Eye on Extremism: July 21, 2025
Top Stories
Reuters: Bedouin civilians evacuate Syria's Sweida as tense truce holds
Hundreds of Bedouin civilians were evacuated from Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Monday as part of a U.S.-backed truce meant to end fighting that has killed hundreds of people, state media and witnesses said. With hundreds reported killed, the violence in the southern province of Sweida has posed a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, drawing Israeli airstrikes last week and deepening fissures in a country fractured by 14 years of war. A ceasefire took hold on Sunday as interior ministry security forces deployed on Sweida's outskirts. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday the truce would allow for the release of hostages and detainees held by the warring sides.
On October 8, 2023, hundreds gathered in New York City’s Times Square to celebrate the Hamas invasion of Israel. The crowd gathered beneath the plaza’s giant, illuminated American flag, chanting “Zionism has got to go” and mocking Jewish, pro-Israel counterprotesters. Signs at the rally said, “Zionism is genocide,” “Colonialism is violence,” and “Anti-Zionism ≠ antisemitism.” Other placards accused Israel of “white supremacy” and apartheid, and decried US funding for Israel. While the slogans surfaced in New York City in 2023, those sentiments have roots in the Soviet Union, according to Izabella Tabarovsky, a scholar of Soviet antisemitism.
Analysis
But the troubling remnant is 400 kilograms (882 lbs.) of UF-6, composed of 60 percent highly enriched uranium (HEU). Once further processed, this amount is sufficient to make as many as eight to 10 nuclear weapons. Experts differ somewhat on how many kilograms are needed for a single nuclear device, but a grapefruit-sized core of about 30 to 40 kilograms (66 to 88 lbs.) represents a mid-range approximation. Based on China’s breakout times and Iran’s record of advanced weaponization, the regime could plausibly produce deliverable bombs in about a month.
United States
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: How an alleged Georgia Ponzi scheme fueled far-right causes
The Frost family used nearly $1.4 million in campaign contributions, much of it allegedly swindled from investors, to build political clout in Georgia and across the nation over the past two decades, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis shows. A review of thousands of federal and state campaign finance transactions shows Brant Frost IV, his family and his companies have contributed roughly $711,000 to Republican candidates and conservative causes in Georgia. But the Frosts also spread their contributions far beyond the Peach State, giving significant sums to candidates in Alabama, Florida, Maine and elsewhere.
The ultimate source for The New York Times’ story about Zohran Mamdani’s college application is an open secret. It’s an anime-loving neo-Nazi whose hobbies include furry drawings, posting fan art of a video game character, and hacking universities. On X, the alleged hacker is followed by New York Times freelancer Benjamin Ryan, who was the first byline on the Mamdani story. The alleged hacker uses an online handle that is a racial slur, so I will be referring to them as the Anime Nazi; they have taken credit for five hacks of universities. Three of them, as first reported by Bloomberg, targeted the University of Minnesota, New York University, and Columbia University.
Wall Street Journal: By the Patriots’ Stadium, Robert Kraft’s Data Crunchers Track Antisemitism
A day after an attacker in Boulder, Colo., aimed Molotov cocktails into a crowd of people advocating for Israel, Adam Katz watched the nation’s real-time reaction roll across a giant monitor in his office. Floor-to-ceiling screens distilled patterns from social-media posts worldwide that flooded into computers at the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, where Katz is president. One graph caught his eye. It showed a rise in messages calling the attack a “false flag” operation orchestrated by Jews to manipulate public opinion.
The Guardian: Why the Texas floods are fuelling far-right conspiracy theories – Full Story podcast
The floods in Texas earlier this month swept away entire homes and holiday camps, claiming more than 130 lives. As authorities try to piece together how it happened, conspiracy theories have flourished, with some social media users blaming the government for causing the extreme weather event. Guardian contributor Ben Makuch tells Reged Ahmad why so many – including elected representatives – are turning to misinformation in an attempt to understand the tragedy.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency: NEA board rejects members’ proposal to sever ties with ADL
The board of directors for the National Education Association, the United States’ largest teachers union, has rejected a proposal by its delegates to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League. The rejection on Friday night comes after the delegates’ proposal earlier this month to bar the union from using, endorsing or publicizing any materials from the ADL drew condemnation from prominent Jewish organizations across the country.
