Eye on Extremism - July 28, 2021

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Eye on Extremism - July 28, 2021
By: Counter Extremism Project - 07-28-21
Re: info@counterextremism.com

Eye on Extremism


As of July 28, 2021:

The Jerusalem Post: Bipartisan US Lawmakers Urge EU To Fully Label Hezbollah A Terror Group

“A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a resolution on Monday to urge the European Union “to fully designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization.” According to Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism, the EU currently includes only Hezbollah’s military wing – and not its political wing – on its list of sanctioned terrorist organizations. “The United States makes no distinction between its branches and includes Hezbollah in its entirety on the US Foreign Terrorist Organization list,” Deutch said in a statement. The resolution was introduced by Deutch, Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Kathy Manning (NC-06), and Peter Meijer (MI-03). Six additional members from both parties joined to support the resolution: Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Joe Wilson (SC-02). “When you are dealing with a ruthless terrorist organization like Hezbollah, there is no distinction between political and militant wings,” Deutch said in a statement.”

Al Monitor: Militias Call For Revenge Against Sunni Town Over Suicide Attacks In Baghdad

“Shortly after a suicide bombing in Baghdad’s eastern Shia-dominant, largely poverty-stricken neighborhood of Sadr City on July 19, speculation ran rife that the attack originated from a Sunni-majority town roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the Iraqi capital. Concerns about the potential for rekindling sectarianism were raised. An Arabic hashtag that translated as “Tarmiya is blowing us up” placed blame on the Sunni-majority town and surrounding area north of Baghdad, rich in agriculture, orchards and dense vegetation. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced the arrest of a “terror cell” on July 24, and it was reported early the next day that men from Anbar and Kirkuk had been arrested in connection with the attack. At least 35 people were killed in the attack on the densely populated Shia area of the capital, which happened on the eve of the important Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. Many families with children were shopping at the market when the suicide bomber detonated his vest. The Islamic State (IS) claimed the attack and said that one of its adherents known as “Abu Hamza al-Iraqi” had been “martyred” in it. It did not, however, give any other details about the attacker.”

United States

Associated Press: Appeals Court Upholds Conviction Of NY Man In Terror Case

“The conviction of a New Yorker charged with providing material support to Hezbollah by seeking targets in New York City for terrorist attacks was upheld Tuesday by an appeals court, though one of three judges questioned the 40-year prison sentence, saying it was too long because nobody was harmed directly by the crimes. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled on Ali Kourani’s appeal challenging the conviction and the sentence. Prosecutors said the Lebanon-born Kourani spent years conducting surveillance at federal buildings, airports and day care centers after he was recruited, trained and deployed by Hezbollah’s Islamic Jihad Organization. In a majority opinion written by Circuit Judge Jose A. Cabranes, the appeals judges concluded that a trial was properly conducted before Kourani’s 2019 conviction and that the judge did not error by allowing prosecutors to use confessions he made during 2017 interviews with the FBI at his trial. The 2nd Circuit said FBI agents were not coercive when they met with Kourani at a conference room at Seton Hall University, where the agents were dressed in business-casual clothing and did not display weapons.”

Politico: Officers Label Jan. 6 Rioters 'Terrorists' In Select Committee Hearing

“Daniel Hodges, one of the police officers who testified at the first Jan. 6 select committee meeting on Tuesday, called those who breached the Capitol that day “terrorists” -- rejecting GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde's comparison of the riot to a typical “tourist visit.” Asked how he felt about Clyde's description of the deadly riot as a “tourist visit,” Hodges said: “If that's what American tourists are like, I can see why foreign countries don't like American tourists.” The comment sparked some brief laughter in the committee room, mostly staff and lawmakers. Hodges, a Metropolitan Police officer who was among scores wounded by pro-Trump insurrectionists at the Capitol, acknowledged that defenders of the rioters and allies of the former president might object to the term “terrorists.” But the label was accurate, Hodges told select committee members as he read aloud the definition of domestic terrorism from federal law. “I can see why someone would take issue with the title of terrorist. It's gained a lot of notoriety in our vocabulary in the past few decades, and we'd like to believe that no, that couldn't happen here. No domestic terrorism. No homegrown threats,” Hodges said.”

