Weekly Analyst Review

28 December 2022

TRAC Insight:

Instructional Advice by

Aryan Freedom Network (AFN):

"How To Flyer Drop"

Image: Partial screenshot of an AFN recruitment flyer.

Dropping propaganda flyers in driveways is a mainstay of Ku Klux Klan (KKK) activity, but other groups like The Aryan Freedom Network (AFN) are soaring in attempts to recruit new supporters who are willing to conduct massive flyer drops around the United States.

Unlike other White Nationalists organizations, the AFN strives to support white nationalism globally and not divide – including neo-Confederate, National Socialist, Ku Klux Klan, racist skinhead, and other white nationalist organizations and platforms. While the group specifically espouses Christian Identity ideals and theories, it maintains that any white-power activism is legitimate and that these groups must cooperate rather than fight amongst each other in order to ‘save’ the white race.

Of particular note in the disseminated instruction was the contradictory advice of wearing gloves to fold flyers (so fingerprints cannot be detected) but tell the police (if caught) that it is your “constitutional right” to spread opinions on race.

TRAC Incident Report:

Over 900 Maoist Supporters and Militants Surrendered

in Malkangiri, Odisha, India

Image:  Purportedly some of the 900 Maoist supporters and militants who surrendered

On 20 December 2022, purportedly 907 Maoist supporters, to include 467 active militias surrendered in Malkangiri, Odisha.

Those who surrendered expressed symbolic opposition to the Maoist groups by burning uniforms and effigies of Maoists and giving slogans “Maobadi Murdabad, Ama Sarkar Jindabad.”

The number of surrendered Maoists and Naxalites are increasing, with reports of 700 Maoist supporters surrendering in September and another 600 in November. According to police reports, the total number of surrendered Maoist supporters to date is well over 2,000.

The mass surrender shows not only a fall in the activities of leftist extremist groups in India but also a possibility of deteriorating living conditions for the Maoist. Facts and figures that were presented in the Parliament of India by the Home ministry clearly show the same fall in Maoists and Naxalite activities. Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai pointed out a decrease in incidents from 2,213 in 2010 to 509 in 2021. That said, TRAC estimates only 300 or so fighters depicted in the surrender "evidence" photos offered up by the Indian government not 900 fighters.

TRAC Incident Report:

Ghana Says Russian PMC Wagner Group Given Rights To a

Mine as Payment For Their Services in Southern Burkina Faso

Image: Logo of the PMC Wagner Group

The president of Ghana alleges that Burkina Faso has made payment to Russian PMC Wagner Group mercenaries by giving them the rights to a mine in Southern Burkina Faso. While Burkina Faso's government has not formally confirmed or denied the allegation, the country's mines Minister has denied the allegation. Further, the government summoned the Ghanaian ambassador for a meeting on 23 December 2022 to explain the Ghanian president’s remarks, amidst an attempted coup in Ghana.

Wagner, known for committing war crimes in Mali, works with the government in so-called CTOs, which is really a euphemism for the PMC being actively involved in the killing and kidnapping of innocent civilians.

Armed groups like Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) often come in to areas hunting Wagner forces in retaliation for attacks on civilians. Locals also have an entrenched hatred of Wagner and often support JNIM and ISGS killing Wagner forces.

The same situation will eventually unfold in Burkina Faso, despite a current love and admiration for Russia from Russian propaganda in the region.

The gold mines in the Sahel are some of the most lucrative in the world and international companies continue to operate them despite the danger they pose to the workers. The Essakane gold mine in Sahel region of Burkina Faso (owned by a Canadian company) and the Endeavour Mine in Tapoa Province, Burkina (owned by a British company) are the most lucrative in the region and frequently targeted by armed groups.

TRAC Incident Report: Albanian Citizen Found in Possession of Weapons and 1kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Arrested for Allegedly Plotting an Attack, Bujanovac, Pčinja District, Preševo Valley, Serbia

TRAC Incident Report: Unknown Mazars of Baluchistan Armed Assault Targeting an Iranian Police Vehicle in Zahedan, Sistan & Baluchistan (Balochistan), Iran

 TRAC Incident Report: Far-Right Bolsonarist, George Washington de Oliveira Sousa, Arrested for Intending to Detonate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Near Brasilia Airport, Santarém, State of Pará (PA), Brazil