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מ"למ( ןיעידומה תשרומל זכרמה ) רורטלו ןיעידומל עדימה זכרמ

מ"למ( ןיעידומה תשרומל זכרמה ) רורטלו ןיעידומל עדימה זכרמ

Main events of the week Following are the main developments in the Syrian arena:

In the ITIC’s assessment, the SDF forces have finished mopping up the Al-

Baghouz area from the presence of ISIS operatives. The ISIS operatives who had

remained in tunnels, trenches and caves have reportedly turned themselves in to the

SDF. ISIS’s guerrilla activity in the Syrian arena is now concentrated in the areas of

Al-Mayadeen and Deir ez-Zor.

In the Idlib area, exchanges of fire continue between the Syrian army and the

Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and other jihadi organizations. During the

past week, the intensity of the Syrian army’s artillery fire at the rebel organizations

seemingly increased.

In the Al-Sukhnah area, ISIS released a video showing the bodies of two Russian

officers and a captive Syrian soldier. The video apparently shows the aftermath of an

ambush set by ISIS operatives for a Syrian-Russian convoy on the road leading from Al-

Sukhnah to Deir ez-Zor (March 17, 2019).

On April 8 and 9, 2019, ISIS’s various provinces in Syria, Iraq, and around the world carried

out a series of carefully timed attacks of various types in revenge for the blow suffered

by ISIS in Syria. The attacks were accompanied by an extensive media campaign. Retaliatory

attacks are known to have been carried out in Syria, Iraq, the Sinai Peninsula, Libya, Somalia,

and West Africa (Note: After this bulletin was issued, there were additional reports of dozens

of attacks carried out by ISIS around the world as part of its vengeance campaign). In the

ITIC’s assessment, the attacks and the media campaign accompanying them were

coordinated and orchestrated by ISIS’s leadership to convey a resounding message that

despite ISIS’s defeat in Syria, ISIS remains “on the map” and possesses not

inconsiderable operational capabilities in Syria, Iraq, and around the world.

Spotlight on Global Jihad April 4-10, 2019

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At the same time, the “routine” activity of ISIS’s provinces throughout the world continued:

the Iraq Province carried out attacks in various parts of northern and western Iraq,

especially ambushes and sniper fire at Iraqi security forces; East Asia Province operatives

continue to clash with the Philippine army in the south of the country; ISIS operatives in the

West Africa Province (which shows signs of being ISIS’s most active province) carried out

attacks against the Nigerian army, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating in

the region, and the Cameroonian army; Yemen Province operatives continued to clash with

Al-Qaeda operatives in the Al-Bayda region; and the Khorasan Province detonated two IEDs

near a National Security Directorate checkpoint in Jalalabad.

The Idlib area Exchanges of fire continue between the Syrian army and the jihadi rebel organizations

This week as well, exchanges of fire continued between the Syrian army and the

Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and other jihadi rebel organizations. According to

reports by the Syrian army and the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, the Syrian

army has seemingly intensified its artillery fire, whereas the rebels are less active.

Following are the main incidents:

Militias affiliated with the Syrian army fired at the city of Maarat Numan and

several villages in its vicinity. It was reported that in the village of Kafr Nubl, 9 km

southwest of Maarat Numan, a total of 15 residents were killed and dozens were

wounded (Nidaa Suriya, April 4, 2019; Al-Arabiya, April 4, 2019; Ibaa, April 5, 2019).

Militias affiliated with the Syrian army fired artillery at several villages about 20-30 km

north of Hama (Ibaa, April 5, 2019).

Right: Damage caused by the attack of the militias affiliated with the Syrian army at the village of Kafr Nubl (Al-Arabiya, April 4, 2019). Left: Syrian army artillery fire at targets of the Headquarters

for the Liberation of Al-Sham in the rural area south of Idlib (SANA, April 6, 2019)

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The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham announced that it had fired an

antitank missile at a Syrian army force about 50 km south of Idlib, causing the Syrian

army many losses (Ibaa, April 4, 2019). The rebel organizations fired rockets and

artillery at a compound of Suheil Hassan’s forces (the “Tiger” forces), on the border of

the Idlib Province (with the Hama Province). Five fighters of the “Tiger” forces were

killed (Nidaa Suriya, April 4, 2019). The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham

fired mortar shells at Syrian army forces and militias supporting them about 8 km south

of Aleppo (Ibaa, April 7, 2019).

