Spotlight on Global Jihad (January 16-22, 2020)

Highlights of the events

• In the Idlib region, fighting resumed on the initiative of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, after a three-week hiatus (despite the ceasefire agreement reached by Russia and Turkey on January 12, 2020). The fighting was concentrated in three rural areas southeast of the rebel stronghold in Idlib, for the time being with no significant achievements for the Syrian forces or the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham.
• In the Euphrates Valley, ISIS has continued its intensive activity against the Syrian army and the SDF. The most noteworthy event was the killing of 15 soldiers in a Syrian army convoy ambushed by ISIS operatives. ISIS continued to carry out its routine attacks (activation of IEDs, light weapons fire against vehicles and convoys, attacks on outposts, and targeted killings).
• In the Iraqi arena, there was an increase in the scope of ISIS’s activity. The two most notable events were the detonation of a parked car bomb and the activation of an IED against an Iraqi army convoy near the Iraqi-Saudi border crossing (10 Iraqi army fatalities in the two incidents). Apart from that, the routine activity against the Iraqi security forces continued, including the attacks on vehicles and convoys and targeted killings.
• In northeastern Nigeria, ISIS continued to carry out intensive activity. This week, ISIS operatives attacked a Nigerian army headquarters, checkpoints and patrols, in addition to the widely publicized execution of a Nigerian Christian.

Idlib region

Overview

Fighting southeast of Idlib resumed this week on the initiative of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, after a three-week hiatus (in spite of the ceasefire agreed upon between Russia and Turkey on January 12, 2020). The fighting was concentrated in three rural areas southeast of Idlib: the area of the village of Abu Jarif, about 30 km southeast of Idlib, which moved from one side to the other in the course of several days (the area is still controlled by the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham); the area of the village of Abu Dafna (east of Maarat Nu’man), which was attacked by operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham. According to the Syrian regime, the attacking force was repelled and sustained casualties; and the area of Tell Musitaf, near Abu Jarif, where operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham halted a Syrian army attempt to advance (see map).

Fighting in the area of Abu Jarif

• On January 16, 2020, the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham took over Abu Jarif from the Syrian forces (the Tiger Forces, under the command of Suhail Hassan). The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham reported that weapons, ammunition and military equipment had been seized (Ibaa, January 16, 2020).
• In response, the Syrian army initiated a night operation, following which the rebel organizations retreated from several villages in the area of Abu Jarif (SANA, January 16, 2020). However, on January 17, 2020, the battles resumed and Abu Jarif was recaptured by the rebel organizations (updated to January 20, 2020).
• Exchanges of artillery fire during the fighting caused fatalities on both sides. It was also reported that Russian fighter jets attacked targets in the combat zone (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, January 17, 2020). The Syrian army thwarted several local attacks of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and other rebel organizations along the front in the rural area southeast of Idlib (Al-Watan, January 20, 2020).

Fighting in the Abu Dafna area

• On January 20, 2020, the Syrian army thwarted an attack by the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham in the Abu Dafna area, 13 km east of Maarat Nu’man (about 30 km southwest of Idlib). Before the attack, the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham fired rockets. The Syrian regime announced that the attack had been thwarted and that the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and the other rebel organizations sustained several fatalities (Syrian TV, January 20, 2020).

Fighting in the area of Tell Musitaf

• On January 20, 2020, the Syrian forces attempted to advance towards Tell Musitaf, near Abu Jarif (east of the Abu ad-Duhur airfield). The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham reported that its operatives had managed to halt the Syrian advance and that the Syrian forces had sustained over 30 fatalities (Ibaa, January 21, 2020).

Statement of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham on the killing of six Russian soldiers

• The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham stated that during the fighting southeast of Idlib, six Russian soldiers were killed, including an officer and a media official (Ibaa, January 17, 2020). According to Syrian media, the Russian soldiers were staying at an operations room east of Idlib, along with Syrian soldiers, and were killed by artillery fire at the operations room (according to another version, the operations room was attacked by operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and other rebel organizations) (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights; Edlib Media Center, January 18, 2020). For the time being, there is no confirmation for the above information from Russian sources.

