around the Syrian town of Hajin in Deir al-Zour Province. In the last week of November, they staged a breakout from the Hajin pocket, attacking the American-allied Syrian Democratic Forces in the Syrian town of Gharanij, which those forces had captured a year earlier. The breakout on Nov. 24 was a propaganda bonanza for the extremists, even though officials of the American-led coalition battling the Islamic State said they were quickly beaten back. Maj. Gen. Patrick Roberson, the American military commander, said the Islamic State took advantage of bad weather and sandstorms, when airstrikes were not possible.”

The Wall Street Journal: Israel Warns Lebanon Of Possible Strikes On Hezbollah

“Israel has warned Lebanon that it would strike Hezbollah in Lebanese territory if its militia doesn’t stop making precision-guided missiles with Iranian help, U.S. and Israeli officials said. Israeli officials are concerned that Iranian-supplied weapons and materials could transform Hezbollah’s missiles into precision-guided munitions capable of homing in on Israeli targets. Such weapons could erode Israel’s technological military advantage in the region and complicate efforts to defend its northern border and cities. Israel asked U.S. and French officials to deliver warnings to the Lebanese government over the past month that it would act to stop a missile buildup in Lebanon, according to U.S., Israeli and intelligence officials. The warnings came as Israel said it had discovered tunnels dug by Hezbollah into Israel from Lebanon. A pre-emptive attack on Hezbollah in Lebanese territory would risk a war with the militant group and would significantly escalate Middle East military and diplomatic tensions.”

Kurdistan 24: Islamic State Detonates Explosives Inside Hospital In Remaining Syrian Stronghold

“The official US government Twitter account for the Special Ops Joint Task Force in Iraq/Syria (SOJTFOIR) on Sunday said that Islamic State (IS) militants had set off an explosion from within the Hajin Hospital to destroy the civilian infrastructure. “This further demonstrates [IS]’s complete disregard for protected structures, innocent civilians, and human life. The Coalition did not strike the facility. We will continue to fight alongside our SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] partners,” the SOJTFOIR account stated. According to the SOJTFOIR, it is a common IS tactic to destroy protected structures, as they did with the Grand al-Nuri Mosque in the last days of the battle of Mosul in June last year. The head of the SDF press office also confirmed that the jihadist group had placed explosives in the hospital. “At 7 o’clock of this evening, [IS] placed mines in Hajin Hospital. While placing them, some of their mines exploded and caused enormous damage to the hospital,” SDF official Mustafa Bali said on his Twitter account on Sunday, adding that some IS members were killed in the blast.”

The New York Times: James Fields Guilty Of First-Degree Murder In Death Of Heather Heyer

“Sixteen months after swastika-toting white supremacists swarmed the streets of Charlottesville, one of the demonstrators was convicted of first-degree murder Friday by a jury that found he intentionally drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing one woman and injuring nearly 40 others. James Fields Jr., 21, faces up to life in prison for the death of Heather Heyer, 32, in a case that has stirred soul-searching in a city that prides itself on being a liberal bastion. Mr. Fields, who traveled from Ohio to attend the Unite the Right rally, was also convicted of nine other charges, including aggravated malicious wounding and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Friday’s verdict was cheered by those fighting racial and religious hatred and provided some closure in a case that cast a national spotlight on Charlottesville, the scene chosen by racists and anti-Semites to rally for their cause, near a Confederate monument that some city leaders were trying to remove. “This verdict sends a strong message to others that hate has no place in our society,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League."

The Sun: Nazi Piece Of Work The ‘Far-Right Twitter’ Where Sick Neo-Nazis Share Vile Hate And Chilling Threats Of Race War

“Far-right extremists, loners and murderous neo-Nazis have found a new home on the internet. Now they can openly share their extremist bile with more than 800,000 users on a social media platform called Gab - a haven for far-right fanatics originally modelled on Twitter. David Ibsen, executive director of The Counter Extremism Project, said: “According to the European Commission’s latest comments on hate speech, on average 70% of illegal hate speech notified to tech companies was deleted. “This figure is not only too small, it also doesn’t tackle the issue that many platforms, like Gab.ai, are not forthcoming with their approach to restrict and remove the spread of illegal content. “Gab.ai, for example, describes its mission as putting 'people and free speech first'. We need to be clear and realise that free speech ends where extremist content starts. “On that basis we are forced to believe that those companies do not care about the way they are used. “All reputable businesses, entities and individuals must refuse to knowingly associate with extremists and their enablers and to do their utmost to prevent the use of its services by terrorists.”

Syria

The Washington Post: US-Backed Syrian Fighters Push Into Islamic State-Held Town

“U.S.-backed Syrian fighters have pushed deeper into the Islamic State group’s last remaining stronghold, capturing a hospital. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces entered the eastern Syrian town of Hajin last week and intense fighting has been ongoing since. SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali says it took full control of the hospital early Monday. Omar Abu Layla, of the activist-run DeirEzzor 24 monitoring group, confirmed the hospital on the edge of town was retaken by the SDF. SDF fighters launched an offensive to capture Hajin and nearby villages on Sept. 10. They have made little progress since then, but last week intensified their attacks under the cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.”

Al Jazeera: US Accuses Russia, Syria Of Lying About Aleppo 'Chemical Attack'

“The United States and Britain have accused Russia of fabricating a story about chemical weapons use by Syrian rebels. In separate statements issued on Friday, London and Washington also warned Moscow against undermining a shaky truce in the war-torn country. Russia's defence ministry said rebels fired weapons containing chlorine on November 24 on the government-held city of Aleppo, with Syrian state media reporting that around 100 Syrians were hospitalised for breathing difficulties. The rebels denied the allegations and said that the government was attempting to frame them. Russia responded to the purported attack with air raids on Idlib, the latest major stronghold of rebels battling President Bashar al-Assad, throwing into question a truce reached in mid-September. The US said it had “credible information” that the chlorine account was false and that Russian and Syrian forces instead had fired tear gas. “The United States is deeply concerned that pro-regime officials have maintained control of the attack site in its immediate aftermath, allowing them to potentially fabricate samples and contaminate the site before a proper investigation of it by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons,” State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement. “We caution Russia and the regime against tampering with the suspected attack site and urge them to secure the safety of impartial, independent inspectors so that those responsible can be held accountable,” he said.”