Iraq

Al Monitor: Iraq's Military Disputes Militia Claim About Drone Attack

“Iraq’s military pushed back on a claim by a pro-Iran militia that one of the militia’s storage facilities in Najaf had been attacked by a drone. Iraq’s security media cell said that an explosion July 26 at the site “was caused by poor storage” and high temperatures and that no breach of Iraqi airspace had been detected. The pro-Iran Imam Ali Division militia released a statement earlier on July 26 claiming that the storage site had been hit by two “enemy drones” roughly two hours apart. The militia also claimed drones had scouted out the base earlier in the morning. The US-led military coalition in Iraq said it did not launch any airstrikes in Iraq or Syria on July 26. The explosion occurred at a camp known as al-Dawik, roughly a dozen miles northwest of Najaf, according to local reports. Iraq’s security media cell also noted that the government ordered in 2019 the removal of explosive materials from populated areas and issued guidelines for safe storage. In the summer of 2019, Iraq saw a series of large explosions at munitions storage sites across the country. Reports of drone activity around the sites fueled speculation and accusation by some militias of sabotage. Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes across the border in neighboring Syria against Iran-linked groups.”

Afghanistan

CNBC: U.S. Will Conduct Airstrikes In Afghanistan Against The Taliban As Foreign Forces Withdraw

“The United States will maintain a steady drumbeat of airstrikes in Afghanistan as foreign forces exit the country amid rapid battlefield advances by the Taliban. “The United States has increased airstrikes in the support of Afghan forces over the last several days, and we’re prepared to continue this heightened level of support in the coming weeks if the Taliban continue their attacks,” wrote U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie in a statement. Mckenzie, the combatant commander who oversees America’s wars in the Middle East, told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani over the weekend that the U.S. would continue to provide airstrikes but made no promise about what will happen after Aug. 31. “I reassured the government that we are continuing to provide airstrikes in defense of ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] forces under attack by the Taliban, contract logistics support both here in Kabul and over-the-horizon in the region, funding for them, intelligence sharing and advising and assisting through security consultations at the strategic level,” McKenzie wrote. Last week, the Pentagon confirmed media reports of overnight airstrikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan.”

Middle East

The Times Of Israel: Jordan Said To Nab Islamic State Terrorists For Plot To Attack Israeli Soldiers

“Four Jordanians allegedly involved with the extremist Islamic State terror group have been charged with plotting to attack Israeli soldiers near the Jordanian border, the Jordanian newspaper al-Rai reported. The four suspects, who were arrested by Jordanian intelligence, planned to attack and overcome Jordanian border guards before reaching the Israelis on the other side of the border near Wadi Araba in the south, the Monday night report said. “Intelligence operations by intelligence agents resulted in the detection and arrest of the cell’s members, preventing them from completing their terror plot,” the report said. According to the reported indictment, the four suspects met in the Jordanian cities of Irbid and Karak. All were inspired by the extremist Islamic State, which has conducted an insurgency in Iraq and Syria for years as well as terror attacks around the world. Their plans grew more sophisticated, and the four allegedly discussed targeting not just Israeli soldiers, but also Jews — likely foreign nationals — living in the kingdom. One of the four cell members was arrested at the end of last year, and the remaining three were caught in February, the report said. According to the indictment, issued by the Jordanian State Security Prosecutor, the four intended to acquire firearms to execute the plot, but were arrested before they could purchase them, al-Rai said.”

Nigeria

Sahara Reporters: Boko Haram Terrorists Release Pictures Of Abducted Soldiers, Yobe Government Official

“The Boko Haram terrorists and their Islamic State West African Province faction have released the pictures of two soldiers and a Yobe State liaison officer they abducted on the Damaturu/Maiduguri highway on Saturday. In the display of their Identification cards, two of the cards belonged to Mai Lalle, one for Mustapha while the fourth one belongs to Lance Corporal Oyediran Adedotun of the Nigerian Army. The ID card of the fourth abductee was not sighted from the list of the cards provided by the insurgents. According to Nation, the four victims were abducted on Saturday along Maiduguri/Damaturu highway. While Mai Lalle and Mustapaha were travelling to Maiduguri, the two army personnel were, however, travelling to Kano State on a pass permit. Though the pictures of the victims have been released, no contact has been made with their families yet.”

