CEP Eye on Extremism 8/24/2022

Eye on Extremism August 24, 2022   Reuters: Taliban Impose 'Harsh' Limits On Afghans' Religious Freedom -U.S. Panel   “Conditions for religious freedom in Afghanistan have “drastically deteriorated” since the Taliban seized power last year as the last U.S.-led foreign troops pulled out after 20 years of war, a bipartisan U.S. commission said on Tuesday. The Sunni Muslim extremists' “harsh enforcement” of their hardline version of Islam “violates the freedom of religion or belief” of a wide range of Afghans, said the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The congressionally created panel issued its report nine days after the Taliban marked a year since they overran Kabul, returning to power almost two decades after their ouster by the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. The report noted that the Taliban pledged to protect all ethnic and religious groups. Yet, it said, “Religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan have drastically deteriorated,” with the militants reintroducing “harsh restrictions on all Afghans” based on their hardline interpretation of Islam. Those negatively affected include religious minorities, Afghans “with differing interpretations of Islam,” women, the LGBTQ community and those who follow no faith, the report said. The Taliban, the report said, are responsible for the deaths of dozens of Hazaras, an ethnic minority that follows Shiite Islam, and failed to protect them from attacks by the regional branch of Islamic State, a Taliban rival.”   Associated Press: Indonesia Considers Objection To Bali Bomber's Early Release   “Indonesia's top justice official said Tuesday authorities were considering an early release for the bombmaker in the 2002 Bali attack that killed 202 people, despite upsetting Australia's leader who described him as “abhorrent.” Hisyam bin Alizein, 55, is better known under his alias Umar Patek as a leading member of the al Qaida-linked Southeast Asian Islamic radical group Jemaah Islamiyah. Indonesian authorities said Patek was an example of successful efforts to reform convicted terrorists and they will use him to influence others to not carry out terrorism. Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly said Patek has fulfilled all requirements for parole as recommended by Indonesia's counterterrorism agency known as BNPT. But his ministry received an objection, though he did not specify who raised it. “In terms of his participation in the deradicalization program, he has been loyal to the Republic of Indonesia for a long time, but we are still considering inputs from many elements,” Laoly said. “We still need one more letter, apart from BNPT.” Patek received a total of 33 months of sentence reductions, which are often granted to prisoners on major holidays, such as his five-month reduction granted in August for Indonesian Independence Day.”   United States   Fox News: Senators Sound Alarm On Terror-Related Exemptions To US Entry For Afghans, Warn Of 'Open-Ended' Authority   “A coalition of senators is seeking clarification from the Biden administration about what they fear is an “open-ended” authority to allow foreign nationals, who have provided “insignificant material support” to certain terrorist organizations, to enter the United States. Ten senators, led by Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., have written to the Departments of Homeland Security and State about the administration’s moves in June to allow Afghan evacuees who have worked as civil servants during Taliban rule, or individuals who have provided “individuals who provided insignificant or certain limited material support to a designated terrorist organization,” to be exempted from terror-related U.S. entry restrictions. “We write because the American people deserve an explanation regarding the broad, open-ended nature of this authority for exempting individuals who would otherwise be barred from immigration to the United States for supporting a terrorist organization,” they write. The U.S. has brought in tens of thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban takeover last year. As part of that, the administration moved in June to exempt certain Afghans who may be caught up in terrorism-related inadmissibility grounds (TRIG).”   Voice Of America: US Hate Crimes Rise During First Half Of 2022   “Hate crimes in major U.S. cities rose moderately during the first half of 2022 after posting double-digit percentage increases over the past two years, according to police data compiled by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. The data collected from 15 major city police departments show an average increase of about 5 percent in bias-motivated incidents so far this year, according to a new report by the extremism research center at California State University at San Bernardino. The 15 cities have a combined population of 25.5 million people. By comparison, a larger sample of data from 52 major cities compiled by the center showed hate crimes in the United States surged by nearly 30 percent in 2021, according to the report. A hate crime is defined by the FBI as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.” U.S. hate crimes have been on the rise in recent years, driven by factors ranging from a surge in anti-Asian sentiments during the COVID-19 pandemic to anti-Black animus in reaction to racial justice protests that broke out across America in 2020 after the killing of African American George Floyd while in police custody.”   The Jerusalem Post: Groups Tied To Terror: UN Agency Accepted $50 Million From US-Based Union Of Good   “…The Union of Good is an umbrella fundraising organization of charities and was designated as a terrorist organization by the US Treasury, in 2008. This is because it is an organization created by Hamas leadership to transfer funds to the terrorist organization. As noted by the Counter Extremism Project, the Union of Good includes the Qatar Charity and the Eid Charity. Since 2012, the UNHCR has accepted approximately $49 million (NIS161 m.) from the Qatar Charity. It also received approximately $4.75 million (NIS15.6 m.) in cash assistance from the Eid Charity in 2020 and 2021. While such money has seemingly been used to help refugees, a humanitarian institution accepting funds from groups tied to terrorism is deeply disturbing. The UN and the UNHCR are exposing themselves to dangerous influences and potentially legitimizing an internationally-recognized terrorist organization. Even worse, the UNHCR has openly celebrated its relationships with these groups, spotlighting them on its official web page. The current High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has praised the Qatar Charity for its collaboration with the UNHCR.”   