UAV attack against the Hmeymim Russian airbase thwarted

• On the evening of January 19, 2020, three rebel organizations’ UAVs which took off from the Idlib region attempted to attack the Hmeymim Russian airbase. The aircraft were intercepted by the airbase air defense system. In recent months, dozens of UAVs were sent to attack the Hmeymim airbase but all of them were intercepted (SANA, January 19, 2020; TASS, January 20, 2020).

Flee of Idlib residents prevented

• According to reports by Syrian sources, operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and other rebel organizations continue to prevent residents in the area under their control from fleeing through the three humanitarian crossings opened for them by the Syrian regime (Khotwa, January 12, 2020). In the morning of January 20, 2020, dozens of families were reportedly trying to reach one of the crossings (Al-Hobait) but “terrorist organizations” shot at them (Syrian TV, January 20, 2020). It should be recalled that on January 12, 2020, the Syrian army spread leaflets calling on residents of the Idlib region to evacuate through the three humanitarian crossings.

The Euphrates Valley

The area of Al-Mayadeen and Albukamal

In the area of Al-Mayadeen and Albukamal, ISIS’s intensive activity against the Syrian army and the SDF continued. Noteworthy ISIS activity this week was an ambush for a Syrian army convoy in the Deir ez-Zor area. A total of 14 soldiers and an officer were reportedly killed and several others wounded. In addition, ISIS’s attacks continued in the routine modus operandi: the activation of IEDs, shooting at vehicles and convoys, attacks against outposts, and targeted killings.

Ambush for a Syrian army convoy

• On January 14, 2020, a Syrian army convoy was ambushed by ISIS operatives in the Deir ez-Zor area. The operatives activated several IEDs and exchanged fire with the Syrian soldiers. According to ISIS’s report, 14 soldiers and an officer were killed and several others were wounded. The operatives seized weapons, ammunition, and military equipment (Telegram, January 15, 2020).

Additional ISIS attacks

• Following are noteworthy ISIS attacks in the area of Al-Mayadeen and Albukamal (mainly according to ISIS’s claims of responsibility):
  • On January 19, 2020, an IED was activated against an SDF vehicle 14 km north of Al-Mayadeen. The passengers were wounded (Telegram, January 19, 2020).
  • On January 19, 2020, ISIS operatives attacked Syrian army outposts in the Al-Mayadeen area, wounding 19 Syrian soldiers (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, January 19, 2020).
  • On January 19, 2020, SDF fighters were attacked 14 km north of Al-Mayadeen. Several SDF fighters were killed or wounded (Telegram, January 20, 2020).
  • On January 19, 2020, two SDF fighters were shot and wounded about 20 km north of Al-Mayadeen (Telegram, January 20, 2020).
  • On January 18, 2020, an IED was activated against an SDF convoy 20 km south of Deir ez-Zor. Fighters in one of the vehicles were killed (Telegram, January 19, 2020).
  • On January 17, 2020, the vehicle of an SDF intelligence commander was targeted by machine gun fire 9 km north of Al-Mayadeen. The commander and two of his escorts were wounded (Telegram, January 17, 2020).
  • On January 17, 2020, a Syrian soldier was shot and killed about 20 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen (Telegram, January 18, 2020).
  • On January 16, 2020, a truck carrying SDF fighters was targeted by machine gun fire 8 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Two SDF fighters were killed (Telegram, January 16, 2020).
  • On January 16, 2020, an SDF fighter was targeted by machine gun fire 14 km north of Al-Mayadeen. He was killed (Telegram, January 16, 2020).
  • On January 16, 2020, an SDF checkpoint was targeted by machine gun fire 14 km north of Al-Mayadeen. Two SDF fighters were wounded (Telegram, January 16, 2020).
  • On January 16, 2020, an IED was activated against a vehicle carrying SDF fighters about 20 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. An SDF commander and five fighters were killed (Telegram, January 16, 2020).
  • On January 14, 2020, an IED was activated against a vehicle carrying SDF fighters 8 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Four SDF fighters were killed (Telegram, January 15, 2020).
  • On January 14, 2020, a vehicle carrying two SDF intelligence commanders was targeted by machine gun fire 14 km north of Al-Mayadeen. One of the commanders was killed and the other was wounded (Telegram, January 15, 2020).