Africa

Reuters: Attackers Kill Five Soldiers, One Civilian In North Cameroon, Say Officials

“Unidentified attackers killed five Cameroonian soldiers and one civilian during a raid on a military outpost in the far north of the country, local authorities said on Tuesday, the second deadly raid in the area in the past week. An army post in the village of Zigue was attacked at around 9 p.m. (2000 GMT) on Monday, according to two officials who asked not to be identified. The attack follows a raid that took place around 50 km (30 miles) north of Zigue on Saturday, which was claimed by Islamic State. read more Eight soldiers were killed in that raid, according to the defence ministry. Cameroon, alongside neighbouring Nigeria and Chad, has been battling the Boko Haram militant group for years, but more recently has clashed with fighters who identify themselves as Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP). In the aftermath of the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in May, ISWAP has sought to absorb Boko Haram fighters and unify the groups which had hitherto fought one another for control of territory.”

Al Jazeera: Gunmen On Motorbikes Raid Niger Village, Kill 14

“Armed men on motorbikes have killed at least 14 civilians in an attack in western Niger, near the restive border with Mali, the government said. The attack happened on Sunday at approximately 3pm (14:00 GMT), when the unidentified assailants arrived at the village of Wiye in the Banibangou district, about 50km (30 miles) from the border with Mali. They “targeted civilians, killing 14, including nine working in fields”, the interior ministry said in a statement read on national television on Monday. One person who was wounded had been evacuated for treatment in the capital, Niamey, it added. Security measures had been stepped up and an investigation was under way to identify and bring to trial those responsible for “these cowardly and barbaric attacks”, it said. There has been no claim of responsibility so far. Banibangou falls inside what is known as the three-borders region between Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, which for years has been the scene of bloody attacks by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). Previous attacks in Niger’s western Tillabery region have been attributed by local officials to an affiliate of ISIL, including raids in January that killed at least 100 civilians.”

The Defense Post: 7 Soldiers, 15 Islamist Rebels Killed In DR Congo Clashes

“Seven soldiers and 15 members of a notorious armed Islamist group have died in three days of clashes in northeastern DR Congo, the army said Tuesday. The armed forces launched an offensive on Saturday against positions held by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Tchabi, in Ituri province, the region’s military governor, Lieutenant-General Johnny Luboya, told AFP. “We lost seven troops and on the ADF side, 15 rebels were neutralized,” he said. The operation also led to the release of 150 hostages “who had been used as human shields,” he said, confirming an earlier military report issued on Sunday. At the end of May, authorities accused the rebels of killing at least 50 civilians in Boga and Tchabi in Irumu territory, where they also attacked a refugee camp. A historically Ugandan Islamist group, the ADF is the deadliest of scores of armed militias that roam the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC’s Catholic Church says the ADF has killed around 6,000 civilians since 2013, while a respected US-based monitor, the Kivu Security Tracker (KST), blames it for more than 1,200 deaths in the Beni area alone since 2017. The toll has risen sharply since 2019, when the militia appears to have become more radicalized, carrying out massacres in remote villages and taking survivors hostage.”

United Kingdom

BBC News: Security Expert To Lead Fresh London Terror Review

“A security expert has been appointed to assess whether coronavirus has had any impact on how well the capital would cope with another major terror attack. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said extremists had used the lockdowns to “spread disinformation” and “radicalise the vulnerable”. Lord Toby Harris' review will examine learning points from terror attacks in London in 2017 and recent attacks in Streatham and Fishmongers' Hall. His report is due later this year. In 2016 Lord Harris made 127 recommendations in a review published in the wake of attacks across Europe. Explaining why he had ordered the review, Mr Khan said extremists had used the internet during the recent coronavirus lockdowns to “spread disinformation as well as attempting to radicalise the vulnerable to commit violent acts”. He added: “Whilst we have made some significant improvements since 2016, a lot has changed. “The attacks on our city in 2017, the Manchester Arena bombing, and more recently, the attacks in Streatham and at Fishmongers' Hall, means there's much more to be learned. “We must adapt and strengthen our city's capability to prepare and respond to the evolving threat of terrorism and the impact of the pandemic.”

Evening Standard: Counter-Terrorism Officers Investigating Speaker’s Corner Knife Attack On Woman In Charlie Hebdo T-Shirt

“Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation into a knife attack at Speaker’s Corner on a woman wearing a Charlie Hebdo t-shirt. Police were called to Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park at 3.34pm on Sunday to reports of an assault. A 39-year-old woman was taken to a London hospital for treatment to her injuries and has now been discharged. Scotland Yard said the incident, in which the woman was slashed in the head, was not “being treated as terrorism-related at this time”. However, the force said officers are keeping an open mind about possible motives. The Met said: “A number of people witnessed the incident and took mobile phone footage. We would ask those people to contact police and tell us what they know, if they have not already done so.” The investigation is now being led by the Met’s SO15 Counter Terrorism Command, the force said on Monday. Footage shared on social media showed someone dressed in black approaching a woman wearing a Charlie Hebdo T-shirt. The woman was later seen clutching her right hand close to her body and with what appeared to be blood at her temple as she was helped into a police van by officers who were nearby. No arrests have been made and a knife was found near the scene of the attack.”

