SITE Intelligence Group

SITE Special Report by Executive Director Rita Katz: Extremist Movements are Thriving as AI Tech Proliferates https://lnkd.in/eRJr-6zg

Shabaab claims killing 51 from Somali National Army (SNA) forces and seizing two bases in the Somalia's Hiran region: "After limited clashes, the mujahideen...were able to gain complete control of the two bases that were under the control of the apostates in the Aburi area. The attack resulted in human and material losses and injuries in the ranks of the enemy, with initial losses in the enemy ranks standing at 51 apostates killed, including officers and troops from the apostate forces, as well as a large number of the militiamen wounded, who were transport to Bulo Burde city." https://lnkd.in/eVu7ETxa

Funeral for killed Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah draws massive crowds at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut. In a televised speech during the funeral, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem declared: “Israel and the United States behind it mobilized their forces against the resistance, but we proved our steadfastness, and the resistance will continue in this new period with different methods.” https://lnkd.in/eMhbkbuc

Shabaab claims significant gains in a large-scale raid in Middle Shabelle, Somalia. In updates posted across the last two days, the group documented its offensive on "strategic" areas in the region—namely Ali Ahmad, Dar al-Na'ima, Ali Foldheere, and al-Kawthar. Fighters seized Somali National Army (SNA) bases, killing, wounding, and taking many as prisoners. Grisly images show scores of dead SNA soldiers, as well as vehicles taken as spoils. https://lnkd.in/eQvWUh2k

ISIS' Central Africa Province (ISCAP) claimed killing eight and wounding 11 in an attack on a Congolese army barracks in the country’s Lubero territory. A corresponding statement from ISIS' 'Amaq News Agency claimed that "the clashes erupted between the two sides and lasted for around an hour, ending with the enemy forces fleeing the scene." https://lnkd.in/e-M6X_ap

Spokesman of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Quds Brigades threatens "consequences" if ceasefire agreement is broken, claiming that that fate of its hostages is tied to the "behavior" of Netanyahu. "We hold the occupation government responsible for the consequences of failing to fulfill its obligations towards our afflicted people and the continuous violations of the ceasefire agreement. The fate of the prisoners held by the resistance is linked to Netanyahu's behavior, whether negatively or positively." https://lnkd.in/gm-NWSqh

Hurras al-Deen announced its dissolution and, for the first time, formally acknowledged itself as al-Qaeda’s official branch in Syria. The group noted several “developments” that informed its decision, including “the decision of the Emir of the General Command” of al-Qaeda, referring to Iran-based leader Saif al-Adel. Notably, Adel was among those said to be behind the formation of Hurras al-Deen, as I wrote in 2018 (see my article linked at the end of this post). Hurras al-Deen’s statement did not directly mention HTS—which has stomped out al-Qaeda’s presence in Syria for years—but did “advise” Syria’s new leaders to establish Shariah governance. “At this stage, we advise the Sunnis in Sham not to lay down their weapons and to prepare themselves for the coming stages about which our Prophet Muhammad, Allah's peace and blessings be upon us, informed us,” Hurras al-Deen stated. With Syria’s new leadership seeking cooperation with the US and its allies, it’s not surprising to see Hurras al-Deen make this announcement—especially given the US military’s airstrikes against it, at least as recently as this past August. As I wrote upon rebels’ takeover of Syria, al-Qaeda is now effectively a proxy of Iran and will likely seek to enflame discontent against HTS and its leader, Ahmad Shara' (AKA Abu Muhammad al-Julani). How it does so, and how successful it will be, remains to be seen. You can read my 2018 article on Hurras al-Deen's formation here: https://lnkd.in/eVJdhxR5 Or my article on rebels' Syria takeover (an al-Qaeda's response to it) here: https://lnkd.in/gfG6Ngih

The Houthi “Ansar Allah” Movement claimed its "eighth" attack on the USS Harry S Truman, as well as strikes on “vital” targets in Israel one day before the Israel-Hamas ceasefire took effect. Yahya Saree, spokesman of the Houthi-controlled Yemeni Armed Forces, stated of the USS Harry S Truman: "The missile force and drone force...carried out a joint military operation, targeting the American aircraft carrier 'USS Harry Truman' and a number of warships with it in the northern Red Sea with several drones and cruise missiles...The operation achieved its objectives successfully by the grace of Allah, and the American aircraft carrier was forced to leave the scene of operations." In a separate statement, Saree stated of the strike on Israel: "The missile force in the Yemeni Armed Forces...carried out two military operations, targeting the American two vital targets for the Israeli enemy in Umm al-Rashrash area in southern occupied Palestine...The first operation was carried out using a 'Dhul-Fiqar'-type ballistic missile...The second operation was carried out using a cruise missile." https://lnkd.in/eRN2rM7c

Hamas is portraying itself as heroes and proclaiming victory for "resistance" upon ceasefire with Israel, which went into effect today. Amid a wave of celebration by supporters online, Abu Ubaydah, the spokesman for Hamas' Qassam Brigades, issued a 24-minute video speech boasting that Operation al-Aqsa Flood's impact "sparked the liberation of Palestine and hammered the final nail into the coffin of this occupation." "We have destroyed the foundations of the enemy’s so-called national security," Abu Ubaydah exclaimed. "...The siege by sea, and the enemy being forced to cover up, hide, and seek help from international forces to defend it, are all signs of its weakness and defeat. This war will remain a symbol of pride and dignity and will be a guiding light for all free people." https://lnkd.in/e6sDsqUN

SITE Executive Director Rita Katz' latest brief: As LA Wildfires Rage, Extremists Across the Board See Opportunity "...it seems these latest wildfires—or rather, the timing and context surrounding them—are uniquely appealing to opportunist extremists. Islamic State (IS/ISIS) supporters, al-Qaeda supporters, and right-wing conspiracists alike have found value in the disaster, from its visual similarities to the destruction in Gaza to Los Angeles’ symbolic villain status in right-wing culture wars. Some ISIS supporters and accelerationist neo-Nazis have even suggested lighting more fires to create mass destruction, or to use the 'chaos' of the current fires to attack infrastructure." Click here to read the article: https://lnkd.in/evsTvpEK