Kurdistan 24: Islamic State Detonates Explosives Inside Hospital In Remaining Syrian Stronghold

“The official US government Twitter account for the Special Ops Joint Task Force in Iraq/Syria (SOJTFOIR) on Sunday said that Islamic State (IS) militants had set off an explosion from within the Hajin Hospital to destroy the civilian infrastructure. “This further demonstrates [IS]’s complete disregard for protected structures, innocent civilians, and human life. The Coalition did not strike the facility. We will continue to fight alongside our SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] partners,” the SOJTFOIR account stated. According to the SOJTFOIR, it is a common IS tactic to destroy protected structures, as they did with the Grand al-Nuri Mosque in the last days of the battle of Mosul in June last year. The head of the SDF press office also confirmed that the jihadist group had placed explosives in the hospital. “At 7 o’clock of this evening, [IS] placed mines in Hajin Hospital. While placing them, some of their mines exploded and caused enormous damage to the hospital,” SDF official Mustafa Bali said on his Twitter account on Sunday, adding that some IS members were killed in the blast. On Monday, Bali claimed the SDF is now in control of the hospital in Hajin. Recently, the SDF has made strong advances against IS in its last remaining stronghold in Syria.”

Iran

Radio Free Europe: Iran Arrests 10 Suspects Over Deadly Suicide Attack

“Iranian security forces have detained 10 people suspected of links to a recent suicide attack in the country's southeast, police say. “Good clues have been obtained and hopefully with the public's cooperation...we will get to the main leads,” the official news agency IRNA quoted police chief Hossein Ashtari as saying on December 9. More suspects have been identified and were being sought, he added. At least two police officers were killed and around 40 other people were wounded in a December 6 assault in which an explosives-laden car exploded outside police headquarters in the port city of Chabahar.The Sunni jihadist group Ansar al-Furqan claimed responsibility for the attack. Sistan-Baluchistan Province, where Chabahar is located, has seen repeated attacks by Sunni militants against security forces in recent years.”

CNN: Iran's President Warns US Sanctions Could Increase Flow Of Illegal Drugs

“Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Saturday that the United States' re-imposed sanctions on Iran will not help his country in fighting drug trafficking and will open doors for illegal drugs into western countries, including the United States. Rouhani made his remarks while speaking from Tehran at an anti-terrorism conference attended by parliamentary speakers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, China and Russia. Rouhani said "boycotting Iran undermines our ability to fight drugs and terrorism," according to Iran's state-run Tasnim news. "By making Iran weaker through sanctions, many people will not be safe. Those who do not believe what we say, they had better look at the map," Rouhani said. The Iranian president said his country spends millions of dollars each year in the fight against drug trafficking, "the results of which guarantees more health for people from Eastern Europe to Western America and from Northern Africa to Western Asia." "I warn all those who boycott, that if our abilities in fighting drugs and terrorism in their origins is undermined, you will not be able to survive the debris of drugs, refugees and bombs and assassination," Rouhani said.”

Iraq

The New York Times: Battered ISIS Keeps Grip On Last Piece Of Territory For Over A Year

“The Islamic State has been stripped of nearly all the territory it ruled in Iraq and Syria and has been pummeled by nearly 30,000 airstrikes. But the extremist group has still managed to retain a small pocket of land on the Syria-Iraq border for more than a year. The militants have even on occasion struck back with some of their former vigor from their toehold, around the Syrian town of Hajin in Deir al-Zour Province. In the last week of November, they staged a breakout from the Hajin pocket, attacking the American-allied Syrian Democratic Forces in the Syrian town of Gharanij, which those forces had captured a year earlier. The breakout on Nov. 24 was a propaganda bonanza for the extremists, even though officials of the American-led coalition battling the Islamic State said they were quickly beaten back. Maj. Gen. Patrick Roberson, the American military commander, said the Islamic State took advantage of bad weather and sandstorms, when airstrikes were not possible. “As we degrade their capabilities and push them into an ever smaller box, ISIS continues to employ more and more desperate measures,” General Roberson said. “These tactics won’t succeed.” However, Maxwell B. Markusen, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, warned against complacency.”

ABC News: Iraq Marks Anniversary Of Victory Over Islamic State

“Iraq on Monday celebrated the anniversary of its costly victory over the Islamic State group, which has lost virtually all the territory it once held but still carries out sporadic attacks. The government declared victory last December after a grueling three-year war in which tens of thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Entire towns and neighborhoods were reduced to rubble in the fighting. The government declared Monday a national holiday, and a moment of silence is planned for later in the day. Checkpoints in the capital were decorated with Iraqi flags and balloons, as security forces patrolled the streets playing patriotic music. As part of the celebrations, authorities plan to reopen parts of Baghdad's fortified Green Zone — home to key government offices and embassies — to the public. The move is billed as an act of transparency following protests against corruption and poor public services. Addressing a group of Iraqi military officers, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said it was a “proud day for all of us when our brave country defeated the enemies of life, dignity, freedom and peace.” He commended the security forces as well as Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who issued a fatwa, or religious edict, mobilizing volunteers after the armed forces collapsed in the face of the IS onslaught in 2014.”

Iraqi News: Commander: 12 ISIS Militants Arrested In Kirkuk

“Commander of the 2nd Special Operations Command announced, on Sunday, that the security forces arrested 12 members of the Islamic State group, while they were trying to sneak into the city of Kirkuk. Major General Moen al-Saadi saind in a statement that the heroes of the Anti-Terrorism Forces managed to arrest twelve members of the Islamic State, while added that the terrorists were arrested based on accurate intelligence information. He also explained that the arrested militants were planning to create chaos in the city and launch several terrorist attacks, but the security forces tracked them and were able to arrest them. It is noteworthy that in June 2014, following the Northern Iraq offensive, during which ISIS secured control of Tikrit and nearby areas in Syria, the Iraqi army fled Kirkuk and Kurdish forces took control of the city.”

Iraqi News: Iraqi Warplanes Kill 3 Islamic State Militants In Anbar

“Three Islamic State militants were killed Saturday in an air raid by the Iraqi Air Force on a terrorist hotbed in Anbar, a security source from the province’s operations command was quoted as saying. Speaking to the privately-owned Almaalomah news agency, the source pointed out that Iraqi warplanes targeted three Islamic State militants riding two motorbikes and trying to sneak into Wadi al-Shaib, which leads to al-Kasrat area, west of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. “The three terrorists were killed and their motorbikes were destroyed in the airstrike,” the source said, adding that a large cache of weapons were found at the scene. Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in November 2017 with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq. IS had declared a self-styled “caliphate” in a third of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014. A government campaign, backed by a U.S.-led international coalition and paramilitary forces, was launched in 2016 to retake IS-held regions, managing to retake all havens, most notably the city of Mosul, the group’s previously proclaimed capital.”

