Cleveland Fourth of July Terrorism Suspect Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison Homeland Security TodayA man accused by the FBI of planning a 2018 attack on a downtown Cleveland park during a popular Independence Day celebration was sentenced Tuesday to spend 14 years in federal prison.Demetrius Pitts, who has roots in Cincinnati and Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in November to attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group al-Qaida, as well as making threats against President Donald Trump and his children. His plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office called for the 14-year sentence.Read more: https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/counterterrorism/cleveland-fourth-of-july-terrorism-suspect-sentenced-to-14-years-in-federal-prison/...

New Delhi Times Terrorism: The rising use of CBRN weapons By Dr. Ankit Srivastava, Edito-in-Chief Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism is a form of terrorism involving the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Chemical weapons make use of chemical nerve agents (e.g. sarin), blister agents (sulphur mustard) and choking agents (chlorine). The definition does not cover riot control agents or herbicides. Biological weapons release or disseminate biological agents, such as bacteria (e.g. anthrax, plague or salmonella), viruses (smallpox), or toxins (botulinum toxin). Radiological weapons, also known as radiological dispersion devices, injure or kill by spreading radioactive materials. They include the so-called ‘dirty bombs’ which that use conventional explosives. Nuclear weapons derive their destructive power from nuclear reactions.Terrorist networks in Europe have been making use of CBRN weapons. According to a report published on June 27, 2019, by the EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2019, three incidents...

BBC News Hafiz Saeed: Will Pakistan's 'Terror Cleric' Stay In Jail? The man accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 161 people is to serve two five-and-a-half prison terms concurrently.Saeed has been wanted by India for years, and is designated as a global terrorist by both the UN and the US, which has a $10m bounty on his head. He's the founder of one of Pakistan's largest militant groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).So why has it taken so long to put him behind bars - and will he stay there? The answer is complicated, not least by the fact that Saeed is widely known to have close links with the Pakistani military. Why punish him now?The answer may lie in Pakistan's growing international isolation since the mid-2000s, its worsening economic woes and more recently a threat of being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international terror...

Reuters Syrian To Be Tried For Plotting Attack On U.S. Embassy In Lebanon: Agency BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Syrian man held on suspicion of plotting an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon was referred to trial on Thursday along with 20 other people, the Lebanese state news agency NNA said.NNA said a Lebanese military judge had issued an indictment against the man on charges of belonging to the Islamic State militant group and planning the operation on its behalf.It said the man was suspected of having prepared explosives and of seeking to buy a drone for the attack. The agency gave no further details and did not spell out the allegations against the 20 others. Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-security-usa/syrian-to-be-tried-for-plotting-attack-on-us-embassy-in-lebanon-agency-idUSKBN2071RK...

KCCI 8 Law enforcement detail 'significant' gang investigation DES MOINES, Iowa — The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Des Moines police hosted a news conference Friday morning to announce the results of a “significant Des Moines law enforcement gang investigation.”U.S. Attorney Marc Krickbaum and Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert talked about the federal conviction of a man they call the “most violent and most dangerous gang members. Twenty-two-year-old Xzavier Clark, who Krickbaum said is a member of the "C-Block" gang, will spend the next 10 years in federal prison for being a drug user in possession of a firearm.“I think one of the key messages is that this is the beginning, and this is a small part of what we are doing. I want people to understand and hear the feds are taking gun cases. And if you are a user of an illegal drug and have a gun, you...

Washington Examiner Ignominious Distinction: Taliban Surpasses ISIS As 'World’s Deadliest' Nonstate Armed Group by Jamie McIntyre A new analysis from Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre says the Afghanistan-based Taliban has surpassed the Islamic State to become the world’s deadliest nonstate armed group.The group reported that while terrorist attacks decreased 10% to 14,009 in 2019, the lowest level since 2011, Taliban attacks increased by almost 90%, resulting in a 60% increase in deaths.The data shows that the Taliban accounted for more deaths than the next nine deadliest groups combined.The ignominious distinction comes as President Trump reportedly has given conditional approval to a peace deal with the Taliban that could mark the beginning of the end of America’s longest war, according to Afghan and U.S. officials.“But the deal will only be signed if the Taliban prove their commitment to a durable reduction of violence over a test period of about seven days...

Kurdistan 24 Iraq Launches Anti-ISIS Operation To Secure Western Border ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi military announced on Wednesday that it had launched a new anti-Islamic State operation named “Iraqi Heroes” as part of ongoing efforts to secure the nation's often porous western borders with Syria and Jordan.“With God’s blessing, phase one of 'Iraqi Heroes' was launched at dawn today, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, with the participation of the Ground Forces Command, the Baghdad Operations Command, and the Border Guard Command and entities attached to it,” said Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Command Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah in a statement.He added, “The process is to search and clear Anbar Province and surrounding areas in the Iraqi-Syrian-Jordanian borders... with the Middle Euphrates Command and Baghdad Operations Command to eliminate the remnants of terrorism, impose security, and enhance stability.”The military operation will be conducted from five axes with the full support...

