FOREWORD For three years Ukraine has been standing on This paper is about one more front line that the front line in the conflict with Russia. This Kremlin did not declare publicly to the world. front line stretches not only across the Crimean Russia traditionally has interests in the Middle Peninsula and Donbass but to other regions East and the Central Asia. The share of beyong Ukraine. Muslim population in Russia is still growing. Today Kremlin is trying to use elements of This process stimulates spreading of radical hybrid war everywhere: in Europe, Middle East, religious thoughts. Central Asia, North Africa and America. Such cocktail of internal problems and foreign Many people do not understand the motives, policy ambitions has reccessitated the policy or logic behind the actions, further steps. Often position of Russia. such strategy seems to be illogical, full of Now, we stand at the precipice of time, with emotions and unpredictable. But it is not like the Russian destructive aggression view. This that. Russia is pushed ahead by the desire to would ultimately spread to other parts of the restore the greatness of empire at any price. world. I hope this piece of work by Ukrainian This desire is multiplied by internal economic experts, specializing in Russian studies helps problems inside Russia. to provide a timely warning. For successful forecasting the future actions of the Kremlin, one should thoroughly investigate the lifestyle within the Russian Society, study the Sociopolitical undercurrents facilitating policies, and the mentality or reasonability of the Russian elites. In Ukraine, we know better we have lived to long under the reign of the Russian empire, and ultimately paid a high price for the knowledge acquired. Russian state establishment has got protests, especially among the local communication channels with main terrorist youth. It is also interested in the control groups in the Middle East and Central Asia over the Muslim community and its including Al Qaeda and ISIS, likely to be psycological condition. used by Kremlin to coordinate efforts in order to fulfill foreign and internal policy The process of detection and isolation goals. Through this channels Moscow of those believers who are ready to provides the outflow of radical elements follow radical Islamic ideology, Jihad from Russia to local conflict zones abroad and to join terrorist organizations, to minimize internal risks concerning the is the priority of Russian security The large territory of Muslims in the country. agencies. Muslim residence and their growing number make it impossible to use the standard practice of surveillance via agent network effectively. Thus,the authorities use the method of testing The US National Council on believer’s individual adherence to intelligence in its 2012 “Global trends radical Islam and views through 2030: Alternative worlds” report provocative propaganda in mosques considers the reduction in number that are under their control. of ethnic Russians and growth in the Nowadays, Russian authorities number of Muslims in the state to use radical Muslim ideology and be the main demographic challenge communication channels with for Russia. As of today, Russia has terrorist groups abroad to reduce approximately 20 million Muslims, their the number of extremist elements, number will increase by 19% by 2030. potential jihadists and supporters This trend will lead to the social tension of radical Islam inside Russia. The growth and ethic and religious conflicts Kremlin can minimize internal threats inside Russia. Damir Muhetdinov, through the export of fighters from the first deputy Head of Muslim’s radical Muslims areas of Russia Spiritual Administration of the Russian outside its boundaries. Federation claimed that in 2050 the President of Russia might be a Muslim Russian military and political leadership in view of the dominance of Muslim have resorted to the expelling of population. extremist elements out of the state borders in order to minimize the risks The situation and risks of violence within its territory and create trouble in Caucasus on the ISIS activity spots in other parts of the world, thus background in the Middle East, fulfilling its geopolitical and military extreme high unemployment rate in the tasks. Caucasus region, like Ingushetia (30.7% in August this year), Chechnya (17.1%) and Karachaevo-Cherkessia (15.2%) makes it vital for Kremlin to reduce threats and the level of tensions and
Russia’s communication and collaboration 4 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East RUSSIAN TIES WITH ISIS The Mufti Council of Russia, established in 1996, promotes radical ideology in communities under its control to detect the most dangerous or ready to jihad-ready-believers among the citizens. In 2008, a high profile case of the MCR publishing extremist literature took place in Russia. There are multiple proofs of the distribution of jihadist literature in mosques by the Council controlled Muftis. The adherence to radical Islam triggered the criticism of the Mufti Council of Russia by the media and even earned the opposition of several Muftis sticking with traditional Islam. Here are some examples of extremist activities of the MCR Muftis within the territory of Russia:
In November 2012, a case Haji Khudzhaev, the imam of On April 16, 2008, spreading of extremist the Ishim community of Muslim Ordzhonikidzevsky Ufa Court literatures was filed against Spiritual Directorate of Asian found Imam Said Baiburin Mufti Gabdoonur Kamalutdin, Part of Russia, was put on (Muslim Spiritual Directorate of who handed it over to a the international wanted list the Republic of Bashkortostan serviceman of one of the for crimes aimed at violent and member of the Council of military units in Kirov region. upheaval in Uzbekistan. Muftis of Russia) guilty of public calls for extremist activity. In December 2012, banned In 2004, Yusuf-Dmitriy literatures in the mosque of one Petrichenko, the imam of the On May 27, 2013, the court of of the settlements of Myrninsky village of Singhul Tatarsky Novosibirsk sentenced two district was confiscated from (Tyumen region), was charged imams of Muslim Spiritual Mufti Musa Sagov in Yakutia. with disseminating extremist Directorate of Asian Part of literature and preparing Russia, Ilkhom Merazhov and Musa Kamurzoev, the imam of terrorist attacks. Kamil Odilov to imprisonment the Chita mosque, recruited for extremist propaganda. into terrorist organizations On May 30, 2007, the city court (including military servicemen of Pyatigorsk found Abdulla- In July 2013, two imams of the of the Armed Forces of the Anton Stepanenko, the imam Council of Muftis, Sergeant Russian Federation), and of the local mosque, was found Svatov and was accused of acquiring guilty under Article 282 of the explosives. Criminal Code of the Russian Haidar-Ali Bugusynov were Federation (received the accused of recruiting into In March 2009, Muhammadgali support of Ravil Gaynutdin). terrorist groups in the Altai. Khuzin, Mufti of Perm Krai, claimed that extremist literature was sold in some mosques of Moscow.
As of 2017, a number of Muftis have been noticed displaying sympathy for radical groups: Nafigulla Ashirov (Hizb ut Tahrir), Ali Evteev (Muslim Brotherhood), Mukaddas Bibarsov (Tablighi Jamaat), Nafigulla Ashirov, Hayaz Fatkullin (The Nur Movement).
OSINT Report 5 Reportedly, the authorities of detention facilities encourage the recruitment of the people convicted of serious crimes into the ranks of ISIS.
