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On 27 August 2023, Islamic State (IS) insiders reported a shooting incident near the al-Sina’a Prison facility in the Ghuweiran Neighborhood, al-Hasakah. It was further reported that an unspecified number of IS militants escaped from the facility, compelling the SDF (often referred to as PKK by Islamic State) to issue high alert for the security and military forces in the city. The alert coincides with the demand for the residents to close all shops and stay at home.
However, in an interesting turn of events, it came to light that SDF forces had arrested the leader of the Deir Ezzor Military Council, Rashid Abu Khawla (aka Habil Abu Khawla and Ahmad al-Khabil Abu Khawla) along with Abu Harit al-Shuaiti and Abu Jabr al-Shuaiti. There were reports coming into TRAC were that prior to getting detained, Abu Khawla had ordered his subordinates to start an uprising in Deir Ezzor, if he was detained for any reason. Meanwhile, SDF cut the internet services in Deir Ezzor in an effort to contain the uprising.
It was further reported that Abu Khawla's brother, Adham al-Khabil, threatened to release all Islamic State detainees if the SDF didn’t release his brother. Moreover, it was clarified by the council members that Abu Khawla went to al-Hasakah for negotiations with SDF, however, he ended up being detained instead.
This instigated clashes between both parties in the settlements of al-Izba and al-Hussein. The clashes went on for hours and are still ongoing at the time of this writing. In an effort to take advantage of the other, both parties sought to block roads and attack headquarters and security checkpoints. SDF has reportedly called for large reinforcements from al-Hasakah.
To cover up these internal clashes, the SDF described this as an operation against Islamic State and various smugglers in the region and reportedly managed to detain about 50 people. There are unconfirmed reports of the Syrian Army (SAA) preparing to join forces with the military council against the SDF. It should be noted that the US has not released any statement regarding the incident yet.
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TRAC Insight:
Niger Since the Coup
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Map of Events from 26 July 2023 – 20 August 2023 | |
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Following the coup that took place in Niger on 26 July 2023, there has been no shortage of notable developments in the country. The Russian PMC group Wagner has been called in for protection, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has repeatedly threatened military intervention, and militants from Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), Islamic State of the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) have continued their activity in their respective regions.
The PMC Wagner is becoming more and more pervasive all across Africa, with a particular interest in the gold and uranium laden West Africa. Wagner has a reputation for closing power vacuums fighting militant groups, making it the first choice for African States disaffected by the traditional Western presence i.e. France. The Niger Junta itself has allegedly requested the assistance of Wagner in their efforts to secure the state. Despite the recently reported death of Wagner leader Prigozhin, alongside several high-ranking commanders, Wagner’s role in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is unlikely to change. It is TRAC’s confident assessment that leadership decapitation is neither effective in terrorist group dismantling nor does it adversely affect PMC operations.
ECOWAS continues to threaten military intervention in Niger as well. Military action has been threatened since the beginning of the coup in late July 2023, with little action actually being taken. It is also to be noted that the nations who are doing the sabre-rattling are those like Nigeria, who are plagued with considerable militant issues at home that they are unable to address, making these threats appear empty in the face of the Niger Military assisted by Wagner.
Lastly, Niger has the unique issue in West Africa of being attacked on almost all sides by differing militant groups. ISWA, ISGS and JNIM all converge in Niger and this coupled with the fact that ISGS and JNIM are on the opposite sides of the country from ISWA is a recipe for disaster, as Niger forces are spread far too thin in attempting to address them effectively.
It should be noted that in regards to militant activity, considering the lockdown of the Niger-Nigeria border due to the coup, only one attack has occurred in the Diffa region, where the Nigerian based ISWA is active. It should be expected that if the border lockdown continues to occur between the two nations, the Diffa region of Niger will see less attacks in comparison to the Tillaberi region.
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TRAC Incident Report:
People Defence Forces (PDF) Militants Ambushed
Pyu Saw Htee Elements, a Pro-Junta Militia, near Pakokku,
Magway Region, Myanmar
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Weapons that were confiscated in the ambush. | |
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On 25 August 2023 at approximately 6:00 am local time, People’s Defense Forces (PDF) ambushed militants of Pyu Saw Htee, a pro-Junta militia. The assault took place between the Sin Chong and Gwe Cho villages near Pakokku, Magway region. It was reported that six Puy Saw Htee militia members were killed, and PDF militants seized 5 rifles after the assault.
Since the start of Myanmar’s Civil War, a number of actors have developed and benefited from the country’s growing instability. The PDF have been extremely active in the nation with the military Junta establishment being their main target. The PDF was very active in the past week, with two of their attacks being reported close to Monywa. The Pyu Saw Htee militia is a loosely organized network of pro-military and pro-junta locals; however, it should be noted that the group is not usually targeted by a PDF militants.
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TRAC Incident Report:
Suspected Islamic State East Asia (ISEA)-Pattani Militants Carry Out a Double Tap Bombing and Shooting on a Police Station,
Yarang District, Pattani, Thailand
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Image of the aftermath of the double-tap bombing attack. | |
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On 28 August 2023, at 10:50pm local time, gunmen conducted a double-tap attack on a police station by detonating an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), followed by a firearm assault, resulting in the death of one policeman and two defense volunteers as well as the injury of five other police officers.
The assailants first detonated the IED which hit a driving-by patrol consisting of a police pick-up, a police motorcyclist, and a motorcycle with two defense volunteers, before continuing the assault with firearms. Notably, the militants destroyed a number of electric poles with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which falls in line with the Islamic State (IS) economic warfare strategy, resulting in power outages in the nearby Rawaeng and Krado sub-districts.
Although Islamic State Central Command has never officially recognized its presence in Thailand, TRAC contends that this attack is the work of Islamic State East Asia (ISEA)-Pattani and comes on the same day that Thai authorities announced their decision to extend the emergency decree in force in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat for another three months, from 20 September to 19 December, due to the security instability affecting the said areas of the country.
Of note, although unrelated, a similar attack was carried out on the same day by Maute and BIFF Islamic State East Asia (ISEA) extremists in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines.
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TRAC Video Report:
Turkish Defense Ministry Released a Video of an Airborne Strike on a Kurdistan Worker’s Party’s (PKK) Hideout in Northern Iraq
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TRAC Incident Report:
Al-Shabaab Captured Three Military Outposts in Double Tap SVBIED and Armed Assault, Killing 178 Somali Soldiers, Near Oswein, Galguduud, Galmudug Somalia
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