Latest news with #Terrorist
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Thwarting terrorism - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
After years in hiding, the terrorist group Hasm, considered to be the armed wing of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, resurfaced this week when the Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that two Hasm militants, Ahmed Ghoneim and Ihab Abdel-Qader, were shot dead in a shootout with security forces during a raid in Giza that thwarted attempted terrorism. Several media outlets said the raid was on 7 July, but the Interior Ministry only announced details on Sunday. The announcement came two weeks after Hasm published a video on social media showing its members undergoing military-style training in a 'desert area', widely believed to be in Libya or Sudan, and threatening to carry out terrorist operations in Egypt, particularly targeting prisons to free Muslim Brotherhood members. In recent years, the terrorist group has suffered several blows that have reduced its activities. The last terrorist operation masterminded by Hasm was in August 2019 when the movement blew up a car in front of the National Cancer Institute in Downtown Cairo, leading to the deaths of 20 civilians. Hasm, an acronym for Haraket Sawaed Misr (Arms of Egypt Movement), is designated as a terrorist organisation by Egypt, the United Kingdom, and the United States and has carried out attacks against security and judicial figures since 2016. In its statement on Sunday, the Interior Ministry said Hasm leaders Yehia Moussa and Alaa Al-Samahi, now residing in Turkey, were behind a plot to carry out a series of terror attacks targeting security and economic facilities. The plot included Ghoneim, who had previously received military training in a border country, who would infiltrate Egypt illegally and carry out terrorist operations in coordination with Abdel-Qader, another Hasm terrorist. According to the Interior Ministry, security forces monitored Ghoneim hiding in an apartment in the Giza governorate district of Boulaq Al-Dakrour. Ghoneim coordinated with Abdel-Qader, who is wanted for planning to kill a number of high-ranking officials and targeting presidential aircraft. The security forces raided the two terrorists' hideout in the densely populated district, killing them after an exchange of gunfire. One security officer was wounded, and a civilian, Mustafa Afifi, was killed while on his way to perform dawn prayers in a nearby mosque. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ordered on Sunday that the family of Afifi be entitled to receive compensation from the Fund for Honouring Martyrs and the Victims of Military, Terrorist, and Security Operations and their Families. The statement said the Interior Ministry had identified five leaders behind the plot besides those killed, all of whom had received life sentences in absentia for a series of attacks that rocked Egypt in the aftermath of the 2013 overthrow of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated president Mohamed Morsi. The statement revealed that Yehia Moussa, one of the most important founders of Hasm and supervisor of its armed and military structure, had been sentenced to death in 2016 for plotting the assassination of former Prosecutor-General Hisham Barakat in June 2015, attempting the targeting of a number of public figures and the presidential aircraft, and killing police officer Maged Abdel-Razek. Al-Samahi, the statement said, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022 for participating in the killing of police officer Abdel-Razek, targeting the convoy of the Alexandria Security director, and attempting to kill a number of high-ranking officials. The other three plotters included Mohamed Rafik Manaa, Mohamed Abdel-Hafiz, and Ali Abdel-Wanis, who were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016, 2017, and 2022 for the attempted targeting of several high-ranking officials and the forgery of official documents for fugitive Brotherhood members, targeting the presidential aircraft, and killing police officer Abdel-Razek. Following the Interior Ministry's announcement, the Muslim Brotherhood, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in several other countries, issued a statement by Mahmoud Hussein, acting supreme guide of the Istanbul Front, disavowing the movement and insisting that it has no links with Hasm. Another Brotherhood front, this time in London and known as the 'General Office Front', celebrated what it called 'any operation targeting the ruling regime in Egypt', however. Mounir Adib, an expert on militant Islamist movements, told Abu Dhabi-based satellite channel Sky News Arabia that the five Hasm elements who were plotting new terrorist operations in Egypt are clearly affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. He indicated that Yehia Moussa, a leader and founder of Hasm, joined the Muslim Brotherhood when he was studying medicine in the University of Al-Azhar in Cairo. 