Spotlight on Global Jihad - February 10-16, 2022
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Spotlight on Global Jihad
February 10-16, 2022
Main events of the past week
This week, the relatively low level of ISIS activity around the world continued.
According to a report released by the UN on the terrorist threat, ISIS and al-Qaeda are still the
biggest risk factor worldwide. One of the main concerns raised by the report is the processes
of radicalization and ISIS’s recruitment of operatives via the Internet, exploiting weak local
populations.
Hypotheses about the successor of ISIS’s leader: It is surmised that ISIS’s new leader will be
chosen from among its four Iraqi senior officials, members of the founding generation. ISIS has
not yet disclosed any details on the matter.
ISIS’s activity in Syria continued on a relatively low scale. Most of the attacks were directed
against the Kurdish SDF forces in the Deir ez-Zor-Al-Mayadeen region. Since October 2021, HTS
reportedly detained about 300 jihadi operatives in the rebel enclave in Idlib.
In Iraq as well, ISIS’s activity was on a relatively small scale, mainly against Iraqi military
forces. Several soldiers were killed and wounded in a relatively complex operation in the Rutba
region in western Iraq. The Iraqi security forces continued their counterterrorism activity.
Seven ISIS operatives were killed in an Iraqi airstrike in the al-Khadr region, southeast of Mosul.
The Sinai Peninsula: After a considerable delay, ISIS announced that on January 24, 2022, it
had executed a "spy" who had been abducted about two months earlier near Bir al-Abd. The
Egyptian security forces and the local forces supporting them continued their
counterterrorism activity. Several casualties were reported among the fighters of the Sinai
Tribal Union and the Egyptian army.
Afghanistan: ISIS continues its attacks against the Taliban forces, albeit on a relatively small
scale. A hand grenade was thrown at the entrance to a mosque in a town near the Afghanistan-
Turkmenistan border. ISIS may have been behind the attack.
Africa: ISIS continued its attacks against the Nigerian army in the northeast of the country. In
northern Cameroon, ISIS operatives attacked an army camp. At least 10 soldiers were killed in
the exchange of fire.
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Attack thwarted in Europe: Spanish police recently arrested five people on suspicion of
carrying out activity for ISIS in various places in Spain.
The battle for hearts and minds: The lead article in this week’s issue of ISIS’s Al-Naba’ weekly
was devoted to the global media, and especially the Arab media which, according to the article,
distorts the truth, distances Muslims from their faith and serves the "Jewish and Christian
conspiracies." Over the past two weeks, the ISIS-affiliated Al-Saqri Institute for Military Studies
has posted instructions for making IEDs on Telegram, along with posts encouraging ISIS
operatives to take action against its enemies (Militant Wire, February 12, 2022).
UN report on global terrorist threats
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov
published the Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts report for
the year 2021. The report stated the following, inter alia (UN website, February 9, 2022; UN
Security Council website, February 8, 2022):
ISIS and al-Qaeda still pose a major threat to world security and represent the biggest
terrorism risk factor.
Terrorism in Syria and Iraq: The number of ISIS operatives in Syria and Iraq is
estimated at between 6,000 and 10,000. In the second half of 2021, ISIS increased its
activity, and its operatives are concentrating on carrying out guerrilla operations, mainly
in outlying areas.
Afghanistan: In 2021, ISIS’s Khorasan Province doubled in size from 2,200 to 4,000
operatives, and is capable of carrying out relatively complex attacks. The province is
attempting to position itself as the dominant opponent to the Taliban administration,
under which terrorist groups enjoy unprecedented freedom of action.
Europe: Various European authorities have reported several cases indicating a
pattern of homegrown terrorism, with frustrated and vulnerable young locals who have
expressed enthusiasm for radical violence, easily absorbing the propaganda messages
of ISIS and al-Qaeda.
East Asia: Some countries have reported a decrease in terrorist activity, mainly due to
successful counterterrorism activity by their security services.
Recruitment: One of the main concerns raised by the report is radicalization and ISIS’s
recruitment processes via the Internet in conflict-free regions. In these regions, ISIS
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continues to take advantage of the frustration, political tension and socioeconomic
difficulties of the local population.