Right: Firing a mortar shell by the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham at forces of the

Syrian army and militias supporting it south of Aleppo (Ibaa, April 7, 2019). Left: Funeral of fighters of the “Tiger” forces (Nidaa Suriya, April 4, 2019)

Incidents between the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham and ISIS

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that on the night of April 6-7, 2019,

“anonymous militants” had attacked a command post of the Headquarters for the Liberation

of Al-Sham in the village of Salqin, near the Syrian-Turkish border (about 30 km northwest of

Idlib). The attackers exchanged fire with the security guards of the command post, launched

a rocket and then fled the scene (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, April 7, 2019). So far,

no organization claimed responsibility for the attack, but it was probably ISIS.

On April 7, 2019, the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham carried out extensive

searches for ISIS operatives in the village of Sarmin, about 7 km east of Idlib. Several people

were detained. It was reported that recently, the security apparatus of the Headquarters for

the Liberation of Al-Sham detained relatives of ISIS sleeper cell operatives to pressure the

operatives to turn themselves in (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, April 7, 2019).

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Eastern Syria Report on the completion of mopping up the Al-Baghouz area by SDF

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 12 days after the International

Coalition and the SDF forces had officially declared victory over ISIS in Al-Baghouz (on March

23, 2019), there were no longer ISIS operatives in the area. All ISIS operatives remaining in

tunnels, trenches and caves turned themselves in. They surrendered after several days,

during which the SDF forces searched the area and International Coalition fighter jets carried

out airstrikes killing dozens of ISIS operatives. It was also reported that the fate of thousands

of abductees was not clear – it is unknown whether they were executed or transferred to

another site (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, April 4, 2019).

Smuggling ISIS operatives from Al-Baghouz to the eastern As-Suwayda Province According to the American Foreign Policy magazine, several sources in the As-Suwayda

Province claim that over 1,500 ISIS operatives, most of them armed, were smuggled from

Al-Baghouz through the Syrian Desert to the eastern part of the As-Suwayda Province.

They were reportedly smuggled by the Iranian-affiliated militias controlling this route, in

return for money. The smuggled ISIS operatives are posing a threat to the US army base in

the Al-Tanf area, near the tri-border area between Syria, Iraq, and Jordan (Foreign Policy,

April 3, 2019).

Killing two Russian soldiers and capturing a Syrian soldier in the Al-Sukhnah region ISIS released a video showing the bodies of two Russian officers and a Syrian soldier taken

prisoner in the Homs Desert (the Al-Sukhnah region). It appears that on March 17, 2019, ISIS

operatives set up an ambush for a Syrian-Russian convoy on the road between Al-Sukhnah

and Deir ez-Zor. ISIS claimed at the time that six Russian soldiers and 19 Syrian soldiers were

killed in exchanges of fire which lasted for several hours (Amaq news agency via Telegram,

April 7, 2019; Shabakat Shumukh, March 21, 2019; Syrian TV, March 19, 2019).

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Right: The captive Syrian soldier. Left: The body of one of the Russian officers (Telegram, April 7, 2019)

Northeastern Syria ISIS guerrilla attacks in the Euphrates Valley

This week as well, ISIS continued its guerrilla activity against the SDF forces in the

Euphrates Valley, in the Al-Mayadeen and Deir ez-Zor areas. Following are the main attacks:

Shooting attack against a vehicle about 8 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. Ten SDF

fighters were killed and wounded and the vehicle was destroyed (announcement by

the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr Region, Akhbar Al-Muslimeen, April 4, 2019).

Detonation of an IED against an SDF vehicle about 16 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen.

Four SDF fighters were wounded and the vehicle was damaged (Akhbar al-Muslimeen,

April 4, 2019).

Shooting at an SDF roadblock about 8 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. ISIS operatives

exchanged fire with an SDF force and also detonated an IED against the building at the

site. The building was destroyed and three SDF fighters were killed (Shabakat

Shumukh, April 5, 2019).

Detonation of an IED against an SDF vehicle near the Al-Jufra oil field, about 24 km

east of Deir ez-Zor. The vehicle sustained damage (Shabakat Shumukh, April 5, 2019).

Killing an SDF fighter about 65 km north of Deir ez-Zor (Al-Sham Province – Al-

Hasakah Region, Shabakat Shumukh, April 5, 2017). Recently, there were no ISIS claims

of responsibility found in this region.

