Weekly Analyst Review

01 February 2023

TRAC Video Insight:

Eco-Fascist Telegram Channel Releases Video:

'Keep the Momentum Going'

Image: Video poster

A recently released video by a member of the Terrorgram Collective network has been widely circulated among eco-fascist and white nationalist Telegram channels. The video was very much inspired by and dedicated to John T. Earnest and his shooting spree targeting the Congregation Chabad synagogue while worshippers were celebrating the last day of Passover. The title of this video 'Keep the Momentum Going' is a reference to Earnest's manifesto and a catch phrase now commonly used to inspire attacks.

John Earnest’s ideology and actions have become legend among white nationalists circles. Much like his hero, Christchurch shooter, Brenton Tarrant, Earnest’s image and manifesto are in constant recirculation on Telegram in hopes to inspire other lone wolves to attack soft targets. The manifesto has even been created into an audio book to celebrate the anniversary of Earnest’s attack. 

The incident itself represents stochastic terrorism. The term stochastic terrorism is defined as “using language and other forms of communication to incite random acts of violence that are “statistically predictable but individually unpredictable.” 

This most recent release is very typical of a video series that promotes 'Accelerationism,' which was first introduced by Brenton Tarrant’s manifesto before his armed assault on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

TRAC Incident Report:

Over 2000 AK-47 Assault Rifles Intended for the Houthi Rebels Were Found on a Fishing Vessel Headed to Yemen,

Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea

Image:  AK-47 assault rifles confiscated on 30 January 2023

On 30 January 2023, the United States seized 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles found on a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman that was transiting across a route historically used to traffic illicit cargos of weapons to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The interception was said to have occurred in international waters and the confiscation was conducted as part of a United States strategy aimed at destabilizing Iran’s activities and safeguarding regional security.

Yemen’s civil war erupted when the Houthi rebels seized the capital Sana’a in 2014 and the government was exiled. Since then, Iran has backed the Houthis against a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and aided by US military support. However, Iran has repeatedly denied arming the Houthi rebels.

This is not the first time that the US intercepted shipments of weapons in the Gulf of Oman. In November and December 2022, the United States intercepted fishing vessels found to have been carrying 360,000 lbs of explosive material, including urea fertilizer and ammonium perchlorate and 50 tons of ammunition, fuses and rifles.

TRAC Incident Report:

Suicide Bomber Kills 102 & Injures 140 during Prayers at Mosque

in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Image: Aftermath of the attack

On 30 January 2023, a suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suicide bomber self-detonated at a Mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing and injuring many. The mosque’s main hall can accommodate almost 300 people, and it was almost full when the explosion occurred. The bomber was said to have been seated in the front row during the mosque's congregational prayers.

Many persons were thought to be under the collapsed portion of the structure and to date, the death toll has risen to 102, making it one of the deadliest attacks Pakistan has seen in years.

The reason why TRAC says "suspected TTP" suicide bomber is because even as the TTP denies any involvement, cracks in their unified façade are beginning to show.

The official TTP media outlet denies any involvement, with the official TTP spokesperson citing that the attack is a crime and 'impeachable.' Some factions even blamed Islamic State for the attack and shared a fabricated IS claim that was erroneously put together, and more importantly, was not shared by the Islamic State official channels.

However, according to unofficial TTP statements released prior, the strike was payback for the death of Pakistani Taliban leader Umar Khalid Khorasani last year. The mosque was likely chosen given its proximity to the police stations and as more details emerge, it becomes clear that the TTP member in support of the attack was targeting the police officers who attended afternoon prayers.

TRAC Incident Report: Security Forces Took Three Top Leaders of New People’s Army (NPA) into Custody, in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen, Philippines

TRAC Incident Report:

Eco Facist Celebrate the

Fire at the Third Largest Egg Farm Hillandale Farms

in Bozrah, Connecticut, United States

TRAC Incident Report: Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) Armed Resupply Mission Kills Soldier Between Bobo and Didgo, Burkina Faso