Spotlight on Global Jihad (November 7-13, 2019)

Main events

• About two weeks after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS’s intensive activity in Syria continues, along with routine activity in other areas. ISIS’s provinces around the world continue to pledge allegiance to the new leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Qurashi. This week, pledges of allegiance by operatives in Syria, Tunisia, West Africa, Central Africa, East Asia (the Philippines) and Tajikistan were published.
• In Syria, attacks continue to focus on the SDF forces, the Kurdish military force. In the Al-Raqqah area, additional attacks were carried out against tankers carrying crude oil from the Kurdish-controlled region to the Syrian army-controlled region; In the Al-Mayadeen area in the Euphrates Valley, intensive activity was carried out, in the form of activating IEDs, machine gun fire, and targeted killings. In the Al-Hasakah area, the heart of the Kurdish-controlled region, targeted killings of SDF personnel were carried out; In southern Syria, an IED was activated against a Syrian army minibus, further evidence of increased activity in the Daraa area.
• In Iraq, ISIS’s activity continues, at low intensity. This week, ISIS claimed responsibility for attacking combined patrols comprising soldiers from the US, International Coalition countries, the Iraqi army and the Kurdish forces. ISIS also published a poster threatening Italian soldiers in Iraq (“Italian dogs, what are you doing in Iraq?”). This may be the start of a trend of focusing attacks against soldiers from the US and other International Coalition countries.
• Among ISIS’s various provinces around the world, one of the main events of the past week was a series of attacks against Nigerian army bases and vehicles in the northeast of the country. Another unusual attack took place against a Tajik Border Police station on the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border (according to ISIS, around 10 Border Police fighters were killed or wounded). In the northern Sinai Peninsula, ISIS’s intensive activity continued, mainly in the form of detonating IEDs against Egyptian army vehicles on the roads.

Idlib region

Overview

In the Idlib region, the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Syrian army was generally maintained. However, sporadic exchanges of fire continued between the Syrian army and the rebel organizations, as well as Syrian and Russian airstrikes. The incidents centered on the Kabanah area and the rural area south and east of Idlib.

Main incidents

• Following are the main incidents in the past week:
  • On November 9, 2019, the rebel organizations halted a local ground attack of the Syrian army in the Kabanah area. The Syrian army sustained fatalities (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, the Syrian army fired artillery at the rural area south of Idlib. The rebel organizations fired artillery at Syrian army positions in the rural area east of Idlib and the northwestern part of the Al-Ghab Plain (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham announced that its “sniper brigade” had shot and killed a Syrian soldier in the Al-Tamoura front, about 10 km northwest of Aleppo (Ibaa, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, the Syrian army fired artillery at the rural area south and east of Idlib. The rebel organizations fired artillery at the rural area east of Idlib (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, the Syrian army fired massive artillery (about 280 rockets and shells) at the rural area south and east of Idlib, including the Kabanah area (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, November 11, 2019).

Airstrikes

• This week, airstrikes were carried out by Russian fighter jets and Syrian helicopters. The airstrikes were carried out southwest of Jisr al-Shughur and in the rural area south and southeast of Idlib (reports by Ibaa and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights).

Another snipers course completed by the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham

• The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham announced the completion of the training of new snipers serving in the organization’s “sniper brigade” (Ibaa, November 8, 2019). The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham also announced the completion of a snipers course on September 30, 2019. It appears that the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham invests efforts in the training of new snipers, being aware of their importance in the future campaign against the Syrian army.

    
Right: One of the instructors and some of the course trainees. Left: One of the course trainees during target practice (Ibaa, November 8, 2019)

Summary of the losses since the beginning of the Syrian army’s ground attack

• Since the beginning of the Syrian army’s ground attack in early May 2019, a total of 4,425 people have been killed in the Idlib region. Fatalities included 1,772 rebel organization operatives, including 1,150 operatives of jihadi organizations [bearing the brunt of the fighting]. Fatalities also included 1,517 soldiers and operatives of the Syrian army and the forces supporting it, and 1,136 civilians (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, November 12, 2019).

