Jihadist Attacks Canadian Military Force Recruitment Office

At 3:30 PM on March 14, 2016,  two members of the Canadian military force  were attacked just outside the Joseph Shepard Building which houses a number of government offices along with the recruitment center for the Canadian military forces.  As the assailant was subdued by additional military force personnel. Bystanders claimed to hear him yell either “Allah” or “Praise Allah.”

The assailant was identified as 27-year old Ayanie Hasan Ali, who was born in Montreal but has lived in Toronto for the past five years.

According to Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders Ali entered the recruitment center and stabbed a Master Corporal who noticed Ali was carrying a large knife and when he approached Ali he was slashed.  The assailant tried to move further into the recruitment center before being subdued by six military force members. In the process another force member was stabbed and another cut. All of the victims suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated at the hospital.

The Ali was taken into police custody and his background is being thoroughly reviewed. He is currently at the hospital under surveillance and being medically evaluated. He was unresponsive when asked a number of questions despite being conscious which is why authorities want a mental health examination conducted.

Under Canadian law, Ali could face a stricter jail sentence if found guilty of violent acts trying to inhibit military forces, or the wider public from obtaining Canada’s political objectives.

Chief Saunders noted that they are considering all possibilities for rationale behind this attack and that does include terrorism, but its still early into the investigation. The Department of National Defense (DND) stated it would work closely with the police in this matter.

Chief Saunders also said the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team would be activated in this matter. The team consists of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and a unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), which handles terrorism issues. Authorities have also contacted the Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS).

A police source explained, the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team will look into this individual’s movements, mental health, contact with police, affiliations and whereabouts.

Canadians are still on edge over previous incidents of jihadists that have attacked military forces throughout the country. An earlier Free Fire blog detailed how Canada is also seeing an influx of returning jihadists returning home from fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Two years ago Martin Couture-Rouleau Islamic State (IS) supporter ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec killing Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent. Police shot and killed him. Couture-Rouleu had been under surveillance and had his passport withdrawn after he tried to travel to Turkey.

Michael Zehaf-Bibeau another indoctrinated IS supporter shot and killed Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was shot dead by Canadian police after entering the parliament building. The death of Nathan Cirillo provided the impetus for the Harper government’s Canadian anti-terrorism bill C-51, which now faces major scrutiny by the Liberal Trudeau government that seeks to undo some of powers the legislation’s provides to Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

RCMP spokesman Harold Pfleiderer noted, “while it is premature to comment as an investigation is ongoing, the information the RCMP have at this moment suggests that this is an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the public.”

As the investigation continues the likelihood is high that this individual will prove to be either either an IS member returned from abroad, or otherwise indoctrinated through the internet. Canadian military, law enforcement and intelligence personnel must be more vigilant than ever as the jihadist threat continues to effect the Canadian homeland.