WBNS 10TV Department of Homeland Security announces plan to combat domestic terrorism WASHINGTON — A major plan is being put in place by the Department of Homeland Security to combat domestic terrorism in the United States.Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan made the announcement Friday at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. saying, "we are acutely aware of the growing threat from enemies, both foreign and domestic, who seek to incite violence in our Nation’s youth, disenfranchised, and disaffected, in order to attack their fellow citizens and fray at the seams of our diverse social fabric. This awareness, coupled with the history of recent tragedies, has galvanized the Department of Homeland Security to expand its counterterrorism mission focus beyond terrorists operating abroad, to include those radicalized to violence within our borders by violent extremists of any ideology.”DHS is calling the plan the "Strategic Framework for Combating Terrorism and...

Bloomberg Iran Envoy Won’t Rule Out War After U.S. Sends Aid to Saudis By Steve Geimann and Arsalan Shahla Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif refused to rule out military conflict in the Middle East after the U.S. sent more troops and weapons to Saudi Arabia in response to an attack on oil fields the U.S. has blamed on the Islamic Republic.“I’m not confident that we can avoid a war,” Zarif said in an interview with CBS to be broadcast Sunday on its “Face the Nation” program. “I’m confident that we will not start one, but I’m confident that whoever starts one will not be the one who finishes it.”When asked to elaborate, Zarif said: “That means that there won’t be a limited war.”Zarif was interviewed in New York, where he will attend the United Nations General Assembly session. The U.S. said Friday it will send a “moderate” number of...

AL.com Alabama Man Arrested In Terrorism Probe; Allegedly Said He Would Kill Soldier For ISIS By The Associated PressAn Alabama man has been apprehended as part of a yearslong terrorism probe in which the FBI says he told agents he would execute a U.S. soldier if ordered to do so by the Islamic State group.FBI agents took Nayef Qashou into custody Monday. He's charged with lying to the FBI and destroying records.In a newly unsealed affidavit, the FBI says Qashou arrived in the U.S. through Atlanta's airport in 2015, planning to study nursing at an Opelika, Alabama, community college. The FBI interviewed him more than a dozen times over the next four years. He used encrypted phone apps to communicate with suspected terrorists who told him he should carry out an attack in the United States, the FBI said."Qashou would not tell interviewers exactly how he responded to the suggestion...

CBS News ISIS Suspects In Overcrowded Syrian Prison Tell CBS News They're Americans Northern Syria — A U.S.-backed Syrian militia running a prison packed with thousands of alleged ISIS fighters is struggling to keep control of the detainees. The prisoners want to return to their home countries, and their jailers warn that if something isn't done to relieve the burden, the accused terrorists could end up back in the fight.The militia let CBS News correspondent Holly Williams and her team inside the high-security prison in northeast Syria — the first time a television camera has been allowed in. They wouldn't even permit video showing the outside of the facility, given the tense security situation in the region. President Trump has called on European countries to bring home their nationals who joined ISIS in Syria, so it was a surprise for Williams to find prisoners who said they were American. Williams...

American Airlines mechanic shared ‘disturbing’ ISIS videos, told agents he had ‘evil side,’ prosecutors say By Stephen Sorace | Fox News An American Airlines mechanic accused of sabotaging a plane in July reportedly told arresting agents he had an “evil side,” a nefarious persona prosecutors sought to expose Wednesday as they presented alleged evidence of his Islamist sympathies -- and aspirations -- at a bail hearing in Miami.Prosecutors said Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani allegedly displayed support for ISIS by making statements about wishing Allah would use "divine powers" to harm non-Muslims and sharing ISIS videos on his cellphone -- which he allowed the FBI to search. One of the videos showed a person being shot in the head, according to prosecutors.Federal investigators said they also learned that Alani lied about taking a trip to Iraq in March to visit his brother and also sent $700 to someone in Iraq. Alani...

Voice of America Experts Discuss Ways to Counter Domestic Extremism in US By Sirwan Kajjo WASHINGTON - Recent attacks in the United States, including in a Walmart store on El Paso, Texas and a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have raised concerns over the growing threat from domestic extremist groups.U.S. law enforcement officials and experts now are discussing ways to help counter such groups, using similar to steps the U.S. government took when it expanded its fight against foreign terrorist organizations following the September 11, 2001 attacks.It was during last month’s mass shooting in El Paso that the term domestic terrorism created some confusion.That's because the attack, which killed 22 people, was treated by federal law enforcement officials as a case of domestic terrorism. Read more:  https://www.voanews.com/usa/experts-discuss-ways-counter-domestic-extremism-us...

FOX 10 Phoenix Valley first responders train for active shooter situation By Bailey Miller PHOENIX - First responders on Wednesday trained as if there were a real active shooter inside a Valley church. They weren't practicing their response times as police officers or fire crews — they were acting as civilians, trying to run, hide, or fight. They say this will help them better teach the community how to respond.The loud horn is going off over and over again. It signifies gunshots, and that's why people are running and even hiding inside a cubby to get to safety. A man is acting as the shooter, holding a fake machine gun. He's running around the hallways of the Christ Church of the Valley, looking for his next victim."This is a full-body training where they take the students [and] they show them how to lock it down," said Sarah Gasper, officer with...

