Recent Appearances...

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Hello !
Recent Appearances...

Abu Omar	Abu Omar	Al Qaeda	India-Pakistan				20030111
	Abu Omar	Ansar al-Islam	Europe				20040111
	Abu Omar	Supreme Council of Global Jihad	Terror Networks				20030813
	Abu Omar	Ansar Al-Islam	Europe				20031210
	Abu Omar	al-Qaeda in Europe	Europe				20051002	Link
	Abu Omar	Chechnya	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia				20051219	Link
	Abu Omar	Iraqi Insurgency	Iraq-Jordan				20040309
Abu Omar Abdebir	Abu Omar Abdebir	Salafist Group of Preaching and Combat	Africa North				20060909	Link
Abu Omar Abdul Bir	Abu Omar Abdul Bir	Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat	Africa North				20060104	Link
Abu Omar Al-Seif	Abu Omar Al-Seif	al-Qaeda	Terror Networks				20031231
Abu Omar As-Seyf	Abu Omar As-Seyf	Chechnya	Europe				20031212
Abu Omar Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Saif	Abu Omar Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Saif	al-Qaeda	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia				20051203	Link
	Abu Omar Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Saif	Chechnya	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia				20051203	Link
Abu Omar Muhammad Al-Seif	Abu Omar Muhammad Al-Seif	al-Qaeda	Terror Networks				20031101
Abu Omar Muhammad al-Sayf	Abu Omar Muhammad al-Sayf	Chechnya	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia	Chechen?	At Large	Holy Man	20060130	Link
		Mufti of the Chechen mujahideen
Abu Omar al-Saif	Abu Omar al-Saif	Supreme Council of Global Jihad	Terror Networks				20030813
	Abu Omar al-Saif	Learned Elders of Islam	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia				20050928	Link
	Abu Omar al-Saif	Chechnya	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia				20051211	Link
Abu Omar al-Seif	Abu Omar al-Seif	Chechnya	Africa North				20051215	Link
Muhammad Abu Omar al-Seif	Muhammad Abu Omar al-Seif	Learned Elders of Islam	Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia				20050928	Link
Omar Abu Omar	Omar Abu Omar	al-Qaeda	Terror Networks				20020708
Omar Mahmood Abu Omar	Omar Mahmood Abu Omar	al-Qaeda	Britain				20030522
Omar Mahmoud Abu Omar	Omar Mahmoud Abu Omar	al-Qaeda	Britain				20050724
Sheikh Abu Omar Muhammad Al-Seif	Sheikh Abu Omar Muhammad Al-Seif	Al-Qaeda	Terror Networks				20031020

Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Escalation of strikes in Gaza as artillery shelling hits Khan Younis, Al Jizz reporter-cum-Hamas cmdr. maimed near Rafah

2024-02-15

[GEO.TV] Al Jazeera correspondents have confirmed a series of strikes across Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with an iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response...
, with significant impact observed in the southern part of the Strip, where more than half of the population seeks shelter.

The center of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, experienced artillery shelling, while Israeli warplanes conducted multiple raids on the southern neighborhoods of Gaza City.

The intensification of strikes raises concerns about the safety and well-being of the population in these areas, as tensions escalate in the region.

Al Jazeera journalist said to report from inside Nir Oz on Oct. 7 wounded in Gaza airstrike

[IsraelTimes] Al Jazeera says two of its journalists have been maimed in an Israeli ~~Arclight~~ airstrike
...KABOOM!...
near Rafah in the Gazoo Strip, with one having to undergo an amputation.

The pan-Arab broadcaster, funded by Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
, reports the strike and identifies the maimed as cameraman Ahmad Matar and news hound Ismail Abu Omar.

The IDF has no immediate comment. According to unconfirmed Hebrew media reports, Abu Omar filmed from inside Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas
Hamas

...one of the armed feet of the Moslem Brüderbund millipede,...
’s October 7 onslaught.

Al Jazeera quotes Dr. Muhammad al-Astal at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip as saying that Abu Omar had his right foot amputated after suffering severe wounds, including shrapnel to his chest and head. The channel said doctors were trying to stop the bleeding and save his left leg.
Leave the leg. Amputate the head

Technically they did. At the knee.

Al Jazeera quotes Dr. Muhammad al-Astal at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip as saying that Abu Omar had his right foot amputated after suffering severe wounds, including shrapnel to his chest and head. The channel said doctors were trying to stop the bleeding and save his left leg.