Thus, on the basis of data in Turkey, he crossed into Syria analysis, it can be argued that and joined an Islamist group Russian security agencies Sabri Jamaat that would later directly encourage and pledge allegiance to radical facilitate the departure of Sunni group Islamic State. radical Islamists abroad. For Reuters has identified five other example, Sharapudinov, 38, Russian radicals who, relatives told Reuters that in December and local officials say, also left 2012 Russian intelligence Russia with direct or indirect officers presented him with help from the authorities and an unexpected offer. If he ended up in Syria1. The scheme agreed to leave Russia, the continued until at least 2014, authorities would not arrest according to acting and former him. In fact, they would officials as well as relatives of facilitate his departure. “They those who left. The departure said: ‘We want you to leave.’ of Dagestani radicals in large Sharapudinov agreed to go. A numbers made the situation few months later, he was given in the republic healthier.” a new passport in a new name, Magomed Abdurashidov, said and a one-way plane ticket to Anti-terrorist Commission of Istanbul. Shortly after arriving Makhachkala.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 6 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East The head of the Mufti Council, Damir Muhetdinov, the first Ravil Guynutdin, starting deputy Head of the Muslim from the beginning of 1990s, Spiritual Administration of the developed close ties with Russian Federation and the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia person responsible for Crimea, (KSA) Embassy in Russia and is adherent of Wahhabism he is a consistant defender of ideology despite the official Wahhabis ideology in Russia, position of Russian state policy effectively counteracting on Wahhabism. In fact, his attempts to ban Wahhabis on chief in the Muslim’s Spiritual the state legislative level. In Administration of Russia is early 1990s, he started receiving Ravil Guynutdin, the same financial support from such person who manages the Mufti Saudi structures as Inrahim-bin- Council of Russia. But even Ibrahim Fund, Hayat ul-Igasa after the Second Chechen War etc. and multiple counter-terrorist In 2008, he claimed that operations in the country Saadu Sharapudinov listing the extremist materials nobody from the Council or Dagestani, in 2012 Russian forbidden for distribution in its Muftis were arrested for intelligence gave him new the Russian Federation, as extremist propaganda and passport, new name and radical Islamism despite of ticket to join Sabri Jamaat (the part well as a number of Muslim of ISIS). Photo by REUTERS/Maria books, violated the freedom scandals, evidences and Tsvetkova, Dec. 2015. of conscience. According to publications in the media. This the statement of Mufti of Perm can be a strong indirect proof of Krai Khuzin, the Chairman of links between the Council and the Council of Muftis of Russia the security agencies of Russia. Ravil Gainutdin repeatedly It is important to underline that questioned the legality of Wahhabi imams in Central Asia including a number of extremist were favored in the time of the books in the list of banned Soviet Union by state security literature, and a significant part structures because of their of the materials on this list was foreign origin/education and published under the stamp of lack of communication with local the Council of Muftis. tribes.
Other proofs of the Council’s direct and indirect links with state security agencies of the Russian Federation are:
• all those who received Islamic education in Uzbekistan madrasah in Bukhara during Soviet Union period were linked with KGB; • some of Council members were participants in the state negotiations during Soviet period on quota of KGB; • Ravil Guynutdin regularly visited Crimea in March, 2014 after annexing the peninsula to suppress the opposition movements of Crimean Tatars against the Russian invasion. It was impossible without coordination and approval with FSB; • the deputy of the Council’s Head Tagir Haji Galyamov is the member of the Civil Chamber of Russia Ministry of defense (MoD); • Emirali Ablaev, the head of Muslim Spiritual Administration of Crimea, is trying to reassign Crimean Tatars religious community and to distance them from Crimean Tatars Majilis’s leader Mustafa Djamilev. This is the target of Russian state security agencies. OSINT Report 7 Official statements indicate the member of pro-Russian that some elements among battalion Vostok (separatist unit believers in mosques and of so called Donetsk People’s suspected of supporting jihad Republic) and former press- were arrested at the Council’s secretary of the Mufti Council prompting. But according to of Russia in Crimea, the Council official data (September, 2015) is partially financed by such of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, foreign organizations3 as: 1,800 Russian citizens were • The World Assembly of fighting on the side of ISIS 2 Muslim Youth (WAMY), based forces . in KSA. For example, “Jaish al- • The Muslim World League Muhajireen wal-Ansar” group (WML) based in KSA. ( ) under the command of Abu WAMY branch in USA was Umar al-Shishani was almost opened in 1992 by Abdullah entirely brought up to strength bin Laden (nephew of Osama by the citizens of the Russian bin Laden) and soon closed Federation (300-400 people, and banned by authorities. In 2013). In 2012, this group 1990s WAMY actively worked merged with ISIS. with Deen Dar Anjuman who recruited mercenaries to fight in Another statement by this law Kosovo, Bosnia and Chechnya. enforcement body for October According to “Terrorism, Al this year named 2,500 fighters. Qaeda, and the Muslim World; Admittedly 40-50% of them The Challenge Within the were expelled to Syria and Muslim World”, July 9th, 2003 Iraq via resources, and by the National Commission communication channels under on Terrorist Attacks Upon the control of the Mufti Council of United States, WAMY is involved Russia. Evidently, Moscow is in religious and Jihadi training interested in the elimination of for its member organizations. these jihadist followers through WAMY’s secretary general Nazir military conflicts abroad. Parallel Qureshi according to the Indian to this, the number of terrorist government statements was attacks inside Russia has the key-person who organized reduced after the development financial aid channels to Hizbul of this ‘export channels’. Mujahideen, operated in The Mufti Council of Russia Kashmir. The Indian government plays the role of connecting link contends that 90 percent of the between Russian state security funding for Kashmir militants is agencies and radical (terrorist from other countries and Islamic groups) abroad. According to organizations like the World Tanay Cholkhanov, who was Association of Muslim Youth.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 8 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East According to the Indian magazine “Frontline” Arabia fought under the umbrella of Gulbadin (11th December, 2002), Mohammed Ayyub Hakmatyar’s Hizbe Islami in Afghanistan and, Thukar, President of the World Kashmir Freedom in Occupied Kashmir, under the discipline of Movement was affiliated with Muslim World the hizbul Mujahideen. It is important that Farid League, WAMY, and the Muslim Brotherhood. Asadullin, the advisor to the Head of the Mufti Since 2004, WAMY established links with Council of Russia was a member of negotiation Ansar Al-Islam (Iraq) organization. In August group of Moscow with Hakmatyar. 29th, 2014 it made an alliance with ISIL forces. The Mufti Council of Russia also received Ansar Al-Islam also has an alliance with jihadist financial support from Muslim World League.This Al-Nusra Front in Syria. The WAMY also has organization is tied to Abu Sayaf (Philippines) the only Pakistani-based Jamiat Taleba Arabia that is close to ISIL and Muslim Brotherhood, organization. The members of the Jamiat Taleba banned in the US.
So, the Russian establishment has opportunities, contacts and existing communication channels with different terrorist groups in the Middle East, including factions of ISIS, if needed for foreign policy and military operations. The period of communication via these channels (since 1990s) and number of fighters from Russia in the Middle East corroborates the claims of the existence of communication, at least, on the level of factions’ commanders.