CBS News: Lombard teen accused of attempted terrorism at Islamic Center in Glendale Heights
A Lombard teen will remain in jail, accused of attempted terrorism against an Islamic center in Glendale Heights. Authorities said the boy entered the center and recorded video of religious services to help him prepare to set off a bomb.
Chile
Financial Times: Crime wave shakes Chilean politics as far right advances
A surge in organised crime has reshaped Chile’s politics ahead of November’s presidential poll, handing the country’s far right its best chance at winning power. Chile, one of Latin America’s safest and wealthiest nations, has suffered its first big wave of gang crime over the past five years, as crime groups from Venezuela and elsewhere have expanded Chile’s previously niche markets for drugs, human trafficking and extortion.
Belgium
Jerusalem Post: Two IDF soldiers arrested in Belgium, investigated for war crimes accusations
Two IDF soldiers were arrested and interrogated by Belgian authorities following a complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), an anti-Israel legal organization focused on pursuing legal action against IDF soldiers, the Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday, following HRF's statement. The soldiers, who were participating in the Tomorrowland music festival, were alleged to have participated in war crimes, according to HRF.
European Union
Jewish News Syndicate: Jewish groups back beleaguered EU antisemitism coordinator
European Jewish organizations have expressed support for Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission’s coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, who has been criticised for pointing out that much of hatred directed at Israel over the war in Gaza is directed at Jews and is fueling antisemitism. The campaign also “accuses” her of having lobbied against E.U. sanctions on Israel.
Germany
Afghanistan International: Germany Approves Deployment Of Two Taliban Diplomats To Berlin, Bonn
The German government has approved the deployment of two Taliban-appointed consular officers to Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions in Berlin and Bonn as part of efforts to facilitate the deportation of Afghan nationals with criminal convictions. Government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius confirmed that Sayed Mustafa Hashemi and Nabrasul Haq Aziz have been designated as second secretaries to serve at the Afghan Embassy in Berlin and the consulate in Bonn. The decision comes in the wake of a recent deportation flight that returned 81 Afghans to Kabul.
NDR: Demonstration for the reopening of the Blue Mosque in Hamburg
Up to 2,000 people were expected to demonstrate for the reopening of the Blue Mosque. However, far fewer gathered at the start of the rally on Hachmannplatz. Some knelt on carpets, others stood with folded hands and prayed. In the early afternoon, around 600 people marched to the Blue Mosque on the Alster. Behind a loudspeaker van, women walked hand in hand with their husbands, followed by a group of women and then another group of men. They repeatedly shouted "Our faith, our right - the Basic Law is being violated". The demonstration was organized by the Imam Ali Mosque Action Committee, the official name of the Blue Mosque. The motto of the rally was "Reopening of the Imam Ali Mosque - anniversary of the closure". Many of the demonstrators said they missed their mosque as a place of prayer and gathering.
Deutsche Welle: How far-right social media impacted Germany's highest court
According to Polisphere's research, the agitating done by right-wing organizations like Nius were particularly notable. This online platform, founded by German billionaire Frank Gotthardt who had the intention of making it into this country's version of Fox News, was shooting at Brosius-Gersdorf from all barrels, and mostly with defamatory and false information. The law professor was described as a "left-wing radical," an extremist who would have allowed babies aborted at nine months and who was against freedom of opinion. These sort of untruths were peddled to an audience of millions and other far-right media followed suit.
ZEIT: Majority of Germans oppose a ban on the AfD, according to survey
According to a survey, the majority of German citizens reject a ban on the AfD. According to the survey, 52 percent are against it and 27 percent are in favor. This is the result of a representative survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research on behalf of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. However, there are major differences across Germany: In eastern Germany, 65 percent of respondents are against a ban, in the west only 49 percent. According to the pollsters, respondents gave various reasons for rejecting a ban on the AfD: The most frequently cited reason is that many respondents know AfD sympathizers in their immediate environment. 67% of West Germans and 88% of East Germans stated that they had AfD supporters in their circle of acquaintances.
Ireland
Jerusalem Post: Jewish man slapped on Dublin bus, accused of being a ‘genocidal Jew’
A Jewish man was hit by a stranger shouting antisemitic insults on a Dublin city bus on Friday, according to a video circulating on social media. The assailant shouted “genocidal Jews” and other slurs at the man. He also said he recognized that the man was a Jew “because of his face.” The Jewish man – who recorded the incident – can be heard saying, “I get used to it; they are all like this.”