Iraqi News: Five Islamic State Militants Apprehended In Nineveh

“Five Islamic State terrorists were arrested Sunday in Nineveh province, the Iraqi Security Media Center said as the Iraqi forces still launch manhunts nationwide for remnants of the extremist group. Troops of the homeland security department in Nineveh province arrested five Islamic State militants, who worked for the Islamic police force, also known as Hisbah, during the group’s capture of much of Nineveh province in 2014, Almaalomah news agency quoted the center’s spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yehia Rasool, as saying in a statement. “The arrestees were hiding at a border village in Nineveh when they were caught by security forces,” Rasool said, adding that the five are wanted by Iraqi judiciary on terror charges. “They were all handed over to the competent authorities for legal action,” the statement read. Former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi announced in August 2017 that Nineveh province was fully liberated from Islamic State after the district of Tal Afar was recaptured. The announcement came after the defeat of the jihadist group in the town of Ayadiya, where the militants had fled to from Tal Afar. Islamic State militants seized control of much of Nineveh, including the provincial capital of Mosul, in June 2014.”

Voice Of America: Mass Graves Highlight Challenges In Post-IS Raqqa

“More than 500 bodies were exhumed last week from one of the largest mass graves in Raqqa, Syria, once the de facto capital of the Islamic State (IS) terror group. A local team of first responders has been carrying out the exhumation of mass graves in and around Raqqa since U.S.-backed forces liberated the city from IS in October 2017. “So far, we have worked on seven out of 10 mass graves that have been discovered in Raqqa,” said Yasir Khamis of the Raqqa Civil Council, which is responsible for running the city. ”This is one of the largest mass graves in Raqqa. It took us three months to finish the work here. Some of the bodies we found belong to IS fighters, but others belong to civilians, including children and women,” he told VOA. During its brutal reign in Raqqa, between 2014 and 2017, IS carried out mass executions of locals who opposed it or did not adhere to its extremist ideology. Local experts said about 1,500 more bodies were thought to have been buried at the Panorama mass grave, named after the roundabout where it was found. Rights groups have demanded the preservation of bodies and evidence for possible war crimes trials. “We are in a race against time. These bodies are decomposing at an exponential rate,” said Sara Kayyali, a Syria researcher at Human Rights Watch.”

Afghanistan

The Washington Post: Taliban Kill 8 Afghan Soldiers In Attack On Checkpoint

“An Afghan official says the Taliban have attacked an army checkpoint in the western Farah province, killing at least eight Afghan soldiers. Abdul Samad Salehi, a provincial council member, says the insurgents abducted another 10 soldiers in the attack late Saturday. Provincial police spokesman Mohibullah Mohib says three insurgents were killed and four others were wounded. The Taliban, who control nearly half the country, carry out daily attacks mainly targeting security forces.”

Associated Press: Official: Roadside Bomb Kills 3 Civilians In Afghanistan

“A civilian vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb Saturday, killing three civilians in western Herat province, a provincial official said. Gelani Farhad, the provincial governor's spokesman, said the three — who were from the same family — were killed in the Guzra district. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Farhad blamed Taliban insurgents who are active in the area. In eastern Nangarhar province, three members of the Islamic State group were arrested during a military operation in Bahsud district, said Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor. Khogyani said one of three is a member of the group's press department who had responsibility for the propaganda of the IS in Nangarhar. Both Taliban and Islamic State militants are active in eastern Afghanistan, especially in Nangarhar province. There was no immediate statement from the Islamic State group. In northern Kunduz province, at least four Taliban insurgents were killed by their own bomb, according to a statement released by the Afghan army Saturday. The blast took place in Qala-e Zal district as they tried to plant it and it detonated. Taliban insurgents are active in a few districts in Kunduz and often launch attacks against Afghan security forces. The army statement also said that in northern Jawzjan province a local Taliban leader was killed in an airstrike conducted by the Afghan air force.”

Xinhua: Local Taliban Leader Killed In N. Afghanistan Airstrike

“A key Taliban local leader has been killed following an airstrike in Afghanistan's northern province of Jawzjan, authorities said Saturday. “Mohammad Wali was killed and three of his subordinates were wounded after Afghan Air Force launched an airstrike in Maymelike village of Faizabad district late Friday,” the Afghan army's Corps 209 Shaheen based in the region said in a statement. In a separate development, four Taliban militants were killed following an accident bomb blast in northern province of Kunduz early Saturday, provincial government spokesman Esmatullah Muradi told Xinhua. The militants were carrying an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chem Tepa area of Qalay-i-Zal district when the IED detonated accidentally, leaving the casualties. Among those killed was a Taliban bomb-making expert named Qari Mahbub, the official added. Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful region in the north, where Taliban have been recruiting from among the youth. The Taliban militant group has yet to respond to the reports.”

Pakistan

Associated Press: Police Arrest 5 ‘Terrorists’ Planning Attacks In Pakistan

“Pakistani counter-terrorism police say they have arrested five “terrorists” who were planning attacks on security agencies and seized explosive vests and weapons in the country’s east. Senior officer Rai Tahir says Saturday that a group of five men belonging to the banned militant organization Tehreek-e-Taliban had planned to attack intelligence agency offices in the city of Bahawalpur. Tahir said teams of counter-terrorism police raided the men’s hideout. He said suicide jackets, hand grenades, lethal weapons, ammunition and money to finance their operations were seized. Tahir said an initial investigation revealed that Tehreek-e-Taliban was coordinating with al-Qaeda for attacks on security agencies in Punjab province. Militants in Pakistan have carried out numerous attacks, mainly targeting security forces. Most in recent years have been linked to the Pakistani Taliban.”

Daily Times: Scholars Vow To Eradicate Terrorism, Extremism And Sectarian Violence

“Leadership of political and religious organisations vowed to carry out joint struggle to annihilate menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarian violence. A Joint Declaration issued at the Seerat-e-Rehmat-ul-Alameen Conference also stated that any organisation or religious group would not be allowed to do politics on ‘Finality of Prophethood issue and sanctity of Risalat’. The Joint Declaration issued with the consent of religious and political organisations also resolved that elements maligning state institutions must be exposed. The conference vowed that protection of Madaris-e-Arabia and Masajid would be ensured on a priority. Pakistan Ulema Council chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi told the conference that Islamic Sections from Constitution of Pakistan could not be annulled and added that Qadiyani community was declared infidel with consent of people of Pakistan in accordance of Shariah Islamic. “It is responsibility of the state in Pakistan to ensure that Qadiyani community live in Pakistan as per rights and privileges given to them through Constitution of Pakistan,” he said. Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also said that some elements in Pakistan were trying to create differences and mistrust between security forces of Pakistan and nation.”