In November 2015, the head of the Cabinet of the unrecognized republic of Ichkeria, Akhmed Zakayev, stated in his interview4: “I have already got 100% proof that ISIS is currently controlled by Russian security agencies. This is the part of Iraqi militaries who worked under Saddam. You know, they were allies of Putin and the KGB. And another part from North Caucasus, whom they sent there as soon as the so-called ISIS started to shape up. This is a network of agents who are influenced, and controlled by the Russian security agencies,” he said. Ibrahim ad-Douri After the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, representatives of the Iraqi, handler of The Army of the military circles of the Baath Party entered the core of ISIS. For Men of the Naqshbandi Order, ex- secretary of Ba’ath example, Izzat Ibrahim ad-Douri, handler of The Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order, as well as the ex-deputy of Saddam Hussein and the secretary of Ba’ath entered the IS leadership. ISIS’s deputy leader Abu Muslim al-Turkmani was an Iraqi army major. Abu Ayman al-Iraqi, a former colonel in Iraqi Air Force intelligence now plays a leading role in ISIS’ military council. After al-Zarqawi’s death in 2006, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi began to bring in more Iraqis, particularly former Saddam officers. Many of the Saddam-era officers have close tribal links to or are the sons of tribal leaders in their regions, giving IS a vital support network as well as facilitating recruitment.
OSINT Report 9 There is documentary evidence that Kremlin has got channels of communication with the ISIS at the level of ties with the Ba’athist elites of Iraq. Russian intelligence has had links with the Iraqi Ba’ath since the Iran-Iraq war, as well as under Y.Primakov head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence. In April 2003, when Baghdad was taken by American troops, British journalists David Harrison of the Daily Telegraph and Patrick Graham of the Guardian found convincing evidence of close cooperation between Russian and Iraqi intelligence services. The documents they found in a half-ruined building of the Iraqi intelligence headquarters, proved that Moscow provided intelligence for the Saddam regime. Harrison and Graham also found a lot of personal files of the agents of Iraqi intelligence (Mukhabarat), some of them including two-week course proficiency certificates collected in Moscow in September 2002. This information is also confirmed by the Pentagon’s report5.
Mukhabarat office in Baghdad where Mansouri’s documents were found. Photo by David Harrison / the Daily Telegraph, 2003.
The Russian issued certificate of Mohammad Jasim al-Mansouri– member of Mukhabarat, who graduated from the advanced training course of the Special Training Center (Russia) in Sept. 15, 2002 in ‘Acoustic surveillance means speciality.’ Photo by David Harrison / the Daily Telegraph, 2003.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 10 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East “I can’t think of anybody in His certificate, which bears relationship with Palestinian the Iraqi security service the double-eagle symbol of terrorist groups, secretly sent that hasn’t been trained the Russian Federation and representatives to meet with in Russia,” said Ibrahim a stylized star symbol that them and trained scores of resembles the seal of the Marashi, a research non-Iraqi Arabs to attack Israel. Russian Foreign Intelligence IMINT and OSINT analysis fellow at the Center for Service, uses a shortened indicates that IS-militants have Nonproliferation Studies at version of al-Mansouri’s name. got Russian-made weapons. A the Monterey Institute of It says he entered the Moscow- significant part of it fell into the International Studies6. based Special Training hands of terrorist organizations Center’s “advanced” course One of the graduating as war booty, as the in “acoustic surveillance officers, identified in his consequence of fighting with means” on Sept. 2, 2002, and government troops of Assad. personnel file as Sami graduated on Sept. 15. Rakhi Mohammad Jasim The other part was grabbed “The study program has al-Mansouri, 46, is described from Hezbollah units. At the been fulfilled completely same time, the origin of some as being connected to “the and successfully,” says the weapons cannot be attributed general management of certificate, which bears an to war booty. counterintelligence” in the illegible signature of the Thus, there are documentary south of the country. Born center’s director. data proving that the units in Basra, he joined the Marashi, who has written a of ISIS use Russian RPG-29 Mukhabarat on May 1, 1981, detailed study of the Iraqi “Vampire” in the fight against according to his file. His security apparatus for the armored vehicles. The product “party position”— a possible Monterey Institute, said entered service with the USSR reference to the ruling Russia’s training of Iraqi Armed Forces only in 1989 Baath Party— is listed as intelligence agents started in and was not mass-produced, “lieutenant general.” 1973. thus excluding the possibility of export supplies in the The certificate of completion On April 17, 2003, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Soviet era. The product is not for the course in acoustic Intelligence Service (SVR), in service with the RF Armed surveillance techniques Boris Labusov confirmed that Forces, it is just exported. In bears the double-eagle Iraqi spies received training in 2010, “Planta” Chemical Plant symbol of the Russian specialized counterintelligence of Nizhny Tagil considered Federation and a stylized techniques in Moscow last the possibility of upgrading star symbol that resembles fall -- training that appears the ammunition through its the seal of the Russian to violate the United Nations capacity amplification. RPG- Foreign Intelligence Service. resolution barring military and 29 was registered to have security assistance to Iraq. been used by Russian-terrorist The Russian issued forces against the UAF in Contacts of Russian security certificate uses a different Donbas. agencies with Mukhabarat version of al-Mansouri’s enabled the Kremlin to get into Some photos of Russian ISIS name — Mohammad S. additional indirect contacts supporters posted on social Radhi. The hand-scribbled with terrorist organizations in networks prove the existence note in Arabic at the top of the Middle East, as Saddam’s of modern examples of small the certificate is the same Iraqi Intelligence Service arms that are in service with name as the personnel file. (IIS) maintained a working the Russian Federation.
OSINT Report 11 Analysis of the video footage obtained As one can see in the video8, a lot after the seizure of the Russian military of weaponry were abandoned at the base near Palmyra by the ISIS forces base: at least one automatic anti- in December 2016, proves a hypotesis aircraft cannon S-60 (57 mm); four that ISIS counterattacks followed anti-aircraft cannons ZU-23-2; spare by the grab of the base area can be barrels for ZU-23-2; portable minefield seen as a mechanism for the transfer breaching mount UR-83P; optical weaponry and ammunition. sights PGO-7 for rocket-propelled grenade launcher RPG-7; aircraft cannon GSh-23L; stacks of ammunition boxes (250 pieces, about 350,000 7.62×39 rounds); high-explosive tank shells (125mm); probably, at least one “Kord” machine gun (12.7mm). Also, plenty of small arms (approximately 200 pieces total, on the ground and in the boxes, mainly 7.62mm AKMS rifles and 30-40 brand new AK-74U rifles) and 20 DShKM large caliber (12.7mm) machine guns have been seized. This means that ISIS would find almost everything at this base fitting for their mobile guerrilla tactics and satisfying all its needs: DShKM heavy machine guns for “jihad-cars” (which terrify Assad’s troops), ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons for gun trucks, RPG grenades and a large quantity of small arms and ammunition. BMP-97 “Vystrel” and several trucks9 were caught up among the seized military equipment10. Frame-by-frame analysis gives reasons to claim that the military equipment at the base did not have any combat signs: there are no bullet holes, glass and tires are intact. This indicates that the base was abandoned without action, and there were no attempts to destroy weaponry and ammunition. Considering the possibility of air strikes, as well as the elimination of ammunition and the military equipment destruction in retreating, the facts indicate a high probability of using the scheme for arms transfer to ISIS11.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 12 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East HAMAS AND HEZBOLLAH In January 2017, direct proofs indicated the activation of Russia’s work with Palestinian political factions with a view to consolidate them and back up its influence in the Middle East, as well as bid with the new US administration on geopolitics and spheres of influence. On January 16, 2017, representatives of various Palestinian movements and parties met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Moscow. The representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian National Liberation
FM S.Lavrov met representatives of various Palestinian movements and parties in Moscow, Jan. 16, 2017. Photo by M.Dzhaparidze / TASS.
