CTVNews.ca Staff A pregnant Alberta woman who moved to Syria with her ISIS-supporting husband and their two young boys says she wants to return to Canada.The woman, whose first name is Amy, is one of four Canadian ISIS brides who spoke to CTV News from inside the Kurdish-run Al-Hawl refugee camp in eastern Syria.Amy, who is 34, told CTV's London Bureau Chief Paul Workman the story of how she ended up in such a dangerous situation. It all started when she married a Muslim man and converted to Islam.“He started learning about the religion more and he just felt like it wasn’t suitable for us to stay in Canada anymore,” she said.“At first, it’s terrifying,” she added. “It’s absolutely terrifying when you’re just walking on the street and you hear a plane coming. You just freeze.”Amy and her family were constantly on the run inside Syria as the terrorist group...

Clarion Project VIDEO: Arizona ISIS Supporter Shot by OfficerAfter charging at a law-enforcement officer with a knife, an Arizona ISIS supporter who refused orders to back off was shot.Ismail Hamed, 18, began by throwing stones at the officer outside a sheriff substation in Maricopa County. After he brandished a knife, Sgt. Brandon Wells warned him multiple times that he would shoot if Hamed didn’t stand down.   Read more: https://clarionproject.org/video-arizona-isis-supporter-shot-by-officer/...

iHLS The concept that bitcoin could be used to help fund terrorists has been a long-standing concern among law enforcement and government agencies worldwide. Indeed, many restrictions placed on the use of digital currencies stem from these concerns. An ISIS-affiliated website has been recently seeking donations using Bitcoin. On January 15, 2019, the Akhbar al-Muslimin website posted a link to its virtual wallet, claiming the donations go to maintaining the site. However, they may serve the needs of ISIS, which lost most of its economic assets, according to an assessment by ITIC (the Meir Amit Intelligence & Information Center). ISIS held a similar drive on Akhbar al-Muslimin in November 2017 but it came to an end after the exposure of the system of contributions.The drive for donations is another example of the use ISIS makes of Bitcoin. The anonymity of trading in Bitcoin, its availability as a virtual currency and...

Daily Nation How corruption and impunity are aiding terrorism in KenyaCountry has been hit many times and it's not for reasons security personnel are giving. By KEN OPALA As the country struggles with jihadists, two concerns may complicate the counter-terror war and thus force authorities to revisit their strategy: One, the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) is pulling out of Somalia in 2021, and two; the new terrorist is no longer the foreigner but Kenyan.The planned military drawdown has left experts confused on what next for Somalia and the anti-terrorism war worldwide. For over 10 years, Amisom was a bulwark against terror, but the mission is now exiting without clear plans on how to secure Somalia thereafter. This development is likely to have a huge bearing on regional security. Seemingly, Kenya is yet to remodel its strategy in light of the expected military withdrawal.HAPHAZARDKenya is a powerhouse — politically,...

By Gregg Re | Fox News Over the objection of the city's police chief and mayor, Portland, Oregon's city council on Wednesday narrowly voted to stop cooperating with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), citing alleged surveillance of left-wing activists and arguing that the partnership between local officials and federal authorities was ultimately ineffective.Law enforcement officials said a similar decision by San Francisco officials in 2017 had endangered the public, and that the New York City Police Department's membership in the JTTF has directly helped foil numerous terrorists, including would-be Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad.Portland, a virulently left-wing city, has had a rocky relationship with the JTTF. The city joined the partnership in the 1990s, left shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and signed back up in 2015.The latest split with the JTTF was a narrow one, with Mayor Ted Wheeler -- who muttered late last year that...

AL.com By Ivana HrynkiwA Hoover woman who traveled to Syria and joined ISIS wants to come back home, according to a recent interview.In an interview with The Guardian released Monday morning, Hoda Muthana said she “deeply regrets” joining the Islamic State.“I don’t know, I thought I was doing things correctly for the sake of God,” she said in the recorded interview. “And when I came here and saw everything with my own eyes I realized I’ve made a big mistake.” According to a report from The Guardian, Muthana was captured by Kurdish forces after fleeing the last area of land controlled by ISIS and is currently in a refugee camp in northern Syria. She has an 18-month-old son, the report said.Muthana said in the recorded interview she “ruined [her] future and [her] son’s future.” She also told the news outlet she and other recruits joined ISIS because they were “ignorant”...

Foreign Policy Pakistan Has No More Excuses for Supporting Terrorism A murderous attack in Kashmir rocks relationships throughout Asia.by Dhruva Jaishankar On the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 14, a massive explosion rocked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. At least 40 personnel belonging to the CRPF—a 300,000-strong paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs involved in law-and-order and counterterrorism duties—were killed as a suicide bomber drove an SUV reportedly loaded with about 600 pounds of explosives into their bus. Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organization based in Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the group’s role has been confirmed by Indian officials. The assault comes weeks before India’s general elections, which are expected to be held in March and April. The next morning, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security—consisting of the prime minister and four senior ministers—held an emergency meeting and, as...