Greater Kashmir: ‘Over 225 Militants Killed In 2018 So Far’

“Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Udhampur-based Northern Command, on Saturday said that more than 225 militants have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir so far this year, attributing the success of operations to “local information”. The commander claimed that initiatives taken by the government and forces had resulted in a decline in militancy as well as a drop in the number of “local youths being radicalised”. “Our operations are carried out in a very professional manner,” Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told reporters in Kapurthala, Punjab, on the sidelines of his visit to the Sainik School, his alma mater. “More importantly these successful operations are possible only because information regarding the movement of militants is now coming from local population, which is a very positive sign and indicates the decline of militancy,” Lt Gen Singh said. “More than the number of militants killed, information from locals is a much encouraging and positive sign.” He added: “Pakistan keep pushing more number of militants in Jammu and Kashmir but our resolve is very clear that as long as there are militants moving around they shall not be provided any space to carry out their activities at their will. We will ensure that peace and stability is maintained in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Lebanon

The Wall Street Journal: Israel Warns Lebanon Of Possible Strikes On Hezbollah

“Israel has warned Lebanon that it would strike Hezbollah in Lebanese territory if its militia doesn’t stop making precision-guided missiles with Iranian help, U.S. and Israeli officials said. Israeli officials are concerned that Iranian-supplied weapons and materials could transform Hezbollah’s missiles into precision-guided munitions capable of homing in on Israeli targets. Such weapons could erode Israel’s technological military advantage in the region and complicate efforts to defend its northern border and cities. Israel asked U.S. and French officials to deliver warnings to the Lebanese government over the past month that it would act to stop a missile buildup in Lebanon, according to U.S., Israeli and intelligence officials. The warnings came as Israel said it had discovered tunnels dug by Hezbollah into Israel from Lebanon. A pre-emptive attack on Hezbollah in Lebanese territory would risk a war with the militant group and would significantly escalate Middle East military and diplomatic tensions. Israeli officials say they and Hezbollah don’t want a war, and Israel, which has already struck Hezbollah in Syria in recent years, has implored the Lebanese government to keep the group in check. “We are sitting on an explosive barrel. There’s a lot of armaments on both sides,” a senior Israeli military official said. “We haven’t got any intention or will to get into a confrontation with Lebanon. Our problem is Hezbollah.”

Fox News: Hezbollah Tunnel Dug From Lebanon Is Latest Found By Israel

“Israeli forces announced on Saturday that they discovered another Hezbollah tunnel dug from Lebanon, marking the second cross-border tunnel found since Israel began an operation to “neutralize” attack passageways dug by the Iranian-backed group. The finding comes shortly after troops fired at suspected members of the Lebanese militant group who approached the area where Israeli Army engineers were working to locate the tunnels. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli Army spokesman, told reporters the new tunnel runs into Israel but “does not pose an imminent threat to Israeli communities.” He said explosives were placed in the tunnel to prevent infiltration into Israel, adding that Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible “for the activities and all Hezbollah violations.” According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, who is also a member of Israel’s security cabinet, appeared to indicate that Israel could consider military action in southern Lebanese territory, if necessary. “If we think that in order to thwart the tunnels that one needs to operate on the other side -- then we will operate on the other side of the border,” Katz told Radio Tel Aviv 102FM.”

Qatar

The Guardian: Gulf Divisions Widen As Qatar Accused Of 'Snubbing' Meeting

“Divisions among Gulf states were exposed when Saudi Arabia’s allies rounded on Qatar for snubbing a personal invite from King Salman and sending a relatively junior foreign minister to the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting in Riyadh. Qatar is enduring a 20-month economic, diplomatic and political boycott by Saudi, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain that has soured relations and led to bitter rhetorical war. Bahrain’s foreign minister openly criticised Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a tweet for his no-show. “Qatar’s emir should have accepted the fair demands [of the boycotting states] and attended the summit,” he said. The summit, the first since a brief bad-tempered meeting last December, comes at the worst moment of crisis in the 37-year history of the GCC, which was designed as a customs and political union for the six Gulf states. The quartet of Arab states has accused Qatar of financing terrorism and seeking to undermine Saudi Arabia. Qatar has denied the charges and said the boycott aims to impinge on its independent foreign policy.”

Middle East

The Times: The Meek Wives Of ISIS Exposed As Best Recruiters

“Far-right and Islamist terrorist groups have used women as online recruiters because their empathy and soft approach means they are better at targeting vulnerable individuals. Researchers found that female recruiters were “optimised” by Islamic State and white supremacists because they had been so effective at targeting individuals on social media platforms. Erin Saltman, lead manager of counterterrorism policy at Facebook, said that female jihadists and far-right extremists used social media messaging to develop relationships with targeted individuals and “made them part of the family through an online conversation”. “They put in the hours . . . That’s when radicalisation works best,” she said at Chatham House last week.”

Gulf Times: Houthis Reject Govt Proposals Over Airport In Peace Talks

“Yemen’s Saudi-backed government has proposed reopening the Houthi-held airport in the capital Sanaa on condition planes are inspected in the airports of Aden or Sayun which are under its control, two government officials said yesterday. The Houthis rejected the proposal floated at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden that are aimed at cementing confidence-building measures that could lead to a ceasefire to halt air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities. But given this is only the second day of the talks due to last until Dec 13, and with both sides are coming under mounting pressure for action because of the human toll of the war, there could be room for concessions. The war has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the world’s direst humanitarian crisis, since the coalition intervened in 2015 to restore a government ousted by the Houthi movement. The warring sides agreed on Thursday to free thousands of prisoners, in what UN mediator Martin Griffiths called a hopeful start to the first peace talks in two years to end a war that has pushed millions of people to the verge of starvation. Griffiths wants a deal on reopening the airport, shoring up the central bank and securing a truce in Hodeidah, the country’s main port, held by the Houthis and a focus of the war after the coalition launched a campaign to capture it this year.”