'When the Brotherhood took power in Egypt in 2012, its leaders appointed Moussa as the spokesman of the Health Ministry,' said Adib, adding that 'after removing Mohamed Morsi from power and ending Brotherhood rule, Moussa fled to Turkey.' In January 2021, the US State Department designated Moussa and Al-Samahi as the leaders of a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)' group involved in planning and carrying out terrorist activities. The US Treasury Department said Moussa has a Turkish passport, which has facilitated his activities by providing him visa-free travel to 110 countries. Several media reports are now suggesting that there is close security cooperation between Cairo and Ankara, and this led the Turkish authorities to arrest Mohamed Abdel-Hafiz, a Muslim Brotherhood leader and one of the Hasm leaders who plotted carrying out a new wave of terrorist operations in Egypt. According to multiple sources, Abdel-Hafiz was arrested this week upon his return from a business trip and informed that he would not be allowed to enter the country amid threats of deportation, according to a post by his wife on Facebook. The arrest of Abdel-Hafiz indicates a significant shift in Turkey's handling of the issue, alongside growing indications of the potential handover of other wanted figures, particularly Yehia Moussa, to the Egyptian authorities. After the restoration of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Turkey in July 2023, Ankara has taken numerous steps towards cementing security and intelligence cooperation with Cairo, including restricting the activities of Brotherhood-affiliated media channels and restricting the movement of its leaders in Turkey. Experts believe that the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliate Hasm's attempts to destabilise the country are linked to the approaching Egyptian parliamentary elections, including for the Senate and the House of Representatives. Major-General Ahmed Al-Awadi, chair of the House of Representatives' Defence and National Security Committee, told Al-Ahram Weekly that thwarting Hasm's recent plot clearly demonstrates the vigilance of the security agencies in Egypt and their ability to pre-empt terrorist operations and halt attempts at terrorism. 'Hasm's plots are repeated with every election season, with the aim of sowing chaos and disrupting stability,' Al-Awadi said. Security and strategic expert Major-General Samir Farag said the Muslim Brotherhood is experiencing a kind of 'temporary dormancy' during which it is attempting to revive the activity of its armed wings and recruit new members, fuelled by external funding. 'The goal of these actions is to boost the morale of the Brotherhood's cadres and prisoners and demonstrate that they have the ability to make a comeback, even if only through the media and videos broadcast on their platforms,' he said. He pointed out that 'Hasm's new plot was aimed at testing vulnerabilities in the security system and attempting to embarrass the state ahead of the elections, but what happened confirms that the security agencies are operating with a high degree of proactiveness and effectiveness.' He added that 'the tense situation in the region and the success of Jihadist elements in taking control of Syria in December 2024 gave the Muslim Brotherhood and Hasm some hope to repeat the same scenario in Egypt.' Farag noted that the recent plot shows that the Muslim Brotherhood and its armed wing Hasm are also targeting Egypt's economy. 'The revelation of the plot comes while Egypt is experiencing a surge in tourism due to enhanced internal stability amid a region rife with armed conflicts and civil wars,' he said, warning that 'any terrorist operation could have damaging effects on tourism and the economy in general.' The US and the UK decided on 19 July to upgrade their travel advisories for Egypt to Level II: Exercise Increased Caution. This classification places Egypt alongside countries like France and Germany, reflecting improved safety and security conditions in the country. * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Pakistan claims terror network ‘dismantled', denies LeT link to Pahalgam attack
Pakistan on Friday claimed that it 'dismantled' the terrorist network and any effort to link the Pahalgam terror attack with the defunct Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) was against the reality. The Foreign Office made the remarks in a statement, a day after the US designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT, as a 'foreign terrorist organisation' and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for its involvement in the Pahalgam attack. 'Pakistan has effectively and comprehensively dismantled concerned outfits, arrested and prosecuted the leadership, and deradicalised its cadres,' the statement said. Stating that the investigation into the Pahalgam attack is 'still inconclusive,' it said, 'any linkage with LeT, a defunct organisation banned in Pakistan, belies ground realities'. The statement said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, has zero tolerance against terrorism, and it is the cornerstone of its policy to cooperate internationally against terrorism. The TRF claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, but later backtracked as tensions soared between India and Pakistan.
