( רמה כ ז מל ו תשר מה ו ד י ע י ן ( למ מ"ל ה תרומ מ כרמ ז מה י עד מל ו ד י ע י ן ו רטל ו רורלו ןיעידומ דימ ר

Spotlight on Global Jihad June 5-12, 2019

Main events of the week

The Syrian arena: About a month after the start of the offensive in the region, the rebel groups, led by the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, mounted a counterattack. The offensive was carried out in three efforts, with the goal of retaking several villages east of the southern Al-Ghab Plain and cutting off Road 56, which runs from to the Al-Ghab Plain and from there to Idlib. The Syrian army managed to repel the attacks, apart from the southern effort, where the rebel organizations managed to take over several villages. The rebel organizations and the Syrian army sustained heavy losses. The Syrian army sent reinforcements and is preparing to retake the area that was taken over by the rebel organizations. The Iraqi arena: Terrorist and guerrilla activity continued in the various provinces. This week, routine attacks were carried out in the form of sniper fire, detonation of IEDs, light arms fire and mortar shells. A new modus operandi this week was setting fire to a field of grain and then detonating an IED against a force of the Shiite militias of the Popular Mobilization, which arrived at the scene of the fire. These attacks were accompanied by intensive media activity by ISIS. The main event of the week in ISIS’s provinces outside and Iraq was an attack by ISIS’s Sinai Province on an Egyptian police checkpoint in southern Al-Arish. At the same time, ISIS operatives carried out diversionary action against a nearby checkpoint. According to ISIS’s claim of responsibility, more than 14 Egyptian policemen were killed in these attacks. This combined attack indicates an improvement in the capabilities and daring of ISIS operatives in the northern Sinai Peninsula, and the fact that the Egyptian security forces are finding it difficult to respond effectively. The routine activity in ISIS’s other provinces around the world continued. In Nigeria, ISIS operatives carried out attacks against the Nigerian army and the Niger army in the northeast of the country (dozens killed); In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ISIS operatives attacked a Congolese army base in the east of the country (25 killed and wounded); in

129-19 2

Mozambique, ISIS, for the first time in this country, claimed responsibility for repelling an attack by the Mozambican army; in Afghanistan, ISIS operatives attacked security personnel in the Nangarhar Province; in Pakistan, ISIS continued its activity against intelligence personnel in the Baluchistan Province; and in Kashmir in India, ISIS operatives exchanged fire with the Indian army. Main events in Syria

The Idlib region

Rebel counterattack in the southern Idlib region

About a month after the launch of the Syrian army offensive, on June 7, 2019, the rebel organizations for the first time mounted a counterattack. The purpose of the attack was to retake several villages east of the southern Al-Ghab Plain and to cut off Road 56 leading from Hama to the Al-Ghab Plain (and from there northward, to Idlib). The dominant force in the counterattack was the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham, which was supported by other jihadi organizations and the Army of Glory, which is affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (sponsored by ). At least 500 rebel operatives, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, took part in the counterattack (Sputnik, June 7, 2019). The attack was carried out along three routes (see map): On the northern route, the rebel forces advanced toward the village of Al-Qasabiya (about 3 km north of ); On the central route – toward the village of , and on the southern route, toward the village of Tal Malah.

129-19 3

Rebel counterattack

The three routes of the rebel counterattack (marked in black arrows): the northern route, leading to Al-Qasabiya (2), the central route, leading to Karnaz (3), and the southern route, leading to Tal Malah (1). The area of Tal Malah, taken over by the rebel organizations during the counterattack, is marked in grey. The area of Kafr Hud, which was retaken from the rebels by the Syrian army, is marked in blue (Khotwa, June 8, 2019)

Following is the ITIC's overview of the results of the counterattack (updated to June 11, 2019): The northern route – the village of Al-Qasabiya (about 3 km north of Kafr Nabudah): Special forces of the rebel organizations attacked positions of the Syrian army and the militias supporting it. About 13 Syrian army soldiers, including two officers, were reportedly killed during the attack (Khotwa, June 9, 2019). The Syrian army managed to repel the attack along this route (Muraselon, June 9, 2019). The central route – the village of Karnaz: About 80 operatives, moving in vehicles, took part in the attack. At the same time, a force of about 60 operatives, supported by two tanks, attacked the village Al- southeast of Karnaz. The Syrian army managed to repel the attacks. The attacking forces sustained heavy losses. Bodies of Uyghurs and Chechens were also found (Muraselon, June 10, 2019). On June 9, 2019, it was reported that the Syrian army regained control of all the sites previously taken over by the rebel organizations. The southern route – the village of Tal Malah: The attack on this route was carried out by the Army of Glory, which is affiliated with the Free Syrian Army. The rebel force managed to take over the villages of Tal Malah, Al-Jubain, Al-Jalamah and Kafr Hud