The Jerusalem Post: Hezbollah Finance Chief Pleads Guilty And Gets Five Years In Prison

“A Lebanese businessman sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for being an important financial supporter of Hezbollah pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges associated with evading U.S. sanctions imposed on him, the U.S. Justice Department said. Kassim Tajideen, 63, pleaded guilty to conspiring with at least five other people to conduct more than $50 million in transactions with U.S. businesses in violation of the sanctions imposed on him, the department said in a statement. If his plea agreement is approved by the U.S. District Court in Washington, Tajideen would serve five years in prison and pay a $50 million criminal forfeiture in advance of his sentencing, the department said. "The Department of Justice has put a target on Hezbollah," acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said in announcing the plea agreement. "We are going to keep targeting Hezbollah and other terrorist groups and their supporters, and we are going to keep winning."

Asharq Al-Awsat: Morocco Dismantles ISIS Terror Cell

“Morocco announced on Friday that it had dismantled in the central Beni Mellal city a terrorist cell that was affiliated with the ISIS group. An interior ministry statement said that the six-member cell was preparing to carry out terrorist attacks in the country. The security forces carried out a preemptive raid to arrest the cell. The suspects range between 24 and 37 years of age. The security forces confiscated a number of electronic devices, pamphlets that glorify ISIS ideology and knives during their operation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had recruited youths in order to indoctrinate them with ISIS thought and incite them to carry out attacks against those who not adhere to their ideology. The ministry said that the operation demonstrates that terrorist threats still persist in Morocco, vowing that the suspects will be brought to justice. They will be tried according to the concerned judiciary, rules and procedures, it stressed. Agence-France Presse noted a drop in the dismantling of terror cells in the Kingdom. It had uncovered 21 cells in 2015, 19 in 2016 and nine in 2017, revealed official figures. Since 2002, Morocco has discovered and dismantled 186 terrorist cells and arrested 3,000 suspects, said an official source from the interior ministry.”

Haaretz: Seven Wounded, One Seriously, In Shooting Attack Near West Bank Settlement

“Seven people were wounded in a drive-by shooting attack near the settlement of Ofra in the West Bank on Sunday evening. Security forces have launched a manhunt for the assailants. One of those wounded was a 21-year-old pregnant woman who was in serious condition after sustaining wounds to her upper body. She was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, where doctors delivered her baby prematurely. On Monday morning, the hospital's director said the woman's condition stabilized during the night, while the baby's condition worsened and was now in critical condition. The rest of the victims were also evacuated to a number of hospitals in Jerusalem, including a 21-year-old man who sustained moderate wounds to his lower limbs and a 22-year-old man was also moderately wounded. The other victims are two 16-year-old girls and two 16-year-old boys, all of whom sustained light wounds. According to people in the settlement, the 21-year-old woman was waiting for a ride together with her husband, who was also wounded and is in moderate condition. The two live in the area, but not in Ofra. The Israel Defense Forces said the shooting was conducted from a moving vehicle and targeted civilians trying to catch a ride from the nearby junction.”

Egypt

Reuters: Egypt Says Police Kill Two Gunmen Behind November Attack On Christians

“Egyptian police killed two gunmen who carried out last month’s attack on a bus carrying Christians in Minya governorate to the south of Cairo, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Police, helped by the military, found the gunmen in Assiut governorate, which lies to the south of Minya, it said in a statement. They were in possession of three automatic rifles, one shotgun and an unspecified amount of ammunition. Security forces also found one of the vehicles used in the Nov. 2 attack, which killed at least seven Christians who were returning from baptizing a child at a Coptic monastery in central Egypt. The mobile phone of one of the victims of the attack, Kamal Yousef Shehata, was also found, the ministry said. On Nov. 3, a day after the attack near the Monastery of St Samuel the Confessor in Minya, security forces killed 19 militants suspected of involvement. Islamic State claimed responsibility for last month’s attack, which took place at exactly the same spot as a May 2017 attack that killed 28 Christians. Islamic State also claimed responsibility for that attack.”

Gulf News: Egypt Using Social Media To Tackle Extremism

“Two terrorists ride on a motorbike as a big ball of fire rises in the background as a result of a terror attack. They race off with one of them carrying the black banner of the Daesh terrorist group. The scene is part of a short animated video recently released by Egypt’s leading Islamic body, Dar Al Ifta, marking the latest effort to support the country’s vigorous campaign against religious radicalism. In recent weeks, the influential institution, which is in in charge of issuing fataws (binding religious edicts) in Egypt, has released a string of videos produced by its newly created graphics unit designed to help debunk fallacies propagated by militant groups. The videos, each hardly two minutes in duration, presents rulings derived from Islam’s Holy Quran and sayings of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him)-- Islam’s two main sources of jurisprudence. Themes include warnings against sheltering terrorists and roots of present-day radical groups including Daesh, Al Qaida and Nigeria’s Boko Haram. The latest video, released earlier this month, admonishes against false news and rumours, a main concern in Egypt. Starts with a vurse from the Quran saying ”O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.”

Libya

The Libya Observer: ISIS Kills 6 Captives Abducted From Libya’s Fuqaha Town

“The municipality of Jufra confirmed Sunday that ISIS militants had killed 6 people whom they kidnapped from Fuqaha town late last October. The mayor of Jufra Othman Hassouna told reporters that 6 out of 10 persons were executed by ISIS terrorists, who attacked the town on October 29. ISIS militants want to exchange the remaining four persons with terrorists detained by forces led by Khalifa Haftar, Hassouna added. Four people were killed and 10 kidnapped by ISIS in Jufra last October after seizing control of the town of Fuqaha for hours. Several families have left the town and others are still scared of an imminent ISIS attack as the authorities have taken no action to deter other attacks.”

Nigeria

Sahara Reporters: Seven Killed, Dozens Injured As Boko Haram Launches Four Attacks In 48 Hours

“Residents of Borno State have experienced a wave of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists within the last two days. SaharaReporters gathered that at least four attacks were recorded, which left seven persons dead, including two soldiers. Dozens were also injured in the attacks. An aid worker who witnessed the attack in Rann told SaharaReporters that five persons lost their lives, while many houses were razed. “We experienced heavy and massive explosions and gunshots by Boko Haram terrorists. This made us run into the bush and outskirts of town for safety. The attacks continued until around 9pm on Thursday night. We lost five persons and dozens were wounded. Three persons were evacuated to Maiduguri due the critical nature of their injuries. All humanitarian partners have been evacuated to Maiduguri until the situation is brought under countrol. I was one of those evacuated at the last trip, together with officials of the UNDSS around 5:22pm on Friday,” the aid worker told SaharaReporters. The terrorists also attempted to infiltrate Bama town in the early hours of Friday, but were subsequently repelled by the troops.”