Russia
The Times: Terrorism prosecutions triple as Russia silences opposition to war
Terrorism prosecutions in Russia have tripled since 2021, according to researchers who found the surge was linked to the war in Ukraine. About a third of defendants were tried in cases that were politically motivated, activists said.
United Kingdom
BBC: Three women charged under Terrorism Act over defence factory crash
Three women have been charged under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into the fence of a defence factory in Edinburgh. The women, aged 31, 34 and 42, were arrested in connection with the incident at Leonardo UK's facility on Crewe Road North on Tuesday. Police Scotland said its counter terror unit was leading the investigation.
BBC: Woman arrested over 'antisemitic abuse'
A 32-year-old woman has been arrested after reports she assaulted staff and customers while shouting antisemitic abuse at café in central London. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Baker Street at around 16:30 BST on 17 July. They said in a statement that the woman was shouting abuse "related to the conflict in the Middle East" and she was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and multiple assaults.
One in two Jewish teachers in the UK have experienced antisemitism in the workplace, a survey by the NASUWT Teachers Union revealed. The survey, conducted in May 2024 among 138 Jewish teachers, was shared with The Jerusalem Post on Monday. The survey highlighted the shocking prevalence of antisemitism in schools and educational facilities, with 90% of respondents saying their employers need more antisemitism training.
An Islamic radio station in the UK, which has been fined for an antisemitic broadcast, has accused the British communications regulator OFCOM of Islamophobia and of being a “Zionist puppet.” OFCOM announced last week that it has imposed a penalty of £3,500 on the Markaz-Al-Huda charitable organization after it concluded that its radio station – Salaam BCR radio – breached the Broadcasting Code.
The Guardian: Yvette Cooper to create new offence to cover non-terrorist planning of attacks
A new criminal offence is to be introduced to “close the gap” between lone, violence-obsessed individuals with no particular ideology and terrorism suspects, the home secretary has said. Yvette Cooper said an offence that would give police the power to apprehend the former long before they acted was needed in the wake of the Southport attack last year. Terrorism suspects can be jailed for life even if their plans are not fully formed.
Reuters: Palestine Action's co-founder asks UK court to overturn terror group ban
The co-founder of a pro-Palestinian campaign group sought on Monday to challenge the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, a move her lawyers said had "the hallmarks of an authoritarian and blatant abuse of power". Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, is asking London's High Court to give the go-ahead for a full challenge to the group's proscription, which was made on the grounds it committed or participated in acts of terrorism.
Reuters: UK police arrest 55 at parliament rally for banned Palestine Action group
Fifty-five people were arrested at a rally for the banned Palestine Action group outside Britain's parliament on Saturday, London's Metropolitan Police said. The crowd in Parliament Square had been waving placards supporting the group that was banned this month under anti-terrorism legislation, the force said in a post on X.
A trade union group branded "terrorists" by far-right extremists have vowed they won't be bullied into silence. Clydebank Trades Union Council has suffered verbal abuse from "thuggish" individuals identifying themselves as members of the fascist group Patriotic Alternative. The white nationalists have been making their presence felt in the West Dunbartonshire town in recent weeks by hanging "racist" banners and placards from a council-owned bandstand. Following multiple complaints from members of the public the far-rightgroup has since switched to leafleting outside the Clyde shopping centre.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan International: Muslim World League Chief Arrives In Kabul For Talks With Taliban Leaders
Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, arrived in Kabul on Monday for an official visit and was received at the presidential palace by senior Taliban officials. According to the Taliban’s state-run media, Al-Issa was welcomed by Abdul Salam Hanafi, the group’s deputy prime minister for administrative affairs.
Afghanistan International: Taliban Ban Sale Of Dolls & Other Toys In Kandahar
The Taliban have banned the sale of certain children’s toys in Kandahar, including dolls, according to local sources. Officials from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice have reportedly declared the sale of a range of toys as impermissible. Shopkeepers in the province were instructed to remove the prohibited items from their shelves.
Afghanistan International: Muttaqi Slams ICC Warrants For Taliban Leader, Chief Justice As Unjust
The Taliban foreign minister has denounced the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for the group’s leader and chief justice, calling it “unjust” and “politically motivated.” Amir Khan Muttaqi said the ICC’s ruling was “unenforceable” and claimed the Taliban bears no responsibility for it.