Detonation of a motorcycle bomb near an SDF checkpoint at the square of the village

of Al-Hassan, on the east bank of the Euphrates, about 4 km north of Deir ez-Zor (Deir

ez-Zor 24, April 6, 2019). In the ITIC's assessment, the attack was carried out by ISIS.

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Shooting attack against an SDF fighter about 9 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. An SDF

fighter was killed (Al-Sham – Al-Khayr Province, as published by the Drexl

Spivey@RisboLensky Twitter account, April 7, 2019).

Shooting attack against SDF fighters about 20 km southeast of Deir ez-Zor, killing two

SDF fighters (Amaq, as published by the Drexl Spivey@RisboLensky Twitter account,

April 7, 2019).

Thwarting of an ISIS suicide bombing attack against a checkpoint at the entrance to a

village 4 km north of Deir ez-Zor. An ISIS suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt tried

to approach the checkpoint, but a Kurdish Internal Security force stopped him. The

suicide bomber detonated the explosive belt before arriving at the checkpoint. There

were no casualties (ANHA, April 7, 2019).

Areas where ISIS carried out terrorist attacks in the Euphrates Valley over the past week (Google Maps)

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Main developments in Iraq ISIS’s terrorist and guerrilla activity

Following are highlights of ISIS’s terrorist attacks in the past week (based on ISIS’s claims of

responsibility):

Nineveh Province: A sticky bomb was detonated against an Iraqi army vehicle in the

eastern part of the city of Mosul, killing an Iraqi soldier and destroying the vehicle

(Shabakat Shumukh, April 5, 2019).

Nineveh Province: A hand grenade was thrown at an Iraqi army checkpoint in the

eastern part of Mosul. Two Iraqi soldiers were wounded (Shabakat Shumukh, April 5,

2019).

Al-Anbar Province: An ambush was set up against a Tribal Mobilization force west of

Al-Rutba, near the Tarbil border crossing between Iraq and Jordan. Nine people,

including an officer, were killed and wounded (Shabakat Shumukh, April 5, 2019).

Diyala Province: Sniper shooting at the village of Al-Hamirat, about 15 km southeast

of Baqubah. Two Iraqi army soldiers were killed (Shabakat Shumukh, April 7, 2019).

Diyala Province: Sniper shooting at Iraqi army soldiers in the Khanaqin District,

about 102 km northeast of Baqubah. One soldier was wounded (Shabakat Shumukh,

April 7, 2019).

Counterterrorist activities by the Iraqi security forces

Following are the main counterterrorist activities carried out by the Iraqi security forces:

Salah al-Din Province: In an ambush set up at the northern entrance to the city of

Tikrit, the Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate detained an ISIS senior operative (his

name was not mentioned) (Al-Sumaria, April 4, 2019).

Kirkuk Province: The Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman reported that the Iraqi

security forces had killed 14 ISIS operatives southwest of the town of Daquq (Iraqi News

Agency, April 5, 2019).

Salah al-Din Province: The Peace Battalions Shiite militia announced that in the

southwestern Samarra District, fighters from its 4th Brigade had fired mortar shells,

killing three ISIS operatives (Al-Sumaria, April 5, 2019).

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Al-Anbar Province: During clashes 44 km northwest of Karbala, the Iraqi security

forces killed Suleiman Ahmad Madan, an ISIS senior figure who was in charge of

general logistics of the ISIS camps (Iraqi News Agency, April 6, 2019).

Kirkuk Province: The Iraqi Interior Ministry announced that Federal Police

intelligence teams had detained (the site was not mentioned) an ISIS commander who

had been in charge of ISIS’s guest houses in the Kirkuk area. Following his

investigation, his father, who had been in charge of ISIS’s guest houses in the Salah al-

Din Province, was also detained (Al-Sumaria, April 7, 2019).

Cooperation between the Iraqi government and the Kurds The Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman announced that the joint activity with the Kurdish

Peshmerga forces for uncovering ISIS sleeper cells was ongoing. The spokesman noted that

for this purpose, joint operations rooms were set up for both sides in Irbil and Baghdad (Iraqi

News Agency, April 5, 2019).