The Euphrates Valley

Al-Raqqah area

Attacks against oil tankers continue

ISIS continues to attack tankers carrying crude oil from the Kurdish-controlled areas to areas controlled by the Syrian regime. This week, there were two additional attacks against oil tankers. It appears that ISIS has recognized the oil trade as an Achilles heel which, if disrupted, would compromise the Kurds’ ability to finance their military power and self-government. However, transporting oil and wheat from the SDF-controlled areas reportedly goes on.

• On November 7, 2019, ISIS operatives activated an IED against two tankers carrying crude oil about 30 km east of Al-Raqqah. They were en route to areas controlled by the Syrian regime. Both tankers caught fire. According to ISIS’s statement, the tankers which were attacked belonged to Syrian MP [Hussam] al-Qaterji (Telegram, November 7, 2019). The Al-Qaterji company transports oil from the Kurdish control areas to areas controlled by the Syrian army.
• Three days later, on November 10, 2019, two IEDs were activated against four tankers carrying crude oil 21 km east of Al-Raqqah. They were en route to areas controlled by the Syrian army. The four tankers caught fire. According to ISIS’s statement, the tankers which were attacked belonged to Syrian MP [Hussam] al-Qaterji (Telegram, November 10, 2019).

Additional attacks in northern Syria (Al-Raqqah and Manbij areas)

• On November 6, 2019, two vehicles carrying SDF fighters were targeted by machine gun fire 13 km southeast of Al-Raqqah. SDF fighters were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 8, 2019).
• On November 8, 2019, ISIS operatives ambushed several vehicles carrying SDF fighters 20 km southwest of Al-Raqqah. The forces exchanged fire. A total of 13 SDF fighters were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 8, 2019).
• On November 5, 2019, an SDF intelligence operative was stabbed to death in east Manbij (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
• On November 5, 2019, an SDF vehicle was set on fire and destroyed in the city of Manbij (Telegram, November 6, 2019).

SDF counterterrorist and preventive activity

• On November 9, 2019, the SDF’s Military Security forces announced that they had captured six ISIS squad members in Al-Raqqah. One of the squad members was an Iraqi ISIS operative who was supposed to carry out a suicide bombing attack. In addition, they captured wives of ISIS operatives who recently fled the displaced persons camps. The forces found a large quantity of IEDs, explosives, and weapons in their possession (Khotwa, November 9, 2019).

The area of Deir ez-Zor, Al-Mayadeen, and Albukamal

ISIS continued its intensive activity in the Euphrates Valley, mainly targeting the SDF forces. This week, the activity focused on the Al-Mayadeen area, mainly including the detonation of IEDs, machine gun fire, and targeted killings.

Two priests killed north of Al-Mayadeen

• On November 11, 2019, two priests were targeted by machine gun fire in the village of Al-Zir, about 10 km north of Al-Mayadeen. They were both killed (Telegram, November 11, 2019). A local source reported that a vehicle carrying Ibrahim Hanna Biddo and his father was ambushed and shot at. Ibrahim Hanna Biddo was the head of an Armenian Catholic church in Qamishli. They were both killed (Furat Post Facebook page, November 11, 2019).

• Additional attacks (according to ISIS’s reports):
  • On November 5, 2019, an SDF checkpoint was targeted by machine gun fire about 20 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. One SDF fighter was killed (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
  • On November 6, 2019, an IED was activated against an SDF vehicle about 20 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
  • On November 6, 2019, an SDF vehicle was targeted by machine gun fire about 20 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. The vehicle was damaged (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
  • On November 6, 2019, a hand grenade was thrown at a mukhtar and head of a commune^[1] in Al-Kharijiya, about 40 km northeast of Al-Mayadeen. The mukhtar was severely wounded (Telegram, November 7, 2019).
  • On November 6, 2019, an IED was activated against an SDF vehicle on the road leading to the Omar oilfield, about 50 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor. The passengers were wounded (Telegram, November 7, 2019).
  • On November 8, 2019, an IED was activated in the house of an SDF fighter in Al-Basira, about 15 km north of Al-Mayadeen. The house was damaged (Telegram, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, two fighters of the Homeland Defense Forces were abducted during guard duty at a post on the outskirts of Al-Mayadeen. The Syrian army located their decapitated bodies north of Al-Mayadeen (Khotwa, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an SDF fighter was shot and killed in his house in the village of Al-Sabha, about 20 km north of Al-Mayadeen (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an SDF fighter was killed in the village of Darnaj, 14 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen (Telegram, November 12, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, an SDF intelligence operative was targeted by machine gun fire in the village of Diban, 5 km east of Al-Mayadeen. He was killed (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 12, 2019, ISIS operatives ambushed two vehicles carrying SDF fighters about 50 km northeast of Al-Mayadeen. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).

 Pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader

   
ISIS operatives in the Deir ez-Zor region (Al-Khayr) pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (Telegram, November 8, 2019)

Northeastern Syria

Attacks inside the Kurdish control area

• ISIS continues its attacks inside the Kurdish control area. This week, its attacks focused on targeted killings of SDF fighters. Following are the main incidents (according to ISIS’s reports):
  • On November 6, 2019, an SDF fighter was shot and killed in south Al-Hasakah (Telegram, November 7, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, two SDF fighters were shot and killed east of Al-Shadadi, about 50 km south of Al-Hasakah (Telegram, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, an SDF “agent” was shot and killed in the Markada area, about 80 km south of Al-Hasakah (Telegram, November 10, 2019).

 Pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader

   
ISIS operatives in the Al-Hasakah area pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (Telegram, November 9, 2019)

Southern Syria

• On November 9, 2019, two IEDs were activated against a minibus carrying Syrian soldiers near the village of Rakhm, about 20 km west of As-Suwayda. The passengers were wounded (Telegram, November 9, 2019). The Khotwa website, affiliated with the rebel organizations, reported that an IED had been activated against a Syrian army minibus on the road between the villages of Rakhm and Al-Darah (13 km west of As-Suwayda). Three soldiers were killed and several others were wounded. The activity of ISIS cells in the Daraa area has reportedly increased recently (Khotwa, November 9, 2019). Recently, there is indeed a considerable increase in the number of attacks and the “quality” of the targets attacked by ISIS in southern Syria.

     
Right: ISIS operatives in the Hawran area pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (ISIS’s weekly Al-Naba’, November 7, 2019). Left: Activating an IED against the minibus carrying Syrian soldiers (Telegram, November 10, 2019).

Homs and Aleppo areas

 Pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader

   
ISIS operatives in the Homs area pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (Telegram, November 8, 2019)

Main events in Iraq

ISIS’s terrorist and guerrilla activity

• This week, like the previous weeks, ISIS’s activity in Iraq was low-intensity. Following are the highlights of ISIS’s activity (according to its claims of responsibility):
  • On November 10, 2019, a joint patrol of the Iraqi army and the US army in the Makhmur region, about 70 km southeast of Mosul, was targeted by machine gun fire. The forces exchanged fire. An American soldier was wounded (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an IED was activated against a Tribal Mobilization vehicle about 30 km southwest of Makhmur. One fighter was killed and another was wounded (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle about 20 km north of Baghdad. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an IED was activated against a Tribal Mobilization vehicle about 10 km northeast of Fallujah. A Tribal Mobilization officer was wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an operative of the Iraqi National Security apparatus was targeted by machine gun fire about 20 km north of Baghdad. The operative was killed (Telegram, November 12, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an IED was activated against an operative of the Iraqi National Security apparatus about 30 km northwest of Fallujah. The operative was wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, an IED was activated against an SUV carrying International Coalition soldiers and fighters of the Peshmerga counterterrorism unit about 90 km southeast of Kirkuk. Four International Coalition soldiers and four counterterrorism unit fighters were wounded. The vehicle was destroyed (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, an Iraqi army patrol was targeted by gunfire about 80 km northeast of Baqubah. Six Iraqi soldiers were wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).

ISIS threatens collaborators with the Iraqi government

• On November 6, 2019, ISIS’s North Baghdad Region posted a video entitled “The [grave] consequences of the [acts] of the criminals.” The video threatens the lives of collaborators with the Iraqi authorities, especially members of the Popular Mobilization (Shiite militias) and Tribal Mobilization (Sunni militias) operating north of Baghdad. The video documents executions of collaborators (Telegram, November 6, 2019). The messages in the video are intended to deter the local population, especially the tribes living north of Baghdad, from collaborating with the Iraqi authorities.

