AQAP congratulates JNIM for attacks on French soldiers
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has sent a message of support to its fellow al Qaeda branch for recently killing five French soldiers.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
Kenyan governor claims Shabaab controls over half of northeastern Kenya
The governor of Kenya’s Mandera County recently stated that Shabaab is controlling “over 50 percent’ of northern Kenya and “more than 60 percent” of Mandera. Kenyan authorities have quickly scrambled to contradict these claims.
U.S. to designate Yemen’s Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization
Additionally, the U.S. State Department will also designate three of the Houthis’ top leaders as global terrorists.
Shabaab assassinates high-ranking military officials in central Somalia
Shabaab killed several military officials in a suicide bombing today in Galkayo. This is just the latest in a renewed assassination campaign that has targeted a wide range of high profile Somali leaders this year.
State Department designates Iranian-backed Bahraini militia
Saraya al Mokhtar is now the second Bahraini militia to be designated as terrorists for ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Shabaab raids military base in central Somalia
Shabaab briefly occupied a Somali military base and its adjacent town yesterday following a major assault in central Somalia.
France reports killing Al Qaeda commander in Mali
France has claimed it killed Bah Ag Moussa, an important JNIM commander, in a recent military raid in northern Mali. JNIM has not yet commented on the news.
Analysis: Islamic State official critiques Al Qaeda in the Sahel
In an interview with the Islamic State’s Al-Naba newsletter, Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, attempts to paint al Qaeda’s efforts in the region as rife with internal squabbles and disunity.
Islamic State links prison break in DRC to speech from its spokesman
Both the Islamic State and its local affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces, have linked yesterday’s prison break in DRC to a recent speech by the official Islamic State spokesman.
Islamic State claims prison break in the DRC
At least 1,300 inmates were freed in an operation conducted by the Allied Democratic Forces, the Islamic State’s local affiliate.
Analysis: JNIM celebrates prisoner swap in Mali
In exchange for the release of dozens of imprisoned members from Mali’s prisons, Al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has freed four hostages, three of them foreign. JNIM has since celebrated the prisoner swap, including a personal appearance by its overall emir, Iyad Ag Ghaly, in northern Mali.
Islamic State claims killing French aid workers, clashes with al Qaeda in the Sahel
In this week’s edition of the Islamic State’s weekly Al-Naba newsletter, the jihadist group claims a series of wide-ranging operations across the Sahel. This includes last month’s massacre of French aid workers in Niger, as well as a spate of battles with al Qaeda’s men.
Analysis: Iranian-backed group in Bahrain creates sub-unit to target Israeli interests
In the first official Bahraini militant statement since the announcement of a peace deal between Bahrain and Israel, Saraya Wa’ad Allah says it is opening its doors for recruitment for a new sub-unit dedicated to attacking Israelis on the island.
US forces targeted by Shabaab suicide bombing
At least one US soldier was wounded in the blast, while two Somali troops were also killed. This is the third time the group has reported clashing with American troops inside Somalia since Aug. 24.
Shabaab hits hotel, military base with suicide assaults
In two days, Shabaab has launched two suicide assaults across southern Somalia. Additionally, it continues to target high-ranking government officials in a renewed assassination campaign.
Al Qaeda-linked group claims attack in northwestern Nigeria
Yesterday’s statement is just the group’s second attack claim since its revival late last year. While Ansaru stated its men were behind an attack on Nigerian security forces, all recent raids in Kaduna State have been on civilians. It is thus likely that Ansaru is attempting to indicate its role in the growing ethnic violence in the state.
JNIM targets French troops in suicide assault
JNIM claims its first suicide bombing of the year on French troops in the Timbuktu region of northern Mali.
US launches airstrike on Islamic State in Somalia
Yesterday’s drone strike was the first US airstrike on the Islamic State in Somalia this year.
Shabaab tries to assassinate top general in Somalia
Shabaab’s suicide bombing against Somalia’s top general is the latest in the group’s recent attacks against government officials. The bombing also continues the current spate of increased suicide bombings across the country.
Taliban attempts to cover up images posted by an Uzbek jihadist group in Afghanistan
The Taliban denies that an Uzbek jihadist group, Katibat Imam al-Bukhari (KIB), operates in Afghanistan. The Taliban falsely asserts that photos recently posted by the KIB were “falsified by anti-peace circles.”
Uzbek jihadist group claims capture of Afghan militiamen
Katibat Imam al-Bukhari, a Taliban-loyal Uzbek group that operates in both Afghanistan and Syria, again promotes its Afghanistan operations. This comes as the Taliban has attempted to deny the presence of foreign fighters inside the country.
ISCAP Ambushes UN Peacekeepers in the DRC, Exploits Coronavirus
The Islamic State’s Central African Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a rapid expansion in claimed activity in recent months. At the same time, it has tried to exploit the global coronavirus pandemic to recruit individuals.
Shabaab hits Somali, Turkish bases with suicide bombings
In the span of four days, the Al Qaeda branch has claimed the use of two suicide car bombings on Somali and Turkish military bases in two different areas of Somalia.
AQIM confirms leader’s death
AQIM has released an audio message confirming the death of its longtime emir, Abdulmalek Droukdel.
Jihadist group confirms arrest of Uzbek commander
Jabhat Ansar al Din has confirmed that Abu Saloh al Uzbeki, the former leader of HTS’ Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, has indeed been arrested by his former group.
Hay’at Tahrir al Sham reportedly arrests Uzbek jihadist leader
Abu Saloh, the founder and first emir of Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, was arrested by HTS yesterday after the jihadist reportedly failed to pay his debts.
Jihadists target military outpost in Ivory Coast
While JNIM has not claimed the assault, its Katibat Macina is widely suspected of perpetrating the attack. This comes after sustained operations against it in the area last month.
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.
Shabaab targets African Union, Kenyan troops in southern Somalia
The Al Qaeda branch claims its men enacted “heavy losses” to AMISOM and Kenyan troops in southern Somalia. African Union troops and the Somali government have stated otherwise, however.
Houthis allege capture of Al Qaeda base in northern Yemen
Houthis report to have captured an al Qaeda base in one of its historical strongholds in the country. No independent verification of this event, however, has yet been reported.