The New York Times By Eric Schmitt, Julian E. Barnes and David D. Kirkpatrick To Find Clues In Saudi Oil Attacks, U.S. Examines Missile And Drone Parts WASHINGTON — American investigators are examining missile circuit boards recovered after strikes against Saudi oil facilities to determine the trajectory of the attack — and whether it originated from Iran — as the Trump administration debates how, and whether, to retaliate.Analysts are poring over satellite imagery of the damage sites, and assessing radar tracks of at least some of the low-flying cruise missiles that were used. Communication intercepts from before and after the attacks are being reviewed to see if they implicate Iranian officials.Perhaps most important, forensic analysis is underway of missile and drone parts from the attack sites. The Saudis have recovered pristine circuit boards from one of the cruise missiles that fell short of its target, providing forensics specialists the possibility...

The Financial Times Iran Has Embarked On A Dangerous Provocation The confrontation between the US and Iran risks spinning out of control. If the weekend attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities were launched by Iranian proxies, they will mark a reckless escalation both of Tehran’s resistance to US pressure and of its struggle for supremacy with its biggest regional rival. The incident has laid bare, too, the vulnerability of the Saudi oil industry despite its vast military spending — and the influence the kingdom still exerts on global crude prices despite the US shale boom. The pressure on President Donald Trump to retaliate may be irresistible. A wiser, though difficult, course would be to seek ways to de-escalate the situation.Much is still unclear about Saturday’s attacks. There are claims that they could have originated in Iranian territory, which would amount to an act of war. If Iranian proxies were responsible,...

AL.com 16-Year-Old Charged With Making Terrorist Threats Against Alabama Schools By Leada Gore A 16-year-old faces charges connected to threats against Douglas High and Douglas Middle schools in Marshall County.Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims said the male student was arrested at DHS today. He is charged with making terrorist threats involving the schools, a class C felony, and is being held by juvenile authorities.The sheriff’s office and Douglas Police Department began investigating the threats after becoming aware of posts on social media on Sept. 14. "We were able to quickly assess the information and make an arrest today based on the hard work of our deputies and investigators. We will hold students accountable for their actions that disrupt school and related school activities," Sims said. Read more: https://www.al.com/news/2019/09/16-year-old-charged-with-making-terrorist-threats-against-alabama-schools.html...

Quartz Facebook is partnering up with London police to develop technology to identify terror attacks By Hanna Kozlowska In a world where terrorists plan, explain, and broadcast their attacks on social media, tech platforms are under increasing pressure to do something about it.The London Metropolitan Police will provide Facebook with body-camera footage from its training programs so that the company can develop technology to better detect video of live shootings and immediately take it down, the two announced Sept. 17.“This partnership with the [Metropolitan] Police will help train our AI systems with the volume of data needed to identify these incidents,” Stephanie McCourt, Facebook’s law enforcement liaison, said in a release from the police force.Facebook was criticized by users and governments around the world after a shooter in Christchurch, New Zealand, broadcast is his deadly attack on Facebook, where it was shared thousands of times. Read more: https://qz.com/1710671/facebook-is-partnering-up-with-london-police-to-develop-technology-to-identify-terror-attacks/...

Somalia: Al-Shabab Attacks Kill 17 Voice Of America  By Harun Maruf The al-Shabab militant group launched a series of attacks since Saturday that led to the death of at least 17 people in Somalia.Lower Shabelle region officials told VOA Somali that the militants attacked the town of Qoryoley late Saturday using rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns, killing nine people.The town’s Mayor Sayid Ali Ibrajim told VOA that an RPG fired by the militants caused most of the casualties.Somali government forces with support from African Union forces, who are based outside the town, repelled the attack, according to officials.Some of the residents in Qoryoley alleged that heavy weapons fired by AU troops caused some of the civilians casualties. Read more: https://www.voanews.com/africa/somalia-al-shabab-attacks-kill-17...

Tennessee Star Minneapolis’ ‘Little Mogadishu’ Sees 56 Percent Increase in Violent Crimes Caused by Somali Gangs Anthony Gockowski - January 2, 2019 Violent crimes increased by more than 50 percent in 2018 in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, nicknamed “little Mogadishu,” which authorities attribute to Somali gang activity in the area.Buried in a recent Star Tribune article was the fact that violent crimes jumped from 54 in 2010 to 84 in 2018, an increase in roughly 56 percent. Authorities attribute the violence to rivalries between Somali gangs, such as the Somali Mafia, the Somali Outlaws, the Hot Boyz, and Madhibaan with Attitude, Alpha News reports.According to a 2014 Southside Pride article, the Outlaws and Madhibaan with Attitude have a rivalry that stretches back years, and likely resulted in the murder of two Somali men in April 2014. That article notes that the summer of 2013 was a particularly bloody season for gang...