FM S.Lavrov met representatives of various Palestinian movements and parties in Moscow, Jan. 16, 2017. Photo by EPA
Movement (Fatah), the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS), the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (IJ), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), the Palestinian National Initiative, and the Communist Party of Palestine attended the meeting. The meeting followed the session of the Preparatory Committee of the Palestinian National Council in Beirut, in the course of which a communiqué was adopted, confirming the policy of consolidation and formation of a joint government of national unity, so that all Palestinian territories would be within its competence. The meeting in Moscow is Kremlin’s attempt to get a handle on this process. According to our estimates, Russian foreign intelligence agency uses the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences to work with representatives of HAMAS, Fatah, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian groups.
OSINT Report 13 The details of the meeting and seating in the Gaza Strip. In turn, Fatah, of the members of the Palestinian which is part of the PLO, does not delegation and the head of the foreign see representatives of HAMAS in ministry of the Russian Federation the PNA structures. Despite the fact indicate that Russian side is dominant that a member of the Fatah political in this process and moderates bureau, Azzam al-Ahmad, expressed the meeting of representatives of the hope of reaching an agreement Palestinian organizations without with HAMAS to hold general elections being a negotiating party. A similar in the PA by June 2017, which is an meeting was held in the Moscow extremely optimistic forecast. In its area in 2011 for the last time. The turn, Tel Aviv considers the Fatah- Kremlin has set for itself the task of HAMAS reconciliation process and the uniting Palestinian political structures unification of Palestinian organizations under the auspices of the Palestine as undermining the Israeli-Palestinian Liberation Organization and the negotiation process for a peaceful Arab Peace Initiative, with a view settlement of the conflict. Thus, further to create a government of national RF policy will focus on the parallel unity. Russia’s foreign policy focus on strengthening of cooperation with the PLO corresponds to the Soviet both organizations. era Kremlin’s political course, which in 1988 recognized the state of Presence of the Islamic Jihad Palestine. Moscow continues its work representatives at the meeting, not with Palestine, hoping to gain a center having a socio-economic platform of influence in the Middle East, tearing and not seeking to become a political the axis of support for the West, thus movement, speaks for Russia’s continuing the policy of the Soviet attempt to create the appearance of Union, focused on Syria and Yasser participation of all Palestinian factions Arafat’s PLO. and movements in the process of In November 2016, under the shaping a political platform for the facilitation of Moscow, attempts future PA government, neutralizing to negotiate the accession of the the risks of future claims on the part of HAMAS organization to the PLO separate groups. have already been undertaken. PLO The RF activation in the process of representative Abu Yusufм declared strengthening communication with then that the PLO had to determine Palestinian groups comes against the the methods of struggle for Palestinian background of Tehran’s termination groups. The unification process of financial assistance to the HAMAS would increase their effectiveness movement, associated with the latter’s in confronting Israel and achieving participation in supporting the Syrian the goal — to return the Palestinian opposition (under the influence of territories to the 1967 borders. Qatar and the KSA). The situation in To implement the project of Egypt deprives the Gaza Strip of an consolidating the Palestinian factions alliance with the Egyptian “Muslim into the government of national unity, Brotherhood”, which would allow Kremlin needs, first of all, to settle the the Strip to be unlocked. This means conflict between Fatah and HAMAS. that Russia is using financial and Thus, Hamas strongly disagrees with economic factor in negotiations with the presence of Fatah’s henchmen the Palestinian factions.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 14 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East If Moscow succeeds the IS cells strengthening in term” game and prospects of in introducing HAMAS the Gaza Strip. The Russian strengthening after infiltrating representatives into the official Federation can take advantage in the government. PNA and PLO structures, the of the situation and place a On November 15, 2015, entire Palestinian movement public bet on HAMAS, as a Russia’s special envoy for the will be Islamized. At the force capable of resisting the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov said that Russia did not view and did not intend to view HAMAS and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. He explained that this viewpoint was due to the fact they “have never committed any terrorist attacks within the Russian territory.” At the same time, he made a statement on Hezbollah organization: “Some people say that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. We maintain contacts and relations with them, because we do not view them as a terrorist organization. They have never committed any terrorist attacks within the same time, speaking about IS within this territory. In this Russian territory... This is a the Russian Federation, the context, Moscow may increase legitimate social and political creation of a government of the supply of arms to the force”. national accord is its step movement. towards the political and Mikhail Bogdanov did Such support is similar to the international legitimization of not explain whether the HAMAS, which is important with one Moscow is rendering to preparation and carrying out relations to the precedence Hezbollah in Syria. This will of terrorist attacks against of betting on paramilitary enable Kremlin to break the civilians — for example, suicide structures in conflicts. mould, through positioning bombings on buses and at organizations, recognized as discos — was a criterion for If Moscow coordinates its terrorist in the United States actions in the process of the recognition of a terrorist and the EU, as fighters against group. He also overlooked the the Palestinian negotiations IS and international terrorism. with Doha, this means that it fact that Russian citizens living agrees with the intensification Military and technical in Israel repeatedly became of the Islamization of the assistance to HAMAS will the victims of HAMAS and 12 Palestinian movement as a strengthen its weight and Hezbollah . whole. If such coordination influence among Palestinian The leadership of Russia does not exist, Kremlin, in the factions, as well as claim of ignored the “Request for the long run, will ultimately give control over security agencies detention of HAMAS leaders way to Qatar’s position of in the government of national and the investigation of their influence on the PLO due to unity. Such scenario could crimes against the citizens of the religious factor. Recently, push HAMAS into a deal with Russia in Israel” in summer of HAMAS has been afraid of Fatah, counting on a “long- 2012. OSINT Report 15 On August 3, 2014, Israeli media referring to the IDF reported that Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missiles (AT-14 Spriggan), produced by Russian military plant, were discovered in the mosque taken over by the IDF soldiers, where terrorists established a military depot. Analysis indicates those were new modifications, pointed at a target using a laser beam, unlike the old ATGMs. Kornet ATGM was used both by HAMAS and Hezbollah. During the terrorist act on April 7, 201113, for which HAMAS took credit, the school bus was struck by 9M133 Kornet anti-tank missile. This ATGM system of Russian (non- Soviet) production was recorded to be used for the first time in December, 2006, while undermining Merkava Mark IV Israeli tank14. Kornet ATGM was developed by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau in the post- Soviet period, in 1998. These products come into the view while studying weapons in service with, for example, the IslamicFront in Syria (video)15, as well Hezbollah’s ATGM 9P135M Konkurs during as in Iraq, where several cases of their the battle of Qalamoun in 2013. use by ISIS militants against M1 Abrams tanks of the Iraqi army were recorded. 9P135M Konkurs ATGM, seized from In regard to Kornet ATGM, it is Hezbollah by Israeli IDFs in 2006. conceivable that it was handed over by neighboring countries. However, such explanation cannot be applied to 9P135M Konkurs ATGM, seized from Hezbollah by Israeli IDFs during the Lebanon War of 2006. There is photographic evidence of the existence of such weapons in the arsenal of this organization during the battle of Qalamoun in 2013. At the same time, the “F” mark on the targeting block is present on all products of Konkurs from Hezbollah. Similar marking can be seen on products seized by the ISIS group. Most likely, they fell into their hands as the booty from Hezbollah units.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 16 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East Analysis of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data indicates that 9P135M Konkurs complexes were not officially supplied to the territory of Syria and Lebanon between 1998 and 2016.
