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On 28 January 2024, at 11:40am local time, two gunmen entered the Italian Catholic Church of Santa Maria during the Sunday mass and opened fire. The man targeted in the gunshots had just entered the premises therefore it appears that the assailants had intentionally targeted that specific person. At least one other person was injured in the church located in the area of Buyykdr-Sariyer, Istanbul. At least one other person was reportedly injured. The perpetrators fled the scene following the attack. However, media sources revealed that they were apprehended shortly after.
Analysis of the incident suggests that the two assailants were improvised Islamic State (IS) supporters with limited experience in handling firearms. Footage and photos circulated on social networks indicate that the shooter's handgun malfunctioned after the initial killing, preventing further casualties. The attackers attempted to target additional individuals, but the weapon failure thwarted their plans.
TRAC's assessment is that the extremists likely acquired outdated firearms from the Turkish black market due to a lack of access to assault rifles or financial constraints. The incident highlights their insufficient expertise in arms maintenance, leading to the weapon jamming during the attack. An official photo released by the Islamic State Command further underscores the perpetrators' lack of safety awareness and combat experience.
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Contrary to initial concerns, TRAC rules out the involvement of the Islamic State External Operation branch (Emni) in the attack, emphasizing the attackers' evident lack of shooting skills and combat experience.
An unspecified source indicated that the attack was in response to the Islamic State's call to target Jews and Christians globally. Following the incident, Pope Francis condemned the attack during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.
In light of this alarming event, TRAC warns of potential attacks on Catholic churches within Italian territory in the coming days or weeks, echoing the modus operandi of the January 28 Istanbul assault.
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TRAC Incident Report:
Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M / Shabaab Cult) Militants Held Religious & Political Meetings with the Muslim Population in Several Villages of Macomia District, Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique
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Sources on the ground claim that Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M / Shabaab Cult) militants engaged in activities, including holding meetings and exerting influence, with the Muslim population in villages such as Phangan, Nakotoko, and Mukojo in the Macomia district of Cabo Delgado province. The discussions involved promoting Islamic practices, emphasizing religious divisions, and cautioning against supporting government forces. Similar encounters were reported in three villages in the Kisanga district.
Additionally, sources stated that IS-M militants passed through Kisanga without causing harm, engaging in dialogues with residents. Islamic State claimed that the military has intentionally targeted Muslims fearing clashes in Mocomia District, killing 15 innocent civilians, including on Kila Nyon Island. The jihadists vowed retaliation, promising increased attacks on the military and local Christians.
The capture of Mucojo occurred without resistance, Shabaab Cult had warned the military before they entered the village and all attempts to reclaim the village with foreign support failed due to adverse weather conditions.
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TRAC Incident Report:
Student Arrested Along with His ‘Doomsday Survivalist’ Father Over a Plot to Commit a School Shooting. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), RPGs, and Ghost Guns Seized, San Diego, California, United States
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On 26 January 2024, in the evening hours, the police arrested an underage student and his father, identified as Neal Anders, 45, at their home located on the 11000 block of Avenida Sivrita in north San Diego, after receiving reports that the teenager intended to commit a school shooting at the Rancho Bernardo High School. The suspect’s mother and other children were in the house at the moment of the arrest.
Before his arrest, on the same day, in the afternoon hours, the minor told his classmates that he was going to commit a school shooting on 30 January. The students reported these threats to the police, who promptly obtained a warrant to search the suspect’s home, where ghost guns, gun manufacturing equipment, Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were found and seized.
The police characterized the teenager's father, Neal Anders, as a "doomsday prepped-style person." The term "preppers" refers to far-right extremists who prepare for what they believe is the imminent collapse of society.
This incident sheds light on the accelerationist ideology linked to the Terrorgram Collective. Accelerationists reject political solutions for societal challenges, advocating for multiple attacks on soft targets to destabilize civil society and expedite the collapse of civilization. Accelerationist believers anticipate that the ensuing chaos will pave the way for the establishment of a new world order favoring Aryan people.
Notably, Neal Anders was found in possession of unregistered, unserialized firearms and equipment for the manufacture of ghost guns. This aligns with the Second Amendment conspiracy, suggesting a belief that the government will attempt to confiscate weapons, motivating individuals like Anders to create untraceable firearms.
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TRAC Incident Report:
Suspected Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) Militants Ambush Civilians Along Beto-Cinkassé Road, Savanes Region, Togo / Ghana Border
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On 28 January 2024, suspected Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) militants ambushed multiple buses along the Beto-Cinkassé Road in the Savanes Region of Togo. The assailants reportedly killed eight individuals, injured 16 others, and set ablaze seven vehicles in a chilling display of violence.
JNIM has long harboured ambitions of expanding southward into the coastal West African states. Despite facing challenges in realizing this goal, the recent attack in Togo underscores the persistent threat posed by JNIM to the region.
The proximity of this attack to the recent assault in Kompienga, Burkina Faso, suggests a potential connection to the same JNIM cell or regional group. The geographical proximity of these incidents, a mere 60 miles (101 km) apart, raises concerns about the group's expanding influence and operational reach.
While the location given does not give a specific town along the road, it is evident from the images provided that the road is paved, meaning it has to be on the Togo side of the border, as Ghana does not have paved roads on their side. This effectively rules out any involvement of the nearby ethnic conflict between the Mamprusi and Kusasi in Bawku, leading TRAC to suspect that this was carried out by JNIM militants.
Notably, the incident was shared on Islamic State insider channels, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. While this does not serve as a direct admission of guilt, it highlights the interconnected nature of various militant groups. The Islamic State often celebrates the success of other extremist organizations, viewing regional instability as fertile ground for their ideological goals.
The attack in Togo emphasizes the urgent need for heightened security measures and regional cooperation to counter the growing threat posed by extremist groups seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in West African nations.
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TRAC Incident Report: 17-Year-Old Syrian National Detained along with His Mother for Plotting an Attack on His High School in the Name of the Islamic State (IS), Montellano, Seville, Andalusia, Spain | |
TRAC Incident Report: Police Arrest Anarchist Brothers Andrew and Angelo Hatziagelis for Being Found in the Possession of an Arsenal of Ghost Guns and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Astoria, Queens, New York, United States | |
(Video Series) War and Media (Unofficial Islamic State) Releases the First Video of “The State – Season 1” Series Featuring the Biography of Sheikh Omar Hadid al-Dulaimi | | | | |