Counterterrorist activities by the Iraqi security forces

• Although the main focus of the Iraqi regime’s attention is the wave of protests in Baghdad and the southern provinces, this week, the Iraqi security forces continued their counterterrorism activities against ISIS in northern Iraq and north of Baghdad. The main activity was as follows:
  • On November 8, 2019, a Popular Mobilization force thwarted an attempted infiltration by ISIS operatives in the northern Salah al-Din Province (about 200 km north of Baghdad). ISIS operatives attempted to infiltrate the Hamrin mountain range (north of Baqubah). One suicide bomber was killed and other ISIS operatives were wounded and fled (al-hashed.net, November 8, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, Iraqi security forces carried out an operation against ISIS in northeast Mosul. Ten ISIS operatives were taken prisoner (Iraqi News Agency, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, members of the Iraqi counterterrorism apparatus carried out a security operation south of Mosul in which 14 “terrorist operatives” (i.e., ISIS operatives) were killed (Iraqi News Agency, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, Iraqi security forces destroyed an ISIS hiding place east of Samarra. Food, a rubber boat and medical equipment were found at the site (al-hashed.net, November 11, 2019).

The Sinai Peninsula

• In the northern Sinai Peninsula, ISIS’s intensive activity continued, mainly against Egyptian army vehicles on the roads. Following are highlights of the activity (according to ISIS’s claims of responsibility):
  • On November 5, 2019, two IEDs were activated against an Egyptian army tank and bulldozer southwest of Sheikh Zuweid. The soldiers operating the vehicles were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, an IED was activated against an Egyptian army armored vehicle west of Al-Arish. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 9, 2019, two IEDs were activated against an Egyptian army tank and bulldozer east of Bir al-Abed. The soldiers in the tank and bulldozer were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, an IED was activated against an Egyptian army vehicle in the city of Rafah. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 11, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, an IED was activated against an Egyptian minesweeping vehicle east of Sheikh Zuweid. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).
  • On November 11, 2019, an IED was activated against an Egyptian army vehicle near a checkpoint south of Sheikh Zuweid. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).

  • On November 11, 2019, two RPG rockets were launched at an Egyptian army foot patrol west of Rafah. Several soldiers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 12, 2019).

Counterterrorism and preventive activity

Turkey to repatriate foreign ISIS operatives

• According to an announcement by Turkish Minister of the Interior Süleyman Soylu on November 8, 2019, Turkey intends to repatriate European foreign ISIS operatives captured by it in Syria. Their repatriation was scheduled to begin on November 11, 2019. According to the minister’s announcement, although European countries have revoked the citizenship of these operatives, (as far as Turkey is concerned) they can do whatever they want with them. He said, “Turkey will extradite them, no matter what” (Anadolu News Agency, November 8, 2019).
• Turkish President Erdoğan reportedly announced that Turkey had deported 7,500 ISIS operatives to date. According to him, there are 1,149 more ISIS operatives in Turkish prisons (Anadolu News Agency, November 8, 2019). In addition, 287 operatives (“militants”) have been captured in Syria. According to a Reuters report, on November 11, 2019, Turkey began deporting detained ISIS operatives to their countries of origin. To date, Turkey has deported ISIS operatives to the US, and is planning to deport seven operatives from Germany in the near future (Reuters, November 11, 2019).
• On November 11, 2019, German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Christopher Burger announced that the Turkish authorities had informed them that 10 German citizens would be deported to Germany this week. German local media reported that, according to German authorities, seven of the deportees were associated with ISIS. It has been reported that according to the German security services, over 1,050 civilians have traveled from Germany to the conflict zones in Syria and Iraq since the start of the civil war in Syria (Anadolu News Agency, November 11, 2019).