129-19 4

(the area marked in grey in the above map). The Syrian army managed to retake the area of Kafr Hud several hours after it was taken over by the rebel organizations (Khotwa, June 7, 2019). It seems that the area of Tal Malah is still held by the rebel organizations. During the fighting, the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham employed UAVs for offensive purposes. The Syrian News Agency reported that the Syrian army had downed an aircraft armed with small bombs around the village of Tal Malah (SANA, June 11, 2019).

Right: Operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham shooting at Syrian army soldiers in the rural area north of Hama. Left: An Army of Glory operative preparing to launch an antitank missile on the route leading to Kafr Hud on June 8, 2019 (Ibaa, June 9, 2019)

According to reports, reinforcements of the Syrian army, under the command of Amid (Brig. Gen.) Suheil Hassan (“the Tiger”), arrived in the battle zone, in preparation for taking over once again the villages of Tal Malah and Al-Jubain, and in order to secure Road 56 leading from Hama to the Al-Ghab Plain (Muraselon, June 9, 2019).

The Kabanah area

Fighting continued without any major change on the ground in the Kabanah area, on the Kurd Mountains (southwest of the city of Jisr al-Shughur). The Syrian army and the militias supporting it reportedly tried several times to advance, but were repelled by operatives of the Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham (Ibaa; Enab Baladi, June 11, 2019). The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham reported that more than eight operatives of pro- Syrian militias were killed and over 25 others were wounded (Ibaa, June 11, 2019). Syrian and Russian airstrikes

On June 6-9, 2019, during the rebel counterattack, over a thousand airstrikes were carried out in the Idlib area by Syrian warplanes and helicopters and Russian warplanes (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, June 9, 2019). The airstrikes were carried out in support of the

129-19 5

Syrian army ground forces at the main fighting zone northwest of Hama and also with the purpose of hitting rebel targets in the Idlib area. The city of , south of Idlib, continued to be a target for (apparently mostly Russian) airstrikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that on June 8, 2019, an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot belonging to the Turkestan Islamic Party (Uyghur operatives from China). At least four Uyghur operatives were killed (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, June 8, 2019).

Clouds of smoke rising in the wake of a Russian airstrike in the city of Khan Shaykhun, south of Idlib (Ibaa, June 9, 2019)

Rocket fire at the Hama military airbase

The Headquarters for the Liberation of Al-Sham announced that on June 7-9, 2019, Grad rockets had been launched at the Hama military airbase. One helicopter was reportedly hit, as well as the airbase radar. Several rockets hit the main runway, and as a result, warplanes could not take off from the airbase for a whole day (Ibaa, June 9, 2019).

The Hama military airbase (Google Maps)

129-19 6

Interim summary of the losses in the fighting

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that since April 30, 2019 (the eve of the Syrian army offensive) until June 11, 2019, a total of 1,508 people had been killed. A total of 609 of the dead belonged to the rebel forces, 507 to the Syrian army and the forces supporting it, and 392 were civilians (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, June 11, 2019). Eastern Syria

The area between Al-Sukhnah and the Euphrates Valley

ISIS continues its guerrilla activity against the Syrian army forces in the area between Al- Sukhnah and the Euphrates Valley: A Syrian force was ambushed by ISIS operatives south of the city of . Three soldiers were killed, including an officer (Telegram, June 6, 2019). On June 7, 2019, ISIS operatives fired an antitank missile at the militias supporting the Syrian army in the southern Al-Sukhnah Desert. Five soldiers were killed, including an officer. In response, Syrian fighter jets carried out several airstrikes against ISIS forces operating in the area (Khotwa, June 7, 2019). ISIS reported that a Syrian army tank had been destroyed during an attack against a Syrian army position east of Palmyra. Several soldiers were killed and wounded (Telegram, June 11, 2019). The area of Al-Mayadeen and Deir ez-Zor