Military Times After decades focused on terrorism, special operations is broadening its horizons by Meghann Myers and Shawn Snow With clear marching orders from the Defense Department to turn focus to competitors like China and Russia, the U.S. special operations community is at an inflection point. Kicking down doors in Afghanistan and Iraq will give way to more missions like training partners in Europe and Asia, and U.S. Special Operations Command could see a shift in its funding and oversight.But that re-focus should not mean that special operations forces will take a back seat to traditional air, land and sea power, according to a report released Wednesday, as competitors are already using proxy forces and misinformation campaigns, both of which are right in the SOF wheelhouse.“A successful U.S. national security strategy will require more from SOF and their partner nation forces—not less,” according to the Imperatives 2020 report from the...

Washington Examiner Suffering repeated attacks by convicted terrorists, Britain strengthens laws by Tom Rogan After two recent attacks by released terrorists, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is moving to strengthen detention policies for convicted terrorists.The reforms would end the automatic release of convicted terrorists at the halfway point of their custodial sentences. Convicted terrorists would instead have to be approved for early release by a parole board. The hope is that this reform will reduce the risk of reoffending and better protect the public.Still, there's a major political effort to get this legislation passed quickly.That effort is a response to rising public fears over two recent terrorist stabbing rampages in London. The first was a November 2019 attack by a recently paroled terrorist convict, which killed two innocent people. The second was a February 2020 attack by a recently released terrorist. The terrorists were shot dead by police in both...

The Clarion Project Top UFC Manager: A Tale of Espionage & Terrorism A Hollywood-like spy story has been brewing beneath the surface in the world of Mixed Martial Arts surrounding the biggest manager in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).UFC manager Ali Abdelaziz, used to be in a terror-tied cult known as Jammat ul-Fuqra. Abdelaziz manages some of the most high-profile fighters, including UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Frankie Edgar, Renzo Gracie, Henry Cejudo and Rashad Evans.Fuqra, known more commonly as Muslims of the Americas (MOA), is most known for claiming to have 22 “Islamic villages” in the U.S., including its 70-acre “Islamberg” headquarters in upstate New York. Read more: https://clarionproject.org/ufc-manager-espionage-terrorism/...

Pakistan Court Convicts Hafiz Saeed For 5 Years in Terror Financing Cases The terror financing cases against Saeed were filed by the Counter-Terrorism Department's (CTD) Lahore and Gujranwala chapters.By India.com News Desk The development comes after the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of two terror financing cases against Saeed till February 18. Saeed is the leader of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) who was the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The two-member bench, headed by Justice Qasim Khan, which was supposed to initially announce its verdict against the JuD chief on February 8, will now hear the case on February 18.Nominated in about 29 cases related to terror financing, money laundering, the verdict was reserved against Saeed on February 6.As per updates, the ATC on February 8 delayed its verdict in the terror financing cases and had decided to hear arguments on February 11.Read...

The Telegraph Bloodbath in Mali as jihadists stoke centuries-old tensions between ethnic groupsBoth al-Qaeda and Islamic State encourage local Fulani herders to wage a campaign of ethnic cleansing against their Dogon neighbours By Colin Freeman Jihadists in Mali are stirring up bouts of savage inter-ethnic bloodletting in their bid to regain their grip on the west African state, human rights campaigners have warned.The country's picturesque Mopti region – once one of west Africa's top backpacking destinations – has become a bloodbath in the last year as Islamic militants stoke centuries-old tensions between its main ethnic groups.Both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have been encouraging local Fulani herders, known in Mali as Peuhl, to wage a campaign of ethnic cleansing against their Dogon neighbours.The Dogon, who are mainly settled farmers, have responded by setting up their own self-defence militias, one of which massacred more than 150 Peuhl civilians in a revenge...

The Jerusalem Post Ex-CIA Official Warns Of Iran, ISIS Drones Armed With Chemical Weapons The warning takes on greater meaning following a call on January 28 by ISIS’s new leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, to direct greater attention to attacking Israel and Jews, including using chemical weapons. By YONAH JEREMY BOB, NEVILLE TELLER   The greatest threat confronting the US and Israel may be swarms of drones armed with chemical weapons released by Iran or ISIS, an ex-CIA official has told The Jerusalem Post. The warning takes on greater meaning following a call on January 28 by ISIS’s new leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, to direct greater attention to attacking Israel and Jews, including using chemical weapons.Some dangerous countries and terrorist groups may already have their hands on chemical weapons – ISIS and multiple other groups used them in Syria in recent years – and anyone who does not, may be...

NYC cops ‘declaring war’ on Mayor de Blasio, union says, following ‘assassination attempts’ on officersBy Greg Norman | Fox News A police union says the men and women of New York City’s finest are now “declaring war” on Mayor Bill de Blasio following a pair of shootings targeting officers in the Bronx over the weekend.The fiery rhetoric directed at the Big Apple’s Democrat leader -- who has implemented several measures critics say are hostile to police – comes as the NYPD filed charges against suspect Robert Williams in both attacks.“Mayor De Blasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you!” the Sergeants Benevolent Association wrote in a tweet. “We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures, the 1% who hate cops but vote for you.“NYPD cops have been assassinated because of you,” the tweet added. “This isn’t...