Terrorist financing: ISIS’s leadership has an amount ranging from $25 million to $50
million. It is estimated that ISIS’s leadership is able to allocate large sums of money to
its operatives outside Syria and Iraq.
Assessments about the identity of ISIS’s new leader
Two Iraqi officials and three experts have estimated that ISIS’s new leader would be chosen
from among its four Iraqi officials, members of ISIS’s founding generation. The names that
came up are Abu Khadija, commander of ISIS’s Iraq Province; the commander of the Al-Anbar
region, codenamed Abu Moslem; a commander codenamed Abu Saleh, about whom little is
known apart from the fact that he was close to its two previous leaders, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
and Abu Ibrahim al-Qurashi; and Abu Yasser al-Issawi. According to the United States, the latter
was killed in January 2021, but his death is apparently uncertain (Reuters, February 9, 2022).
The Syrian arena
Syrian governorates (freeworldmaps.net)
ISIS’s Al-Naba' weekly included an infographic presenting ISIS’s achievements in Syria
between January 21 and February 9, 2022. According to the infographic, during this period ISIS
carried out 42 terrorist attacks in Syria, killing and wounding 115 people . The activity focused
on the regions of Deir ez-Zor (23 attacks), Al-Hasakah (13), and Al-Raqqah (6). Most of the
terrorist attacks took the form of shooting (37). There were also two ambushes, two targeted
killings, and one instance of detonating an IED (Al-Naba' weekly, Telegram, February 10, 2022).
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Summary of the activity in Syria
(Al-Naba' weekly, Telegram, February 10, 2022).
The Idlib region
Exchanges of artillery fire continued between Syrian soldiers and forces supporting the
Syrian army, and the rebel organizations in the Idlib enclave. The Syrian army fired artillery at
the south of the rebel enclave in Idlib. Six civilians, members of the same family, were
reportedly killed (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, February 13, 2022). Two Syrian soldiers
were killed by gunfire in the northeastern rebel enclave. The Syrian army responded with
artillery fire. Russian fighter planes carried out airstrikes south of Idlib and in the southern part
of the rebel enclave (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, February 13, 15, 2022).
HTS activity
It was reported that since October 2021, operatives of HTS, the dominant rebel organization
in the rebel enclave, had detained about 300 jihadi operatives, mostly foreign fighters. The
detainees reportedly included about 40 commanders and ideological leaders (Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights, February 13, 2022).
Al-Hasakah region
An SDF roadblock was targeted by gunfire in the Ghuwayran neighborhood in Al-Hasakah (in
the area of the prison which was attacked by ISIS about two weeks ago). Two Kurdish fighters
were killed (Telegram, February 9, 2022).
Al-Raqqah region
An SDF fighter was targeted by gunfire near his home in Karamah, east of Al-Raqqah. He was
wounded (Telegram, February 10, 2022).
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Deir ez-Zor-Al-Mayadeen region
On February 13, 2022, an SDF vehicle was targeted by gunfire in the Basira region, about 15
km north of Al-Mayadeen. The vehicle was put out of commission and the three passengers on
board were killed (Telegram, February 13, 2022).
On February 10, 2022, an SDF vehicle was targeted by gunfire in Al-Susah, about 7 km
northeast of Albukamal. The vehicle was damaged and the passengers on board were
wounded (Telegram, February 10, 2022).
On February 9, 2022, an SDF roadblock was attacked in Jadida Bakara, about 20 km southeast
of Deir ez-Zor. Six SDF fighters were killed or wounded in the exchange of fire (Telegram,
February 10, 2022).
On February 9, 2022, an SDF base was targeted by gunfire in Jazrat Albu Shams, northwest of
Deir ez-Zor. Six Kurdish fighters were killed or wounded in the exchange of fire (Telegram,
February 10, 2022).
On February 9, 2022, ISIS operatives who infiltrated an SDF base in Shahil, about 10 km north
of Al-Mayadeen, abducted and killed five fighters. They set the base on fire and seized five rifles.
According to ISIS, the attack was carried out to avenge the killing of three women and four
children in the Al-Hawl Camp, where family members of ISIS operatives are held (Telegram,
February 9, 2022).
Video released by ISIS, showing an operative alongside weapons and ammunition seized in the attack.
