FDD’s Long War Journal’s response to Zalmay Khalilzad’s Twitter thread
FDD’s Long War Journal responds to the former ambassador’s assertion that assessments of Afghanistan once again becoming a terrorist safe haven are false.
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Islamic State in Somalia suffers setbacks despite uptick in claimed activity
The month of May saw a relative spike in Islamic State claims inside Somalia compared to earlier months. However, this comes in the backdrop of several Puntland security operations against it.
Collecting and analyzing Shiite militia attacks against the U.S. presence in Iraq
There have been at least 43 attacks using rockets and/or mortars on U.S. positions in Iraq by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. These attacks shed light on Iranian and allied-Shiite militia intentions and strategy.
Introducing: Generation Jihad, a new podcast from FDD’s Long War Journal
Each week the Generation Jihad podcast will bring you a new story focusing on jihadism around the globe.
Senior al Qaeda official praises Taliban’s ‘victory’ in Afghanistan
Asim Umar, a senior al Qaeda official, has released a statement praising the Taliban’s “victory” in Afghanistan over the US. He also criticizes ISIS for dividing the jihadists’ ranks, praying that Allah ends the “fitnah.”
US Counterterrorism strikes: Tempo remains high in Somalia and Yemen, transparency improves
In 2017, LWJ reported unprecedented levels of airstrikes in Somalia and Yemen. Thus far in 2018, the United States has sustained its high strike tempo in Somalia and improved transparency on its air campaign in Yemen. Strikes in Pakistan have leveled off, however press restrictions make tracking operations there difficult. In Libya, the U.S. has targeted jihadists sparingly.
Analysis: Ayman al Zawahiri argues jihadists can’t deceive America
In a new message, Ayman al Zawahiri holds up the Taliban-al Qaeda relationship as a model for jihadists around the globe. He also critiques the jihadists and Islamists in Egypt and Syria who think they can “deceive” America and achieve power by placating the US.
Analysis: Taliban propagandists release ‘open letter’ to President Trump
The Taliban has released an “open letter” to President Trump urging him to “adopt the strategy of a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan instead of a troops increase.” The propaganda letter contains several erroneous or misleading claims. It is also disingenuous with respect to the jihadist threat emanating out of Afghanistan.
How a US citizen became a key player in the Islamic State’s rivalry with al Qaeda
The eighth edition of the Islamic State’s Rumiyah magazine features a cover story on Ahmad Abousamra, who was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List in 2013. Abousamra was the “chief editor” of Dabiq, the Islamic State’s English-language magazine, and also one of al Qaeda’s fiercest rhetorical opponents. He described al Qaeda’s leaders and pro-al Qaeda ideologues as the “Jews of Jihad.”
Islamic State claims gains in Aleppo province during chaotic fight
The Islamic State has issued a statement claiming to have captured several key towns north of the city of Aleppo. The group’s campaign in Aleppo province had stalled until Russia began targeting some of its opposition, including Free Syrian Army units.
Al Qaeda branches eulogize slain Egyptian jihadist
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb have issued eulogies for Hammam Attiyah, who led Ajnad Misr until his death earlier this month. Little is known about Attiyah, but the eulogies are a significant indication that Ajnad Misr operates as part of al Qaeda’s international network.
Al Qaeda official in Syria tweets in solidarity with Islamic State
Abu Sulayman al Muhajir, a member of the Al Nusrah Front’s Sharia Committee, has now joined other al Qaeda members and branches in expressing solidarity with the Islamic State; but such expressions of support are not pledges of loyalty or allegiance.
The Islamic State’s global reach
A closer look at recent developments in a number of countries should dispel any illusions that the Islamic State’s aspirations and activities are only regional.
Central Asian jihadist group joins ISIS
Sabiri’s Jamaat is led by a Dagestani and includes at least seventy fighters from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the Russian Caucasus.
ISIS parades on outskirts of Baghdad
Hundreds of Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham fighters paraded their vehicles, which included captured Iraqi military trucks and an artillery piece, through the streets of Abu Ghraib and Fallujah.
Russian-speaking jihadists execute Syrians in Aleppo
Jihadists from either the Al Nusrah Front or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham carried out the execution. A mentally ill man is said to have been among those to be killed.
Chechen-led group swears allegiance to head of Islamic State of Iraq and Sham
The Chechen-led Army of the Emigrants and Helpers in Syria has sworn allegiance to the head of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham. The group is awaiting approval from the head of the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Caucasus Emirate.
ISIS fighter from Kosovo praises jihad in Syria
German intelligence estimates that more than 1,000 Europeans, including 150 Muslims from Kosovo, are fighting against the Assad regime in Syria.
MSC in Jerusalem praises slain member in new video
A new video praising Hithem Ziad Ibrahim Masshal, a well-known jihadist in the Gaza Strip, was released by the Ibn Taymiyyah Media Center to jihadist forums. Masshal, who was killed in April by the Israeli Air Force, is celebrated for his role in supporting jihadist groups in Gaza.
American passport found at al Qaeda base in northern Syria
American and Egyptian passports belonging to Amiir Farouk Ibrahim, who was born in Pennsylvania, were among a number of travel documents found after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant abandoned a base in northern Syria.
Mohammed al Zawahiri threatens West, condemns Mali intervention
The younger brother of al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri has called for jihad in Mali and threatened France, as well as other countries. He “organized” last week’s protest at the French Embassy in Cairo. Al Qaeda banners were on display during the protest.
Haqqani Network is part of the Taliban — Siraj Haqqani
The al Qaeda-linked leader of the Haqqani Network reiterated his allegiance to Mullah Omar. The Haqqanis and the Taliban have consistently stated that both groups are united.
Taliban’s Quetta Shura calls death of bin Laden a ‘great tragedy’
“He was an indefatigable fighter against the Christian and Jewish aggressions in the Islamic World and was not sparing any effort in this cause,” the official statement said.
Reports of Pakistani Taliban leader’s death are premature
A Pakistani television channel claimed today that Hakeemullah Mehsud died days after a Jan. 14 strike and was buried recently in Arakzai. The Pakistani military and US intelligence will not confirm the report.
Shabaab looks to the Somali North
The al Qaeda-linked group has initiated a terror campaign in Puntland and has threatened to take over the semi-autonomous region and the breakaway republic of Somaliland.
Analysis: Mumbai attack differs from past terror strikes
The military-style terror attack on Mumbai is entering its third day as Indian forces are still working to clear gunmen from several locations in the city. The scope and depth of the attack is unprecedented.
Shabaab Leader Sanctioned as Zawahiri Responds to Group’s Oath of Loyalty
The US Treasury sanctions three senior Al Shabaab leaders as the Somali terror group is close to being integrated with al Qaeda.
Adam Gadahn resurfaces in new al Qaeda tape
Al Qaeda’s American spokesman was rumored killed in a January airstrike that killed Abu Laith al Libi. Gadahn references the US “economic meltdown.”
Al Qaeda’s commander in Afghanistan rumored killed in Pakistan
Unconfirmed reports indicates Mustafa Abu Yazid was killed during the fighting in the Bajaur tribal agency. US intelligence officials and al Qaeda have yet to confirm his death.
Missile strike against Taliban safe house in Bajaur, Pakistan
Seven to 14 reported killed in the town of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal agency. This is the fourth such attack this year.