Latest news with #al-Qaida
21 hours ago
- Politics
Islamic State and al-Qaida threat is intense in Africa, with growing risks in Syria, UN experts say
UNITED NATIONS -- The threat from Islamic State and al-Qaida extremists and their affiliates is most intense in parts of Africa, and risks are growing in Syria, which both groups view as a 'a strategic base for external operations,' U.N. experts said in a new report. Their report to the U.N. Security Council circulated Wednesday said West Africa's al-Qaida-linked Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin group, known as JNIM, and East Africa's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab have continued to increase the territory under their control. The experts monitoring sanctions against the two groups said 'the organization's pivot towards parts of Africa continued" partly because of Islamic State losses in the Middle East due to counterterrorism pressures. There are also 'increasing concerns about foreign terrorist fighters returning to Central Asia and Afghanistan, aiming to undermine regional security,' they said. The Islamic State also continues to represent 'the most significant threat' to Europe and the Americas, the experts said, often by individuals radicalized via social media and encrypted messaging platforms by its Afghanistan-based Khorasan group. In the United States, the experts said several alleged terrorist attack plots were 'largely motivated by the Gaza and Israel conflict,' or by individuals radicalized by IS, also known as ISIL. They pointed to an American who pledged support to IS and drove into a crowd in New Orleans on Jan. 1, killing 14 people in the deadliest attack by al-Qaida or the Islamic State in the U.S. since 2016. In addition, they said, 'Authorities disrupted attacks, including an ISIL-inspired plot to conduct a mass shooting at a military base in Michigan,' and the IS Khorasan affiliate issued warnings of plots targeting Americans. In Africa's Sahel region, the experts said, JNIM expanded its area of operations, operating 'with relative freedom' in northern Mali and most of Burkina Faso. There was also a resurgence of activity by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, 'particularly along the Niger and Nigeria border, where the group was seeking to entrench itself.' 'JNIM reached a new level of operational capability to conduct complex attacks with drones, improvised explosive devices and large numbers of fighters against well-defended barracks,' the experts said. In East Africa, they said, 'al-Shabab maintained its resilience, intensifying operations in southern and central Somalia' and continuing its ties with Yemen's Houthi rebels. The two groups have reportedly exchanged weapons and the Houthis have trained al-Shabab fighters, they said. Syria, the experts said, remains 'in a volatile and precarious phase,' six months after the ouster of President Bashar Assad, with unnamed countries warning of growing risks posed by both IS and al-Qaida. 'Member states estimated that more than 5,000 foreign terrorist fighters were involved in the military operation in which Damascus was taken on Dec. 8,' the experts' 27-page report said. Syria's new interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa led the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, once an al-Qaida affiliate that later split from it. He has promised that the country will transition to a system that includes Syria's mosaic of religious and ethnic groups under fair elections, but skeptics question whether that will actually happen. The experts expressed concern at the Syrian military's announcement of several senior appointments including 'prominent Syrian armed faction leaders' and six positions for foreigners — three with the rank of brigadier general and three with the rank of colonel. 'The ideological affiliation of many of these individuals was unknown, although several were likely to hold violent extremist views and external ambitions," the report said. As for financing, the experts said the HTS takeover in Syria was considered to pose financial problems for the Islamic State and likely to lead to a decline in its revenues. Salaries for Islamic State fighters were reduced to $50-$70 per month and $35 per family, 'lower than ever, and not paid regularly, suggesting financial difficulties,' said the experts, who did not give previous salaries or family payments. They said both al-Qaida and the Islamic State vary methods to obtain money according to locations and their ability to exploit resources, tax local communities, kidnap for ransom and exploit businesses. While the extremist groups predominantly move money through cash transfers and informal money transfer systems known as hawalas, the experts said the Islamic State has increasingly used female couriers and hawala systems where data is stored in the cloud to avoid detection, and 'safe drop boxes' where money is deposited at exchange offices and can only be retrieved with a password or code.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Islamic State and al-Qaida threat is intense in Africa, with growing risks in Syria, UN experts say