More from the Times of Israel:

Ismail Abu Omar, an Al Jazeera reporter who was wounded in an Israeli airstrike near southern Gaza’s Rafah yesterday, is also a Hamas commander, according to the IDF.

Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, says that Abu Omar, in addition to working for the Qatari-owned station, serves as a deputy company commander in Hamas’s East Khan Younis Battalion.

On the morning of October 7, Abu Omar infiltrated into Israel and filmed from inside Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’s onslaught.

In the strike yesterday, Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmad Matar was also wounded.

The IDF earlier this week revealed that another Al Jazeera journalist is a Hamas commander, and last month, two Al Jazeera journalists killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah were later accused by the IDF of being members of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups.

Ismail Abu Omar on Oct.7 filming and praising the Hamas attack from inside kibbutz Nir Oz https://t.co/x94QbJCtCS pic.twitter.com/k9tMw50pnM
— Adin - עדין (@AdinHaykin1) February 13, 2024

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

HTS in NW Syria: HTS continues pruning the Abu Maria al-Qahtani faction, gave foreign turbans to Turkey, airstruck by Russia, continues mutual shelling against Syrian gov’t

2023-08-23

Russia targets HTS posts in NW Syria causing casualties
Aug 22, 2023
[NPASyria] Russian warplanes renewed airstrikes on Tuesday, targeting a site belonging to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) in the countryside of Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria, injuring 15 individuals, including HTS militants.

Opposition military sources informed North Press that the Russian warplanes targeted the outskirts of the villages of Batenta and al-Sheikh Bahr, west of Idlib, using three airstrikes with powerful dual-explosive missiles.

The sources added that the airstrikes targeted HTS positions and the vicinity of the Beir al-Tayyib camp near the village of Batenta, resulting in the injury of 15 individuals, including eight militants and seven civilians, including women and children.

On the same day at morning, four individuals, including two children, were injured due to artillery and missile shelling by the Syrian government forces on villages and towns in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo in northwestern Syria.

HTS hands over foreign militants to Turkish Intelligence in Syria’s Idlib
Aug 22, 2023
[NPASyria] Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) handed over on Tuesday an Iraqi and another Iranian militants, to the Turkish Intelligence through Bab al-Hawa border crossing in northern Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria.

An exclusive source informed North Press that the HTS handed over the Iraqi leader Abu al-Laith al-Anbari, who has been detained in the city of Idlib since June 2022.

“They also handed over the Iranian militant Abu Ishaq al-Irani, who used to be a militant in al-Nusra Front, through Bab al-Hawa crossing,” the source added.

The source indicated that al-Anbari was a former leader in al-Qaeda and had defected from al-Nusra Front after internal conflicts. Meanwhile, the Iranian militant served as a military trainer for militants of a faction of al-Nusra Front.

It is worth noting that the General Security Service (GSS), affiliated with the HTS, has previously handed over dozens of foreign leaders affiliated with al-Qaeda and dozens of foreign fighters who joined factions present in northwestern Syria to the Turkish Intelligence through the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

HTS arrests senior leader in Syria’s Idlib
Aug 21, 2023
[NPASyria] On Monday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) arrested a prominent leader in Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria, on charges of involvement with Abu Maria al-Qahtani, a prominent leader within the HTS, in a coup plot against Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the HTS leader.

An exclusive source informed North Press that the HTS arrested Abu Muhammad al-Shahil who was responsible for the Eastern Bloc and his companion Abu Humam al-Deri in Dabitt neighborhood, in the city of Idlib.

This action is a strategic move by al-Julani to undermine the Eastern Bloc militants, who are seen as crucial supporters of al-Qahtani within the group.

The source added that Abu Musab al-Shahil, an official of the Eastern Bloc, demanded clarification from the HTS regarding the reason for the arrest.

The source revealed that the decision to carry out the arrest was influenced by recommendations from Abu Ahmad Hudud and Abdurrahim Atoun, both of whom hold high positions and are close associates of the HTS leader. Their concerns primarily revolved around anticipating the potential response from the Eastern Bloc following the arrest of al-Qahtani.

On August 17, the HTS imposed a house arrest on al-Qahtani.

The HTS has been experiencing internal divisions for over two months, with one faction supporting al-Qahtani and another supporting al-Julani. These divisions became evident during a recent security campaign that targeted numerous leaders and militants affiliated with the group, particularly within the GSS.