The Heritage Foundation       The National Security Strategy of the United States (December 2017) highlighted the need for U.S. intelligence and homeland security experts to work with law enforcement and civic leaders on terrorism prevention. The National Strategy for Counterterrorism (October 2018) further stated that terrorism prevention must be an integral part of our counterterrorism strategy. Given the administration’s prioritization of terrorism prevention, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a comprehensive review of its terrorism prevention programs, both internally and with the assistance of an external review by the RAND Corporation.   ...

by Uriel J. Garcia, Arizona Republic On-body camera footage from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office shows a sergeant shooting an 18-year-old man twice in Fountain Hills last month as the man walked toward him holding a knife.Sgt. Brandon Wells shot Ismail Hamed, who prosecutors charged with aggravated assaulted and terrorism, on Jan. 7 outside a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office substation.The release of the footage and two 911 calls comes as a result of Maricopa County Superior Judge Sally Duncan's order on Tuesday. The Arizona Republic and several other media outlets had sued over the county's effort to seal the documents.Duncan told a prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, which represents the Sheriff's Office, at a court hearing that they must release the records as soon as possible unless he had specific reasons to withhold the videos, 911 calls, police report and a probable-cause statement. Watch here: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2019/02/14/maricopa-county-sheriff-release-video-911-calls-terrorism-case/2872065002/...

Standard Digital Former Al Shabaab, gang members, recruited to combat terrorism at the Coast By Weldon Kipkemoi Security authorities in Kwale and Mombasa now intend to use reformed gang members and Al Shabaab returnees to combat violent crimes in the two counties.Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki said those recruited will lead advocacy against extremism and terrorism.The State has been offering amnesty to Al Shabaab members who abandon the group and renounce violence.Last week, reformed gang members in Mombasa were given fishing nets, boats and cash tokens to enable them venture into business as they integrate into normal life in a program funded by the European Union and implemented by the Kenya Red Cross. Read more: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/amp/article/2001312951/al-shabaab-returnees-ex-gang-members-join-war-on-terrorism...

Khmer Times UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) – With ISIL’s defeat in Syria, Indonesia has observed the shifting to the region, among others, of its propaganda, radicalisation and recruitment, a senior Indonesian diplomat said Monday.Dian Triansyah Djani, permanent representative of Indonesia to the United Nations, was speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on the threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.“We also continue to be concerned about the threat of returning, relocating or released foreign terrorist fighters to various regions and countries,” Mr Djani said. One of the most alarming trends is the recruitment and radicalisation of women and children, especially those who are well educated and come from middle class backgrounds, he said. “It is also our assessment that terrorist planning and logistics are shifting towards high-tech, cyber activities, including online transactions, online fraud, social-media fund raising, crowd-funding and donations,” he said. Read more: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50577312/indonesia-warns-of-terrorism-spread/...

Public Finance International EU introduces 'follow the money' rules to crack down on terrorism By Simone RenschThe European Union has introduced new rules to fight financial criminals and terrorist financing by giving national law authorities access to bank accounts.The rules will grant law enforcement and the EU law enforcement agency, Europol, quick access to bank account information contained at national banks in cases of crime or terrorism.Member states have 24 hours to adopt the rules into national legislation, which was agreed by the European Parliament and Council yesterday.“If you want to catch criminals and terrorists, you need to be able to follow their money,” said commissioner for migration, home affairs and citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.The rules “will ensure swift access to financial information and smoother cooperation across Europe, so that no criminal or suspect can slip under the radar any longer or get away with dirty money”, he added.Law enforcement’s access...

The Straits Times by Toh Ting WeiSINGAPORE - The possibility of a terrorist attack against Singapore's public transport facilities cannot be discounted, with the terrorism threat still pertinent.Therefore, the authorities have been working to customise specific security measures for public transport based on the current threat level.Work to increase security awareness and strengthen emergency preparedness among the public transport community is also ongoing, Senior Minister of State for Transport Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 13). "Public transport facilities are attractive targets for terrorist elements due to their vulnerability and potential for mass casualties," said Dr Janil, noting that there have been attacks against commuters and subway trains globally in the last two years. Read more: https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-govt-to-continue-work-in-preventing-and-responding-to-terrorism-threat-against...

The Jerusalem Post BDS and terrorism: A response to the MSA report By JESSICA MONTELL  Two days before he competed in the Likud primary, Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan stood before the cameras against a backdrop of a terrorist morphing into an executive and the headlines: “We exposed over 100 links of terror groups with BDS organizations”; and “We identified 30 past or present terrorists filling roles in 13 BDS organizations”.“Terrorists in Suits” is the title of the Ministry’s new report, which purports to shows the ties between terror groups and NGOs promoting BDS (boycotts, divestments and sanctions against Israel). Yet the facts presented in the report do not live up to the scary headlines. A terrorist is defined not by the goal he tries to achieve, but by the methods he adopts to achieve that goal, specifically the use of violence against civilians. Read more: https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/BDS-and-terrorism-A-response-to-the-MSA-report-580617...