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The threat from Islamic State and al-Qaida extremists and their affiliates is most intense in parts of Africa, and risks are growing in Syria, which both groups view as a 'a strategic base for external operations,' U.N. experts said in a new report. Their report to the U.N. Security Council circulated Wednesday said West Africa's al-Qaida-linked Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin group, known as JNIM , and East Africa's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab have continued to increase the territory under their control. The experts monitoring sanctions against the two groups said 'the organization's pivot towards parts of Africa continued' partly because of Islamic State losses in the Middle East due to counterterrorism pressures. There are also 'increasing concerns about foreign terrorist fighters returning to Central Asia and Afghanistan, aiming to undermine regional security,' they said. The Islamic State also continues to represent 'the most significant threat' to Europe and the Americas, the experts said, often by individuals radicalized via social media and encrypted messaging platforms by its Afghanistan-based Khorasan group. In the United States, the experts said several alleged terrorist attack plots were 'largely motivated by the Gaza and Israel conflict,' or by individuals radicalized by IS, also known as ISIL. They pointed to an American who pledged support to IS and drove into a crowd in New Orleans on Jan. 1, killing 14 people in the deadliest attack by al-Qaida or the Islamic State in the U.S. since 2016. In addition, they said, 'Authorities disrupted attacks, including an ISIL-inspired plot to conduct a mass shooting at a military base in Michigan,' and the IS Khorasan affiliate issued warnings of plots targeting Americans. In Africa's Sahel region, the experts said, JNIM expanded its area of operations, operating 'with relative freedom' in northern Mali and most of Burkina Faso. There was also a resurgence of activity by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, 'particularly along the Niger and Nigeria border, where the group was seeking to entrench itself.' 'JNIM reached a new level of operational capability to conduct complex attacks with drones, improvised explosive devices and large numbers of fighters against well-defended barracks,' the experts said. In East Africa, they said, 'al-Shabab maintained its resilience, intensifying operations in southern and central Somalia' and continuing its ties with Yemen's Houthi rebels. The two groups have reportedly exchanged weapons and the Houthis have trained al-Shabab fighters, they said. Syria, the experts said, remains 'in a volatile and precarious phase,' six months after the ouster of President Bashar Assad, with unnamed countries warning of growing risks posed by both IS and al-Qaida. 'Member states estimated that more than 5,000 foreign terrorist fighters were involved in the military operation in which Damascus was taken on Dec. 8,' the experts' 27-page report said. Syria's new interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa led the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, once an al-Qaida affiliate that later split from it. He has promised that the country will transition to a system that includes Syria's mosaic of religious and ethnic groups under fair elections, but skeptics question whether that will actually happen. The experts expressed concern at the Syrian military's announcement of several senior appointments including 'prominent Syrian armed faction leaders' and six positions for foreigners — three with the rank of brigadier general and three with the rank of colonel. 'The ideological affiliation of many of these individuals was unknown, although several were likely to hold violent extremist views and external ambitions,' the report said. As for financing, the experts said the HTS takeover in Syria was considered to pose financial problems for the Islamic State and likely to lead to a decline in its revenues. Salaries for Islamic State fighters were reduced to $50-$70 per month and $35 per family, 'lower than ever, and not paid regularly, suggesting financial difficulties,' said the experts, who did not give previous salaries or family payments. They said both al-Qaida and the Islamic State vary methods to obtain money according to locations and their ability to exploit resources, tax local communities, kidnap for ransom and exploit businesses. While the extremist groups predominantly move money through cash transfers and informal money transfer systems known as hawalas, the experts said the Islamic State has increasingly used female couriers and hawala systems where data is stored in the cloud to avoid detection, and 'safe drop boxes' where money is deposited at exchange offices and can only be retrieved with a password or code. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Islamic State and al-Qaida threat is intense in Africa, with growing risks in Syria, UN experts say