HTS executes senior leader in Syria’s Idlib on charges of “espionage”

[NPASyria] Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) executed on Saturday an Iraqi security leader close to Abu Maria al-Qahtani, head of General Security Service (GSS) ,after six months of detention in Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria, on charges of collaborating with forging intelligence.

An exclusive source told North Press that the HTS executed Abu Omar al-Iraqi who had been working for al-Qahtani since 2012.

The source further informed that the execution took place in Idlib Central Prison, western the governorate, after a trial attended by Muzher al-Waisi and Abdurrahim Atoun, members of Shura Council of the HTS and other officials.

Earlier yesterday, the GSS stormed eight houses of security militants close to al-Qahtani.

On August 17, the HTS imposed house arrest on al-Qahtani. The motivation behind this action was the confessions provided by numerous militants and leaders who had been arrested earlier that al-Qahtani had intentions to overthrow Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the HTS’s leader.

Furthermore, the HTS has been experiencing internal divisions for over two months, with one faction supporting al-Qahtani and another supporting al-Julani. These divisions became evident during a recent security campaign that targeted numerous leaders and militants affiliated with the group, particularly within the security apparatus led by al-Qahtani.

HTS arrests 5 militants in NW Syria
Aug 20, 2023
[NPASyria] Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) raided on Sunday al-Ghazawiyah crossing, which separates the Turkish-occupied city of Afrin, northwest Syria, and HTS-held areas in Idlib Governorate, northwest the country, and arrested five of its own militants and leaders.

The HTS arrested those responsible for inspection and security checks at the crossing, as well as some guards, on charges of facilitating the escape of wanted individuals.

A special source told North Press that the HTS arrested the officials in charge of inspection and security checks along with three guards of the crossing on charges of involvement in smuggling militants and security leaders affiliated with the group who are wanted in security cases.

The source further added that the detainees were transferred to one of the HTS’s prisons in the town of Sarmada in the northern countryside of Idlib.

The source indicated that the HTS continues its security campaign against its opponents, with the number of detainees reaching 390 individuals, including leaders.

Government forces-HTS mutual shelling in NW Syria causes casualties
Aug 20, 2023
[NPASyria] A militant of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) was killed and four others were injured on Sunday in a rocket attack launched by the Syrian government forces stationed in Regiment 46, west of Aleppo.

An exclusive source told North Press that the injured people were transported to the National Hospital in the city of Idlib, northwest Syria.

The source added that the HTS shelled posts of the government forces at the Regiment 46, using heavy artillery.

They also targeted their own positions on the Urum al-Kubra outskirt, west of Aleppo, and the town of al-Bara in southern Idlib.

In response, the government forces launched a similar shelling, targeting areas where the HTS was positioned.

Link

Terror Networks

ISIS leader confirmed dead - 4th Number 1 toes up, 5th Number 1 tees up

2023-08-04

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The group "Islamic State” confirmed the death of its leader Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Kurashi. This was announced on August 3 by a representative of the group, whose words are quoted by AFP.

Let’s see if the new guy lasts long enough to find the key to the executive washroom.

The representative of the terrorist organization claims that the leader of the group was killed during clashes with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group * (an organization whose activities are banned in the Russian Federation) in the Syrian province of Idlib.

When exactly it was liquidated is not reported. Abu Hafsan al-Hashimi al-Kurashi has been announced as the new leader of the group.

As IA Regnum reported , on April 30, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish national intelligence had carried out an operation in Syria to eliminate the leader of the Islamic State terrorist group (an organization whose activities are banned in the Russian Federation).

It was reported that the villa where al-Qureishi was located is located in the village of Miske, near the city of Jandaris in the Syrian province of Afrin. Al-Qureishi arrived in this two-story "luxury building" from Idlib, from where he controlled the group. According to the channel, he did not use mobile communications, and transmitted orders through couriers.

Turkish intelligence found the leader of IS in Syria a few months ago and tracked his movements, eventually obtaining reliable data on the whereabouts of the terrorist. The house was closely monitored, including from drones.

The detention of al-Qureishi was carried out on the evening of April 29, however, in response to the call to surrender, his guards opened fire on the participants in the special operation from both small arms and heavy weapons. A fight ensued that lasted about four hours.