Supplier/recipient (R) R:Syria or licenser (L) Comments
Year of order/licence 1998 1998 1998 2002 2004 2005
No. ordered 1500 500 1000 1000 250 250
Weapon 9M119 9M131 9M133 9M133 9M133 9M133 designation Svir/AT-11 Metis-M/ Kornet/ Kornet/ Kornet/ Kornet/ AT-13 AT-14 AT-14 AT-14 AT-14
Weapon Anti-tank Anti-tank Anti-tank Anti-tank Anti-tank Anti-tank description missile missile missile missile missile missile
No.delivered/ 1500 500 1000 1000 250 250 produced
Year(s) Of Deliveries 2000-2005 1999-2001 1998-1999 2002-2003 2005 2006
Consequently, 9P135M Konkurs ATGM could not have been obtained as booty from Syrian governmental troops. Similarly, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data excludes the supply of this product from Qatar and Turkey, as potential weapon suppliers for rebel groups in Syria. Libya’s supply options are also excluded, as the Russian Federation, according to SIPRI, supplied only 9M123 / AT-15 there. In this regard, the emergence of this weapon can only be explained by its direct transfer from the Russian Federation, either to Hezbollah, or ISIS. Russian military expert Igor Korotchenko in an interview with RIA Novosti of June 2013, commenting on the hypothesis of Kornet supplies, said that Russia always requested an end-user certificate6.”This means that the government of the country in question grants Russia an official guarantee that the weapons supplied by the Russian side will be used only by the armed forces of that state. I believe that legal buyers of Russian arms would at least refrain from such re-export supplies.” Consequently, this fact confirms the version about direct supplies, rather than re-export of Konkurs to Hezbollah and HAMAS units. At the same time, this fact indicates that Russian military and political leadership knew that part of Kornet ATGMs had been handed over to HAMAS and Hezbollah by Bashar Assad’s government out of 2000-2005 export supplies. There is no doubt that Konkurs ATGMs are supplied as part of the practical testing of Russian anti- tank complexes against tanks that are in service with the NATO countries. Such actions are an opportunity for the Russian Federation to test such products under combat conditions. In addition,
OSINT Report 17 “In July 2016, the evidence of Russia supplying drones to Hezbollah, pro-Iranian Lebanese
group, and conducting technical reconnaissance “ against Israel was obtained
according to time parameters, UAV Mk2 Searcher license the use of Russian ATGMs of the Israeli company IAI. coincided with the active Russia’s cooperation with the phase of new Russian MBTs’ IAI started in 2009, when the development, including sample first Searchers were bought 148 (Armata). under $ 100 million direct In July 2016, the evidence of purchase contract. In 2012, $ Russia supplying drones to 400 million contract for the Hezbollah, pro-Iranian Lebanese assembly of IAA-designed group, and conducting technical UAVs was signed, $ 300 reconnaissance against Israel million of which accounted for was obtained. This was evident 10 Forpost complexes. The from the fact that a UAV products are produced by the launched from the territory of Ural Works of Civil Aviation JSC Syria, presumably from one (UWCA, Yekaterinburg, a part of Hezbollah bases in the of Oboronprom Corporation mountains of Kalamun (the place JSC, a Rostec State Corporation where Konkurs ATGM’s use was company). These UAVs are identified), was intercepted in actively used by the RF Armed the Israeli airspace on July 17. Forces in Ukraine, Syria, and According to the Israeli military also in the North Caucasus. intelligence department, a Forpost’s appearance over the drone intercepted over the Golan Heights accentuates the Golan Heights is a Russian- resumption of joint intelligence made “Forpost” type, designed activities between Russia and for reconnaissance. Syria in regard to the Northern These drones are assembled Military District of the Israeli in Russia under the Israeli Armed Forces.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 18 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East The school bus was struck by Hezbollah’s 9M133 Kornet anti-tank missile on Apr. 7, 2011. Photo by Rina Castelnuovo / The New York Times.
On October 5, 2014, the FSA a much smaller control zone, for several weeks, and then (Free Syrian Army) took control limited to 100 km east of responded they had not found the joint Russian-Syrian radio Amman. In January 2016, evidence that this group and radio technical intelligence the governmental troops, had got Russian weapons. center (the so-called Center-C supported by the Russian Air However, a year ago, on July OSNAZ (special operations)), Force and Hezbollah units, 1, 2015, Sheikh Naim Kassem, located on Tal Al-Gharam took control of Daraa, but one of the Shiite group Mount near Daraa in southern there is no precise data on the leaders, claimed that Russia’s Syria, near the Syrian-Israeli actual control over the former viewpoint had coincided with demarcation line. This Center-C infrastructure. Hezbollah’s for the last ten center performed electronic Arms sales to Hezbollah and years. In particular, Russia reconnaissance in the northern the renewed reconnaissance began to move away from part of Israel, though the Israeli activity within the territory of the US- the West-Israel axis. Second TV Channel claimed Israel indicate that Kremlin Kassem also emphasized that control over Tel Aviv, northern facilitates Israel’s mitigation and Russia and Hezbollah had a Jordan and western Iraq. Iran creates conditions for Tel Aviv common view of the Syrian and Hezbollah were also highly to give up on offensive actions conflict and the inadmissibility probable to use the Center-C both against Syria and against of overthrowing the country’s intelligence. Hezbollah. This fact flags leader Bashar Assad. He Some sources reported Kremlin’s military and technical confirmed that there were that in 2012, the center was cooperation with Hezbollah. contacts between Hezbollah modernized, thus expanding After Israeli Prime Minister B. and the Russian Federation in the visibility zone of the entire Netanyahu’s address to the all areas. Kassem’s interview to territory of Israel and Jordan, Russian President Vladimir the pro-Kremlin edition made it the Gulf of Aqaba and the Putin, demanding to explain obvious that Russian embassy north of the KSA. However, how Russian arms made it in Lebanon was in constant the operational map captured through to Hezbollah, the contact with the leadership of in the FSA survey indicates Russian leadership paused Hezbollah17.
