Latest news with #ISIS-affiliated
Morocco World
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Israel Is Using Criminal Militias to Collapse Gaza from Within
Rabat – Just when it seems that the situation in Gaza couldn't grow more horrific—with over 55,000 people killed, tens of thousands still buried beneath rubble, and hundreds of thousands injured without access to basic medical care—a new threat has emerged from within. Amid the carnage, a criminal gang has surfaced, openly collaborating with the Israeli occupation under the pretense of fighting Hamas. The gang, organized by the 'Popular Forces' is led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a Palestinian from Gaza who has been anti-Hamas with a militia backed by the occupation. The gang has now stepped out of the shadows, attempting to portray itself as a victim as it claims Hamas killed at least 50 of its members. The Israel-affiliated militia says its 'volunteers' were targeted while 'guarding aid convoys and redistributing supplies that were otherwise destined for corrupt entities linked to Hamas.' However, these allegations are contradicted by Israeli media reports this week, which revealed that members of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) intervened in clashes between Hamas fighters and the militia in order to protect Abu Shabab. Israeli media also confirmed that an Israeli drone strike targeted Hamas fighters mid-battle—marking the first known Israeli strike in Gaza conducted solely to support the Abu Shabab gang. The militia is also said to have killed six members of Hamas' 'Arrow' unit, a specialized group responsible for identifying Palestinian collaborators with Israel. Wide speculation about Israel's involvement with the ISIS-affiliated gang dates back to late May, when Abu Shabab was spotted in Gaza during the launch of the US-and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Quds News Network reported that Abu Shabab has resurfaced in Gaza under the guise of 'securing aid,' wearing security uniforms and claiming to protect humanitarian deliveries—while in reality looting the aid and reselling it at extortionate prices. Although these gangs have received more attention recently, Palestinian media report that they have been operating since at least 2024, primarily based in Rafah. They reportedly set up staging areas near IOF positions and aid distribution sites, giving them immediate access to incoming supplies. These claims are supported by a report from Israeli outlet i24NEWS, which quoted an Israeli source saying that the entity has been transferring weapons to armed groups in Gaza for the past two years. Netanyahu's forces A convicted drug trafficker, Abu Shabab is believed to be running a criminal network stretching from Gaza to the Sinai, where Islamic State groups control the smuggling routes. Now 35, Abu Shabab was serving a long prison sentence for possession of large quantities of drugs before escaping amid the chaos of Israel's assault on Gaza in October 2023. A Gaza-based security officer told The New Arab that Abu Shabab's rise to power as a gang leader was baffling, describing him as a 'weak, short, uncharismatic, illiterate' man with no military background. The so-called Popular Forces have effectively become subcontractors for the Israeli genocide in Gaza, reportedly handling reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions for the Israeli occupation forces. The militia is believed to comprise between 100 and 300 members, including former Palestinian security officer Ghassan al-Dahini, now Abu Shabab's right-hand man. Al-Dahini recently shared a video of himself firing a Kalashnikov, though public outrage focused more on the license plate of his car, which bore the name of the UAE's Sharjah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly admitted to arming local clans to counter Hamas—an admission that confirms their role as an extension of the IOF). His statement came just hours after former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman revealed that the Israeli-backed gang is affiliated with ISIS. Looted aid and extortionist prices Gaza residents have confirmed that these armed gangs are looting aid under the protection of the IOF. 'The aid comes down at specific times, and we have specific times to go. Most of the time, we go [to the aid point] and find nothing,' said one witness on social media. 'Why? Because there are gangs, groups, and families with weapons who attack the aid right in front of everyone, take it by force, and no one is allowed to get close,' the witness continued. The stolen aid is then sold at extortionate prices. The prices are nothing short of psychological torture for a people that Israel has been starving systematically: a bag of flour has reached $500, a kilo of meat $150, a kilo of sugar $80, a kilo of onions $70, and a liter of oil $40. 'I've reached a point where every time I see someone selling aid on the street, I just walk away,' said the witness about the prices that are impossible to afford unless one has a constant stream of donations. While Palestinians have long spoken about the soaring prices of what should be humanitarian aid, none have publicly addressed the gangs responsible—likely out of fear. That some are now speaking out may indicate just how desperate the situation has become. 'If anyone dares to speak up, if anyone knows who these gangs are, they kill them. This is what's happening,' said the source. Execution testimony Palestinian poet and genocide survivor Mosab Abu Toha recently shared on social media the testimony of a journalist in Rafah, who remained anonymous for safety reasons. According to the journalist, on June 9, people rushed to a distribution site in Rafah after hearing gunfire, assuming aid had arrived. About two miles from the site, they encountered gunmen who ordered them to queue up—100 at a time—before being allowed in. After hours of waiting, the gunmen began executing people before driving away. Abu Toha noted that these men spoke in a fluent Palestinian dialect, helping them gain the trust of locals. He emphasized that after gunning down desperate aid-seekers, they headed toward Rafah—where both the GHF aid site and the IOF were stationed. While pacifying its Western with the illusion of humanitarian aid through GHF— condemned by the United Nations as a 'death trap' within days of its launch–Israel advances its expansionist agenda by forcibly concentrating Palestinians into the South of Gaza. Its reliance on criminal militias to counter Hamas, sow disorder and obstruct aid delivery is not only a reflection of Israel's moral decay, but also an admittance of its failure to dismantle the resistance 20 months into its rabid genocide.
First Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Uganda: Bomb Blast Near Catholic Shrine In Kampala; 2 Terrorists Killed
Uganda: Bomb Blast Near Catholic Shrine In Kampala; 2 Terrorists Killed | Firstpost Africa Uganda: Bomb Blast Near Catholic Shrine In Kampala; 2 Terrorists Killed | Firstpost Africa A bomb blast rocked Uganda's capital, Kampala, near the Munyonyo Martyrs' Shrine just ahead of the country's annual Christian Martyrs' Day celebration. Two terrorists, including a female suicide bomber, were killed in the explosion. Authorities say the attack could have caused mass casualties as pilgrims gathered to pray. Security forces suspect links to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group operating out of eastern DRC. While no group has claimed responsibility, the incident has raised fears of a broader terror threat. Uganda remains on high alert as millions attend memorial services across the country. Watch the video for details. See More
Shafaq News
04-06-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Iran dismantles ISIS-linked operatives in Tehran
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iran arrested members of an ISIS-affiliated network in the capital, Tehran, according to the General Command of the Internal Security Forces Saeed Montazer-ol-Mahdi. Ol-Mahdi noted that the arrests were made following 'extensive and complex operations' in recent days by the counterterrorism unit across Tehran and the provinces of Isfahan, Qom, and Alborz, adding that the network was preparing to carry out sabotage and bombing attacks during recent public ceremonies. 'All members of the terrorist network were arrested during the operation, including 13 individuals—among them the ringleader, support teams, and suicide bombers. Explosive devices, including suicide vests, were also seized.' The command added that further details about the dismantled network would be disclosed in the coming days. Iran has also reported multiple foiled plots involving sabotage and suicide bombings. In January 2024, ISIS-K, the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for two bombings in Kerman that killed at least 95 people during a memorial for Qassem Soleimani. The attack was one of the deadliest in Iran in recent years. Earlier, in June 2017, a coordinated assault on the Iranian parliament and the Khomeini mausoleum left 17 people dead and marked the first major ISIS-claimed operation inside the country.
Business Insider
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
U.S. Africa Command declares Sahel ‘global terrorism epicenter'
The top U.S. military commander leading AFRICOM in Africa has issued a stark warning about the rapid expansion of terrorist groups in the Sahel region. The Sahel region in Africa has become a critical hotspot for global terrorism, according to U.S. AFRICOM commander General Michael Langley. AFRICOM emphasizes enhanced cooperation with African nations to address these threats through intelligence sharing and capacity building. Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated organizations are significantly expanding in the region, posing severe security challenges. On May 30, Marine Corps General Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), declared the Sahel the 'epicenter of terrorism on the globe.' U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley made the disclosure during a digital press briefing at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference, Africa's premier forum for military leaders to address key security challenges across the continent. He highlighted a worsening security crisis that threatens not only the affected African countries but also poses potential risks to global security, including the United States. General Langley described the Sahel, which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as a 'flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability.' Terrorist organizations affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS have expanded significantly in recent years. According to Langley, groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin have grown substantially since 2022, spreading across multiple areas within the region. The security situation in Burkina Faso is especially alarming. General Langley noted that the Burkinabe government no longer maintains effective control over large parts of its territory, illustrating the depth of the crisis. More troubling still, Langley warned that these terrorist groups are seeking to extend their reach into West Africa's coastal countries, including Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin. If they succeed, these groups could increase their revenues through illicit activities such as smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trading. There is also concern that these coastal areas could serve as platforms to launch attacks beyond Africa, potentially threatening U.S. homeland security. ' We are monitoring this closely because they could develop the capacity to threaten the homeland, ' Langley said. AFRICOM lists challenges in Africa The briefing also acknowledged the challenges AFRICOM faces following the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Niger after the military coup in 2023. This withdrawal has limited the U.S. military's ability to track terrorist activity and conduct counterterrorism operations in the region. In response, AFRICOM is shifting its focus toward supporting African nations to assume greater responsibility for their security. This strategy involves enhanced intelligence sharing, leveraging new technologies, and strengthening regional cooperation. General Langley's warning reflects the deteriorating security landscape in the Sahel, where terrorist groups are exploiting weak governance, poverty, and ongoing conflicts to increase their influence. His message serves as a call to action for African countries and their international partners to work together urgently to address these threats. As these groups become stronger and more ambitious, the danger extends beyond Africa's borders, reinforcing the Sahel's emergence as a global terrorism hotspot. Coordinated efforts are crucial to safeguard peace and security not just in Africa but worldwide.