The Times of Israel spells the name of the dead big turban as Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi (the 4th Number 1), and the new guy (the 5th Number 1) as Abi Hafsan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi

Rudaw spells the new guy’s name as Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, suggesting that Abi is a misspelling.
Shafaq News gives us another transliterated spelling, adding:

In a recorded audio message attributed to the spokesperson, disseminated on a Telegram channel affiliated with the organization on Thursday evening, al-Ansari revealed that al-Qurashi was killed in clashes with Turkish-backed factions in the Idlib countryside.

Additionally, he stated that Ankara-backed factions had apprehended the former ISIS spokesperson, Abu Omar al-Muhajir, along with several others from the organization.

Last April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced the supposed death of the "presumed leader" of ISIS in Syria during an operation conducted by Turkish intelligence.

During a televised interview at the time, Erdogan stated, "I would like to share new information during this meeting... There has been a development in our fierce battle against terrorist organizations... Turkish intelligence has been tracking for a long time an individual known as the leader of ISIS, Abu al-Husayn al-Qurashi... This is the first time we are announcing this news... the news of the elimination of this individual during an operation conducted by Turkish intelligence in Syria... and we will continue our work in combating terrorist organizations without exception."

Link

Afghanistan

Daily Evacuation Brief March 28, 2023

2023-03-28

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS

SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS AT LEAST 6 NON-COMBATANTS IN BLAST NEAR THE FOREIGN MINISTRY – Taliban security forces personnel reportedly attempted to kill a suspected suicide bomber at a checkpoint near the Foreign Ministry building in Kabul. It was not immediately clear if the bomber detonated the device he was wearing or if the Taliban caused the blast when they fired on the individual. The blast occurred as Ministry personnel were leaving their offices for the day. At least 6 non-combatants were killed and 12 were injured (3 Taliban guards were among the injured). Police initially speculated the Foreign Ministry was the intended target, but this may be inaccurate. The bombing is considered the first terrorist incident of the Remadan fasting period. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram attack.

FLOODING KILLS 9, INJURES 74 MORE – Flooding reported across over twenty provinces has resulted in at least 9 deaths so far and scores more are injured. At least a portion of the deaths occurred when houses collapsed as their foundations were swept away. An engineer in Herat speculated that the recent earthquake had likely destabilized many homes across the country and added to the risk posed by flooding. Estimates from the Ministry of Natural Disasters say that 1,800 houses have been destroyed and over 20,000 acres of cropland have been damaged. However, it is not clear if these figures include flooding from the Fall of 2022. The death toll is expected to rise as more reports come in.

TALIBAN CLAIMS IT HAS KILLED KEY ISIS-K LEADERS IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF OPERATIONS – In several statements released online and on social media, the Taliban claims to have eliminated Abu Omar Afridi (council member), Ustad Salman Tajikistani (bomb production chief), and Mawlawi Ziauddin (ISIS-K leader in Balkh Province). The men were reputedly killed in recent security operations in Mazar-i-Sharif. Several longtime Afghanistan analysts were quick to point out that Ziauddin was not a leader in the group. It is possible the Taliban have misidentified the individual or, may be holding him up as a leader to show the international community they are taking the fight against ISIS-K seriously. A new source reported to journalists that ISIS-K had suffered a schism among its leadership over the strategic direction the group should take in Afghanistan. While the low-level conflict has been a norm in the terrorist group, major factions have not been previously reported.

CENTRAL BANK DECERTIFIES ALL INDIVIDUAL CURRENCY EXCHANGE LICENSES – Considered to be the first major policy change since taking the reigns of the Central Bank, the move affects nearly 900 small currency exchanges. The bank announced it had undertaken the measure for transparency purposes. Some observers claim the move is probably a means of bringing the currency market under tighter Taliban control and is also a way to prohibit the exchange of Pakistan’s currency (long a goal of the Taliban). A disruption to small businesses is expected as currency exchanges were a popular method of ‘banking’ at local markets.

CONFLICT TRACKER
Kabul: A suicide bomber triggered a device at a security checkpoint near the foreign ministry on Monday as workers were leaving their offices. Six non-combatants were killed and 12 people were treated fir injuries sustained in the attack, ISIS-K claimed credit for the attack.

NEXT 24 HOURS
FLOODING WILL CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF AFGHANISTAN – Additional rainfall, much of it in the mountains, continued on Monday and emergency planners continue to warn Afghans to delay travel and to conduct periodic ‘walk arounds’ of their homes and buildings to search for signs of potential weak points. Several roads have washed out and a few reports say vehicles have been carried away when attempting to ford swollen streams and rivers. Travel at this time is considered extremely hazardous and the rain/snow is expected to continue in parts of Afghanistan through a portion of Tuesday.