ISIS’s activity around the globe

Nigeria

• ISIS operatives carried out a series of attacks against Nigerian army bases and vehicles in Borno State and Yobe State, in the northeast of the country. Following are the highlights of the activity (according to ISIS’s reports):
  • On November 4 2019, ISIS operatives attacked a Nigerian army camp in Borno State. The sides exchanged fire, and several soldiers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
  • On November 5, 2019, two IEDs were activated against a Nigerian army vehicle in Yobe State. This was followed by an exchange of fire between ISIS operatives and operatives of a militia supporting the Nigerian government. The militia’s camp was set on fire (Telegram, November 7, 2019).
  • On November 6, 2019, two IEDs were activated against a Nigerian army vehicle in Yobe State. The soldiers in the vehicle were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 8, 2019).
  • On November 8, 2019, ISIS operatives attacked a Nigerian army camp near the city of Damaturu in Yobe State. Several soldiers were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 9, 2019).
  • On November 8, 2019, ISIS operatives attacked Nigerian soldiers in Borno State. Four soldiers were killed and several others were wounded (Telegram, November 8, 2019).
  • On November 10, 2019, ISIS operatives attacked a Nigerian army checkpoint in the Lake Chad area (on the border between Nigeria and Niger). Several soldiers were killed and wounded (Telegram, November 10, 2019).
• ISIS reported that its operatives had repelled a Nigerian army attack in Borno State. A total of 22 soldiers were killed and wounded. ISIS operatives seized five Nigerian army vehicles and set fire to two others (Telegram, November 8, 2019).

Pledge of allegiance to ISIS’s new leader

   
Operatives of ISIS’s West Africa Province pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (Telegram, November 7, 2019)

Mozambique

• ISIS’s Central Africa Province announced that on November 10, 2019, its operatives had ambushed Mozambican soldiers in the northeast of the country. Eight soldiers were killed and four others were wounded. ISIS operatives seized weapons and ammunition (Telegram, November 11, 2019).

Afghanistan

Nangarhar Province

• On November 6, 2019, IEDs were activated against two Taliban vehicles about 15 km east of Jalalabad. A total of 15 Taliban operatives were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
• On November 6, 2019, an IED was activated against a Taliban oil tanker about 20 km west of Jalalabad. The tanker was destroyed (Telegram, November 6, 2019).
• On November 10, 2019, an IED was activated in the city of Jalalabad against the vehicle of the director of the local prison. Two escorts were killed or wounded (Telegram, November 10, 2019).

Kunar Province

• On November 6, 2019, ISIS operatives ambushed the local Taliban commander in an area 15 km west of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The commander and one of the fighters were killed (Telegram, November 6, 2019).

Pakistan

• ISIS’s Pakistan Province announced that a Pakistani intelligence operative was targeted by gunfire in the Bajaur Province, about 180 km northwest of Islamabad (near the border with Afghanistan). He was severely wounded (Telegram, November 11, 2019).

Tajikistan

• According to Tajikistan government sources, on November 6, 2019, around 20 “armed men” suspected of being ISIS operatives attacked a border post in Ishqobod, on the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border. According to a report on a Tajik radio station called Radio Ozodi, five border police fighters and one policeman were killed in the incident. Official Tajik sources said that five suspected ISIS operatives had been apprehended on the border between the two countries (Euroasianet, November 8, 2019; Euroasia Times, November 11, 2019).
• ISIS’s Tajikistan Province claimed responsibility for the attack. According to ISIS, Tajikistan Province operatives attacked a Tajik border police station on the Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border. The sides exchanged fire for several hours. According to ISIS, at least 10 Tajik border police fighters were killed and others were wounded (Telegram, November 8, 2019).

     
Right: The area in Tajikistan where the attack took place (Bing Map). Left: Burnt cars at the scene of the attack (Tajik Interior Ministry, November 8, 2019).

Tunisia

   
Operatives of ISIS’s Tunisia Province pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (Telegram, November 7, 2019)

East Asia (the Philippines)

• On November 12, 2019, operatives of ISIS’s East Asian Province attacked Philippine army forces in the northern part of Jolo Island, in the southern Philippines. Three soldiers were killed and others were wounded (Telegram, September 13, 2019).

    
Operatives of ISIS’s East Asia Province (apparently, in the Philippines) pledging allegiance to ISIS’s new leader (Telegram, November 9, 2019)

^[1] As part of the Kurdish self-government, a commune consists of several families living on a limited territory such as neighborhoods or little villages (Sawt Kurdistan, October 25, 2018). ↑

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