Afghanistan International: Taliban Detain Dozens Of Young Women In Kabul’s Districts 5 & 10
Taliban morality police have detained dozens of young women in the Qala-e-Fathullah and Kote Sangi neighbourhoods of Kabul in a continued crackdown on alleged violations of the group’s dress code. Sources told Afghanistan International that the detentions took place on Friday and Saturday, with women being removed from restaurants, streets, and shopping centres and transported to unknown locations.
Senior figures from two major Afghan opposition groups have condemned the recent wave of arrests of women and girls by the Taliban in Kabul, warning that the actions will not go unanswered. Dawood Naji, head of the political committee of the Afghanistan Freedom Front, and Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front, both criticised the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on women, calling it part of a wider campaign of repression.
Egypt
Jerusalem Post: Egypt conducts raid, kills two Muslim Brotherhood-linked terrorists in Giza
Officers from Egypt's Interior Ministry conducted a raid against Muslim Brotherhood-aligned terrorists in Giza, resulting in a shootout, in which two terrorists were killed, along with the death of one civilian, and injuries to a police officer, the ministry announced on Sunday.
Gaza Strip
Reuters: Hamas says no interim truce possible without work toward permanent ceasefire deal
Hamas' armed wing spokesperson said on Friday that while the group favours reaching an interim truce in the Gaza war, if such an agreement is not reached in current negotiations it could revert to insisting on a full package deal to end the conflict. Hamas has repeatedly offered to release all the hostages held in Gaza and conclude a permanent ceasefire agreement, and Israel has refused, Abu Ubaida added in a televised speech. Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have hosted more than 10 days of talks on a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day truce in the war that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave.
Reuters: Israeli undercover force detains senior Gaza health official, ministry says
An Israeli undercover force detained Marwan Al-Hams, a senior Gaza Health Ministry official, outside the field hospital of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, the health ministry said. Hams, in charge of field hospitals in the enclave, was on his way to visit the ICRC field hospital in northern Rafah when an Israeli force "abducted" him after opening fire, killing one person and wounding another civilian nearby, according to the ministry.
Iran
Reuters: Iranian lawmaker points to regional insecurity if UN sanctions are reimposed
Iran could withhold security commitments if European states invoke a U.N. mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic Republic, a member of Iran's parliamentary national security commission said on Monday, according to Borna news. "We have many tools in our disposition. We can withhold our commitment to security in the region, Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait as well as other maritime areas," Abbas Moqtadaei said in reference to Tehran's potential counter-measures to the reimposition of international sanctions.
Israel-backed hackers wiped out $90 million in Revolutionary Guards crypto wallets during last month's war, calling it a landmark campaign to cripple Iran’s financial backbone, The Wall Street Journal reported. Predatory Sparrow, the group believed to be aligned with Israeli intelligence, demonstrated “surgical precision and total freedom of access,” erasing data and destroying wallets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), according to a report published Sunday.
Israel
Reuters: Israel sends tanks into Gaza's Deir al-Balah, raising concerns among hostage families
Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern districts of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah for the first time on Monday, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes some of the remaining hostages may be held. The area is packed with Palestinians displaced during more than 21 months of war in Gaza, hundreds of whom fled west or south after Israel issued an evacuation order, saying it sought to destroy Hamas capabilities and infrastructure.
Israel’s military chief has reportedly suggested that the army could step up its offensive in Gaza, seizing more territory in order to wear down the Hamas terror group, rather than pursue a controversial plan to push hundreds of thousands of Gazan civilians into a “humanitarian city” on the Strip’s southern edge. The Channel 12 news report quoted sources familiar with the proposal describing it as a plan “for taking over Gaza,” widening the Israel Defense Force’s hold on the territory beyond its current control of around 75 percent — a goal previously set by the government for an ongoing offensive begun in May.
Times of Israel: IDF downs Houthi missile that triggered sirens in central Israel, Jerusalem area
A ballistic missile launched Friday night at Israel by Yemen’s Houthi rebels was intercepted by air defenses, the military said. There were no reports of injuries or damage from the attack, which set off warning sirens in central Israel and the Jerusalem area.
“Desecrating a church, mosque or synagogue is a crime against humanity and God,” Huckabee wrote Saturday on X after touring Taybeh. “I work for ALL American citizens who live in Israel-Jewish, Muslim or Christian. When they are terrorized or victims of crime I will demand those responsible be held accountable with real consequences,” he added. In a separate statement issued by the State Department, Huckabee denounced the arson attack as “an act of terror” and demanded “harsh consequences” for the perpetrators. He also appeared to take a shot at Israeli authorities over the lack of enforcement against settler violence.