During the past week, ISIS continued its terrorism and guerrilla activity in the Al-Mayadeen area in the Euphrates Valley. Following are the main activities: June 10, 2019: ISIS operatives attacked positions of the Syrian army and the forces supporting it on the west bank of the Euphrates, about 9 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen (Deir ez-Zor 24 twitter account, June 10, 2019). June 9, 2019: A young man affiliated with the SDF forces was executed. He was captured by ISIS in the village of Al-Sabha, about 20 km north of Al-Mayadeen (photos on behalf of the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region, as released on Shumukh, June 10, 2019). June 9, 2019: An IED was detonated in the village of Al-Shahil, about 9 km north of Al- Mayadeen (Deir ez-Zor 24, June 10, 2019).

129-19 7

June 6, 2019: Three SDF fighters were killed in machine gun fire at their vehicle in the Diban area, east of Al-Mayadeen ((announcement of the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region, as posted on Telegram, June 7, 2019). June 6, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle in the village of Al-Shahil, 9 km north of Al-Mayadeen. Four SDF fighters were killed (announcement of the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region, as posted on Telegram, June 6, 2019). June 5, 2019: An SDF fighter was captured and executed in the village of Al-Shahil, north of Al-Mayadeen (announcement of the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region, as posted on Telegram, June 6, 2019). June 5, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle in the village of Al-Hajna, about 30 km east of Deir ez-Zor, killing and wounded the passengers (announcement of the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region, as posted on Telegram, June 5, 2019). June 5, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF armored vehicle in the village of Al-Shahil, north of Al-Mayadeen. The passengers were either killed or wounded (announcement of the Al-Sham Province – Al-Khayr region, as posted on Telegram, June 6, 2019). June 4, 2019: An IED was activated against an SDF vehicle in the village of Al-Shahil, north of Al-Mayadeen. Three SDF fighters were killed and wounded (announcement of ISIS's Amaq News Agency, as posted on Telegram, June 6, 2019). Northern Syria

Northeastern Syria (the heart of the Kurdish control area)

ISIS operatives detonated a motorcycle bomb against SDF forces in the southern part of Al-Hasakah, killing four SDF fighters and wounding others (Telegram, June 8, 2019). According to the Kurdish internal security forces, two people, one of them a YPJ fighter, were wounded in the explosion of the motorcycle (Al-Watan, a Syrian news website affiliated with the Assad regime, June 10, 2019). ISIS operatives shot and killed an SDF fighter near the village of Al-Ya’rabiya, northeast of Al- Hasakah (near the Syrian-Iraqi border) (Telegram, June 5, 2019). The Al-Raqqah area

ISIS operatives activated an IED against an SDF vehicle about 30 km east of Al-Raqqah, killing and wounding the passengers (Telegram, June 7, 2019).

129-19 8

ISIS operatives attacked an SDF vehicle about 25 km southwest of the city of Al-Raqqah, killing three SDF fighters, including an officer. ISIS operatives also killed an SDF fighter and his wife at their home, in the village of Al-Mansura (Telegram, June 11, 2019). Southern Syria

ISIS activity in the area

After a period of relative quiet since the Syrian army had taken over the Al-Safa area (northeast of As-Suwayda), ISIS resumed its activity in the Daraa area. Its activity is carried out by the Al-Sham Province – Khawran region, which announced the resumption of its activity. On June 4, 2019, two IEDs were activated against a vehicle carrying Syrian army soldiers 14 km northeast of Daraa. Three soldiers were reportedly killed and the vehicle was destroyed (announcement by the Al-Sham Province – Khawran region, as posted on Telegram, June 4, 2019). Main developments in Iraq

ISIS’s terrorist and guerrilla activity

This week, terrorist and guerrilla activity by ISIS continued in the various provinces in Iraq. Most of the attacks consisted of sniper shooting, the detonation of IEDs, shooting attacks (light firearms and mortar shells), and setting fire to fields.

Following are ISIS’s main attacks (based on ISIS’s claims of responsibility): Diyala Province: An IED was detonated against an Iraqi army vehicle about 30 km southwest of Baqubah, killing or wounding the passengers (Telegram, June 4, 2019).

Diyala Province: A Tribal Mobilization checkpoint was attacked about 30 km southwest of Baqubah (Telegram, June 7, 2019).