The operative tells the prisoners that they were not forgotten (Telegram, February 10, 2022).
On February 8, 2022, an SDF post was attacked in Dhiban, about 3 km east of Al-Mayadeen.
Two fighters were wounded and the post sustained damage (Telegram, February 8, 2022).
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The Iraqi arena
Provinces of Iraq (Wikipedia)
Attacks by province1
Diyala Province
On February 15, 2022, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle in the Hamrin region,
in the northwest of the province. The vehicle was put out of commission and the passengers
on board were wounded.
On February 14, 2022, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle west of Qara Tapa,
about 75 km north of Baqubah. The vehicle was destroyed and the passengers on board,
including an officer, were wounded.
On February 9, 2022, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle in the Kanaan region,
about 15 km southeast of Baqubah. The vehicle was put out of commission and the passengers
on board were killed or wounded. An Iraqi army post in area was targeted by gunfire on the
same day. One soldier was killed and another was wounded. ISIS operatives also destroyed a
water pump used by the Tribal Mobilization in the area.
On February 9, 2022, an Iraqi army convoy was targeted by gunfire during an operation in the
Al-Azim region, about 60 km north of Baqubah. Six vehicles were put out of commission.
Al-Anbar Province
1
Mostly according to ISIS’s claims of responsibility posted on Telegram
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On February 8, 2022, an Iraqi army post was attacked east of Al-Rutba, in western Iraq. Several
soldiers were wounded. An IED was activated against a vehicle that arrived on the scene. It was
destroyed, and the passengers on board were killed.
Wreckage of the vehicle (Telegram, February 14, 2022)
Kirkuk Province
On February 14, 2022, an Iraqi police vehicle was ambushed and fired at in the Daquq region,
in south Kirkuk. It was put out of commission. A lieutenant was wounded.
Counterterrorism measures
Erbil Province
The Iraqi government counterterrorism unit and Kurdish Special Forces detained four ISIS
operatives in the province (Al-Sumaria, February 15, 2022).
Nineveh Province
On February 8, 2022, the Iraqi Air Force killed seven ISIS operatives in the region of al-Khadr,
southeast of Mosul. The dead included Abu Sultan al-Nimrawi, ISIS’s operative in charge of
security in the al-Jazira and the Desert sector (east and southeast of Mosul). He was
responsible for receiving ISIS operatives arriving from Syria and was in charge of ISIS’s
guesthouses (the Iraqi Interior Ministry, February 8, 2022).
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Abu Sultan al-Nimrawi (Iraqi Interior Ministry website, February 8, 2022)
Sinai Peninsula
ISIS announced that on January 24, 2022, it had executed an Egyptian army “spy” abducted
about two months earlier near Bir al-Abd. According to ISIS, the “spy” was from Asyut. ISIS’s
Amaq News Agency released a video documenting the execution (Telegram, February 12, 2022;
Al-Naba' weekly, Telegram, February 10, 2022).
The Iraqi army “spy” before being executed (Telegram, February 12, 2022; Al-Naba' weekly, Telegram,
February 10, 2022)
On February 15, 2022, armed operatives abducted two Al-Arish residents in the Al-Gafgafa
region in the central Sinai Peninsula (Shahed Sinaa - al-Rasmia Facebook page, February 15,
2022). Presumably, they were abducted by operatives of ISIS’s Sinai Province.
Counterterrorism measures
At least eight Sinai Tribal Union fighters were reportedly killed in the fighting against armed
terrorist operatives (most likely ISIS operatives) in the Sinai Peninsula (Shahed Sinaa - al-
Rasmia Facebook page, February 14, 2022; Sinai Tribal Union Twitter account, February 13,
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2022). An Egyptian special unit fighter was killed fighting in North Sinai (@mahmouedgamal44
Twitter account, February 10, 2022).
The Egyptian security forces in North Sinai seized a truck loaded with substances for
manufacturing IEDs probably intended for the use of ISIS’s operatives in the Sinai Peninsula.
The substances were hidden underneath piles of cardboard boxes (@Gvroe6mFKBNU7jQ
Twitter account, February 9, 2022).
The truck loaded with cardboard boxes. Substances for manufacturing IEDs were found underneath
the boxes (@Gvroe6mFKBNU7jQ Twitter account, February 9, 2022).