OSINT Report 19 Analysis of photo and video way,” Kassem said. Thus, content from the territory of Kassem refuted the response Syria shows that, as of today, of the Russian military-political Hezbollah units on squadron leadership to the Israeli prime level deployed in Syria and minister. In addition, according Lebanon are mainly equipped to AMAN, several weaponry with Russian weapons, convoys heading for Lebanon including ATGMs and ADMSes. from the territory of Syria Israeli military circles are of were destroyed by Israeli air opinion that Russian weaponry fleet, which also implies the can fall into the hands of existence of arms delivery Hezbollah as a result of the channel to Hezbollah. lack of Russian control over the Kremlin’s support of Hezbollah use of weapons in the Syrian in the region focuses on
government army. However, intensifying the work of this the Hezbollah leadership’s organization in Iraq, Yemen and statements speak of the direct Bahrain. Russia is interested supplies of weapons to this in dismantling the monarchial organization through bases in regimes of the Gulf countries. Latakia. For example, in July This scenario gives Moscow 2015, Naim Kassem expressed broad economic advantages. the opinion that Russia and Tactically, this goal coincides Hezbollah could act as a with the interests of Iran, thus united front in the international allowing Russia to strengthen field, as well as cooperate its own positions in the region in economic domain and in the triangle of Hezbollah— arms supplies. He added that Iran—Russia. There are Hezbollah received Russian also indirect indicators that weapons for the war in Syria. Russia gained official support “Yes, we get Russian weapons, of Beijing in its focus on but it does not matter which Hezbollah.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 20 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East TALIBAN
In December 2016, Kasım sole purpose was to strengthen peace process with 200 of Jangalbagh, Kunduz police us against the U.S. and its his soldiers, said Russia was chief, claimed that a large allies”20. Thus, the contacts providing military and financial number of Russian-made with the Taliban movement had help. “Russian weapons were weapons seized in combat, started six years before the brought to us through many unidentified helicopters, found territories in Iraq and Syria were channels in the last one-to-two in border areas, were the most seized. Status and positions of years,” he said21. reliable evidence of Russia’s Mutayibeen Coalition and the 18 The governor of Afghanistan’s assistance . Jangalbai says Islamic State of Iraq under the southern Farah province, that, Molla Abdülkasım, the leadership of Emir Abu Omar Mohammad Asif Nang, claimed Taliban governor in this area, al-Baghdadi in 2006 were that Russia provided Taliban is in constant contact with the not sufficiently threatining to insurgents with sophisticated Russians. “If the Taliban gets spill over to Afghanistan at weaponry, Shamshad TV their hands on anti-aircraft that time. Consequently, the reported on Jan. 16, 2017. guns provided, for example, development of communication These weapons included by Russia, then it is a game- channels with the Taliban 82mm mortars, night- changer, and forget about took place before ISIS gained vision devices and missiles peace,” said Afghan security influence in Afghanistan and (ATGM). Nang added that official. took control over the territories it is unclear whether these Taliban spokesman Zabihullah in Iraq and Syria. weapons reached the Taliban Mujahid stated: “Russia The use of the Taliban as via Pakistan or Iran. Nang’s supports us in the fight against a counterweight to ISIS comments are the latest and the US and its allies, and we in Afghanistan is being most specific indicators that are very happy about that. For questioned in Kabul. Afghan Afghan officials increasingly the US, DAISH can not be a Ambassador to Russia Abdul believe that Russia has begun solution. “We had a common Kayum Kochai at a meeting with militarily backing the jihadist enemy,” one other senior Ilyas Umakhanov, the deputy movement. Taliban official told Reuters. chairman of the Federation On March 28, 2017, the Times “We needed support to get Council, said: “If your state of Islamabad, the Pakistani rid of the United States and its thinks that the Taliban edition, released the report on allies in Afghanistan and Russia (movement) is better, you need the visit of Colonel-General wanted all foreign troops to to contact him, talk to him, Sergei Istrakov, Deputy Chief leave Afghanistan as quickly as then, it does not work (from the of Russian General Staff, to 19 possible” . point of view of the settlement northern Waziristan (Pakistan), Russia diffuses false allegations process in Afghanistan)”. Thus, invited by General Zubair that the Taliban movement is any assumptions that Russia Mahmood Hayat, Chairman helping in the fight against the is dealing with the Taliban in of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at “Islamic State” jihadist group, the context of the fight against the Joint Staff Headquarters. banned in Russia and other the ISIS influence are not true. At the same time, there are countries. A Taliban official told In fact, a majority of the ISIS data on Russian delegation’s Reuters on December 8, 2016: fighters in Afghanistan were visits to several Taliban training “In early 2008, when Russia Taliban members in the past. centers in the tribal zone (South began supporting us, ISIS Former Taliban commander Waziristan) near the Durand (Islamic State) didn’t even exist Khan Mohammad Cherik, Line. “They [the Russian anywhere in the world. Their who joined the government’s delegation] have been seen at
OSINT Report 21 Russian delegation visited North Waziristan. PHOTO by ISPR.