Syria   Al Monitor: Islamic State Threatens Kurdish Workers In Northeast Syria   “Islamic State (IS) cells in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria threatened employees and workers of institutions linked to the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and warned them against carrying out work for the administration. “On the morning of Aug. 9, the employees of the local council and the municipality in the town of al-Hariji in the northeastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor were surprised to find upon arrival at their workplace paper notes bearing the IS logo and the name and function of each employee,” an official at the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “The notes included the names of 18 employees. They were threatened with death if they continued to work for the Autonomous Administration. The employees who received the death threats are mainly public servants, guards at the local council and educators. Most of them resigned out of fear for their lives because IS cells have been particularly active recently and might carry out the threats,” the official added. The eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor has recently seen an uptick in assassinations targeting Kurdish forces, Autonomous Administration employees, tribal figures and civilians.”   Iraq   Kurdistan 24: Police, Civilian Killed In Suspected ISIS Series Attacks In Kirkuk   “At least three Iraqi policemen have been killed along with a civilian in a series of alleged ISIS attacks in Kirkuk since Monday night, according to a security source. A unit of Iraqi Federal Police came under attack by ISIS militants in Kirkuk’s Riyadh district, as a result of which a policeman has been killed and another one injured, a security source who wished to remain anonymous inside Kirkuk Police confirmed to Kurdistan 24. In the same district and in another attack, alleged ISIS militants killed the head of Hajl village, Mohammad Najam, the source added. The son of the 51-year-old’s village head has been injured, the source added. Having been squeezed financially due to the loss of its territories and grip on resources, ISIS kidnaps villagers in Kirkuk, Saladin, and Diyala provinces for ransom money, according to security officials. Two more members of the police forces were killed in clashes with the militants in southern Kirkuk’s Daquq district, the source added. The fighting broke out at midnight between the Police’s 5th Squad and the militants. Although the group has been territorially announced defeated, it still launches hit-and-run attacks in the remote areas of the country, particularly in the disputed territories between Erbil and Baghdad.”   Middle East   The Jerusalem Post: 18 Arrested In West Bank On Suspicion Of Terrorist Activity   “IDF troops, along with ISA and Israel Border Police forces conducted counterterrorism activities in a number of locations in Judea and Samaria overnight, including the towns of Al-Khader, Abu Dis, Danaba, Far'un, Al Funduq, Hirbat Abu Lahem, Turmus Aya, Dayr Dibwan and Silwad. Early in the night, IDF soldiers spotted two suspects hurling Molotov cocktails adjacent to the Kibbutz of Migdal Oz. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the scene and apprehended a suspect. During searches in the area after apprehending the suspect, the soldiers located an improvised weapon. In addition, the soldiers operated in the towns of Husan and al-Khadar and apprehended two additional terrorist suspects.  IDF soldiers also conducted counterterrorism activity in the towns of Ni'lin and apprehended two wanted terror suspects. The soldiers also apprehended another terrorist suspect in the town of Nafrin. IDF soldiers also operated in the towns of Al Patsil and in the town of Tubas to apprehend five suspects wanted for terror activity. While operating in Tubas, Palestinians hurled rocks, Molotov cocktails, and fired toward the soldiers. As a result, an IDF vehicle was hit. Israel Border Police also arrested four suspects in possession of large quantities of illegal weapons in the West Bank town of Katanna overnight, the Israel Police Spokespersons Unit reported on Tuesday morning.”   Nigeria   The Christian Post: Gunmen Chase Down, Execute Christian Lawyer In Nigeria; 4 Nuns Kidnapped By Terrorists   “Islamic terrorists in southern Nigeria kidnapped four nuns on Sunday, three days after suspected Fulani herdsmen shot a Christian attorney to death in the country’s northwest, sources said. Benedict Azza, director of the legal department of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Zamfara State Chapter, was killed when gunmen on Thursday shot him at his home in Gussau, capital of Zamfara state, residents said. “His corpse was abandoned by the roadside in the town,” said Luka Maitausayi in a text message to Morning Star News, asserting that the gunmen were Fulani herdsmen. “It is our prayer that God comforts his family and the church.” Area resident John Yusufu said the terrorists broke into Azza’s home, abducted him, shot him dead and abandoned his body by the roadside in Gussau. Junaidu Abubakar, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Zamfara State Chapter, confirmed the killing in a press statement. Abubakar said two gunmen on a motorcycle tried to kidnap him at his house in the Saminaka area, but he fled. “He drove his vehicle and ran to the roadside,” Abubakar said. “The gunmen pursued him and shot him dead. Azza’s neighbors said they heard some gunshots in the area, and after a while they also heard a loud sound of a vehicle accident.”   Sahara Reporters: Nigerian Federal Lawmakers Investigate Terrorist Attack On Prison In Capital City, Abuja   “The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence on Tuesday commenced an investigation into the terrorist attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in July. Ten persons were killed while over 800 inmates including all the 64 Boko Haram inmates escaped held at the prison facility escaped during the July 5, 2022 attack. The committee’s chairman, Sha’aban Saraba, on Tuesday in Abuja said the resolution of the lower legislative chamber to investigate the attack was sequel to a motion moved at its plenary. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Saraba said the House had in July inaugurated a joint committee on national security in the wake of the attack to investigate and come up with possible recommendations that would forestall a re-occurrence. He further said the committee would ascertain the roles played by security and intelligence agencies in the security breach and proffer solutions to mitigate against reoccurrence. The lawmaker noted that the concerned security agencies had so many questions to answer as regards the security breach that caused the Nigerian government such a great embarrassment. He pointed out that the investigation would ascertain the circumstances under which it was carried out in a bid to address all national security challenges.”   Somalia   BBC News: Somalia And Al-Shabab: The Struggle To Defeat The Militants   “In an audacious appointment, Somalia's new government has included a former al-Shabab militant, who once fought against the authorities, in the cabinet, but the weekend's deadly hotel siege is a reminder of the tough task for those in power. When Somalia's new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in May he declared a top priority was bringing an end to the country's 15-year Islamist insurgency. Three months later al-Shabab staged one of its most spectacular ever attacks, storming a hotel a short drive away from the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu. They held it for 30 hours. Officials said more than 20 people died in the siege of the Hayat and 117 were injured. Less than a month earlier, the group mounted an unprecedented invasion of neighbouring Ethiopia. It was as if they were cocking a snook at the new president. International diplomats have described the complex, coordinated attack as a “gamechanger” that took at least 18 months to plan and involved an estimated 1,200 fighters. The then-commander of US Africa Command, General Stephen Townsend, said the militants penetrated 150km (93 miles) inside Ethiopia. One reason why the group was able to stage this brazen assault was the increase in conflict in Ethiopia after years of general stability and growth.”   NPR: What Led To The Deadly Attack On A Popular Hotel In Somalia's Capital Mogadishu?   “Terror group Al Shabab was responsible for last week's 30-hour siege at a hotel. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Omar Mahmoud of the International Crisis Group about why the group remains powerful. STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: Al-Shabab, the al-Qaida-linked terrorist group, stormed a popular hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, the other day. Somali forces pushed back and ended a 30-hour siege, but the attack left 21 people dead and dozens wounded. Let's talk about this with Omar Mahmoud, who is a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. His focus is East Africa. Welcome to the program. OMAR MAHMOUD: Thank you very much for having me, Steve. INSKEEP: I feel that Americans may need a reorientation on al-Shabab. They haven't been in the news very much here lately. Who are they, and what do they want? MAHMOUD: Well, al-Shabab is a militant Islamist group that's been present in Somalia, fighting against the government there for about the past 15 years. They were born out of an Ethiopian invasion to Somalia and started out as resisting that, but over time have become really the dominant governing actor in rural areas of Somalia, while the government's hunkered down in sort of the urban centers.”   Africa   AFP: Togo Repels ‘Terrorist’ Attack: Official   “Togo’s armed forces said Tuesday they had repelled a “terrorist” attack that injured “several” soldiers in the far northern village of Blamonga on the border with Burkina Faso. The attack, which took place on Monday, was the fifth in the country since last year, as jihadist groups operating in the Sahel appear to be gradually heading towards coastal West Africa. “At around 22:00 GMT, security forces from operation Koundjoare were once again victim of a complex attack involving an improvised explosive device on one of our patrols in the village of Blamonga,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Samah Soussou in an interview with the private radio station Kanal FM. “Members of the terrorist armed groups opened fire. Our soldiers, who are brave and determined, fired back vigorously, forcing the enemy to retreat,” said Soussou. “Unfortunately, we have recorded several injured who are being taken care of,” he added, without giving further details. The official said that the militants retreated to Burkina Faso, making it difficult to pursue them across the border. But a clearance operation is ongoing on the Togolese side, he added. The country declared a state of emergency earlier this year in its far northern provinces to allow security forces more flexibility to operate.”   AFP: Militant Attacks Fuel Fear Of Ethnic Violence In Burkina Faso   “Militant attacks in Burkina Faso have inflamed accusations against the Fulani community, sparking warnings the troubled country may spiral into ethnic conflict — even civil war. The impoverished Sahel state is battling a seven-year-old insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and prompted nearly two million to flee their homes. The militants have drawn some of their recruits from the Fulani minority, causing the group as a whole to be stigmatized, say specialists. Audio messages posted mainly on WhatsApp have urged “native” Burkinabe to attack the Fulani, especially in the southwest region bordering Ivory Coast. The government last Thursday issued a fierce condemnation. It likened the posts to Radio Mille Collines — a notorious radio station in Rwanda that in 1994 urged its Hutu listeners to slaughter “Tuti cockroaches.” The calls amount to “active and direct calls for murder, mass killings, ethnic cleansing and sedition — the tone and words used send shivers down the spine,” said government spokesman Lionel Bilgo. The country had to act “firmly and resolutely” against “speech that is hateful, subversive, dangerous and unacceptable in a country as rich and diversified as Burkina Faso,” he said.”   The Counter Extremism Project depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation. DONATE NOW