BOMB PLOT Manchester terrorist’s ‘family claimed £2k-a-month benefits while living abroad – and taxpayer cash used to buy bomb’By Thomas Burrows - The SunTHE FAMILY of Manchester Arena terrorist Salman Abedi claimed thousands of pounds a month in benefits, a court was told today.A jury heard that some of that money was used in the bomb plot that killed 22 people. Mum-of-six Samia Abedi continued to receive more than £2,000 each month in welfare payments, even after leaving the country for Libya.In the months following her departure in October 2016, benefits continued to be paid and in the run up to the attack her bank account was accessed to buy a large £300 industrial sized battery and other alleged bomb making equipment from B&Q, the court heard.Mrs Abedi has three younger children and three older sons, Ismail, Salman - the suicide bomber, and Hashem, now aged 22, who denies involvement...

The National Suicide bomber kills Algerian soldier during border checkpoint stop The attack is the first such bombing in months despite the conflicts raging in neighboring Mali and Libya A suicide car bomb attack near the Malian border has killed an Algerian soldier amid a rise in deadly attacks carried out by militant groups in the remote North African region.The Defence Ministry said that at 10.50am local time on Sunday, an all-terrain vehicle loaded with explosives was detonated next to a military detachment guarding the border area near Timiaouine.“The soldier in charge of access managed to stop the suspect vehicle from entering; however, the suicide attacker blew up the vehicle, causing the death of the solider on guard,” it said. Read more: https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/suicide-bomber-kills-algerian-soldier-during-border-checkpoint-stop-1.976847...

Deutsche Welle Over 60 Germans Among Islamists In Idlib An analysis of text and video messages from jihadis in Idlib reveals over 60 Germans among their ranks, German media report. Syrian President Bashar Assad is determined to retake the region. More than 60 Germans are fighting in Idlib, the last stronghold of foreign fighters in northwest Syria, according to reports by the German broadcaster SWR on Sunday.SWRreviewed transcripts of instant messages sent by the fighters and determined that the individuals are largely members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group with ties to al-Qaida. At least one person is working with the group Junud al-Sham.Using messenger apps such as Telegram, the fighters solicited financial aid from supporters back in Germany by way of text, video and voice messages."My brothers," a masked man says in a video message, "if you could help, that would be very good. Even if you're in Germany,...

The Guardian Preacher Who Inspired Streatham Terror Attack Peddling Jihad From Behind Bars Abdullah al-Faisal, currently in a Jamaican prison awaiting extradition to the US, is spreading his messages of hate via website. Hundreds of sermons preached by the Islamist cleric who inspired the men who carried out the terrorist attacks in Streatham and on London Bridge in November are available on a website that allows his followers to communicate in private chatrooms, the Observer has established.Abdullah al-Faisal, who was born into an evangelical Christian family in Jamaica and spent many years in Britain, has become one of the most successful propagandists for al-Qaida and Islamic State.Sudesh Amman, 20, who was shot dead by police last week after coming out of prison for terrorism offences, had copies of Faisal’s speeches, the Times reported. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/09/preacher-abdullah-faisal-streatham-london-bridge-peddling-jihad-behind-bars...

2 U.S. service members killed during shootout in AfghanistanCBS News Two U.S. service members were killed Saturday after a firefight broke out in Afghanistan, officials tell CBS News. A government official in eastern Afghanistan told CBS News the incident occurred in the Sherzad district of eastern Nangarhar province.USFOR-A Spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett said in a statement that, "Upon completing a key-leader engagement at the district center, current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun."The Pentagon on Sunday identified the service members who were killed as Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, and Antonio Rey Rodriguez, also 28. Gutierrez was from San Antonio, Texas, and Rodriguez was from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both were posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant 1st class. Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-two-us-service-members-killed-during-shootout-in-eastern-nangarhar-province-2020-02-08/...

The North African Post Counterterrorism: Morocco’s Deradicalization Program Yielding Tangible Results Morocco is tackling terror threat and extremism not only with its proactive security approach, which helped to foil several terrorist plots but also with pilot rehabilitation programs that aim to deradicalize Jihadis while they are in prison through the teaching of moderate Islam. Some of the former extremists, who renounced their fanatic views and embraced a more tolerant Islam, were pardoned lately by King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, after they voluntarily enrolled in “Musalaha” (reconciliation) program in prisons and completed their courses. Among these repentant extremists who benefited from royal amnesty, ten women were received on Wednesday at Mohammed VI Foundation for the Reinsertion of Prisoners. The reconciliation program was jointly launched in 2017 by Morocco’s Prison administration, the Islamic scholars Association (Rabita Mohammedia des Oulema) and the National Human Rights Council (CNDH). Read more: http://northafricapost.com/37713-counterterrorism-moroccos-deradicalization-program-yielding-tangible-results.html...