Diyala Province: A policeman was wounded by sniper fire in the eastern part of the Diyala Province (Telegram, June 5, 2019).

Diyala Province: A Popular Mobilization fighter was killed by sniper fire in the rural area of the city of Baqubah (Telegram, June 5, 2019).

Diyala Province: An IED was detonated against an Iraqi army vehicle about 20 km southwest of Khanaqin, wounding two soldiers (Telegram, June 5, 2019).

129-19 9

Diyala Province: Ten mortar shells were fired at an Iraqi army force about 20 km southwest of Khanaqin (Telegram, June 6, 2019).

Nineveh Province: An IED was detonated against a government vehicle west of Tal Afar. Two passengers were wounded (Telegram, June 5, 2019).

Nineveh Province: Iraqi policemen were ambushed by ISIS operatives 60 km south of Mosul. An officer and three policemen were killed in the exchange of fire (Telegram, June 6, 2019).

Nineveh Province: An IED was detonated against Popular Mobilization fighters while they were trying to put out a fire in a grain field north of Tal Afar. One of them was killed and four others were wounded (Telegram, June 9, 2019). The ITIC considers this the first evidence of combining setting fire to fields as carried out by ISIS and using IEDs against the forces arriving to put out the fire.

Nineveh Province: An IED was detonated north of Tal Afar, killing and wounding five members of the Iraqi Interior Ministry security services (Telegram, June 9, 2019).

Kirkuk Province: An IED was detonated at an Iraqi police post west of Kirkuk. The post, which was apparently unmanned, was destroyed (Telegram, June 11, 2019).

Kirkuk Province: Two IEDs were activated against an APC west of Kirkuk. Four policemen were killed and wounded (Telegram, June 11, 2019).

Kirkuk Province: An IED was activated against a vehicle carrying French soldiers and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in the Kirkuk area. Two passengers were wounded (Telegram, June 11, 2019).

Al-Anbar Province: A sticky bomb was activated in the house of a Tribal Mobilization operative near Al-Baghdadi. The operative was wounded (Telegram, June 11, 2019). Threat to harm collaborators with the Iraqi regime

On June 11, 2019, an ISIS network in the Dijla (Tigris) Province released a video entitled “Smashing Heads – 2”. In the video, ISIS threatens to harm anyone who collaborates with

129-19 10 the Iraqi authorities, especially among the Sunnis. The video includes photos documenting the execution of collaborators, and praises ISIS’s operatives, presenting archival footage of their operations (archive.org file-sharing website, June 11, 2019). The video is similar to a video released by ISIS last week calling on residents of the city of Fallujah to cooperate with ISIS and threatening to kill anyone who did not cooperate with the organization.

ISIS operative codenamed Abu Abdallah al-Qurashi threatening the lives of collaborators with the Iraqi authorities (archive.org file-sharing website, June 11, 2019) Counterterrorist activities by the Iraqi security forces

Following are the main counterterrorist activities carried out by the Iraqi security forces in the various provinces: Kirkuk Province: Iraqi police conducted an extensive manhunt for the ISIS squads in the area of Al-Hawija and the nearby villages, some 50 km west of Kirkuk. During the manhunt, ISIS “guesthouses” were found and several suspects were detained (Al- Sumaria, June 8, 2019).

Iraqi police force searching for ISIS operatives in the Al-Hawija area west of Kirkuk (Al-Sumaria, June 8, 2019)

Salah al-Din Province: On June 8, 2019, a joint force of the Popular Mobilization and Iraqi security forces launched a security operation against ISIS operatives in the

129-19 11

northeast of the area of Tikrit and the Baiji District. During the operation, many ISIS “guesthouses” were destroyed, and logistical and medical equipment was found (al- hashed.net, June 8, 2019).

Right: Iraqi security forces during a mopping up operation in the area of Tikrit and the Baiji District. Left: Hiding place discovered by the Iraqi security forces (al-hashed.net, June 8, 2019)

Diyala Province: An Iraqi intelligence force raided an ISIS “guesthouse” some 5 km south of Baqubah. The force found IEDs, ammunition and supplies for ISIS operatives staying there overnight (Iraqi News Agency, June 9, 2019).

