THREAT ISSUE 9

Issue 9, Winter 2012

Release of Gilad Shalit Brings Promise of More Abductions; Hamas: Goodbye Shalit, Hello New Prisoner
Following the signing of the deal in which Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was to be exchanged for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, many articles on Hamas-affiliated websites called the deal a victory and stated that it proved the effectiveness of the strategy of resistance. They urged to kidnap more Israeli soldiers in order to liberate the remaining Palestinian prisoners.

A website affiliated with Fatah published a venomous article about Shalit which described him as a murderer and a monster who "carried on the legacy of his fathers, the apes and pigs."

On the other hand, an editorial in the Egyptian government daily Al-Ahram called on the Palestinians to honor the deal and its positive outcomes, but to refrain from urging and engaging in further abductions. It called on Israel to honor the deal as well, and to refrain from re-arresting the liberated prisoners or seeking retribution against them.

In an article posted on the website of Al-Aqsa TV, Dr. Mustafa Yousef Al-Liddawi, formerly Hamas' representative in Syria and Lebanon, expressed hopes that more Israeli soldiers would be abducted to replace Shalit

Many writers affiliated with Hamas called to abduct more Israeli soldiers, stating that the Shalit deal will not be the last and that it has proved the efficacy of the path of resistance.

Iyad Al-Qara, a columnist for the Hamas-affiliated daily Falastin, wrote: "After the imminent completion of the 'Loyalty to the Free' deal [Hamas's name for the Shalit deal], the resistance will be able to stage further attacks... and repeat 'Operation Fading Illusion' [Hamas's name for Shalit's abduction] so as to capture more soldiers or settlers in order to liberate all the prisoners from the jails of the occupation.

Jamal Al-Shawahin, a regular columnist for Al-Sabil, the daily of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, wrote: "The Hamas movement must secure a new prisoner in order to free additional [Palestinian] prisoners from the jails of the occupation, because those who will not be released as part of the Shalit deal now feel and understand that their salvation depends on [the capture of] a new prisoner. This great national duty must be fulfilled, if not by Hamas then by any other organization...

"The latest [prisoner] exchange deal was great and magnificent... a victory for the Hamas movement and the entire Palestinian people. It confirms that continuing the resistance is the [right] path and option [to take] until the Palestinian rights are restored in full, without exception...

"The freed prisoners will be birds of freedom and torches to light the fire of resistance, and they are the incontrovertible proof that the Palestinian right[s] will only be restored through resistance..."

Source: Excerpts from MEMRI (October 18, 2011). Following the Shalit Deal - Hamas-affiliated columnists: There will be more abductions; Fatah-affiliated website: Shalit a monster who carried on the legacy of his ancestors, the apes and pigs; Al-Ahram: No to further abductions. Special Dispatch 4212

IT REALLY HAPPENED

NIGERIA
Boko Haram Militants in Nigeria Attack Christians a Special Target
As many as 30 civilians were killed in northern Nigeria Monday when Boko Haram militants attacked a market and then engaged in a gunfight with police. The incident could have a chilling effect on the willingness of locals to cooperate with authorities in the fight against the extremist Islamic sect.

A Boko Haram spokesman, known as Abu Qaqa, told journalists by phone that the group attacked the market in revenge for market traders turning in a suspected Boko Haram member to authorities the previous week.

A trader in the market says that the militants attacked them with explosives and guns because market vendors helped capture one of their members last Thursday. Many innocent lives have been lost, he says, and they will not assist security forces in the future. He says they are calling on the government to salvage the situation because it is civilians who are on the receiving end of the violence now.

Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Abuja, Abubakar Umar Kari, says Boko Haram has so far been successful in intimidating its opposition.

The incident also reinforces existing mistrust between local residents and security forces.

"I don't know whether it is part of their training or because they do not follow rules of engagement," he added. "Nigerian security forces simply shoot indiscriminately whenever they are having a confrontation with armed groups."

Boko Haram is a radical Islamic sect in Nigeria a nation of more than 160 million people, that seeks strict Sharia law carried out a wave of bombings and shootings on a Friday night in November, with 67 people killed according to an AP report. A Boko Haram spokesman promised that more attacks are on the way

Boko Haram is waging an increasingly violent campaign against Nigeria's weak central government in its quest to enact strict Shariah law, free detained members and avenge Muslim deaths in the nation.

Attacks by the sect, including those specifically targeting Christians, have widened distrust between the two faiths in the multi-ethnic nation of more than 160 million people. Nigeria is largely split between a Christian south and a Muslim north, and most of Boko Haram's previous attacks have taken place in the north.

Boko Haram has splintered into three factions, with one wing increasingly willing to kill as it maintains contact with terror groups in North Africa and Somalia, diplomats and security sources say. They also say the sect has resorted to bank robberies and other thefts to fund their operations, while also receiving outside funding.

Sources:
Associated Press (November 6, 2011). Radical Muslim group kills 67 in northeast NIgeria attacks. Haaretz English Edition.

Times of India (February 22, 2012). At least 14 civilians killed in attack in Nigeria market. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/At-least-14-civilians-killed-in-attack-in-Nigeria-market/articleshow/11984268.cms

Voice of America (VOA) (February 21, 2012). Nigerians Face Intimidation from Boko Haram. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Nigerians-Face-Intimidation-From-Boko-Haram-139859733.html

IRAQ
Attacks against Shiites
At least 72 were killed in a wave of terror attacks against Shiites that had taken place in the wake of the departure of American troops in December. The first attack involved the explosion of a bomb on a booby trapped motorcycle near a bus station. A short while later, another bomb exploded took place in the morning in residential neighborhoods in Baghdad and caused at least 27 deaths. A few hours later 45 more people were killed by a suicide bomber in the city of Nasriah that was aimed at Shiites on their way to a holy city for a major religious commemoration. On December 22, 69 people were killed in Baghdad in mainly Shiite neighborhoods. "Al Qaeda in Iraq" boasted of its responsibility.

Source: Haaretz (Hebrew) (January 6, 2012). More than 70 dead in terror attacks against Shiites in Iraq.

TURKEY
Kurdish Rebels Killed in Air Attack on Leaders
35 civilians were killed by Turkish airplanes attacking Kurdish "rebels" - as the Kurds are characterized by the Turks. The majority of the dead were youth who were transporting diesel fuel on donkeys or horses from Iraq to Turkey. A Haaretz report quoted a Turkish legislator who is identified with the Kurdish cause, noting that such trade is often the only source of income for the rural Kurds. The legislator further commented that the Turks undoubtedly knew of this trade activity by civilians in the area in which they attacked.

Source: Associated Press (December 30, 2011). 35 smugglers are killed in an attack of the Turkish air force in North Iraq. Haaretz (Hebrew).

Tags: Antisemitism | Iraq | Nigeria | Turkey

Share |