Latest news with #Al-Qaida
Sky News AU
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Investigations launched into death chants and terrorist flags after major pro-Palestine demonstration on Sydney Harbour Bridge
NSW Police have launched a series of investigations into the Sydney Harbour Bridge protesters over death chants, waving terrorist flags, and displaying Hamas and Nazi symbols. Police estimated 90,000 demonstrators took part in the 'March for Humanity' through the heart of Sydney, which shut down the Harbour Bridge from 11.30am to about 5pm, although it was originally scheduled to end at 4pm. Videos posted to social media depicted protesters chanting 'Free, free Palestine', 'In our thousands in our millions, we are all Palestinians', and "Death, death to the IDF; death, death to Netanyahu". "The IDF are terrorists" was also chanted during the march on the Harbour Bridge, as Al-Qaida flags were allegedly waved. Al-Qaida is a designated terrorist organisation in Australia. NSW Police told Sky News investigators in Sydney are investigating the audio of the chants and seeking legal advice. Police are also "actively investigating" the identity of one woman who displayed a swastika placard and have spoken to the man wearing a jacket emblazoned with the words: "Death death to the IDF". "The stills of and videos of flags are being assessed by specialist officers and Sydney City PAC is awaiting their advice," NSW Police said. "Officers from Sydney City PAC stopped and spoke with the man wearing the jacket depicted and his details recorded. Legal advice being sought." Following the protest, NSW Police expressed relief no one was injured or killed during the 'perilous' demonstration as officers 'had to scramble' to protect thousands from crowd crush. On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Belinda Rigg rejected the bid to stop the march and said the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech outweighed any other argument. 'The march at this location is motivated by the belief that the horror and urgency of the situation in Gaza demands an urgent and extraordinary response from the people of the world,' Ms Rigg said. Central Metropolitan Region Commander Adam Johnson said in his 35 years of policing he had never seen such a 'perilous' situation. 'I was honestly worried we were going to have a major incident with potential loss of life,' he said.
Times of Oman
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Key UNSC report says TRF claimed role in Pahalgam terror attack, published photo of J-K tourist site
New Delhi: In a diplomatic victory for India, the report of the Monitoring Team (MT) of the UNSC 1267 [ISIS (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida] Sanctions Committee has mentioned in its report, The Resistance Front (TRF), which carried out the Pahalgam terror attack. The report explicitly recorded the involvement of the TRF, a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025, where 26 civilians were killed. This is also the first time that a LeT/Pakistan-based terror group has been mentioned in the report since 2019. "The paragraph on TRF and the Pahalgam terror attack is the first part under the South Asia Section and the largest. It is in sync with what India has been stating on the links between the TRF and the LeT and its support from Pakistan," government sources said. The UNSC Report states, "On 22 April, five terrorists attacked a tourist spot in Pahalgam, in Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-six civilians were killed. The attack was claimed that same day by The Resistance Front (TRF), who in parallel published a photograph of the attack site. The claim of responsibility was repeated the following day. On 26 April, however, TRF retracted their claim. There was no further communication from TRF, and no other group claimed responsibility." The report highlighted that relations between the LeT and TRF could not be ruled out, and the region remained at risk of being exploited by the terrorists. "Regional relations remain fragile. There is a risk that terrorist groups may exploit these regional tensions. One Member State said the attack could not have happened without Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT, QDe.118) support, and that there was a relationship between LeT and TRF," the UN report stated. "Another Member State said that the attack was carried out by TRF, who was synonymous with LeT. One Member State rejected these views and said LeT was defunct," the UNSC monitoring team report stated. This development is particularly notable as all decisions of the 1267 Sanctions Committee, including monoitoring team reports, are adopted by consensus by the members of the Security Council. The inter-ministerial delegation had held separate briefings for like-minded countries in the Security Council and other major UN member states.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
FATF report reinforces India's position on state sponsored terrorism
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF has for the first time introduced the concept of state sponsored terrorism in its latest report, highlighting that such funding is a longstanding threat to international peace and security, stability of regional financial, and political systems. State sponsored terrorism means a state actively financing terrorist activities as part of its state policy. Before this, India had raised and identified state sponsored terrorism from Pakistan as a source of Terrorist Financing risk in its ML/TF risk assessment 2022. The finding of the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) July 2025 report reinforces India's long-standing position on state-sponsored terror financing. The FATF report also highlights the funding patterns of Pakistan-based terrorist outfits LeT and JeM. It noted the use of e-commerce platform in the procurement of materials for a terrorist attack in India by Pakistani terrorists. Referring to the Pulwama attack of February 2019, where a suicide bombing targeted a convoy of Indian security forces, resulting in the deaths of forty paramilitary soldiers. 'India's authorities concluded that the attack was orchestrated by Jaish-I-Mohammed (JiM). Investigations revealed the cross-border movement of a large quantity of explosives into India. Notably, a key component of the improvised explosive device used in the attack-- aluminum powder--was procured through the EPOM Amazon,' the FATF report read. 'This material was used to enhance the impact of the blast,' the report added. Among other revelations in the FATF report, it noted decentralisation as one of the most reported trends regarding worldwide terrorism activities in recent years. For example, FATF noted that Al Qaeda (AQ) has over the past years used a centralised consultation council, known as Majlis al-Shura, to manage key strategic decisions, including financial management. As the organisation has progressively shifted to a decentralised model, loose central elements are now relying on regional branches, such as Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al-Qaida in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP), Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), or Al Shabaab, which conduct operations and generate funds locally, FATF added. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an independent inter-governmental body that develops and promotes policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The FATF Recommendations are recognised as the global anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) standard. The last comprehensive update on terrorist financing (TF) risks was released in 2015. 'Over the past decade, terrorists have demonstrated a persistent ability to exploit the international financial system to support their activities and carry out attacks. While the methods they employ can vary widely, the overall trend underscores their adaptability and determination. This continued abuse of the financial system poses a serious threat to global security and undermines international peace,' read the executive summary of the report. (ANI)