Said Omar Bajawry with Russian AK-74M a complete kit for the Russian forces that was not exported by Russia.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 22 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East Taliban training centers along entered Afghan territory in with the Pakistani military,” said border provinces like Kunduz. General Assadullah Sherzad, He added that Russians commander of 303 Police were serving as “creative Zone, overseeing the entire minds and strategists for the police force in eastern Afghan Taliban” at a kind of academy provinces. in Iran. Northern Afghanistan, There is unconfirmed particularly Kunduz, is of information about the contacts particular interest to Russia of the delegation with Mulla because Kabul’s control in the Habatulla, the leader of one area is limited and the province of the Taliban groups. There borders Tajikistan, a Russian ally that has helped mediate are doubts that the meeting 22 occurred precisely with him, contacts with the Taliban . since he left Quatta and was In the opinion of Curtis Mulla Habatulla sighted in Lahor in October Scaparotti, Commander- Taliban’s top leader. 2016, according to Afghan in-Chief of the Joint NATO intelligence. Forces in Europe, Moscow At the same time, Said Omar supports and legitimizes the Bajawry is in the picture, the grouping. “Recently, I have warlord stands with Russian been observing the influence AK-74M a complete kit for the of Russia — the increased Russian forces that was not influence — of Russia’s exported by Russia. association with the Taliban and, possibly, even Russian At the end of March 2017, support for the group, — he Afghan senators expressed said on March 23 at a hearing concern about the lack of in the Senate Committee on inspection of trucks crossing Armed Forces. the Durand Line. Thus, this site is in fact ideal for carrying Evidence is emerging of weapons to Afghanistan. Russian and Taliban high- level contacts and possible According to Asif Maruf, editor armaments like shoulder- of the BBC Afghan service, now fired RPGs and night-vision in Afghanistan they say that equipment23. the Taliban has been divided According to our estimations, into three groups: pro-Russian, there are several channels MP Khalid Pashton pro-Iranian and pro-Pakistani. of communication with the Afghani MP, representative of Presence of pro-Russian group Kandahar Province in Afghanistan’s Taliban: indicates a stable and constant Wolesi Jirga. He believed that • Through Pakistan; some of Taliban’s weapons have channel of communication at been provided by the Russians a high level in the leadership • Through intermediaries in through Iran. of the Russian Federation. Tajikistan; The Afghan official said Russian intelligence agents • Through Iran. held meetings with Taliban Zamir Kabulov, the special representatives in Tajikistan representative of the Russian and Moscow, and occasionally President for Afghanistan,
OSINT Report 23 who allegedly has connections with Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, is most likely one of those who is in charge of the line. It is notable that Viktor Bout, convicted of arms trafficking, was a member of Russian diplomatic delegation lead by Kabulov, releasing the IL-76 crew captured by the Taliban in 1995. He visited Kandahar 7 times as member of delegations. As journalists Douglas Farah and Stafen Brown asserted in their book “The Death Merchant”, Bout, after the pilots’ escape, allegedly made a deal with the Taliban to supply arms and started implementing it.
On February 28, 2017, security sources told a 1TV reporter, Sajad Mohammadi in Kunduz that Russia provides weapons and military equipment for Taliban fighters in Dasht-e-Archi, Imam Sahib, Qalai Zal and Kalbat districts of Kunduz province via Tajikistan24. Another Afghan claimed that Kremlin gave the Taliban a mobile clinic and medicine to patch up their wounded soldiers in Helmand province. Several lawmakers in Kabul claimed that a Russian military group crossed the border into the tribal regions of Pakistan to treat wounded Taliban.
Russia’s communication and collaboration 24 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East Now the Taliban already it was reported that Russian have plenty of weapons — mentors had been seen with small arms, rocket-propelled Taliban militants operating just grenades, but the Russians 10 kilometres from Tirinkot, could potentially provide even the capital of central Uruzgan more sophisticated arms and province. Police chief Brig. Gen. equipment, maybe missiles or Ghulam Farooq Sangari told night vision goggles, the types Pajhwok Afghan News Russian of things that could make the trainers had been spotted in Taliban even more lethal. Taliban ranks recently26. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of “Just a day before I met the Afghanistan did not confirm the Abdul Jabbar Qahraman minister of interior, hundreds 25 information. Afghani MP, The presidential envoy of BM40 missiles entered for Helmand’s security affairs. the country through Nimroz At the same time tribal elders border and the missiles have in the region — which sits in been delivered to the Taliban the central part of Afghanistan in Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and is far away from the and some western provinces. It Islamic State activity on the is believed that these weapons eastern border — confirmed have been provided by the the reports. Russian military Russians through Iran,” said advisers have been spotted MP Khalid Pashton (represent twice recently near Tirinkot, Kandahar Province in the Uruzgan capital, Haji Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga). MP Abdul Bari, a tribal elder in 27 Abdul Jabbar Qahraman said the province, told VOA . that “the majority of weapons The governor of Kunduz told Ghulam Farooq Sangari in Iran are made in Russia; they reporters that the Taliban asked Moscow for weapons Afghani, Police chief Brig. Gen. have signed contracts with the Russians in this respect; the and training. Provincial Council Iranians have a lot of Russian head Amir Mohammad made weapons; if sometimes Barakzai confirmed Sangari’s these weapons are delivered claim and said the Russian to the Taliban, then we can trainers had been previously confirm that these weapons are seen in Darfeshan area a few provided to the Taliban by the months earlier. Russians”. Despite the fact that the signs of Russians’ work with In spring of 2017, the number the Taliban are indirect, it is of reports concerning Russian interesting to analyze the weaponry supplies to the data, overlapping the activity Taliban increased. At the same of Russian groups, reported in time, in connection with the open sources, on the map of Gulmurod Khalimov same geographical regions of the area. It correspondes with Afghanistan (Kunduz, Uruzgan), Tajik, ex-Colonel of the Ministry of the largest Taliban control area Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, who the information on Russian headed the IS after al-Shishani’s in the country. death in 2015. Photo / Furat groups’ activity, accompanied Agency. by Taliban militants, has According to our estimations, appeared. On April 12, 2017, Gulmurod Khalimov (Colonel of