Northeastern Syria

Al-Hasakah

Data on the Al-Hol displaced persons camp

• On January 13, 2020, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published data on the Al-Hol displaced persons camp (approximately 40 km east of Al-Hasakah): 66,101 people (18,208 households) currently live at the camp; 46% are Iraqi; 39% are Syrian; and 15% are citizens of other countries. The population of the camp has dropped somewhat due to the return of some of its residents to areas where they used to live. This is in accordance with the agreements in which tribal leaders gave guarantees (OCHA, January 13, 2020).

The arrival of displaced families from the Al-Hol camp to the Deir ez-Zor region

• On January 21, 2020, a total of 250 families from the Al-Hol displaced persons camp arrived in Deir ez-Zor. According to Kurdish internal security forces, the families were released in coordination with the tribal leaders (Deir ez-Zor 24, January 21, 2020).

The Iraqi arena

ISIS activity

In Iraq, there was an increase in the scope of ISIS’s activity this week. The two most noteworthy events this week were the detonation of a parked car bomb and the activation of an IED against an Iraqi army convoy near the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia (10 fatalities in the two incidents) (Telegram, January 16, 2020). In addition, ISIS’s routine activity continued: firing at vehicles and convoys; attacking camps and facilities of the Popular Mobilization and the Iraqi security forces; and targeted killings. Following are details of ISIS’s activity in the various provinces in Iraq over the past week (mainly according to ISIS’s claims of responsibility).

Diyala Province

• On January 15, 2020, ISIS operatives attacked a camp of the Popular Mobilization about 50 km north of Baqubah. One fighter was killed (Telegram, January 17, 2020).

Salah al-Din Province

• On January 16, 2020, an IED was activated against a Tribal Mobilization vehicle about 100 km west of Kirkuk. Two Tribal Mobilization operatives were wounded (Telegram, January 17, 2020).
• On January 13, 2020, an attack was carried out against operatives of the Peace Brigades^[1] Shiite militia about 50 km north of Baghdad. Three fighters were killed and six others were wounded, including an officer (Telegram, January 15, 2020).

Kirkuk Province

• On January 17, 2020, an Iraqi intelligence “agent” was shot and killed southwest of Kirkuk (Telegram, January 18, 2020).
• On January 15, 2020, an Iraqi police “agent” was targeted by machine gun fire southwest of Kirkuk. He was killed (Telegram, January 17, 2020).

Erbil Province

• On January 15, 2020, an IED was activated against a Tribal Mobilization vehicle about 60 km southwest of Erbil. The Tribal Mobilization fighter was wounded (Telegram, January 16, 2020).

Al-Anbar Province

• On January 16, 2020, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle near the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Four soldiers were killed (Telegram, January 16, 2020).
• On January 15, 2020, a parked car bomb was detonated against an Iraqi army convoy near the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Six soldiers were killed. Four other soldiers were wounded, including two officers. Two vehicles were destroyed (Telegram, January 16, 2020).

   
Right: The Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia (Google Maps). Left: Detonation of a car bomb against an Iraqi army convoy (Telegram, January 16, 2020)

Baghdad Province

• On January 16, 2020, an IED was activated against an Iraqi army vehicle about 20 km southeast of Baghdad. The passengers were killed or wounded (Telegram, January 17, 2020).

Counterterrorist activities by the Iraqi security forces and the Popular Mobilization

• The Nineveh police force arrested a senior ISIS operative codenamed Abu Abd al-Bari southwest of Mosul. The operative served as ISIS’s Mufti and was in charge of Islamic law (sharia) at the time when Mosul was under ISIS’s control. As part of his duties in Mosul, the Mufti published a number of fatwas (religious rulings) calling for the execution of Muslim scholars and clerics who refrained from pledging allegiance to ISIS. In addition, he issued a fatwa containing orders to blow up the Nabi Younes Mosque^[2] (SecMedCell Facebook page, which belongs to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, January 16, 2020).