India.com
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Chinas Covert Role: Satellite, Air Defence Aid To Pakistan In India Conflict Exposed
China gave Pakistan vital satellite and air defence assistance in its recent war-like confrontation with India, a senior Indian defence think tank asserted, hinting Beijing might have had a more active role in the conflict than officially stated. China helped Pakistan realign satellite surveillance over Indian space and redeploy air defence radar systems in the period before the war that followed the April 22 killing of 26 Indian tourists, Ashok Kumar, the Director General of the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS)—a think tank attached to India's Ministry of Defence — said. "It helped them to redeploy their air defence radar so that any aerial action from our side could be detected," Kumar told an interview at the headquarters of the think tank in New Delhi. Support was said to have been given in conjunction with an ISIS-affiliated terror assault that ignited the escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Though the Indian government has yet to officially declare China's role, and Pakistan has acknowledged that it used Chinese weapons systems, Kumar's words signal wider logistical and intelligence collaboration between Beijing and Islamabad during the conflict. CENJOWS is a research think-tank aimed at modernizing India's military strength. It has Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the heads of India's Army, Navy, and Air Force on its advisory board. Requests for comment sent to the Foreign and Defence Ministries of China, India, and Pakistan, as well as to the Indian Armed Forces and the Office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remained unanswered as of Sunday evening. Worst Conflict In 50 Years The recent skirmish has been termed the most intense between India and Pakistan in half a century, with drone attacks, artillery exchanges, missile exchanges, and small-arms battles along their disputed border areas. India has designated the April 22 killings as a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist act — a charge Islamabad has refuted. Ex-US President Donald Trump alleged to have brokered a ceasefire from May 10, something India dismissed as saying the truce was negotiated bilaterally. Pakistan subsequently extended the ceasefire until Sunday, while India said that it was seeking confidence-building measures. China's Military Hardware Underperformed: Report Kumar also pointed out that Chinese military systems deployed during the war "failed miserably" in actual battlefield situations. Though he did not explain, he quoted Indian military officials raising questions about the functioning of the systems. Pakistan had used hundreds of drones in the war, reportedly, but India's networked sensor system helped it effectively counter the threat, said Kumar. Pakistan said on Friday that it had downed six Indian fighter aircraft. The statement hasn't been independently confirmed, and no losses have been verified by India. Chinese hardware like the J-IOC combat fighter and the PL-15 air-to-air missile have been used for the first time in actual combat, according to reports. Their employment has caused a stir in regional defence communities, especially in Taiwan. Neither China nor Pakistan made any official assessment of their performance or public statements regarding the contribution of the systems to the war. India Prepares For A Two-Front Challenge Kumar cautioned that future defence planning in India would have to increasingly factor in the likelihood of concurrent aggression by both China and Pakistan. "Anything which is with China today can be deemed to be with Pakistan tomorrow," he stated, further observing that China is not likely to act unless a conflict reaches a "critical" point. He also suggested Pakistan could be expected to support China in the case of a future India-China conflict. China and Pakistan have enjoyed close strategic and military relations since the Cold War. Beijing has invested heavily in Pakistan through the Belt and Road Initiative, including in the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). After a fatal 2020 border skirmish with China that killed 20 Indian troops, India has continued to gradually redeploy military resources to bolster its northern border. In spite of a recent improvement in relations over the past several months, the new conflict highlights intensifying strategic tensions in the area.