Al Arabiya: Civilians Killed As Nigerian Troops Fight Boko Haram At Flashpoint Village

“Nigerian soldiers intercepted a column of Boko Haram fighters on Friday near a military base in northeast Nigeria, triggering a fierce gun battle that killed three civilians, security sources told AFP. A soldier was injured in the fight, which happened in Jakana village, some 30 kilometers (nearly 20 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. In July, extremists raided the military base in Jakana and burnt down a police station. About 80 people were killed in a previous attack on Jakana and nearby Mainok in March 2013. On Saturday, military sources said the latest incident saw troops fight a two-hour battle with fighters from the ISIS-backed Boko Haram faction from 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Friday. “It was an intense fight. Our troops saw them passing near the village and confronted them,” a senior military officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. “The terrorists were obviously heading toward the bush to congregate and launch an attack somewhere. One soldier was injured and three civilians caught up in the fight were killed.” A member of a civilian militia assisting the military with security said the extremists fired at troops with anti-aircraft guns and rocket-propelled grenades. “The terrorists did not intend to attack, they fought soldiers to defend themselves and escape,” he added.”

News 24: Boko Haram Kills Two Soldiers In Nigeria Attack

“Two soldiers were killed when suspected Boko Haram fighters loyal to factional leader Abubakar Shekau attacked a military base in northeast Nigeria, security sources told AFP on Sunday. The twin gun and suicide attacks happened early Saturday evening at Gulumba village, in the Bama district of Borno state. The use of human bombs is a hallmark of the Shekau faction, which is known to operate in the area. Last month, Shekau released a video claiming attacks against troops in Gulumba. “We lost two soldiers and two more were injured in the attack by the Shekau faction,” said one military source. “The terrorists came in nine gun trucks with a suicide bomber at about 5:50 pm (1650 GMT) and attacked the base.” A second source said the suicide bomber tried to infiltrate the base but was “neutralised” by troops. He also said two soldiers were killed and two others were injured. “The terrorists faced stiff resistance and were forced to withdraw,” he added. Neither source wanted to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media.” Attacks by fighters loyal to Shekau have reduced considerably in recent months, which sources attribute to the firebrand leader's ill health. Instead, the IS-backed Boko Haram faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has been blamed or claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks against the military since July.”

Voice Of America: Amnesty Calls On ICC To Fully Probe Boko Haram Conflict Atrocities

“Amnesty International on Monday said the International Criminal Court should start a full-blown investigation into atrocities committed in the Boko Haram insurgency, accusing Nigeria of failing to bring those responsible to justice. ICC chief prosecutor Fatma Bensouda opened a preliminary examination in 2010 into eight potential cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the violence. Six cases relate to the jihadists and include the killing of civilians, mass kidnapping, attacks on schools and places of worship, sexual violence, plus the use of children in conflict. The other two -- involving attacks on civilians, mass arrests and detention of suspects, abuse, torture and summary executions -- concern the military. Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency has killed more than 27,000 people and left 1.8 million homeless in northeast Nigeria since 2009, triggering a humanitarian crisis in the wider region. President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, in June 2015 promised to “leave no stone unturned to promote the rule of law and deal with all cases of human rights abuses”. Bensouda acknowledged in her latest annual report published on December 5 that Nigeria appeared to have taken “concrete steps” towards investigating the allegations. She wrote there appeared to be a “tangible prospect” of proceedings against Boko Haram members but not against troops “since the Nigerian authorities tend to deny any allegation.”

Somalia

Associated Press: US Airstrike Outside Somalia’s Capital Kills 4 Al-Shabab

“The U.S. military says it has killed four members of the al-Shabab extremist group with a “self-defense airstrike” outside Somalia’s capital after partner forces were attacked. The U.S. Africa Command statement says the airstrike occurred on Saturday near Basra, a community outside the capital, Mogadishu. The statement says no civilians were involved. The U.S. military has carried out 39 airstrikes this year against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, Africa’s most active Islamic extremist group, which controls parts of rural southern and central Somalia and continues to stage deadly attacks in Mogadishu and other cities. The U.S. airstrikes have picked up dramatically since President Donald Trump took office and approved expanded military operations in the Horn of Africa nation. Airstrikes also target a small presence of fighters linked to the Islamic State group.”

Africa

Reuters: Fifteen Civilians Killed In Ethnic Attack On Mali Village

“Fifteen civilians from the Fulani community were killed last week when armed men from a rival ethnic group attacked their village in central Mali, a regional governor said on Saturday. Communal violence in the West African country has killed hundreds of civilians and displaced thousands this year, compounding a dire security situation in the north, where attacks by jihadist groups are common. Mali’s central Mopti region has suffered the worst of the ethnic clashes, according to the United Nations. Mopti Governor Sidi Alassane Toure said the latest attack was on Wednesday. Toure told state radio a disarmament program launched last month in northern regions would be expanded to curb violence. “It will be launched in the coming days, and we dare to hope that all the bearers of arms will lay down their arms,” he said. Islamist militants seized Mali’s desert north in 2012. French forces intervened the following year to wrest control, but fighters with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State have since regrouped. They have tapped into the ethnic rivalries to recruit new members and their frequent attacks in Mali and nearby countries have alarmed Western powers.”

United Kingdom

The Wall Street Journal: Two British Banks Ensnared In Huawei Dispute

“Two large British banks are among those ensnared in the controversy over Huawei Technologies Co., which escalated over the weekend after the Chinese government warned Canada it would face “severe consequences” if it didn’t release the Chinese telecommunications giant’s finance chief. Canada this month arrested Meng Wanzhou at the behest of U.S. authorities, who are seeking her extradition over allegations she misled banks about Huawei’s business dealings with Iran to skirt international sanctions against that country. Ms. Meng, 46 years old, is in the midst of hearings in Vancouver that are expected to reconvene Monday and lead to a decision on bail. HSBC Holdings HSBC -0.39% PLC and Standard Chartered STAN -0.81% PLC were among the institutions told by Huawei in recent years that it wasn’t doing business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom Tech, according to people familiar with the matter. For the two lenders, it was a crucial assurance since both were under court oversight for their own U.S. sanctions violations involving Iran, and couldn’t risk further missteps.”