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The threat from Islamic State and al-Qaida extremists and their affiliates is most intense in parts of Africa, and risks are growing in Syria, which both groups view as a 'a strategic base for external operations,' U.N. experts said in a new report. Their report to the U.N. Security Council circulated Wednesday said West Africa's al-Qaida-linked Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin group, known as JNIM, and East Africa's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab have continued to increase the territory under their control. The experts monitoring sanctions against the two groups said 'the organization's pivot towards parts of Africa continued' partly because of Islamic State losses in the Middle East due to counterterrorism pressures. There are also 'increasing concerns about foreign terrorist fighters returning to Central Asia and Afghanistan, aiming to undermine regional security,' they said. The Islamic State also continues to represent 'the most significant threat' to Europe and the Americas, the experts said, often by individuals radicalized via social media and encrypted messaging platforms by its Afghanistan-based Khorasan group. In the United States, the experts said several alleged terrorist attack plots were 'largely motivated by the Gaza and Israel conflict,' or by individuals radicalized by IS, also known as ISIL. They pointed to an American who pledged support to IS and drove into a crowd in New Orleans on Jan. 1, killing 14 people in the deadliest attack by al-Qaida or the Islamic State in the U.S. since 2016. In addition, they said, 'Authorities disrupted attacks, including an ISIL-inspired plot to conduct a mass shooting at a military base in Michigan,' and the IS Khorasan affiliate issued warnings of plots targeting Americans. In Africa's Sahel region, the experts said, JNIM expanded its area of operations, operating 'with relative freedom' in northern Mali and most of Burkina Faso. There was also a resurgence of activity by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, 'particularly along the Niger and Nigeria border, where the group was seeking to entrench itself.' 'JNIM reached a new level of operational capability to conduct complex attacks with drones, improvised explosive devices and large numbers of fighters against well-defended barracks,' the experts said. In East Africa, they said, 'al-Shabab maintained its resilience, intensifying operations in southern and central Somalia' and continuing its ties with Yemen's Houthi rebels. The two groups have reportedly exchanged weapons and the Houthis have trained al-Shabab fighters, they said. Syria, the experts said, remains 'in a volatile and precarious phase,' six months after the ouster of President Bashar Assad, with unnamed countries warning of growing risks posed by both IS and al-Qaida. 'Member states estimated that more than 5,000 foreign terrorist fighters were involved in the military operation in which Damascus was taken on Dec. 8,' the experts' 27-page report said. Syria's new interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa led the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, once an al-Qaida affiliate that later split from it. He has promised that the country will transition to a system that includes Syria's mosaic of religious and ethnic groups under fair elections, but skeptics question whether that will actually happen. The experts expressed concern at the Syrian military's announcement of several senior appointments including 'prominent Syrian armed faction leaders' and six positions for foreigners — three with the rank of brigadier general and three with the rank of colonel. 'The ideological affiliation of many of these individuals was unknown, although several were likely to hold violent extremist views and external ambitions,' the report said. As for financing, the experts said the HTS takeover in Syria was considered to pose financial problems for the Islamic State and likely to lead to a decline in its revenues. Salaries for Islamic State fighters were reduced to $50-$70 per month and $35 per family, 'lower than ever, and not paid regularly, suggesting financial difficulties,' said the experts, who did not give previous salaries or family payments. They said both al-Qaida and the Islamic State vary methods to obtain money according to locations and their ability to exploit resources, tax local communities, kidnap for ransom and exploit businesses. While the extremist groups predominantly move money through cash transfers and informal money transfer systems known as hawalas, the experts said the Islamic State has increasingly used female couriers and hawala systems where data is stored in the cloud to avoid detection, and 'safe drop boxes' where money is deposited at exchange offices and can only be retrieved with a password or code.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru woman spread radical content for AQIS: Gujarat ATS
Ahmedabad: A day after the Gujarat ATS arrested a 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru, Shama Parveen Ansari, the agency officers on Wednesday claimed that she operated social media accounts used to spread 'al-Qaida in the Indian subcontinent' (AQIS) propaganda and incite jihad. Officials said Parveen was a key digital propagandist who disseminated radical content calling for armed revolt and religious violence. Shama Parveen was arrested from her rented house in RT Nagar, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. According to Gujarat ATS, she operated key social media handles disseminating jihadi content. "This arrest is a part of an ongoing investigation into AQIS-linked radicalisation of Indian youth. We have evidence that Shama Parveen was the user behind Instagram account 'strangers_nation02' and Facebook pages 'Strangers of The Nation' and 'Strangers of The Nation 2'," said Gujarat ATS in an official statement. The agency added, "These accounts were used to post videos and speeches of AQIS leader Maulana Asim Umar and Imam Anwar al Awlaki calling for armed revolution against the Indian govt, promotion of Ghazwa-e-Hind, and inciting violence against non-believers." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Explore the 18 Most Stunning Hotel Pools Only the Rich and Famous Get to Swim In! Click Here Undo "She also circulated video messages of Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid, Lahore, calling upon Muslims to wage armed struggle against the Indian state," ATS said. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Earlier, on July 22, Gujarat ATS arrested four men from Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida for promoting similar content. The agency said, "We digitally tracked the origin of this propaganda to the accounts operated by Shama Parveen." "She was apprehended with the help of central agencies and local police. Her mobile phone was seized and examined, and prima-facie evidence confirmed her role in radicalisation," said ATS. "Parveen has been brought to Gujarat on a transit remand. A case under Sections 13, 18, 38, and 39 of the UAPA has been registered against her. Her electronic devices and communication records are under forensic analysis," the agency added. Gujarat ATS concluded, "The woman established digital links with foreign entities, including those in Pakistan. Her involvement in recruiting or influencing others is part of a broader probe now underway. " Shama Parveen sent to police remand for 14 days Ahmedabad: Shama Parveen Ansari, who was arrested from Bengaluru allegedly for spreading al-Qaida ideology through social media, was sent to 14-day custodial interrogation on Wednesday. Ansari was produced before judicial magistrate of first-class, M D Virani, at Ahmedabad rural court after being arrested by the ATS. Seeking her remand for 14 days, assistant public prosecutor Sandeep Gautam submitted before the court that she had been operating an Instagram ID since 2022, several Facebook pages, and was accused of uploading jihadist speeches by al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) leader Maulana Assim Umar. The content called for armed revolution against the govt of India, Ghazwa-e-Hind, religious hatred, and terrorist attacks. Ansari was accused of posting jihadi speeches by AQIS's Imam Anwar al Awlaki and Lahore's Lal Masjid's Maulana Abdul Aziz on these social media accounts, thereby inciting Indian Muslim youth to carry out violence on religious grounds against members of other religions, the ATS stated in its remand application. The probe agency wanted to question her in custody also to know more about the earlier arrest of other alleged AQIS supporters. Fardeen Shaikh, a resident of Ahmedabad; Mohd Faiq, a resident of Delhi; Zeeshan Ali, a resident of Noida in Uttar Pradesh; and Saifullah Qureshi, a resident of Modasa in Gujarat's Aravalli district, were arrested last week on allegations of being involved in propagating AQIS ideology. They were booked under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
Local Boy With Terror Link? Neighbours Can't Believe It
New Delhi: In a maze of narrow lanes overlooking a crowded market in central Delhi's Farash Khana stands the home of 25-year-old Mohammed Faiq, arrested by Gujarat ATS for his alleged links with al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Faiq, a delivery boy for a local fast food outlet, worked in the neighbourhood market, which sells momos and other eatables. For the past 15 years, he lived with his family in the area, in an old building with exposed bricks and chipping paint. Locals described him as someone who would always keep to himself and focus on his job. On Thursday, the neighbourhood was abuzz with chatter about the anti-terror operation. Mohammed Shamim, a 55-year-old neighbour of Faiq and a shopkeeper at a local book-binding shop, remembered seeing him through the years. "His family has been living here for years. He was quiet but humble. We can't believe he had links with terrorists," Shamim said. Though shocked by his alleged terror links, many in the neighbourhood also said Faiq was polite, but would not interact much beyond casual greetings. Imran, a 35-year-old neighbour residing in the same lane, remembered rarely ever seeing the youth around. "He would almost always be at work." Nasir, the shopkeeper at a local hardware shop, added, "He would stay at home for very little. He was an introverted person who would usually only be seen commuting to and from his job. " Adjacent to the food outlet where Faiq worked stands a medical store that he used to visit frequently. Mohammed Fukran, the shopkeeper at the medical store and also a resident of the locality, shared memories of recent interactions with him. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "He was someone who would mind his business and seemed to have a good nature. I met him while praying on Sunday and we had a friendly conversation," said Fukran, unsettled by the news of the arrest. According to the Gujarat ATS, Faiq was allegedly in contact with multiple Pakistani Instagram accounts that would supply him with jihadi material. Police claimed to have recovered radical literature and a video in which Faiq is purportedly seen waving a sword and chanting religious slogans. ATS also picked up three other youths from Noida and Gujarat, who have been identified as Fardeen, Sefullah Kureshi and Zeeshan Ali. The cops have claimed that they used social media and auto-delete apps to conceal their communications.