Link

Afghanistan

3 Key Daesh Members Killed: Intelligence Directorate

2023-03-28

[ToloNews] The General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) said on Twitter that three key members of ISIS were killed in operations by Islamic Emirate forces in PD 5,8 and 10 in Mazar-e-Sharif, the center of Balkh province.

Those killed included Zainuddin, ISIS's temporary head of Balkh and head of the judicial system, Abu Omar Afridi, a member of the ISIS Khorasan council, and Ustad Salman Tajikistani, who was in charge of military training and organizing mines.

The GDI said that previously in an operation of the Islamic Emirate’s forces in Faryab, all members of the group that organized the attack on Mohammad Dawood Muzamil, former governor of Balkh, were arrested.

According to GDI, the members of this group are Tajikistan nationals and were sent to Afghanistan for an attack.

"In three police districts, 5, 8 and 10, the recent information shows that their key leaders have been killed," said the Islamic Emirate’s front man, Zabiullah Mujahid.

The announcement of the interim government about the killing of ISIS fighters sparked a reaction from the former US special envoy for Afghanistan’s reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad.

Khalilzad said on Twitter that if confirmed, "this would be a significant blow to IS-K in Northern Afghanistan."

"The Taliban
Taliban

...Arabic for students...
had committed in the Doha Agreement to fight IS-K. The removal of these ISIS leaders indicates that it is doing so," Khalilzad said.

Khalilzad urged the US and Taliban to increase engagement to complete implementation of the Doha Agreement "which serves Afghan and US interests."

"Whenever the operations take place, they consider it both in the interest of the US and Islamic Emirate. This provokes the ISIS fighters against the Islamic Emirate," said Salim Kakar, a political analyst.

Some sources said that internal conflict in ISIS has increased.

Political analysts said that the recent steps of the caretaker government against ISIS have weakened the group.

"ISIS has been suppressed. The Islamic Emirate took serious actions against it. It is not as much as the US over-played it," said Abdul Mateen Mohammad Khail, a military veteran.

"As the Taliban is engaged in undermining ISIS, this is a good step," said Asadullah Nadim, military veteran.

According to the interim government’s numbers, at least 70 operations have been conducted against ISIS all over Afghanistan within the last year.

Link

Iraq

Iraq: Why Are Militias Fighting In Diyala, The Crossing Of Drugs And Weapons To And From Iran?

2023-03-24

[ALESTIKLAL.NET] For a whole month, the Iraqi province of Diyala, bordering Iran, has been witnessing a series of liquidations and armed attacks that have affected civilians, killing about 30 people amid official secrecy about the parties behind all these crimes, despite government promises to arrest the perpetrators.

The governorate, representing 75% of the population, and linked to the largest border area with Iran
Iran

...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites....
in eastern Iraq, is controlled by several militias. The city’s governor, Muthanna al-Tamimi, has been in office since 2015.

Diyala citizens hold the armed militias responsible for the continued security tension in the province and call on the government to limit the security file to the army and police forces only.

Several militias are active in Diyala, led by Badr, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Liwa al-Baqi, and Saraya al-Salam, along with other gangs.

In addition to this large number of militias alongside the regular forces, ISIS cells still record attacks in the governorate from time to time.

SECURITY BREAKDOWN
The last of these incidents in Diyala governorate was the earth-shattering kaboom of a bomb targeting the members of the Bani Tamim clan in the Muqdadiya district on March 6, 2023, killing 8 people and wounding two others.

A former brigadier general in the Iraqi army was killed with silenced weapons, in addition to the liquidation of the most famous cardiologist in the province, Dr. Ahmed Talal al-Madfai, followed by an armed attack on the village of al-Jayalah, during which 5 members of one family were killed, including two women.

"The army officer could not stop those who committed the crime of al-Jayalah, because he feared being arrested or expelled from his position, or even harming his family, and this is evidence that he knows them and that they are supported by political parties," said Raad al-Dahlaki, a member of parliament in Diyala.

Al-Dahlaki explained during a television interview on March 7, 2023, that "uncontrolled weapons are what control security in Diyala, and even the Prime Minister knows them by names and mentioned to me personally full details during a meeting in Baghdad, but why were they not arrested, we put a thousand interrogative marks."