Reuters: Israel and Syria agree ceasefire as Israel allows Syrian troops limited access to Sweida
Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, the U.S. envoy to Turkey said on Friday, after days of bloodshed in the predominantly Druze area that has killed over 300 people. On Wednesday, Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus and hit government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying that Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority that also has members in Lebanon and Israel. "We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity," Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, said in a post on X. Barrack said that Israel and Syria agreed to the ceasefire supported by Turkey, Jordan and neighbors.
Lebanon
Jewish News Syndicate: IDF kills Hezbollah Radwan Force terrorist in Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday killed a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force who had been involved in efforts to reestablish terrorist infrastructure in the area of Khiam in southeastern Lebanon’s Nabatieh Governorate, the military said. The IDF said that the terrorist’s activities constituted “a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” referring to the ceasefire agreement signed in November.
Naharnet: Report: Hezbollah fears Berri may accept arms plan despite its objection
Hezbollah has concerns over the intentions of Speaker Nabih Berri, political sources told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper, reminding of the Speaker’s approval in November of the ceasefire agreement “despite Hezbollah’s objection.” Hezbollah “fears that Berri might take a similar step regarding the arms monopolization plan and its handover to the state through a decision issued by Cabinet, despite Hezbollah’s objection to this step,” the sources said.
Naharnet: Report: Qassem's verbal escalation aimed at reassuring popular base
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim resorted to verbal escalation days before U.S. envoy Tom Barrack’s return to Beirut in order to “obtain needed guarantees to reassure his popular base about Hezbollah’s political future in the political structure that is being reconfigured,” political sources informed on the deliberations between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement said. “Qassem raised his political ceiling to negotiate with Barrack in his own way, live on air, and to bolster the negotiation stance of the three presidents” Joseph Aoun, Nabih Berri and Nawaf Salam, the sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
Naharnet: Salam to Qassem: Hand over weapons to Lebanon, not to Israel
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has noted that the paper presented to Lebanon by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is for "the implementation of the cessation of hostilities arrangements and not a new agreement" as Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has suggested. Responding to Qassem's remarks that Hezbollah will not "hand over its weapons to Israel," Salam said: "Who has called for handing over the arms to Israel? It not requires to hand over the weapons to Israel but rather to the Lebanese state, and the current (Israeli) attacks against these weapons are regrettable."
Naharnet: Qassem says to talk 'defense strategy' after 'existential threat' ends
Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem has said that his group senses the presence of an “existential threat,” citing Israel’s “genocidal war” in Gaza, its attacks on Syria and Iran, the new Islamist rulers in Damascus, and the sectarian massacres in Syria.
Syria
Reuters: Calm reported in Syria's Sweida, Damascus says truce holding
Residents reported calm in Syria's Sweida on Sunday after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a U.S. envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze. Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call.
Reuters: Clashes rage in Druze region as Syria struggles to enforce ceasefire
Sectarian clashes escalated in Syria's predominantly Druze region of Sweida on Saturday, with machinegun fire and mortar shelling ringing out after days of bloodshed as the Islamist-led government struggled to implement a ceasefire. Reuters reporters heard gunfire from inside the city of Sweida and saw shells land in nearby villages. There were no immediate, confirmed reports of casualties. The government had said security forces were deploying in the southern region to try to keep peace, and urged all parties to stop fighting after nearly a week of factional bloodshed in which hundreds have been killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group, said clashes since last week around Sweida had killed at least 940 people.
A U.S. envoy doubled down on Washington’s support for Syria’s new government, saying Monday there is “no Plan B” to working with it to unite the country still reeling from years of civil war and wracked by new sectarian violence. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Tom Barrack also criticized Israel’s recent intervention in Syria, calling it poorly timed and saying it complicated efforts to stabilize the region.
Reuters: Syria believed it had green light from US, Israel to deploy troops to Sweida
Syria's government misread how Israel would respond to its troops deploying to the country's south this week, encouraged by U.S. messaging that Syria should be governed as a centralized state, eight sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops and on Damascus on Wednesday in an escalation that took the Islamist-led leadership by surprise, the sources said, after government forces were accused of killing scores of people in the Druze city of Sweida. Damascus believed it had a green light from both the U.S. and Israel to dispatch its forces south despite months of Israeli warnings not to do so, according to the sources, which include Syrian political and military officials, two diplomats, and regional security sources.
