BOTTOM LINE UPFRONT: TRAC Analysts this past week have documented an interesting new recruitment tactic of the popular #131 Crew/NSC 131 Telegram channel. In an interesting move NSC #131is subdividing six spinoff channels into six regions, in a regional expansion effort in New England. The six new channels include New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont. The main #131 Crew / NSC 131 New England Telegram channel was the first NSC 131 Telegram channel and the channel that announced the group's formation in March 2020. Since that time, the group has rapidly expanded into 14 different states and four different countries outside the United States: Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, New York, Mane, Indiana, Virginia, Minnesota, Ohio and Kentucky. On 30 June 2020, announced expansion into France. Germany, Hungry and Bulgaria soon followed as international branches. Thus this subdivision announcement occurs just 12 days short of the one-year anniversary of their founding. A combined number of 249 subscribers subscribed to specific regional channels on the day of opening the sub-channels; far short of the main channel's 1,650 subscribers. #131 Crew / NSC 131's aspirations often seem laughable at outrageous expansion plans, however, rapid growth in the ranks and locations prove that 'build it and they will come' recruitment tactics work. There are four main branches of NSC #131 Crew in the United States NSC New England, NSC Dixie, NSC Midwest, and NSC Southwest; it appears that the New England branch is attempting to expand regional network recruitment by sub-dividing out each state within its territory. As with the branches, each sub-division group has a specific message for example the Maine Telegram channel focuses on Somali refugees and the Rhode Island branch focuses on opioid addiction. Honing in on specific grievances within each state most certainly is to appeal to new members within that area.
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Images (Above): Damage in one of the housings' ceilings.
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TRAC Incident Report: al-Shabaab Targeted Heavily Fortified Halane Military Camp by Five Mortars Near Aden Adde International Airport, Injuring 2 African Union Peacekeepers, in Mogadishu, Somalia |
On 9 March 2021, al-Shabaab hit heavily fortified Halane military camp by five mortars near Adde international airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. Halane military base houses African Union and United Nations peacekeeping forces in addition to western diplomatic missions which include the United States Embassy in Mogadishu. The attack injured at least 2 African Union peacekeeping troops and caused material damages. Al-Shabaab's continuous urban attacks in Mogadishu target civilians, police and army elements and have taken a heavy toll even in the most fortified of areas of the city. The last al-Shabaab attack was just four days prior, on the 5th of March, when a VBIED targeted a restaurant in Hamar Jajab district in Mogadishu.Though the area also includes the United States Embassy, the mortars were meant to target the preparations for the upcoming Somali president's and heads of regional administrations' summit that is scheduled at Aden Adde airport within hours of the attack, as mentioned in al-Shabaab's claim. Thus, the mortar attack was meant to threaten officials and send them a message that they are not safe. |
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TRAC INCIDENT REPORT: National Democratic Party of Germany (NDP) Politician, Paul Rzehaczek, Attacked with Hammers by 5 People Posing as Policemen at His Home on Hartmannstrasse in Eilenburg, Nordsachsen, Saxony, Germany |
On 11 March at 05:25 am local time, National Democratic Party of Germany (NDP) politician Paul Rzehaczek answered a knock on his home door to screams of, "open up, police." Five men dressed entirely in black, including balaclavas, pushed in the door when Rzehaczek answered, Both of his ankles were smashed with hammers. Before leaving, the five invaders, (assumed to be men) searched the apartment. It is unclear if anything was taken during the search. Paul Rzehaczek is the federal chairman of the NPD youth organization, Junge Nationalisten (JN), and because of the party's controversial right wing platform, many in the media are suggesting this attack was motivated by left-wing ideologies. It is important to note that Black Bloc anarchists are known for dressing completely in black and wearing balaclavas at rallies. They are known for using violence and causing chaos at protests, especially against those identifying as nationalists.
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Image (above): PAUL RZEHACZEK (below) Police ask for tips of anyone dressed in black seen on the morning of 11 March 2021 in Eilenburg.
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Images: (Above) Scenes from the video that appear to be from someone riding a bike.
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(Video) First Images From Inside the Port City Since Islamic State Central Africa (Wilayat Wasat Ifriqiyah) Took Control 8 Months Prior in Mocimboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique |
On 12 March, a video that is now archived on TRAC may be the first images inside the seized port. The video from Pinnacle News circulated on Telegram. The situation is unclear how the video was shot or obtained since Islamic State Central Africa (Wilayat Wasat Ifriqiyah) still controls the city. The city appears largely vacant and disheveled. Clear looting has taken place; most of the store fronts have been destroyed or razed. The photographer is traveling on bicycle on main street.
ISCA finally took control of Mocimboa da Praia in August after attacking it several times over Summer 2020. The group has now held the city for eight months, with a clear regional impact. Shipping, imports and food supply chain have all been disrupted to the area since ISCA took control of the strategic port. Because of the constant raids, Total Gas Company has suspended operation on building the lucrative gas infrastructure needed to take the resources and the entire north east region of Mozambique near the Tanzania border are suffering for food insecurity crisis as well as a COVID-19 outbreak.
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TRAC's Weekly Analyst Review is a small curated list of many events.
For more events TRAC is monitoring click here
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