The deputy wondered: "If the criminal is above the law, how is the situation with the official? This is why Diyala has become the main region in igniting or calming the security situation in Iraq. Crime is protected in the city."

He pointed out that "Diyala is witnessing a political struggle to control its capabilities. Within one month, 30 people were killed, and therefore the security situation has collapsed. The ultimate and distant goal of these parties is to take over the administration of the province."

Prime Minister Muhammed Shia’ al-Sudani stressed, during his meeting on March 7, the need to "enforce the law, and that there are no red lines in front of the state’s fulfillment of its responsibilities and duties."

Al-Sudani reaffirmed "the follow-up to the treacherous crime that the province witnessed, in which a doctor was killed, and that whoever committed this will be punished by law soon," stressing that "the blood of citizens is an issue that cannot be compromised or tolerated."

Link

Afghanistan

ISIS claims car bombing that killed local police chief in Afghanistan

2022-12-28

More on this story from yesterday.

#ISIS has claimed responsibility for a car bombing that killed a local police chief in #Afghanistan, the group says in a statement.https://t.co/HiPjiTygFZ
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) December 27, 2022

ISIS has claimed responsibility for a car bombing that killed a local police chief in Afghanistan.

The ISIS regional affiliate — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — has increased its attacks since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Abdulhaq Abu Omar, the police chief of the country’s northeastern Badakhshan province, died on Monday morning when a car bomb exploded near his headquarters.

The interior ministry spokesman, Abdul Nafi Takor, said two others were killed in the blast and two people were wounded. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, he said.

In a brief statement late on Monday, ISIS said it parked an explosive-laden car on the road used by the police chief on his way to work and detonated it when he was close by.

Earlier this month, the militant group claimed responsibility for a coordinated attack on a Chinese-owned hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, which left three assailants dead and at least two guests injured as they tried to escape by jumping out of a window.

The assault on the Kabul Longan Hotel, in the central Shar-e-Naw district, prompted the Chinese government to urge its citizens to leave Afghanistan.

The advisory appeared to be a setback for Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers who seek foreign investments in hopes of halting the country’s downward economic spiral since their takeover.

Link

Afghanistan

Daily Evacuation Brief December 27, 2022

2022-12-27

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS

TALIBAN POLICE CHIEF KILLED IN ISIS-K BOMB ATTACK IN BADAKHSHAN – Abdullah Abu Omar, the regional police chief, and 2 of his bodyguards were killed when his vehicle was targeted by a roadside bomb blast on Monday. The blast occurred near the police headquarters in Faizabad. Taliban authorities claimed that 4 individuals had been arrested in connection with the bombing. Omar is considered to be the highest-ranking Taliban official to have been killed since the Taliban took power in the country. ISIS-K claimed credit for the attack while an NRF spokesman attributed the incident to inter-Taliban conflict. Sources at the Ministry of the Interior said the report had shocked several ministry leaders as reinforcements had been dispatched to Faizabad over the previous three months and several security upgrades had been made to Taliban administrative offices in the city.

40 TALIBAN LEADERS SEND LETTER TO SUPREME LEADER ASKING TO REVERSE BAN ON WOMEN’S EDUCATION – Several influential Taliban leaders have sent a letter to Mullah Haibatullah Ankhundzada in Kandahar, asking him to consider reversing bans on the following:

Allow women to pursue University educations

Allow women to work

Allow girls to attend schools from grades 7-12

A source close to the advisory group of the Supreme Leader claims Hibatullah dismissed the letter and reportedly claimed the Taliban leaders were being influenced by ‘foreign elements’. Several reports have been received stating that Pakistan’s intelligence service (the ISI) has been involved in mediating some sort of settlement between the Kabul and Kandahar camps and we assess that this cooperation is what Hibatullah is referring to. As the war of words continues to escalate and Hibatullah and his advisors remain entrenched in their beliefs, it seems likely the two most powerful Ministers (Yaqoub and Haqqani) will be forced to take action.

KABUL RESIDENTS SAY POWER OUTAGES CONTINUE – While a new power importation agreement with Turkmenistan is in the works, residents of the capital continue to bemoan the daily blackouts they face. The power distribution lines from Uzbekistan continue to frustrate the national power company (Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat - DABS) and a 50% reduction has been noted since November. Both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have stated publicly that power exports would be curbed to satisfy unanticipated domestic demand. However, it is not clear if these statements are affecting exports to Afghanistan. Currently, DABS says it is supplying 3 hours of power per day and 3 hours at night to residential customers while factories receive 10 hours. Local residents dispute these numbers though. The Turkmen power deal is not expected to impact Afghanistan until well into 2023.