Yemen
Times of Israel: Israeli drones strike Houthi ‘military infrastructure’ at Yemen’s Hodeida port
Israeli Air Force drones struck Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in response to the Iran-backed group’s continued attacks on Israel, the military said Monday. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that the airstrikes destroyed “military infrastructure of the Houthi terror regime” at the western Yemen port, after attempts were made by the Houthis to repair areas previously targeted by Israel in response to missile and drone attacks.
A recent investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has revealed that Elon Musk’s platform X and Meta-owned WhatsApp are hosting a thriving arms trade linked to Houthi terrorists in Yemen. The investigation exposes how these tech giants are failing to enforce their own policies against weapons trafficking and undermining US national security interests. TTP identified 130 Yemen-based X accounts that were advertising a range of weapons, including high-powered rifles, grenade launchers, and other military-grade arms. A significant portion of these accounts, over half, were based in Sana'a, Yemen’s capital, which has been under the control of the Houthi movement for over a decade. Many of the accounts displayed allegiance to the Houthis, with some even prominently featuring the Houthi emblem in their posts.
India
Jammu: Security forces on Monday resumed a search operation to track down a group of terrorists hiding in a dense forest in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The joint operation by the police and the army was launched on Sunday afternoon in Khankoo forest in Cherji area between Dachhan and Nagseni, they said. It triggered a brief encounter with the terrorists believed to be affiliated with the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and included two top-ranking ultras carrying a reward of Rs 30 lakhs each, officials said.
Pakistan
Express Tribune: Four terrorists killed in Kalat IBO
Security forces killed four terrorists belonging to an outlawed separatist group during an intelligence based operation (IBO) in Kalat district on the night between Saturday and Sunday. The operation was carried out in the Pahrod area of the district on the basis of reports regarding the presence of terrorists. According to an official statement, troops effectively took position near the hideout of the terrorists, who were neutralized after an intense exchange of fire.
Congo
Reuters: Congo, M23 rebels pledge in Qatar to reach peace deal next month
Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group pledged to sign a peace agreement by August 18, at a ceremony in Doha on Saturday, a sign of progress even as outstanding details need to be negotiated. Representatives of both sides signed a declaration of principles laying out the new timeline, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, at the ceremony that followed months of Qatari mediation after talks began in April. The United States, which has hosted separate talks between the governments of Congo and Rwanda, has exerted pressure to finalise a durable peace deal in Congo.
Japan
BBC: The rise of the far-right 'Japanese First' party
For three years, a once fringe opposition party held just one seat in Japan's 248-seat upper house. But on Sunday, Sanseito emerged as one of the biggest winners of Japan's election - walking away with 14 seats.
Kenya
BBC: Kenya U-turn over charging prominent activist with terror offences
Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been charged with illegal possession of ammunition linked to protests last month in which at least 19 people were killed. He denied the charge and has been released on bail. Mr Mwangi was not charged with "facilitation of terrorist acts", as the police had earlier said.
Nigeria
Nigeria is ramping up its reliance on domestically produced military technology—particularly drones—as it intensifies the battle against insurgents and bandits. The shift toward locally made defense equipment is not only enhancing tactical capabilities on the front lines, but also helping to conserve foreign exchange by reducing dependence on imported hardware, according to Bright Echefu, Chairman of EIB Group, a Nigerian defense and security technology company.
Voice of Nigeria: Disrupting Financial Lifeline of Terrorists Groups is Essential- General Laka
The National Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Centre!(NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka has emphasised that disrupting the financial lifeline that enables terrorist groups to plan, recruit, and operate is central to the counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria. General Laka stated this at the On-Site meeting of the Financial Action Task Force International Cooperation Review Group aimed at assessing Nigeria’s efforts to adequately address money laundering and terrorism-financing, taking place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Abuja.
South Africa
The National Interest: South Africa Rejects ISIS-Linked Political Party
Led by Farhad Hoomer, a US-designated terrorist, the Islamic State of Africa party did not meet the threshold of signatures it needed from registered voters and failed to announce its candidacy publicly, having only announced it in a local newspaper in Durban. The commission also noted the party’s commitment to Sharia law as a disqualifying factor. The party has 30 days to appeal. Hoomer hopes to “bring back Sharia law” as the law of the land in a country with a Muslim community comprising less than 2 percent of the population. He has been open about his anti-democratic views, stating, “All of mankind has been enslaved by democracy and capitalism.”
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