Standard Digital By Wainaina Wambu Undercover operatives have been deployed to selected hotels, malls and public institutions as the Government strengthens its counter-terrorism measures. National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Director Martin Kimani said this was part of a response to the 14 Riverside Drive terror attack last month that left 21 Kenyans dead. He was speaking yesterday during the launch of a report titled Understanding the Impact of Violent Extremism on Kenya's Private Sector that was prepared by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance.“We have certain hotels and malls where we are working actively with owners and security managers to upgrade their surveillance using their CCTV and security guards, and our own undercover operatives," said Mr Kimani.He said NCTC would ensure that private security companies and police stations closest to these businesses were ready to respond to any terrorist attack. Read more:  https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/amp/article/2001312897/spies-deployed-in-hotels-malls-in-new-counter-terrorism-measures...

Mirror UK ISIS unleashes suicide bombers in 'final battle' to keep final stronghold in SyriaThe final battle to defeat the Islamic State is underway in Baghouz, with the terror organisation holed up in a small cluster of farmhouses and underground tunels By Elaine McCahillAssistant News Editor ISIS forces have unleashed suicide bombers in a last-ditch attempt to keep their final stronghold in Syria.The terrorist organisation holds just one per cent of the area it used to control and could be wiped out by fighters supported by US and British troops within days.The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) seized ground in a fierce battle on Saturday in the third day of fighting for Baghouz.According to figures from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were losses on both sides with 13 ISIS fighters, including five suicide bombers, killed alongside five fighters from the SDF. Read more: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/isis-unleash-suicide-bombers-last-13984448...

The Jerusalem Post By ANNA AHRONHEIM With tensions high along Israel’s northern border, soldiers from the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade are completing a large-scale drill simulating war with Hezbollah.“This drill simulated what will need to be done during a war with Hezbollah,” Maj. Tsur Goldman of the 401st Armored Brigade told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. While most drills take place in the Ramat HaGolan, hundreds of troops drilled for two weeks in the northern Jordan Valley in challenging mountainous terrain which is similar to the terrain found in southern Lebanon and on a variety of scenarios including urban combat.According to Goldman, “there is a good feeling among the soldiers that we will complete our mission,” especially after they finished a 17 week long training “which allowed us to go from looking at the most basic thing to in depth to the smallest detail.”The IDF has significantly stepped up the...

Wellsville Daily Republic By Staff reports ALBANY — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Counter Terrorism conducted counter terrorism exercises at 1,000 locations in 2018.During each exercise, counter terrorism experts from state and local agencies go undercover as customers and assess the ability of businesses to recognize and report suspicious activity. The 1,000 exercises conducted in 2018 represents a 56 percent increase in these operations since 2016 when Governor Cuomo directed the Division to expand them in his State of the State Address. Additionally, the Division also partnered with federal, state, and local law enforcement for “Operation NY-SECURE” which involved the completion of 20 counter terrorism and incident response exercises at rail stations throughout the state.“New York State will never be intimidated by the threat of terrorism, but we will always be prepared when it rears its cowardly head,” Governor...

The Japan Times Fleeing Islamic State bastion, French women say more foreigners are still trapped insideNEAR BAGHOUZ, SYRIA - Two French women who fled the Islamic State group’s last pocket in Syria told AFP on Monday more foreigners were trapped inside, barred from leaving by Iraqi jihadis.The Muslim converts said they paid smugglers to take them out of the battered IS-held holdout of Baghouz to territory held by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.They said “massacres” had taken place in Baghouz, where others are still trapped with “nothing to eat.“There are many French, many muhajireen (foreign women who joined IS) and others who are trying to leave but they (IS) don’t let us,” said one.“They said only the Syrians and Iraqis can be smuggled out,” said the woman, who said her first name was Christelle, from the city of Bordeaux.She spoke to AFP from the back of a pickup truck packed...

European Welfare Systems’ Inadvertent Support for Terrorists Counter Extremism Project by Luisa Roemer In 2017, European security services uncovered that Islamist domestic terrorists and foreign fighters received social welfare payments totaling more than two million euros between 2012 and 2016. Among the primary reasons for the lack of governmental oversight were insufficient coordination between government authorities combined with unclear division of responsibilities, legislative loopholes, and missing control mechanisms.ISIS generates most of its wealth in Syria from oil sales, taxation, extortion, and confiscation of property and cash. However, a smaller portion of the terror group’s revenue originates from Europe, collected through donations from ISIS-sympathizers, charity scams, and—notably—social welfare payments.For example, Anis Amri, the perpetrator of the December 2016 Christmas market attack in Berlin, used multiple identities to apply for asylum and to over-claim for social welfare benefits in Germany. It is likely that Amri received a monthly stipend of €135, housing...