CONFLICT TRACKER
Baghlan: In a continuation of Sunday’s clashes, Taliban forces attacked National Resistance Front (NRF) in the Andarab district and successfully killed prominent Resistance commander Khair Mohammad Andrabi. The attacks began late yesterday evening against three NRF positions near Taghanak, Khej, and Bagh Dara. It is believed that one of the positions was overrun, but the other two repelled the Taliban attackers. There have been reports of casualties on both sides, but an accurate figure has not yet been reported. Some reports indicated Resistance forces ran out if ammunition during the engagement, lending credence to rumours that the NRF is dealing with logistical issues.

NEXT 24 HOURS
MORE PAKISTAN AIRCRAFT/DRONES REPORTED OVER DURAND LINE – While drones have been filmed flying along the border in the vicinity of the Durand Line since the artillery exchanges earlier this month, manned aircraft have not been reported. Over the last twenty-four hours, several sorties were made by Pakistani fighter/bomber aircraft. The planes reportedly made their flights well inside Pakistan’s territory and a source in the Pakistani Army could not elaborate on if the flights were intended to elicit a response from the Taliban or the TTP.

Link

Afghanistan

Head of Badakhshan Security Department Killed in Faizabad Blast

2022-12-27

[ToloNews] A blast targeted a vehicle in the city of Faizabad, Badakhshan province, on Monday morning, killing head of the provincial security department, Abdulhaq Abu Omar, the ministry of interior confirmed.

The blast happened nearby the compound of the security department, said Abdul Nafay Takor, a front man for the interior ministry said.

Two other forces of the Islamic Emirate were maimed in the earth-shattering kaboom.

Security forces arrested four people in connection to the case, according Takor.

No group or individuals has grabbed credit for the attack.

گروه داعش با نشر ویدیویی از لحظه انفجار بر موتر فرمانده امنیه ولایت بدخشان مسوولیت این حمله را به دوش گرفت. pic.twitter.com/TXH9rQRA0O
— Khaama Press (KP) (@khaama) December 26, 2022

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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

ISIS Re-Emerges In Syrian Desert Swearing Allegiance To New Caliph

2022-12-21

#ISIS publicizes a video footage presenting militants swearing allegiance to the new leader in #Syria’s #Badia.https://t.co/WMVFf7DuML
— NORTH PRESS AGENCY - ENGLISH (@NPA_English) December 20, 2022

Islamic State Organization (ISIS) publicized on Monday through close media outlets a video, showing its militants swearing allegiance to the “ISIS new caliph” in Syrian Badia.

ISIS-run Amaq news agency publicized the video that was entitled, “Indeed Allah will help those who help Him,” presenting dozens of ISIS militants masked and carrying machineguns.

On Nov. 30, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced death of the ISIS leader, Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Daraa Governorate, southwest Syria.

Earlier on the same day, the organization’s media affiliate al-Furqan aired an audio by the group’s spokesman Abu Omar al-Muhajer, announcing the death of al-Hassan al-Hashimi.

The group named Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurayshi as new leader.

Abu Omar al-Muhajer, in the footage, called for joining ISIS and “Jihad” against “infidels,” as he put it.

He also called for swearing allegiance to the new caliph and “revenging” the killing of the group’s former caliph.

Other video footages were publicized, showing a number of ISIS militants in different areas swearing allegiance to the new caliph, as they were wearing different uniforms, including that of ISIS and Syrian government forces.

The footage showed four-wheel drive vehicles, AK-47, PK machineguns, RPGs, and flags tagged with “Wilayat al-Sham.”

Nature of the area that was presented in the footage indicated that it is more likely that it was filmed in the Syrian Badia, between Deir ez-Zor, east of Syria, and Homs, central Syria.

The organization keeps camouflaging its militants’ faces and their weapons in the publicized videos.

The video showed one militant wearing jeans although ISIS had previously prohibited wearing jeans during the period in which ISIS used to take power of areas in Syria and Iraq.

On Dec. 6, ISIS publicized photos, presenting militants swearing allegiance to the “new Caliph”.