IEDs found in the ISIS “guesthouse” south of Baqubah (Iraqi News Agency, June 9, 2019)

129-19 12

The Sinai Peninsula and Egypt

Combined attack by ISIS on two checkpoints in Al-Arish

On the morning of June 5, 2019, operatives of ISIS’s Sinai Province carried out a coordinated and orchestrated attack against the two police checkpoints in Al-Arish. The main attack was against a checkpoint located in the south of the city. The second attack was carried out against a checkpoint located not far from the first and was apparently intended to divert attention from the main effort. The combined attack gave the ISIS operatives enough time to withdraw safely from the area of the attacks. ISIS’s Sinai Province issued a claim of responsibility for the operation (Amaq, June 5, 2019). According to the claim of responsibility, more than 14 Egyptian policemen, including an officer, were killed in the attacks. In addition, the ISIS operatives destroyed several police vehicles and seized weapons and equipment (Telegram, June 5, 2019). This operation is unusual and indicates an improvement in ISIS’s capabilities in northern Sinai and the increasing daring of the organization’s operatives.

According to a statement by the Egyptian Interior Ministry, ISIS operatives ambushed Egyptian security forces in southern Al-Arish. According to the Egyptian version, a police officer, a policeman and six soldiers were killed in the incident. Six ISIS operatives were also killed in the exchange of fire (Sky News, June 5, 2019). Following the attack, Egyptian Special Forces mounted a manhunt after the ISIS operatives. The operatives were found in an abandoned building in Al-Arish. The Egyptian force exchanged fire with them, killing 14 ISIS operatives (Al-Youm Al-Sabea, June 5, 2019; Al-Masri Al-Youm, June 7, 2019).

Right: ISIS operatives in Sinai who took part in the combined attack (Telegram, June 5, 2019). Left: ISIS operative shooting at one of the Egyptian police roadblocks (Telegram, June 5, 2019)

129-19 13

Right: ISIS operatives near an armored police vehicle damaged in the attack. Left: ISIS operative aiming a shoulder-fired missile during the combined attack. It is unclear whether the picture was taken during the combined attack (Telegram, June 5, 2019)

According to a report in the pan-Arab daily newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi following the attack in Al-Arish, since the beginning of Operation Sinai 2018, the Egyptian security forces have managed to kill around 500 “terrorist operatives” (i.e., ISIS operatives) and to gain control of extensive areas in northern Sinai. According to the report, the main problem at present is Al-Arish, the capital of the province. Al-Arish is densely built, which makes it easier for terrorists to hide and to mingle with the civilians (Al-Quds Al-Arabi, June 10, 2019). Additional ISIS operations

On June 10, 2019, ISIS operatives detonated an IED against Egyptian army soldiers east of Sheikh Zuweid. Several soldiers were wounded (Telegram, June 11, 2019). On June 4, 2019, ISIS operatives detonated two IEDs against vehicles in the western part of the city of Al-Arish. Several Egyptian soldiers were killed or wounded. In addition, ISIS operatives detonated an IED against an Egyptian army truck near Al-Meliz Airport in central Sinai1. Several Egyptian soldiers were killed and wounded in the incident (Telegram, June 5, 2019). An attack in this area is unusual.

1The civil and military Al-Meliz Airport is located in central Sinai, some 95 km east of the east bank of the Suez Canal. It was built in 1956 as a military airfield following the Sinai Campaign and was used by the Egyptian Air Force during the wars with Israel in the 1960s and 1970s. Israel captured it in 1967, changing its name to Refidim Base. The airfield was returned to Egyptian control in 1979 as part of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. In recent years, the Egyptian Air Force has used the airfield for mounting attacks against ISIS (Dot Misr Egyptian website, March 23, 2018; Wikipedia).

129-19 14

Al-Meliz Airport in the central Sinai Peninsula (Google Maps) ISIS’s activity around the world

West Africa Province

ISIS’s West Africa Province announced that on June 1-3, 2019, as part of the Raids of Attrition, the organization’s operatives attacked Nigerian army positions in three towns in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. A total of 14 Nigerian soldiers were killed in the attack, six vehicles and an APC were destroyed, and weapons and equipment were seized (Telegram, June 4, 2019). On June 2, 2019, ISIS operatives carried out two attacks against the Niger army: in the first operation, two ISIS operatives attacked a security force of the African Coalition at Diffa Airport, near the border with Nigeria. During the exchange of fire, the ISIS operatives detonated their explosive vests. Over 25 soldiers were killed. Another attack was carried out near the oil terminal in the Diffa area (no further details are available at present). A Nigerian force of the African Coalition attacked positions of ISIS operatives near Lake Chad. During the exchange of fire, an ISIS operative detonated a car bomb among the attackers. Over 30 soldiers were killed and wounded (Telegram and Shabakat Shumukh, June 7, 2019). Central Africa Province