OSINT Report 25 the Ministry of Internal Affairs Among them, in the age-sex of Tajikistan), who headed the composition, the young able- IS after al-Shishani’s death in bodied men aged between 18 2015, was recruited by Russian and 29, — 411,615 — are the security agencies during his largest category. The actual internship in Russia. In May number of Tajiks working in 2015, a video of Furat media Russia is significantly higher center appeared in than the official statistics social networks, with presents, since the FMS data Khalimov’s appeal does not cover all categories of in Russian, stating foreigners, in particular, those he had sided with who have entered and are the IS. He accused staying in Russia illegally. the Tajik authorities Indirect signs of Russian of denigrating and security agencies’ recruitment oppressing Muslims. exist in relation to Nusrat He also urged labor Nazarov — another leader migrants in Russia of the Tajik unit under the not to be the “slaves Khorasan group emir’s of Kaafirs”, but to become command . Nusrat Nazarov “slaves of Allah”, join the jihad worked in Moscow between and move to the IS. Khalimov 1993 and 1999, and between promised to return to Tajikistan 2005 and 2010, Nusrat and establish the sharia laws travelled to Moscow five times. there. Kremlin is actively using the threat from ISIS in The “Islamic State” recruits foreign policy pressure on the most of the new militants from leadership of Central Asian among migrant workers in states in order to maintain a Moscow and St. Petersburg military and political presence through Chechen recruiters in their territories. among migrants working in groups of 3-4 people. Khalimov’s appeal to move to According to rough estimates, the IS corresponds entirely such a recruitment channel to Russian security agencies’ ensured the departure of two technology of radical elements’ to four thousand people from expultion from the territory of Central Asia to Syria as of 2015. the Russian Federation, carried out against radical Islamists in Recruiters convince them it is the North Caucasus. Time-wise, necessary to leave Moscow, it coincided with the tightening because “one can not live like of Russian migration rules a slave”, “you are not respected with regard to Tajik migrant here”; and explain that it is workers. According to the not necessary to fight with the FMS, as of May 11, 2015, there IS — you can live in prosperity were 990,275 Tajik citizens and work without humiliation. in the Russian Federation. On arrival, they offer from
Russia’s communication and collaboration 26 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East 5 to 15 thousand dollars as settlement of Gaziantep and airfield show the presence of arrangement costs. If case of Mursitpinar border point. transport aircraft. departure with the family, the There are doubts that the Starting from December amount increases to 10-30 deliveries to the Taliban pass 2016, the work on extending thousand dollars. through the “Syrian” scheme, the runway for 165 meters In the majority of the analyzed worked out in Palmira (the and its reinforcement with 3 cases of identified migrants transfer of weapons under the layers of asphalt has been in who left for Syria to join ISIS, guise of seizing government progress at the airfield. The their recruitment took place bases and warehouses). In airfield is in close vicinity to in Moscow. This is confirmed particular, small arms delivered Qurghonteppa — Dusti — by the statement of Yusuf to Kabul by the RF are different Kunduz route and passes Rakhmon, the Prosecutor from those recorded in through mountain areas. General of Tajikistan, claiming militants’ photographs . Nevertheless, there is no direct that 85% of Tajik citizens Qurghonteppa airfield evidence that the airfield is participating in military (Tajikistan) could be one of the used to supply weapons to the operations abroad are former possible arms supply channels Taliban, and it is determined labor migrants who worked in to the Taliban. It is also used by indirect indicators on Russia. to receive transport military the ground of an integrated People recruited for IS are aircraft to supply the 201st baseline review. channeled through the territory Russian base in Tajikistan. The of Turkey, then through the satellite photographs of the
OSINT Report 27 COMMUNICATION LINKS BETWEEN ISIS WITH RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT
MUSLIM’S President Vladimir Damir Muhetdinov SPIRITUAL Putin (wahhabism) ADMINISTRATION OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin Supervision
MUSLIMS SPIRITUAL FOREIGN ADMINISTRATION OF INTELLIGENCE CRIMEA SERVICE Russia Russia Asadullin Farid
FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE Emirali Ablaev Russia Tagir Haji Galyamov MILITARY DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE Russia Member of the Civil Chamber of RF MoD
Abdullah bin Laden AL RAID Bin Laden’s nephew (ARRAID) MUSLIM THE MUFTI COUNCIL 1992 BROTHERHOOD OF RUSSIA Banned in US Tanay Cholhanov Proved link by the US proved link State Department
AL QAEDA WAMY USA WAMY KSA banned
Syria
Palestine AL-NUSRA FRONT Kashmir Syria
Nazir Qureshi, PALESTINIAN WAMY’s HIZBUL secretary-general MUJAHIDEEN ISLAMIC JIHAD Kashmir Palestine ANSAR On January 6, AL-ISLAM 2014, the UN India government Iraq Bin Laden SC Committee proved link link 2004 removed the 29.08.2014 DEEN DAR IIRO offices in split with ISIL ANJUMAN Indonesia and Kosovo, Bosnia, the Philippines Chechnya, ‘90s 2011 from this Al- Qaida Banned by India Sanctions List Iraq government HAMAS
Muhammad Jamal JAMIAT Khalifahi, Bin Laden’s brother-in-law INTERNATIONAL TALEBA Head of Philippines branch ISLAMIC RELIEF ARABIA ORGANIZATION Pakistan, 2001 2007 KSA ISIL Pakistan AL JAMAAT Abu Bakr AL ISLAMIA al-Baghdadi MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD Banned in US
ABU SAYYAF MUSLIM WORLD Philippines LEAGUE KSA Links with terrorist groups LEGEND: - financing support - eliminated - recruiting testified in US Congress MUSLIM’S President Vladimir Damir Muhetdinov SPIRITUAL Putin (wahhabism) ADMINISTRATION OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin Supervision
MUSLIMS SPIRITUAL FOREIGN ADMINISTRATION OF INTELLIGENCE CRIMEA SERVICE Russia Russia Asadullin Farid
FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE Emirali Ablaev Russia Tagir Haji Galyamov MILITARY DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE Russia Member of the Civil Chamber of RF MoD
Abdullah bin Laden AL RAID Bin Laden’s nephew (ARRAID) MUSLIM THE MUFTI COUNCIL 1992 BROTHERHOOD OF RUSSIA Banned in US Tanay Cholhanov Proved link by the US proved link State Department
AL QAEDA WAMY USA WAMY KSA banned
Syria
Palestine AL-NUSRA FRONT Kashmir Syria
Nazir Qureshi, PALESTINIAN WAMY’s HIZBUL secretary-general MUJAHIDEEN ISLAMIC JIHAD Kashmir Palestine ANSAR On January 6, AL-ISLAM 2014, the UN India government Iraq Bin Laden SC Committee proved link link 2004 removed the 29.08.2014 DEEN DAR IIRO offices in split with ISIL ANJUMAN Indonesia and Kosovo, Bosnia, the Philippines Chechnya, ‘90s 2011 from this Al- Qaida Banned by India Sanctions List Iraq government HAMAS
Muhammad Jamal JAMIAT Khalifahi, Bin Laden’s brother-in-law INTERNATIONAL TALEBA Head of Philippines branch ISLAMIC RELIEF ARABIA ORGANIZATION Pakistan, 2001 2007 KSA ISIL Pakistan AL JAMAAT Abu Bakr AL ISLAMIA al-Baghdadi MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD Banned in US
ABU SAYYAF MUSLIM WORLD Philippines LEAGUE KSA Links with terrorist groups LEGEND: - financing support - eliminated - recruiting testified in US Congress FOOTNOTES
1 2 3 4 5
The base was located not far from the ibn Maan 6 7 castle on the Jebel 8 9 10 Cassidy mountain (34° 33’46.0“ N 38° 15’26.0” E).
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 BM-21 Grad
26 27 28
Russia’s communication and collaboration 30 with terrorist organizations in the Middle East Confidential and Personal Annual Performance 29 Evaluation General Information
Employee name: Sami Rakhi Mohammad Jasim al-Mansouri Job title: Employee Education level and specialization: BS in Physics Party position: Lieutenant General Social status: Married Birth: 1957 Birth place: Basra Management level assigned to him First — Division Technical division Second — Branch (no answer) Third — Management The intelligence management for the southern area Fourth — General Management The general management for counter intelligence Date of appointment in the department May 1, 1981 Length of service in the governmental departments None Language proficiency First — Writing Arabic / writing — reading-speaking Second — Reading English / writing — reading
The Certificate
“This is to certify that MOHAMMAD S. RADHI entered in Sept. 2, 2002, and graduated from the advanced training course of the Special Training Center in Sept. 15, 2002 in speciality ‘Acoustic surveillance means.’ The studying program has been fulfilled completely and successfully.”
OSINT Report 31