Attacks carried out by ISIS in its provinces around the world

On April 8 and 9, 2019, ISIS’s various provinces in Syria, Iraq, and around the world carried out

a series of large-scale operations in retaliation for the blow suffered by ISIS in Syria. These

operations were accompanied by a media campaign (which began on April 8, 2019), in which

“The Battle of Vengeance for Blessed Sham Wilayah” was declared in every region around

the world where ISIS has a presence. Retaliatory attacks are known to have been carried out

in Syria, Iraq, the Sinai Peninsula, Libya, Somalia and West Africa. In the ITIC’s assessment,

the attacks and the media campaign accompanying them were initiated by ISIS’s leadership.

The goal was to convey a resounding message that despite the organization’s defeat in

Syria, ISIS remains “on the map” and its various provinces possess not inconsiderable

operational capabilities.

Syria

In Syria, ISIS’s operations were concentrated in the Upper Euphrates and in the area of Al-

Raqqah, two areas where intensive guerrilla activity is being carried out. Revenge attacks

that were carried out:

Attacks against the SDF forces in the Al-Mayadeen area: killing a senior SDF

officer; the activation of IEDs against vehicles; attacks on checkpoints. According to

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ISIS’s announcements, many SDF operatives were killed and wounded in these attacks

(Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr, via Telegram, April 9, 2019).

Attacks against the SDF forces in the Al-Raqqah area: firing at a checkpoint;

detonation of IEDs against vehicles; shooting attack at a checkpoint and firing at

operatives. According to ISIS’s announcement, SDF operatives were killed and

wounded in these attacks, and vehicles were destroyed (Al-Sham Province – Al-Raqqah,

via Telegram, April 9, 2019).

Iraq

In the Iraqi arena, the following operations were carried out on April 8 and 9, 2019 (Iraq

Province – Al-Anbar, via Telegram, April 9, 2019):

IEDs were activated against two Iraqi army vehicles in central Al-Qaim, a city located

near the border with Syria. Eight Iraqi soldiers were killed and wounded.

The vehicle of an Iraqi Military Intelligence commander in Al-Qaim was blown up with

a sticky bomb. The commander was killed and the vehicle destroyed.

Attack on an Iraqi army headquarters near the border with Jordan. According to

ISIS’s announcement, 11 Iraqi soldiers were killed.

The Sinai Peninsula

Following are attacks in the Sinai Peninsula that were carried out as part of ISIS’s campaign

for vengeance:

Suicide bombing attack carried out by a suicide bomber who blew himself up at the

entrance to the open market in central Sheikh Zuweid. The explosion killed four

security personnel and two civilians. Around 26 people were wounded (Shabakat

Shumukh, France24, April 9, 2019).

Detonation of an IED against an Egyptian police armored vehicle near a checkpoint

in Rafah. According to ISIS’s announcement, the vehicle’s crew members were killed

and wounded (Shabakat Shumukh, April 9, 2019).

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Abu Hajer Al-Masri (i.e., the Egyptian), ISIS operative who carried out a suicide bombing attack in the city of Sheikh Zuweid (Shabakat Shumukh, April 9, 2019)

Detonation of an IED against an Egyptian army tank south of Al-Arish. According to

ISIS’s announcement, the tank crew members were killed (Shabakat Shumukh, April 9,

2019).

Sniper fire at an Egyptian army checkpoint on the international highway in Rafah. An

Egyptian soldier was killed (Shabakat Shumukh, April 9, 2019).

Libya Province

As part of the revenge attacks, the Libya Province – Barqa raided the town of Fuqaha in

central Libya (633 km southeast of Tripoli). ISIS operatives broke into homes and carried out

manhunts for those affiliated with Haftar’s army. The operatives killed the mayor and the

commander of the municipal guard. They also killed and captured several other people

affiliated with Haftar’s army and set fire to houses. ISIS announced that at the same time, its

operatives had carried out additional attacks in various areas (Amaq News Agency, Shabakat

Shumukh, April 9, 2019).

West Africa Province Niger

According to an announcement by ISIS’s West Africa Province, on April 8, 2019, as part of

the retaliation operations, its operatives fired several Grad rockets at the Diffa city airport

(southeast of Niger, near the border with Nigeria). Rockets were also fired at a Niger army

base near the airport. According to ISIS’s announcement, around 20 Niger army soldiers were

killed and wounded (West Africa Province, via Telegram, April 9, 2019).

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Somalia Province

According to an announcement by the Somalia Province, as part of the retaliation

operation, its operatives killed a Somali policeman near the city of Bosaso on the coast of the

Gulf of Aden (in northeastern Somalia) (ISIS’s Somalia Province, via Telegram, April 9, 2019).