United News of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
US designates RTF as Terrorist Organisation, India hails US decision
New Delhi/Washington, July 18 (UNI) In a diplomatic triumph for India, the United States has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), which was behind the horrific April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) outfit. India hailed the US decision as a ''timely and important step'' and strong affirmation of counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries for zero tolerance against terrorism. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on X ''Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Gloabl Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. 'Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor.' In a separate statement the External Affairs Ministry said ''the Government of India welcomes the decision of the United States Department of State to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). We acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Secretary of State Mr. Marco Rubio in this regard.'' Earlier US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement the move demonstrates the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024, the US Secretary of State said. The TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam on April 22 for which it twice claimed responsibility. The External Affairs Ministry statement said ''India has consistently emphasized the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the dismantling of terror infrastructure. The designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism.'' It said India remains ''committed to a policy of zero tolerance'' towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organizations and their proxies are held accountable. The Indian Embassy in Washington said ''Another demonstration of strong India-USA counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate the Department of State for listing The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. TRF is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and claimed responsibility for the April 22 terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam. ZERO TOLERANCE for terrorism!'' The US can now take punitive actions against TRF including financial strangulation and restricting its activities and denying access to resources. Under the restrictions, It is illegal for a US-based person to provide material support or resources to RTF. UNI RB 1650
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
US declares TRF, behind Pahalgam attack, a terror group: Why this is a big diplomatic win for India
The US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, as a 'Foreign Terrorist Organisation'. This move marks a major success for India, following months of diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor read more The US Department of State added The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on July 17, 2025. Representational Image The United States on Thursday (July 17, 2025), officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The development, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, comes less than three months after the horrific April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead. TRF, a known proxy of the proscribed Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had claimed responsibility for the massacre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US action not only marks a breakthrough for New Delhi's global advocacy on counterterrorism, but also puts the spotlight on the Pakistan-backed ecosystem of violence that India has repeatedly called out at international platforms. TRF officially a terror group in the eyes of the US TRF took responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack through two separate statements issued on April 22 and April 23. However, shortly thereafter, the group withdrew its claim, alleging its communication channels had been compromised. Despite the retraction, Indian officials remained firm that TRF's involvement was conclusive. 'Obviously that retraction doesn't convince anybody,' Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had remarked at the time, reflecting the official Indian stance that the denial was a cover-up orchestrated under pressure from across the border after realising the implications of the group's admission. In its official designation, the US State Department pointed out that TRF had taken responsibility for the Pahalgam attack and had also been involved in other attacks on Indian security personnel in recent years. Rubio stated, 'TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT.' The statement added that the designation of TRF as a terrorist group under both US law and international obligations reflected the US administration's focus on combating terrorism and holding perpetrators of mass violence accountable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack,' the statement read. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the US move a vital step in enhancing bilateral counterterrorism cooperation. In a social media post, he said, 'Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor.' A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 18, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Ministry of External Affairs also issued a statement acknowledging the importance of the designation: 'India has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the dismantling of terror infrastructure. The designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism.' The Indian Embassy in Washington welcomed the decision and expressed appreciation for the US State Department's action. Another demonstration of strong India-USA counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate the Department of State for listing The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. TRF is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and… — India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) July 17, 2025 It described the move as a reflection of 'zero tolerance' towards terrorism and another demonstration of the strong bilateral anti-terrorism partnership. Why this move was a long time coming The US action is the outcome of months of sustained diplomatic engagement by India following the Pahalgam attack. Soon after the incident, India retaliated by launching Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine known terror facilities across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists, according to Indian security forces. Pakistan responded with drone and missile strikes, leading to a brief escalation that ended after Islamabad requested a ceasefire on May 10. Following the military response, India deployed a massive diplomatic campaign. Seven delegations comprising Members of Parliament and former diplomats visited 33 major world capitals. Their mission was threefold: highlight the