Anti-terrorism training in Iraq on OSINT and GEOINT strategic tools

The European project CT JUST, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union and the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM-I), has developed a new phase of the training cycle addressed to thirty officers and police commanders of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. This activity has focused on the application of open source (OSINT) and geo-intelligence (GEOINT) as strategic tools in counter-terrorism investigations, allowing the early detection of "foreign terrorist fighters" (FTF) and the identification of online radicalisation and jihadist recruitment networks.

Specialised training for counter-terrorism units

Specialists from EU countries and members of the Spanish and Belgian police forces have delivered training sessions aimed at providing advanced tools in digital and geospatial intelligence. Participants have been trained in advanced techniques for the identification of terrorist cells and networks in digital environments, the detection of violent extremist propaganda and the analysis of radicalisation patterns in social networks.

The application of geospatial tools for the localization of terrorist infrastructures, the analysis of suspicious movements and the optimization of operational planning has also been addressed. Information gathering and processing methods have been introduced for the generation of intelligence with real-time detection. The advantages of interoperability and international cooperation have also been highlighted, promoting the use of shared databases and coordinated work with organizations such as EUROPOL and INTERPOL.

Case studies and real-time intelligence application

One of the central aspects of the training was the resolution of simulated scenarios, in which participants applied OSINT and GEOINT techniques to identify and track terrorist threats and violent radical messages on the web. This approach allowed the integration of advanced technological tools and intelligence analysis methodologies, improving the operational and predictive capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, early detection as a mechanism to prevent the jihadist terrorist threat on social networks and propaganda on the Internet.

Ethics, human rights and the fight against violent extremism

The role of EUROPOL and its Internet Referral Unit (IRU) in identifying and removing terrorist content online was highlighted. The importance of protecting privacy and fundamental rights in the fight against violent digital radicalization was also underlined, ensuring that the methods used are effective and respectful of international law and especially in line with member states.