The “routine” activity of ISIS’s provinces around the world

ISIS provinces around the world

East Asia Province

According to a report by ISIS’s East Asia Province, on April 4, 2019, its operatives killed and

wounded Philippine army soldiers in the Maguindanao Province on the island of Mindanao

in the southern Philippines (Shabakat Shumukh, April 5, 2019). According to Philippine

sources, heavy exchanges of fire took place between ISIS and the Philippine security forces in

the area on that day, and Ali Abd al-Malik was killed. He was the brother of Ismail Abd al-

Malik, ISIS’s leader on the island of Mindanao. The local ISIS-affiliated organization operating

in the region is called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, or BIFF

(mindanaoexaminer.com, April 4, 2019).

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Right: Maguindanao Province on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Its borders

are marked in red (Google Maps). Left: Patikul, located on the island of Sulu, is considered an integral part of the island of Mindanao (Google Maps).

Yemen Province

The frequency and intensity of the clashes between ISIS operatives and Al-Qaeda

operatives in the area of Al-Bayda continue to increase. ISIS’s media outlets reported that

the organization’s operatives had halted an attack by Al-Qaeda operatives and groups of

Yemeni army soldiers against ISIS positions in the northwestern part of the Al-Bayda Province

(around 110 km southeast of Sana’a). ISIS operatives killed 10 Al-Qaeda operatives and

Yemeni army soldiers (Yemen Province – Al-Bayda, via Telegram, April 7, 2019).

Khorasan Province

According to an announcement by ISIS’s Khorasan Province, its operatives planted two IEDs

at a checkpoint of the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) in the city of Jalalabad.

ISIS operatives detonated two IEDs among forces at the checkpoint. Fifteen members of the

forces were killed (Shabakat Shumukh, April 7, 2019). On the other hand, a spokesman for

the Governor of the Nangarhar Province announced that at least three civilians had been

killed and 19 others (11 civilians and eight military personnel) wounded in an explosion of two

roadside bombs in Jalalabad (Afghanistan Times, April 7, 2019).

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The scene of the attack in Jalalabad (YouTube, April 6, 2019)

East Asia Province

According to a report by ISIS’s East Asia Province, its operatives killed three Philippine army

soldiers and wounded 13 others in clashes with the Philippine army in the Patikul area on the

island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines (Shabakat Shumukh, April 5, 2019). Local

sources noted that heavy exchanges of fire took place there between the security forces and

around 80 operatives of the ISIS-affiliated Abu Sayyaf organization. Three soldiers and four

ISIS operatives were killed in the exchanges of fire. In addition, 22 soldiers and ISIS operatives

were wounded (straitstimes.com, April 5, 2019). On April 9, 2019, ISIS’s East Asia Province

announced that it had repelled an attack by the Philippine army near the city of Jolo, on the

island of Sulu (Shabakat Shumukh, April 9, 2019).

West Africa Province

Nigeria

According to an announcement by ISIS’s West Africa Province, on April 3, 2019, its

operatives set up an ambush for a Nigerian army force. The ambush was set up on the route

between the villages of Jakana and Minok, around 47 km west of the city of Maiduguri, in

northeastern Nigeria. In the clashes between the sides, several Nigerian army soldiers were

killed and wounded, and six military vehicles were destroyed (Shabakat Shumukh, April 5,

2019).

Niger

According to a report by the Amaq News Agency, an IED explosion destroyed vehicles of the

“African Coalition” (this is a reference to the MNJTF1) in southeastern Niger, about 2.5 km

from the border between Niger and Nigeria (Shabakat Shumukh, April 7, 2019). The MNJTF is

a multinational task force comprising military units from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and 1 MNJTF – Multinational Joint Task Force.

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Nigeria. The MNJTF headquarters is located in the capital of Chad. It was originally a Nigerian

force established in 1994. In April 2012, the force was given a mandate to carry out

counterterrorism operations (Wikipedia).

Cameroon

ISIS’s West Africa Province announced that its operatives had ambushed a Cameroonian

army force near the city of Fotokol, in northern Cameroon (near the border with Nigeria, in

northeastern Nigeria). In the clashes that took place, ISIS operatives used light, medium and

heavy weapons. According to ISIS’s West Africa Province, over 20 Cameroonian soldiers were

killed and wounded in the attack, and large quantities of weapons and equipment were

seized (Shabakat Shumukh, April 8, 2019).

The city of Fotokol, in northern Cameroon (Google Maps)