France

France 24: Cuban Embassy In Paris Attacked With Petrol Bombs

“French authorities said Tuesday they are investigating a gasoline bomb attack that caused minor damage to the Cuban Embassy. The Paris prosecutor’s office said an investigation is under way. No one has been arrested or claimed responsibility, police said. Paris police said two gasoline bombs hit the embassy late Monday night. The flames were out by the time firefighters arrived, police said. The Cuban foreign ministry’s international press centre said three Molotov cocktails were thrown, with two hitting the embassy and setting a fire. Cuban diplomats extinguished the blaze as French firefighters and police arrived at the scene, it said. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez blamed the United States for the attack. A spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said on Tuesday that France condemned the attack against the Cuban embassy and that a judicial investigation has been opened. She added that security has been stepped up in the vicinity of the embassy. Cuban embassies in many cities around the world have been the scene of demonstrations both against and for Cuba’s government in reaction to protests that erupted across the island on July 11-12.”

Southeast Asia

Reuters: First Person Charged Under HK Security Law Found Guilty Of Terrorism, Inciting Secession

“The first person charged under Hong Kong's national security law was found guilty on Tuesday of terrorism and inciting secession in a landmark case that carries long-term implications for how the legislation will reshape the city's common law traditions. Former waiter Tong Ying-kit, 24, was accused of driving his motorcycle into three riot policemen while carrying a flag with the protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which prosecutors said was secessionist. The widely anticipated ruling, much of which has hinged on the interpretation of the slogan, imposes new limits on free speech in the former British colony, activists say. Human rights groups have also criticised the decision to deny Tong bail and a jury trial, which have been key features of Hong Kong's rule of law. The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the accusations. Tong's trial was presided over by judges Esther Toh, Anthea Pang and Wilson Chan, picked by city leader Carrie Lam to hear national security cases. Toh read out a summary of the ruling in court, saying “such display of the words was capable of inciting others to commit secession.” She added that Tong was aware of the slogan's secessionist meaning, and that he intended to communicate this meaning to others.”

The Jerusalem Post: How Do Experts Prevent The Risk Of Terror Attack At The Olympics?

“After a year of waiting, the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics are underway and the excitement is electric. But what are the risks of a terror attack during the Games? A new study published in the journal Risk Analysis offers insight to the likelihood of terrorism during the Olympics or other major events such as the Superbowl or FIFA World Cup, which are attractive targets for terrorist groups due to the large scale of spectators and athletes. Using a novel method to analyze the risk and strategy defense against terrorist attacks in sports-mega events, researchers at Loughborough University in England suggest the findings could help improve security at events by identifying the optimal allocation of defense resources through sophisticated decision analytics. According to the study, certain defense investments lower the chances of success by the assailant, resulting in terrorists not carrying out the attack. The research cites the Munich Olympics attack in 1972, when 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian gunmen, offering hope that the new findings will prevent a similar tragedy.”

Technology

The Straits Times: Tech Giants Step Up Efforts To Stop Online Extremist Posts

“A counterterrorism organisation formed by some of the biggest US tech companies including Facebook and Microsoft is significantly expanding the types of extremist content shared between firms in a key database, aiming to crack down on material from white supremacists and far-right militias, the group told Reuters. The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism's (GIFCT) database has, till now, focused on videos and images from terrorist groups on a United Nations list and so has largely consisted of content from Islamist extremist organisations such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Al-Qaeda and the Taleban. Over the next few months, the group will add attacker manifestos - often shared by sympathisers after white supremacist violence - and other publications and links flagged by the UN initiative Tech Against Terrorism. It will use lists from intelligence-sharing group Five Eyes, adding URLs and PDFs from more groups, including the Proud Boys, the Three Percenters and neo-Nazis. The firms, which include Twitter and YouTube, share “hashes”, unique numerical representations of original pieces of content that have been removed from their services. Other platforms use these to identify the same content on their own sites to review or remove it.”