On July 3, 2019, ISIS operatives attacked a Congolese army post in the area of the city of Beni, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the exchange of fire with

129-19 15

Congolese soldiers, 25 soldiers were killed and wounded, and the rest fled (Telegram, June 4, 2019). However, according to the mayor of Beni where the attack took place, the attack was carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic jihadi group operating in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Reuters, June 4, 2019). Local elements in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently voiced the allegation that ADF operatives may also be members of ISIS’s Central Africa Province or collaborators with its operatives (Reuters, April 19, 2019). Mozambique

For the first time, ISIS’s Central Africa Province and ISIS’s Amaq News Agency claimed responsibility for carrying out an operation in Mozambique. According to the claim of responsibility, on June 3, 2019, ISIS operatives managed to repel an attack by the Mozambique army in the northeast of the country. Several soldiers were reportedly killed and wounded in the battle, and the attackers retreated from the scene.

mozambique

Right: The site in northeastern Mozambique where the attack was repelled by ISIS operatives (Google Maps) Left: Weapons seized from the Mozambique army (Telegram, June 4, 2019)

129-19 16

This is the first time that ISIS has claimed responsibility for an operation in Mozambique. The claim of responsibility is part of ISIS’s effort to show that it is spreading into new areas around the world following its defeat in Syria. ISIS recently announced the activity of new provinces or regions in Tunis, India, Pakistan, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Congo and Burkina Faso.

However, ISIS’s presence and activity in Mozambique require verification. According to a report on the American website longwarjournal.org, which monitors the activities of Islamic organizations, despite the claim of responsibility by ISIS’s Central Africa Province, it is by no means certain that this attack was indeed carried out. It was not mentioned at all by the local media, and ISIS’s connection to this area is unclear (www.longwarjournal.org, June 4, 2019). Afghanistan

According to an announcement by ISIS’s Khorasan Province, on June 6, 2019, ISIS operatives detonated an IED against a vehicle carrying Afghan security personnel in Jalalabad, in the Nangarhar Province. One of the passengers was killed and three others were wounded (Telegram, June 7, 2019). Pakistan

According to an announcement by ISIS’s Pakistan Province, on June 5, 2019, the organization’s operatives opened fire on Pakistani intelligence personnel in the area of Mastung, around 35 km southwest of the city of Quetta (Baluchistan Province). Two intelligence personnel were killed or wounded (Telegram, June 6, 2019).

129-19 17

Pakistan

The area of Mastung, southwest of Quetta (Google Maps) India

ISIS’s India Province announced that the organization’s operatives had exchanged fire with the Indian army in Kashmir. As a result, several Indian soldiers were wounded (Telegram, June 11, 2019). The battle for hearts and minds

Summary of the wave of attacks known as the Raids of Attrition

Last week, ISIS carried out a wave of attacks throughout the world accompanied by a media campaign entitled the Raids of Attrition. This week, ISIS’s Al-Nabā’ weekly (Issue 185) published an infographic summing up the four days of the wave of attacks (May 31 – June 3, 2019). According to the infographic, 61 attacks were carried out around the world as part of the campaign, in which 332 people were killed and wounded (Telegram, June 4, 2019). Following are the main results of the attacks, according to ISIS’s report in Al-Nabā’ (which is intended for propaganda purposes and therefore can be expected to contain inaccuracies and biases): By territory: The largest number of attacks were carried out in Syria (17 attacks) and in Iraq (14). They are followed by Khorasan (10); West Africa (9); Libya (3); Somalia (2); Central Africa (2); Pakistan Province (2); Sinai (1).

129-19 18

Dead and wounded: The largest number was in Syria (84); followed by West Africa (70); Afghanistan (61); Iraq (59), Central Africa (28); Libya (22). Type of attack: Detonation of IEDs (24); armed attacks (10); assassination attempts (9); suicide bombing attacks (4); detonation of parked car bombs (3); self-sacrifice raids (3); nine attacks were classified as “other” (Telegram, June 4, 2019).

129-19