Weapons used in Saudi attacks 'came from Iran', says coalitionAnuj Chopra - AFP Riyadh (AFP) - The weapons used to strike Saudi oil facilities were Iranian-made, the Riyadh-led coalition said Monday, heightening fears of regional conflict after the US hinted at a military response to the assault.The weekend strikes on Abqaiq –- the world's largest oil processing facility –- and the Khurais oil field in eastern Saudi Arabia sent oil prices spiking Monday.Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for the operation but Washington has squarely blamed Iran, with President Donald Trump saying the US is "locked and loaded" to respond.US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US was preparing a response."The United States military, with our interagency team, is working with our partners to address this unprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that is being undermined by Iran," he said in a tweet. Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/weapons-used-saudi-attacks-came-iran-coalition-154033532.html...

Fox News Bin Laden's son Hamza was killed in counterterrorism operation, President Trump confirms White House: Hamza bin Laden, son of Osama bin Laden, killed in a counterterrorism operationPresident Trump has confirmed that Hamza bin Laden, the son of former Al Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Usama bin Laden, has been killed.In a statement released by the White House on Saturday morning, three days after the 18th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, President Trump said Hamza, a high-ranking Al Qaeda member, "was killed in a United States counterterrorism operation in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region."“The loss of Hamza bin Laden not only deprives Al Qaeda of important leadership skills and the symbolic connection to his father but undermines important operational activities of the group,” the statement continued. “Hamza bin Laden was responsible for planning and dealing with various terrorist groups.”It was unclear when the operation took place. The White House...

  Department of JusticeOffice of Public Affairs Former Alabama Resident Pleads Guilty to Concealing Terrorism Financing A criminal information was filed on Sept. 11, 2019, against Alaa Mohd Abusaad, charging her with concealment of terrorism financing, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339C and 2.  Abusaad pleaded guilty to the charge today.  Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, United States Attorney Jay E. Town of the Northern District of Alabama, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. of the Birmingham Division made the announcement today.As set forth in the previously filed complaint, Abusaad instructed an FBI undercover employee (UCE) about how to send money to the mujahedeen—fighters engaged in jihad.  Abusaad told the UCE that money “is always needed.  You can’t have a war without weapons.  You can’t prepare a soldier without equipment.”  Abusaad also advised the UCE on how to send...

The Hill Adapting And Upgrading Our Counterterrorism Tools By Nathan A. Sales and Marshall Billingslea, opinion contributor In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush signed a powerful executive order to deprive terrorists of the money they need to attack our country and our interests. Since that moment, the U.S. government has aggressively wielded this vital tool, using it to target more than 1,500 terrorists, terrorist groups and their financial supporters and facilitators. These sanctions have denied terrorists resources, and forced them to devote additional time and energy to seek out new financial channels. It also deterred would-be donors and facilitators. In an effort to avoid our financial tradecraft, the terror groups have continuously adapted so we need to evolve our capabilities as well. That’s why earlier this week, President Trump issued a revised and expanded executive order that is the most significant update of our...

Reuters New U.S. Sanctions Target Hamas, Islamic State, Other Groups WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions on a “wide range of terrorists and their supporters,” including the Palestinian group Hamas and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, on the eve of the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.The targets include 15 leaders, individuals and entities affiliated with groups such as Hamas, al Qaeda, Islamic State and Iran’s IRGC, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.The sanctions were applied using new tools from an executive order recently updated by President Donald Trump.“Since the horrific attacks of 9/11, the U.S. government has refocused its counterterrorism efforts to constantly adapt to emerging threats,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement. Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-terrorism-sanctions/new-us-sanctions-target-hamas-islamic-state-other-groups-idUSKCN1VV2CH...

ABC News US-Led Coalition Hits ISIS 'Infested' Island In Iraq With 80,000 Pounds Of Munitions By Elizabeth Mclaughlin The U.S.-led coalition conducted airstrikes against an Islamic State "infested" island in Iraq on Tuesday in order to deny what had become a safe haven for the terror group, according to Operation Inherent Resolve.U.S. F-15 and F-35 aircraft dropped 80,000 pounds of munitions on Qanus Island, located in the Salah ad Din Province, north of Baghdad, to disrupt ISIS fighters' "ability to hide in the thick vegetation," the coalition said in a statement.(MORE: Exclusive: Military leaders tell David Muir there is an 'ISIS insurgency' in Iraq, warn of breeding ground across Syria border)"Follow-on ground clearance operations are currently taking place by the 2nd Iraqi Special Operations Forces Battalion to destroy a major transit hub for [ISIS] members moving from Syria and the Jazeera desert into Mosul, Makhmour, and the Kirkuk region" of...

  Fox News Al Qaeda leader marks 9/11 anniversary with new calls for jihadists to attack AmericaSep. 12, 2019 - Reaction from Whitefox Defense strategic adviser Brett Velicovich.     Click on the photo or watch here: https://video.foxnews.com/v/6085577082001/...