Summary of ISIS’s activity in the various provinces
Weekly summary of ISIS’s activity
An infographic published by ISIS summing up its activity around the world in the period
between February 3 and February 9, 2022, indicates that in this period, ISIS carried out 35
attacks in its various provinces in Asia and Africa (similarly to last week). The largest number
of attacks was carried out by ISIS’s Iraq and West Africa provinces (8 attacks in each). Attacks
carried out in the other provinces: Syria (7); Khorasan (i.e., Afghanistan) (7); Central Africa (4);
and Sinai (1). A total of 134 people were killed or wounded in the attacks, compared to 73 in
the previous week. The largest number of casualties was in the West Africa Province (76). The
other casualties were in the following provinces: Iraq (27); Syria (17); Khorasan (9); Central
Africa (4); and Sinai (1) (Al-Naba' weekly, Telegram, February 10, 2022).
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Summary of ISIS’s attacks
(Al-Naba' weekly, Telegram, February 10, 2022)
ISIS attacks in recent months (according to ISIS data)
80
73
70 69
60
58
54
50 49 49 49
48
45 46 45
40 39 38 35
38 37 38 35
35
33 32 33 35
30 29 30 30
28 28 30
20
10
0
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ISIS activity in Africa2
Nigeria
On February 15, 2022, mortar shells were fired at a Nigerian army camp in Gamburo, in Borno
State, northeastern Nigeria. According to ISIS, definite hits were identified.
On February 14, 2022, mortar shells were fired at a Nigerian army base in Yadin Boni, in Yobe
State, northeastern Nigeria. According to ISIS, definite hits were identified.
On February 14, 2022, mortar shells were fired at a Nigerian army base and post in Wulgo, on
the Nigeria-Cameroon border, in northeastern Nigeria. According to ISIS, seven soldiers were
killed or wounded.
Mortar shells being fired at a Nigerian army base and post (Telegram, February 14, 2022)
On February 13, 2022, a Nigerian army checkpoint was targeted by gunfire between Guza and
Polaka, in northeastern Nigeria. Several soldiers manning the checkpoint were wounded but
managed to flee. ISIS operatives seized a motorcycle and a rifle.
On February 13, 2022, an IED was activated against Nigerian army vehicles on the Maiduguri-
Damboa highway in northeastern Nigeria. One vehicle was put out of commission. No
casualties were reported.
On February 12, 2022, an IED was activated against a Nigerian army convoy on the Maiduguri-
Damboa highway. One vehicle was destroyed and the passengers on board were killed or
wounded.
On February 11, 2022, a Nigerian army post was targeted by gunfire in Kikino, in northeastern
Nigeria. Five soldiers manning the post were killed.
On February 11, 2022, a Nigerian army convoy was targeted by gunfire in Kobawa, in
northeastern Nigeria. Several vehicles were damaged.
2
Mainly according to ISIS's claims of responsibility posted on Telegram
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On February 10, 2022, an IED was activated against a Nigerian army foot patrol in the area
between Katafila and Mararaba, in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. Several soldiers were
killed or wounded. A day earlier, an IED had been activated against a foot patrol in the area
between Kamajiro and Mararaba. Several soldiers were killed or wounded.
Cameroon
A Cameroonian army camp was targeted by gunfire near Kamanga, in northern Cameroon.
At least three soldiers were killed and several others were wounded in the exchange of fire
(Telegram, February 13, 2022).
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Documentation of prisoners freed by ISIS from Novili Prison
On February 2, 2022, ISIS operatives attacked a Congolese army camp in Novili, near the
border with Uganda. The operatives set fire to the camp. They then took over the town and
freed 20 ISIS operatives incarcerated in the local prison (Telegram, February 4, 2022). A few
days later, photos were published documenting the prisoners who had been freed.
Some of the prisoners who were freed (Telegram, February 9, 2022)
Tunisia
On February 11, 2022, ISIS’s leader in Tunisia was reportedly arrested
(www.libyasecuritymonitor.com, February 11, 2022). No further details were reported and the
information has not been verified.