Germany

The Jerusalem Post: Merkel’s Party Rejects Freeze Of Funds For Palestinian Terrorism

“Members of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union Party voted against a motion on Saturday in Hamburg to stop public funds for the Palestinian Authority’s payments to terrorists and financial aid to the families of terrorists who have murdered and injured Israelis. According to the motion titled “Freeze aid to the Palestinian Authority,” the “Palestinian Authority [PA] has for years already paid the families of Palestinian terrorists… and with the payments, the PA knowingly and willingly supports terror against Israel and makes this a worthy financial business.” The motion said that so long as the Palestinian Authority does not stop this activity, Germany and the EU should not provide financial aid to the PA that is controlled by President Mahmoud Abbas. The Bild journalist Timo Lokoschat first reported on his Twitter feed about the rejected motion. The motion noted that the families of convicted Palestinian terrorists receive payments ranging from $300 to $3,000 a month depending on the terrorist’s criminal conviction. Critics of the so-called “martyr” payments say the Palestinians incentivize terrorism with funds, and Europe enables the terrorism with financial aid to the PA. The latest anti-Israel blow from Merkel’s party comes on the heels of The Jerusalem Post‘s revelations that Merkel waged a campaign to convince Central and Eastern European countries to not relocate their embassies to Jerusalem.”

Europe

Daily Sabah: Fears Of Far-Right Extremism Grow In Europe

“As the far-right groups across Europe are integrating themselves into the political mainstream, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Saturday called on the European socialists to be cautious about the rising extreme-right and said they “should do much more.” The Party of European Socialists (PES) convened in Portugal's capital Lisbon to discuss the joint strategies ahead of the Europe Parliament (EP) elections to be held on May 26, 2019. Far-right and Eurosceptic groups are expected to gain ground in the European elections, according to an aggregation of national polls by Reuters, but their share of seats in the EU assembly is projected to remain well below 20 percent of the total 705 members. Speaking at the 11th congress of PES, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez stressed that the socialists of Europe had to do self-criticizing before EP elections and step into action against the rising extreme-right. “The explosion of the extreme right in Europe, the authoritarian attitude and symptoms experienced amid Brexit are obvious; what is done [so far] is not sufficient and we should do more,” he asserted, as reported by Anadolu Agency (AA). For the last few years, right-wing parties have increasingly found themselves making Europe's political weather. In mainland Europe, there are signs the far right is prompting other, more mainstream parties to take up more populist approaches.”

Australia

The Guardian: Facebook And Google Face Crackdown On Market Power In Australia

“A powerful new authority to oversee the commercial activities of Google and Facebook has been recommended by Australia’s competition regulator in a landmark report on how to ensure the multinational digital behemoths behave fairly. The proposed new body would have the power to require information on how the two companies adapt their algorithms – the machine-driven formulas that rank content and determine what users will see first – as well as investigate whether Google and Facebook are favouring their own businesses ahead of other companies. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has also asked for feedback on whether an ombudsman could be established to deal with complaints about digital platforms from consumers, advertisers, media companies and other business users of digital platforms. But the ACCC has stopped short of recommending a break-up of Google and Facebook’s businesses. It has also rejected a recommendation pushed by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and some of Australia’s media companies that Google and Facebook should be hit with a “carriage fee” for content produced by traditional media and disseminated on their social media and search platforms.”

Southeast Asia

The Straits Times: Malaysia Police Nab 7 Suspected Extremists Linked To ISIS, Abu Sayyaf

“Malaysian police said on Monday (Dec 10) that they have thwarted terror plots with the arrests of six men and a woman with suspected militant links in a four-state swoop. Police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the suspects - five Malaysians and two Filipinos - were arrested in Kelantan, Sabah, Selangor and Kedah by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division. Those arrested include a honey seller in Kelantan, an oil and gas engineer in Kajang, Selangor, and three people in Sabah linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group. A man working at a driving school in Kelantan had also allegedly received orders from Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to attack non-Muslims and their places of worship, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) said. “They were arrested in various operations held from Nov 19 until Nov 28. We are actively taking action against suspected terror elements,” IGP Fuzi said in a statement. The police chief said the first arrest was made on a 28-year-old Malaysian man in Kelantan on Nov 19. “The man, who sells honey, received instructions from militant leader Akel Zainal. He was ordered to launch attacks in Malaysia,” said Mr Fuzi. Akel is the main Malaysian militant leader recruiting people for the ISIS war in Syria. The next arrest was of a 52-year-old Malaysian man on Nov 20 in Kajang, Selangor.”

Manila Bulletin: Duterte Appoints Presidential Adviser On Local Extremist Groups Concerns

“In appointment paper signed by the President on December 6, Jimlani will have the rank of Undersecretary under the Office of the President (OP). Prior to his appointment to a new government post, Jimlani has served as a director of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) since January 2017. Jimlani, a retired colonel of the Philippine Army credited for the surrender of Muslim insurgents, was a former consultant of Duterte when he was mayor of Davao City. His appointment came after the President created a new national task force seeking to end the armed conflict involving communist rebels in the country. The President will chair the task force while the National Security Adviser will serve as vice chairman. Eighteen government officials and two private sector representatives will sit as members of the task force. Executive Order No.70 also seeks to institutionalize the “whole-of-nation approach in inclusive and sustainable peace” and adopt a national peace framework that includes a mechanism for local peace negotiations and interventions.”

Technology

BuzzFeed News: Now Academics Studying ISIS Are Feeling The Heat Of An Internet Crackdown

“On March 22, 2016, as ISIS-built bombs ripped through Brussels Airport and a key metro station serving the offices of the European Union, killing more than 30 people, Pieter Van Ostaeyen, one of Belgium’s most experienced analysts of international terrorist groups, saw the news and immediately began tweeting insights and retweeting information as he arrived at work. After pausing to call his family to make sure everyone was safe, Van Ostaeyen then tried to tweet a warning that the emergency had limited phone service across Belgium. That’s when he realized that his account, widely considered one of the most insightful sources of information about Belgium and ISIS, had been suspended. He’d been accused by Twitter of pushing terrorist propaganda and had his account frozen. After widespread outcry from other analysts, Twitter quickly reinstated his account, but the incident was a warning to other terrorism analysts who closely monitor and often catalogue and translate internal documents from Islamist groups: The democratic protections usually offered to journalists might not apply to analysts and scholars who collect and post information intended to provide insight into terror activity. The issue came to a head this past week after what was reported to be British intelligence services — either domestic (MI5) or international (MI6) or perhaps both…”