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Calls On Taliban To End Repressive Policies
7 July 2025 Adopted with 116 votes in favour, 12 abstentions and 2 against (Israel and United States), the resolution highlighted the multifaceted crises confronting Afghanistan nearly four years after the Taliban's return to power, calling for greater international support for the Afghan people and a renewed push for human rights, peace and stability. It emphasised the need for a coherent approach among humanitarian, political and development actors, and raised alarm over the 'grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression' of all women and girls in Afghanistan, calling on the Taliban to swiftly reverse policies that exclude them from education, employment and public life. The text further called for adherence to Afghanistan's obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian principles. Security and economic concerns The 193-member General Assembly reiterated its 'serious concern' over continuing violence and the presence of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and their affiliates ISIL-Khorasan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and 'demanded' that Afghanistan not be used as a safe haven for terrorist activity. Beyond security, the resolution stressed Afghanistan's severe economic collapse, widespread poverty and spiralling humanitarian crisis, urging Member States and donors to scale up principled, sustained assistance. It also highlighted the growing threat of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which worsen food insecurity and economic fragility. ' Sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved only through long-term social, economic and political stability, which requires full respect for civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights as well as commitment to inclusive and representative governance,' the resolution stated. Needs surge amid refugee returns The resolution comes at a time of intensified strain on Afghanistan's overstretched humanitarian system. According to UN agencies, waves of returns from Pakistan and Iran – including both refugees and those in refugee-like situations – have increased pressure on services, especially in border provinces ill-equipped to absorb new arrivals. These returns, many of them involuntary or under duress, have heightened protection risks and left thousands of families in urgent need of food, shelter and basic services. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan – which seeks $2.4 billion to assist nearly 17 million people – is only 22 per cent funded as of early July, raising concerns among aid officials about maintaining life-saving programs in the months ahead. The resolution called on all donors and stakeholders to 'reconsider any decisions that may lead to reductions in such assistance, taking into account the potential adverse humanitarian consequences for the most vulnerable populations.' Governance and accountability The Assembly also reiterated concern over the lack of political inclusion since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. It raised alarm over extrajudicial punishments, such as reprisals and summary executions, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, including those targeting former members of the security personnel. While the Assembly acknowledged the Taliban's limited steps to reduce opium cultivation, it stressed the need for comprehensive counter-narcotics measures and efforts to combat organized crime and illicit arms trafficking. A call for collective responsibility The resolution expressed appreciation to major refugee-hosting countries – particularly Pakistan and Iran – and called for more equitable burden-sharing and international cooperation to support displaced Afghans and the communities that host them. It underlined the importance of creating conditions for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as their sustainable reintegration.
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First Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Pakistan has long played double game': Ex-US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad warns Trump about Munir
After US President Donald Trump met Pakistan's army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir at the White House, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US Special Envoy for Afghanistan, flagged Pakistan's long history of double game and warned Trump that Munir could not be trusted. read more Zalmay Khalilzad, the former top US diplomat for Afghanistan, has warned US President Donald Trump about Pakistan's long history of double game. The warning came shortly after Trump had a working lunch with Pakistan's army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir at the White House on Wednesday. Trump said that he was 'honoured' to meet Munir and described him as a 'smart' man. Khalilzad told Trump how Pakistan played the United States during the War on Terror era. He noted that, after a decade of search, Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'During the years of our military presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan took our assistance and at the same time provided support and sanctuary to those who were killing our forces. Similarly, during the war on terror after 9/11, the Pakistani military selectively helped both us and the Al-Qaida terrorists. Where did we find Bin Laden? All cozy in Pakistan near one of Pakistan's military facilities. And Pakistan still holds Dr. Afidi who helped us find and eliminate Bin Laden. Bottom line: Gen Asim Munir cannot be trusted,' said Khalilzad in a post on X. It is a great gift and honor that @Potus is bestowing on Pakistan's General Asim Munir by hosting him for lunch. Besides Indo-Pakistan relations, the General is likely to have the following on his agenda: 1. Get US investment in Pakistan's minerals via military-owned companies,… — Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) June 18, 2025 Trump's embrace of Pakistan in his second term has coincided with actions that have turned the relationship with India sour. Since assuming office, Trump has undermined the Indian positions on Operation Sindoor and the Kashmir issue, sought unfair terms in trade talks, and formed an alliance with jihadists in West Asia . On the other hand, he has sought a reset in US-Pakistan ties that had hit a low under the previous Joe Biden administration — Biden notably never spoke to his Pakistani counterpart in four years. Khalilzad explains what Munir wants from Trump Munir told Trump that Munir, the de facto ruler of Pakistan, was appeasing Trump to secure his interests and those of the Pakistani Army. Khalilzad said that even though he has got himself promoted to field marshall and has found some popularity lately, he continues to face widespread opposition in Pakistan over the incarceration of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the crackdown on his party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI). ALSO READ: Trump wants military bases from Munir, offers security-trade deals in US-Pak reset: Report STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Khalilzad listed four objectives that Munir has with his dealings with Trump: Get US investment in Pakistan's minerals via military-owned companies Get Trump to outsource the protection of US interests in Afghanistan, including on terrorism, to the Pakistani military. In return, Munir would offer to be a medium in communication with China. Secure greater legitimacy and to create the impression that Trump endorses his de facto status as Pakistan's ruler-for-life. Considering the relationship between Pakistan's army and terrorists in Afghanistan, outsourcing the protection of US interests in Afghanistan would be a 'formula for utter disaster', according to Khalilzad.