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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Siloviki reported on the detention of one of the ISIS leaders in Tbilisi

2022-12-09

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] A native of the Pankisi Gorge, Tsiskara Tokhosashvili, known as Emir Isa, was detained at the Tbilisi airport, the Georgian Security Service reported today. The security forces consider him the head of one of the IS units.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Caesar Tokhosashvili, a native of Pankisi, whom the security forces consider to be the deputy of the Amir of the terrorist organization "Islamic State" Abu Umar al-Shishani

...real name Tarkhan Tayumurazovich Batirashvili, known by his nom de guerre Abu Omar al-Shishani. A Georgian-Chechen convert who worked his way up to senior ISIS military commander and member of the Shura council, he went for jihad after a stint as a sergeant in the Georgian Army. He was killed in Iraq’s Saladin province in 2016, aged 30, after a busy and eventful life...

banned in Russia by the court, was detained in Kiev in December 2019 and extradited to Tbilisi in May 2020.

Umar al-Shishani's deputy was detained in Kiev, where he lived in a private house, and placed under extradition arrest . A portrait examination confirmed that the detainee is one of the wanted leaders of the Islamic State, the SBU reported in November 2019.

A citizen of Georgia, Tsiskara Tokhosashvili, was detained at the Tbilisi airport, the State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia reported today.

According to the investigation, in 2015 Tokhosashvili left Georgia and joined the Islamic State*. In the Middle East, he became known as "Emir Isa" and quickly became a powerful figure in IS.

"He took an active part in terrorist activities and the conduct of hostilities in Syria and Iraq. For some time he led one of the units of a terrorist organization in the conflict zone," Interpress news quoted the agency as saying today.

Tokhosashvili faces 10 to 17 years in prison. The case against him was initiated under the article on joining a foreign terrorist organization and complicity in terrorist activities.

His brother, Tsezar Tokhosashvili, known in the Islamic State as Al Bara Shishani, is already serving his sentence in Georgia. The Tokhosashvili brothers are from the village of Omalo in the Pankisi Gorge of Georgia, where ethnic Chechen-Kists live, Novosti Georgia reported today.

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Terror Networks

More detail on the abrupt demise of ISIS supremo, another al-Quraishi climbs into the barrel

2022-12-02

Follow up to this story from two days ago.

[NPASYRIA] A leader of one of the local armed groups, which are supported by the Syrian government and Russia, in the town of Jasim in south Syria, said on Thursday that the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi was killed on October 15.

The local leader, who had taken part in the fight against ISIS sleeper cells in Jasim, told North Press that ISIS leader blew himself up after he was surrounded in a house in northern Jasim with three fellows.

The leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told North Press, “Local fighters were able to encircle the house where the ISIS leader was hiding. They asked them to give up, but they rejected and violent clashes ensued.”

Hours later, the leader blew himself up along with the three attendants.

On October 14, a curfew was imposed by local armed groups in Jasim to chase down ISIS operatives.

According to the local leader, ISIS leader was known as Abu Abdulrahman al-Iraqi and no one knew his real name.

Yesterday, an audio aired by Abu Omar al-Muhajer announced that the group’s leader was killed, naming at the same time Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi a new leader of the terrorist group.

The body of the blown up ISIS leader was buried in Jasim after being exposed two days in the site of explosion.

No evidence were found that could verify the identities of the three other slain militants. Falsified documents were found at the site which were of people from the governorate that had passed away.

Yesterday, the US Central Command confirmed the death of the leader of the radical group in the city of Daraa in south Syria in mid-October, adding he was killed by the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Rudaw adds:

Syrian state media at the time reported that authorities received information that IS members have hideouts in the northern neighborhoods of Jassem, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Damascus. Syrian troops were joined with former rebels who had reconciled with the government in 2018 and were allowed to stay and keep their weapons in the southern province of Daraa, and together they began an operation against the suspected Death Eater hideouts, state news agency SANA said at the time.

Amid the intensity of the fighting, an Iraqi IS commander known as Abu Abdul-Rahman al-Iraqi, made his family escape from the house where he was staying and once they were out and he was totally surrounded, the Iraqi citizen detonated an boom belt he was wearing, killing himself, according to Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britannia-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor.

In a nearby house, rebels surrounded and blew up the hideout of two other IS Death Eaters, a Lebanese and a Syrian, killing both of them, Abdurrahman said.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, three rebels were killed and seven others were maimed in the battle in Jassem that lasted since the late hours of October 14 until the next day. During the fighting, Syrian troops imposed a curfew on the village, SANA said.

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