     
ISIS’s sharia official in Mosul when it was under ISIS’s control, who was arrested by the Iraqi police (Orient News, January 17, 2020)

• Additional activity by the Iraqi security forces:
  • In Al-Anbar Province, members of the counterterrorism apparatus detained ISIS’s security officer in the Fallujah sector (Al-Sumaria, January 19, 2020).
  • An Iraqi army force raided a hiding place of ISIS operatives about 30 km north of Baghdad. The forces exchanged fire for about four hours. All the ISIS operatives were killed. One of those killed was identified as Sayf Faisal, AKA Abu Ishaq, a senior ISIS military operative north of Baghdad (SecMedCell Facebook page, which belongs to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, January 17, 2020).
  • An Iraqi army force located an ISIS guesthouse about 60 km north of Baghdad. The guesthouse contained IEDs, food, and medical equipment. Another force located 16 IEDs left by ISIS about 120 km north of Baghdad (Iraqi News Agency, January 19, 2020).

The Sinai Peninsula

• ISIS operatives captured a person in the vicinity of Sheikh Zuweid who they claimed was an “agent” of the Egyptian army. He was later executed. A video released by ISIS includes a “confession” by the “agent” stating that he provided his handler, an Egyptian Border Police intelligence officer, with reports on a number of IEDs, smuggling and other activities in the Sheikh Zuweid area (Akhbar al-Muslimeen, January 15, 2020).

Counterterrorism and preventive activity

Dagestan

• On January 18, 2020, at a meeting of the counter-terrorism commission in Dagestan, Igor Sirotkin, head of the Central Office of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC), announced that Russian law enforcement agencies had uncovered 11 ISIS sleeper cells in 2019. These cells included 30 that operated in the Dagestan area. The cells operated in various regions throughout Dagestan, including in the capital Makhachkala and other major cities (TASS, January 18, 2020).

The activity of ISIS’s provinces in Africa and Asia

Nigeria

• This week, ISIS carried out intensive activity in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. Following are the main attacks for which ISIS’s West Africa Province claimed responsibility:
  • On January 14, 2020, ISIS operatives attacked a Nigerian army checkpoint about 40 km west of the city of Maiduguri. Three soldiers were killed and the rest fled. Weapons and ammunition were seized (Telegram, January 16, 2020).
  • On January 16, 2020, a Christian civilian was taken prisoner in Auno, about 20 km west of Maiduguri. ISIS’s Amaq News Agency released a video documenting the execution, which was carried out by a masked boy. Before the execution, the boy made statements condemning Christians: “This is a Christian … And we say to Christians: We have not forgotten what you did to our fathers and grandfathers. We tell Christians around the world, all of them down to the last of them, we shall not forget and we shall not stop until we avenge all the blood that was spilled” (Telegram, January 18, 2020).
  • On January 17, 2020, two Nigerian soldiers were killed in an ambush southwest of the city of Maiduguri and several other soldiers were wounded. In addition, weapons and ammunition were seized (Telegram, January 19, 2020).
  • On January 18, 2020, there were clashes between ISIS operatives and a Nigerian army patrol at a roadblock southwest of Maiduguri. Several soldiers were killed or wounded (Telegram, January 19, 2020).

• On January 19, 2020, an attack was carried out against a Nigerian army headquarters in the town of Geidem, about 30 km southwest of the border between Nigeria and Niger. The forces exchanged fire. Several Nigerian soldiers were killed or wounded (Telegram, January 20, 2020).

Somalia

• On January 21, 2020, an ISIS operative shot and killed the former mayor of Kandala (a port city located on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, in northeastern Somalia) (Telegram, January 21, 2020).

Yemen

• On January 19, 2020, ISIS operatives attacked Houthi positions in the northwestern Al-Bayda Province (about 100 km southeast of Sana’a). The forces exchanged fire. Two Houthi fighters were captured by ISIS and the rest fled. In addition, weapons and ammunition were seized (Telegram, January 20, 2020).
• On January 20, 2020, an attack was carried out against a Houthi position in the northwestern Al-Bayda Province. According to ISIS, the Houthi operatives fled, weapons and ammunition were seized, and several compounds were set on fire (Telegram, January 21, 2020).

    
Right: Houthi compounds in the northwestern part of the Al-Bayda Province set on fire by ISIS operatives. Weapons and ammunition that were seized (Telegram, January 21, 2020).

^[1] A militia operating as part of the Popular Mobilization and headed by cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. ↑
^[2] A mosque in Mosul that was blown up by ISIS in July 2014. ↑

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