The Guardian: We All Fell For Facebook’s Utopianism, But The Mask Is At Last Being Torn Away

“The spell has been weakening for a while, but last week it finally broke: Facebook is just a company, like the rest. We’ve suspected it for a while, thanks in part to the reporting of Carole Cadwalladr in the Observer. Already this year it was unforgivably slow to acknowledge its role in the Rohingya genocide, was issued the maximum fine available by the UK’s information commissioner for not looking after user data, and hired a rightwing opposition research group to look into George Soros, after the financier turned philanthropist had loudly criticised it. Each episode was accompanied by the usual apologies and we’ll-do-betters. But last week’s scandal – an email cache released by the tenacious digital, culture, media and sport committee – is different. It revealed the inner workings of a calculating corporate hellbent on growth and crushing competition. The most damning exchange was between Justin Osofsky, a Facebook VP, and Mark Zuckerberg himself. Osofsky proposed limiting the access of Vine – a potential rival – to certain Facebook data after it had released a new feature. “Yup, go for it,” replied the boss. You might not have noticed, but Vine doesn’t exist any more.”

Fox News: Jason Chaffetz: Time For Facebook To Do An 'About Face' And Regain The Confidence Of Its Users

“It’s time for Mark Zuckerberg to do an “about face” at Facebook. He has lost the confidence of consumers and attracted the attention of too many regulators. Without significant changes to the platform, Zuckerberg risks serious lawsuits, a mass consumer exodus, and unwanted new regulations. Facebook originated as a creepy way to rate the looks of college women. Today, the mainstream platform’s vulnerability to invasions of privacy and its inability to secure users’ data threatens everyone with a profile on the granddaddy of social media platforms. This weakness has attracted the attention of regulators around the world as the personal identifiable information of individuals is seemingly insecure. Much of the information you agree to give Facebook has uses and implications you may not even realize. Coupled with less-than-straightforward interactions with regulators, including the FTC, and the Europeans, the young entrepreneur, multi billionaire’s charm is wearing off. Mark Zuckerberg is using a technology older regulators and elected officials don’t understand. He used to succeed because his phenomenal success created awe and the platform helped win elections. But things are changing.”

The Wire: Three Ways Facebook Could Clean Up Its Act – If It Wanted To

“Facebook is in crisis mode, but the company can take major steps to fix itself – and the global community it says it wants to promote. Facebook founder, CEO and majority shareholder Mark Zuckerberg need not wait for governments to impose regulations. If he and other industry leaders wanted to, they could make meaningful changes fairly quickly. It wouldn’t be painless, but Facebook in particular is in a world of hurt already, facing criticism for contributing to civil unrest and sectarian turmoil around the world, delayed responses to disinformation campaigns, misleading users about data-handling policies, and efforts to discredit critics – not to mention a budding employee revolt. Facebook, Twitter, Google and other social media companies are causing society-wide damage. But they tend to describe the problems as much smaller, resulting from rogue individuals and groups hijacking their systems for nefarious purposes. Our research into how social media can be exploited by manipulative political operatives, conducted with Joan Donovan at the Data & Society research institute, suggests the real problem is much larger than these companies admit.”

Counter Extremism

Seventh Day: Egypt: New Plan To Combat Extremism And Control Mosques In Alexandria

“A sizable number of extremist persons, entities and ideologies have originated from the coastal Egyptian province of Alexandria. Therefore, the Ministry of Religious Endowments (Awqaf) has launched numerous plans and activities to combat radical thought and to take over all the mosques in this governorate. On its part, the Directorate of Endowments in Alexandria has devoted major efforts to promoting moderate Islam and correcting the misinterpretation of Islam prevalent among local residents. Additionally, the directorate has dispatched convoys of ''the enlightenment'' to enhance public awareness and promote the true ideas and tenets of Islam. These campaigns are being organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, University of Alexandria, governmental agencies, the private sector and sports clubs.”

Arab Youm: Iraqi Security Forces Take Down 7-Member Terror Cell In Anbar

“On Saturday, the Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate announced the dismantling of a 7-member extremist cell in the city of Hit in the Al-Anbar province. The directorate declared that its divisions, in response to accurate intelligence information, infiltrated and then dismantled the said terrorist group. The cell was secretly plotting attacks against innocent civilians and security forces in the governorate, the Military Intelligence Directorate added.”

Muslim Brotherhood

Akhbarak: Egypt: Former Deputy Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide's Daughter Appeals The Confiscation Of Her Funds

“An Administrative Justice Court in Egypt postponed till February 2nd its review of an appeal filed by Fatima Khairat El-Shater, the daughter of the prominent Muslim Brotherhood's ex-deputy Supreme Guide. El-Shater appealed a previous decision by the Muslim Brotherhood's funds committee, which appropriated her funds and banned her from leaving the country. The appellant claimed she had never committed any wrongdoing nor had she engaged in any political activities whatsoever.”

Hezbollah
Geiroon: Hezbollah Used Civilians To Build Underground Attack Tunnels

“According to press reports, Lebanese politicians claim that Hezbollah and Iran have incurred a heavy blow following the announcement by Israel that it has uncovered a series of tunnels linking southern Lebanon and the northern Galilee {of Israel}. Lebanese media sources said that Hezbollah, which spent many years digging these tunnels, was caught completely off guard by the Israelis' announcement and by the start of their demolition. The sources pointed out that the surprise stems from the fact that the uncovered tunnels were part of the military strategy adopted by the Iran-backed Hezbollah. The local press in Lebanon disclosed that Hezbollah has been building {attack} tunnels for years, using civilian members of the group, who travel freely in southern Lebanon as ordinary people. For that purpose, Hezbollah set up factories in which these civilians were employed, in order to avoid any suspicion which their movements might arouse. The sources stressed that the factories were merely a cover for the underground workshops intended to dig the tunnels noiselessly, using small-sized equipment to break the rocks.”

Houthi
Yemen Akhbar: Houthis Hike Electricity Prices In Sana'a

“The so-called Ministry of Electricity and Energy in the Houthi-affiliated government, determined the maximum ceiling of the tariff for the sale of electricity to consumers by the owners of special generators at YR 250 ($1) per kilowatt. This is compared to YR230 per kilowatt in 2011, making it the highest tariff in the world. Sources stress the Houthi group is the chief beneficiary of energy trading and of the power plants in the capital Sana'a and the provinces under its control.”