Asia
Afghanistan
This week, the decrease in ISIS’s attacks against the Taliban in Afghanistan continued. The
details of the attacks are as follows:
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On February 14, 2022, a camp of the Taliban forces was targeted by gunfire in Soki
District, in the Kunar Province. Two Taliban members were wounded and the camp
sustained damage.
On February 11, 2022, a hand grenade was thrown at the entrance to the Qala-e-naw
Mosque in the Badghis Province, near the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan border (Khaama
Press, February 11, 2022). One person was killed and 14 others were wounded. It can be
estimated that ISIS’s Khorasan Province was behind the incident since it previously
carried out similar attacks on mosques in Afghanistan.
On February 8, 2022, a Taliban member was abducted and executed in the Kama
region of the Nangarhar Province (Telegram, February 9, 2022).
India
The al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind jihadist organization, which operates in
Kashmir, released a statement claiming that on February 5, 2022, two of its operatives were
killed in the fighting against the Indian army in the Srinagar region of Kashmir. It called on the
residents of Kashmir to join the fight against the Indian army (@ToreRHamming Twitter
account, February 7, 2022).
Statement by Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind, which operates in Kashmir (@ToreRHamming Twitter account,
February 7, 2022)
Yemen
On February 11, 2022, five UN workers were abducted in the Abyan region in southern Yemen.
No official statement has been released on the matter but al-Qaeda-affiliated sources have
stated that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which operates in Yemen, was
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responsible for the abduction (Reuters, February 13, 2022; @Minalami Twitter account,
February 14, 2022).
Counterterrorism activity
Turkey
On January 22, 2022, Turkish security forces arrested Ali al-Tawil, codenamed Abu K., an ISIS
operative from Tunisia. According to the report, he commanded groups fighting in Syria and
Iraq on behalf of ISIS from his hiding place in Istanbul, where he was arrested (Anatolia News
Agency, February 11, 2022).
Spain
As part of an operation against terrorist operatives, including those who operate online,
Spanish police, with the assistance of Interpol’s counterterrorism unit, arrested five suspects
in several places in Spain. The chief suspect was allegedly one of the leaders of a terrorist group
from Libya affiliated with ISIS who funded the group through a network of straw companies.
Two of the other detainees are suspected of attempting to recruit ISIS operatives via the
Internet (thenewsglory.com, February 14, 2022; Al-Arabiya, February 14, 2022).
The battle for hearts and minds
The lead article in this week’s issue of ISIS’s Al-Naba’ weekly is entitled “They Played Tricks
on People!"3 It is devoted to the global media, and especially the Arab media which, according
to ISIS, distorts the truth, distances Muslims from their faith and serves the "Jewish and
Christian conspiracies." According to the article, since the days of Pharaoh, his sorcerers
attempted to divert people from their faith, using deception in order to try to prove to Moses
that their God was the most sublime one. This is also the case today, when the media figures
of the "tyrannical" Arab regimes play tricks on people and have managed to take control of
their thoughts and their hearts. According to the article, the Arab media ignores the suffering
of the children held in the Al-Hawl camp in the Al-Hasakah Province in Syria (where ISIS
operatives are detained) and ignores the "achievements of the Islamic nation in the
Ghuwayran Prison" (the freeing of inmates from the prison around two weeks ago) in a manner
that indicates the degree to which the Christians and the Jews have penetrated the minds of
From the Quran: Surat al-A’raf, verse 116.3 The verse refers to Pharaoh's sorcerers who attempt to
demonstrate the ability to play tricks on Moses (who is considered a prophet according to Islam), and
ultimately Moses presents them with great miracles under God’s guidance.
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the Arabs, influencing their ideas, their faith, and their morality. At the end of the article, the
author calls on ISIS’s supporters and operatives to double their media efforts, because victory
in the media-propaganda arena is extremely important for achieving victory in the war arena
(Al-Naba’ weekly, Telegram, February 10, 2022).
ISIS publishes instructions for making IEDs
For the past two weeks, the ISIS-affiliated Al-Saqri Institute for Military Studies (Mu’assassat
al-Saqri lil-‘Ulum al-Harbiya) has been posting instructions on Telegram for making IEDs,
urging ISIS operatives to take action against ISIS's enemies (Militant Wire, February 12, 2022).
Post containing instructions for making IEDs (Militant Wire, February 12, 2022)
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