scale and brutality of the Pahalgam attack, point out the fact that Pakistan continues sheltering terrorist entities, and stress the calibrated and precise nature of India's counter-terror operation that focused solely on eliminating terror infrastructure. The outreach also targeted UN Security Council (UNSC) members and potential future members, particularly in light of the setback India suffered at the United Nations in April. Despite the TRF's public admission of guilt, Pakistan, an elected UNSC member for 2025–26, with backing from China, succeeded in excluding any reference to the group in the UNSC press statement condemning the Pahalgam attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan has also leveraged its role as Chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee and Vice-Chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee to stifle Indian attempts to name TRF. Previously, the Quad grouping — comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia — had also condemned the Pahalgam attack in a joint statement issued during a foreign ministers' meeting in the US earlier this month. It read: 'We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others. We call for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay.' The TRF is a relatively recent creation in the history of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. It came into existence in 2019, shortly after India revoked Article 370 of the Constitution and removed the special status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian security agencies have consistently pointed to the TRF as a front for LeT and JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed), created to circumvent global scrutiny and sanctions. The use of a seemingly new name was intended to mask the involvement of already-banned Pakistani terror outfits. Investigations conducted by Indian law enforcement, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have documented the TRF's involvement in various types of terrorist activity. These include targeted killings of civilians, grenade attacks, arms smuggling, recruitment of youth, and provision of logistics and digital support to other active militants in the Kashmir Valley. The group relies heavily on encrypted communication channels and is deeply ideologically aligned with its parent organisations in Pakistan. According to Indian officials, TRF's structure and operations are not autonomous but directed from across the border. Its communications, choice of targets, and even public statements are believed to be vetted and approved by handlers affiliated with LeT and the Pakistani security establishment. Why this is a diplomatic win for India Under US law, the Foreign Terrorist Organisation designation has serious legal and financial consequences. Enacted under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, the designation criminalises any support — financial, material, or logistical — to the organization. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD All TRF assets under US jurisdiction will be frozen, and American individuals or entities found engaging with the group face legal action. The designation of TRF could also strengthen India's position ahead of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary in August, where Islamabad's role in supporting and financing terrorist networks will likely come under scrutiny again. Indian officials believe the US move will bolster their call for Pakistan's re-listing in the FATF grey list. India has also pushed for the TRF to be declared a terror outfit by the United Nations, a move that has been stymied by geopolitical hurdles, notably the blocking of its designation by Pakistan with support from China. Also by officially linking TRF to LeT, Washington has complemented India's longstanding assertion that banned Pakistani outfits continue to operate under new guises and maintain operational continuity with their previous identities. Also Watch: The US State department maintains a full list of FTOs under Section 219. In 2025 alone, the US designated multiple violent groups, including Gran Grif, Viv Ansanm, Ansarallah, and the notorious gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). Several major Latin American cartels such as Carteles Unidos, Cartel del Golfo, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cartel del Noreste, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), and Cartel de Sinaloa have also been added to the list this year. Previous designations include ISIS affiliates in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and West Africa, as well as groups like Boko Haram, Haqqani Network, al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The addition of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba front to the list, while being a diplomatic win for India, also shows to the world that other countries like the US understand the facts when it comes to countering terrorism across the globe. With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
‘Strong reaffirmation': India hails US decision to brand TRF as terrorist outfit
India on Friday welcomed the United States' decision to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). read more India on Friday welcomed the United States' decision to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). It was the same terror outfit that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in Kashmir. Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the TRF will now be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. Jaishankar took to Twitter, stating that the US President Donald Trump administration's latest move reaffirms ties between India and the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack,' Jaishankar wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'Zero tolerance for Terrorism. # OpSindoor,' he added. A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 18, 2025 MEA lauds the move Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs also released a statement on Friday, lauding the move by the US Department of State. 'The Government of India welcomes the decision of the United States Department of State to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). We acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in this regard,' the MEA said in the statement. The MEA noted that the proxy of Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the Pahalgam terror attack. 'India has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the dismantling of terror infrastructure. The designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism,' the ministry furthered. The ministry maintained that India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and is willing to work closely with international partners. In its statement, the US Department of State maintained that its actions demonstrate the Trump Administration's commitment to 'protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
