|
In mid-to-late October, reports began to emerge of military-style operations being executed by a police unit known as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Bangladesh. To date, this operation has resulted in the arrests of 23 militants from an al-Qaeda affiliated group that has remained relatively unknown until now. That group is Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya (JAFHS).
Purportedly, the group was initially formed in 2017 by members of other established terrorist groups who were serving time in prison. It was only in 2019 that they took on the name Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, after having brought on leaders and members of Islamist militant groups to include Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansar al-Islam (AI), and Harakat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HUJI-B).
JAFHS is said to have been recruiting vulnerable youths through madrasas (schools) and mosques, although there are reports that one of the radicalized members taken into custody was actually a teacher in a local madrasa. In addition to getting new recruits familiar with Islamic extremist propaganda, they are also reportedly receiving training in bomb-making and combat tactics and maneuvers, to include learning how to use hand guns and AK-47 rifles.
Those who have been arrested so far include new recruits, trainers and financiers, including at least one woman. The most recent arrest took place on 08 November 2022 in which three more members (pictured above) were apprehended by RAB. They have been identified as financiers Abdul Hani (40) and Abu Sayeed Sher Mohammad (32), and one other member, Rony Mia (29). Following their arrest, authorities confiscated extremist books and leaflets.
It is estimated that JAFHS has approximately 100 members and TRAC is not aware of any claims of attack having been made by the group; indicating that this operation has dealt a significant and embarrassing blow the group.
| | |
TRAC Photo & Video Insight:
'Just Stop Oil' Climate Activists Vandalized the Front of Shell UK Ltd Building with Orange Paint in Solidarity with 'Extinction Rebellion (XR)' Group, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| |
Image: Screenshot from video after the vandalism attack. | |
|
On 14 November 2022, three activists belonging to the environmental group known as ‘Just Stop Oil’ and who have since been taken into custody, covered the front of the Shell Oil's offices in the Silver Fin building on Union Street in central Aberdeen, Scotland, with orange paint. The group, who claimed responsibility, elaborated that their act was done in solidarity with the protests carried out on the same day by activists of the 'Extinction Rebellion' (XR) group, who vandalized two Barclays Bank branches located in Belfast and Glasgow respectively.
'Just Stop Oil' activists have been targeting museums, banks, governmental institutions and oil companies across Europe, demanding the end of the fossil fuel production amid the current climate change crisis.
It should be noted that this is not the first time Shell Oil's offices have been vandalized. Extinction Rebellion targeted Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s London headquarters in April 2019, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage after environmentalist protesters smashed doors and glued their hands to windows.
| |
|
TRAC Incident Report:
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Exploded in a Busy Shopping Street, Killing at Least 6 & Injuring 81, on Istiklal Street, Taksim Square Area, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Image: Screenshot of the CCTV footage of the aftermath from the explosion. | |
|
On 13 November 2022, at 4:20pm local time, unknown persons detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on the busy shopping street of Istiklal Street, in the Taksim Square Area in Istanbul, Turkey. The IED was planted in a sports bag left and then left on a bench on the street. At last report, the blast killed at least 6 and injured another 81.
The motive for this attack is still unclear, but Turkish officials have stated that they have taken into custody the suspected perpetrator of carrying out this terrorist assault, along with more than 40 other persons of interest. According to authorities, the alleged perpetrator, a Syrian woman with suspected ties to Kurdish militants, purportedly entered Turkey by way of Afrin. Authorities have quickly reported that the woman has confessed to planting the bomb and she was trained as a "special intelligence officer” by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as well as the Syrian Kurdish group the Democratic Union Party and its armed wing.
The Turkish central government has a vested interest in destroying the outlawed PKK in the southeastern portion of the country. In many recent incidents, from the onset of investigations, the Turkish government has been quick to blame the PKK and different Kurdish groups. However, PKK militants usually do not choose civilian targets, hence, TRAC is certain that PKK is not involved in the IED placement.
It should be noted that Islamic State (IS) affiliated Telegram channels have been celebrating this attack and these "celebrations" often hint at the group's involvement. However, if this attack is not claimed by Islamic State or any other jihadist group, it will only strengthen Turkey’s case to blame the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), thus giving the Turkish government a measure of justification for beginning the long-promised military operation in Syria. Erdogan’s goal is to complete a 30-kilometer ‘safe zone’ by ridding the ‘area’ in Syria of terrorists (PKK members).
| |
|
TRAC Incident Report:
Taliban (IEA)-Affiliated Cardiac Surgeon,
Dr. Abdul-Karim Taniwal, in Tanzania
| |
Image: Image: Screenshot of the video showing Dr. Abdul-Karim Taniwal visiting an unknown rural location in Tanzania. | |
|
On 11 November 2022, a video circulated on Telegram of a Taliban (IEA)-affiliated cardiac surgeon, Dr. Abdul-Karim Taniwal visiting an unknown rural and remote tribal location in Tanzania. Taliban(IEA) activity in Africa is extremely rare, especially compared to Islamic State and al-Shabaab, both of which have well-established cells across numerous theatres of operation on the continent.
Surgeons and medical staff are generally held in high regard in Africa and there is no doubt that this brings additional praise for this member visiting Tanzania from the local people. Furthermore, this video seems to be part of a wider Taliban (IEA) recruitment campaign to capitalize on disadvantaged Tanzanians in low-security areas to spread the Taliban message and ideology and perhaps, even to establish a cell in the region.
The Tanzanian in the video can be seen learning to say “Allahu Akbar” and he, in turn, teaches the Taliban leader to say “Taliban Zindabad.” The word Zindabad is a commonly used suffix of Persian origin that is used as a shout of encouragement or as a cheer, and literally means “Long live [an idea or person]." Often, it is used in the context of a political slogan, to praise a country, movement or leader. Thus, the Tanzanian tribal leader in this video is shouting “Long Live the Taliban (IEA).”
This is an ideal example of just how important language is in creating a bond between people of different cultures and backgrounds. Dr. Taniwal can be seen saying “very good” in English at the beginning of the video and this highlights the importance of English as a common language that can facilitate communication between people who speak different native languages. English is an official language in Tanzania and along with Swahili, it is one of the most commonly spoken non-native languages in the country.
| |
|
TRAC Incident Report: Unidentified People Set a Boys High School on Fire in Dazan, Kech District, Balochistan, Pakistan
| |
|
TRAC Video Insight: (Right Wing Extremism) National Socialist Resistance Front Celebrate Kristallnacht with First Training Video | | | | |
