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Ugandans start withdrawal from Somalia, US leaves key base
After nearly 20 years in Somalia, Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from the African Union mission, while US forces have also departed the strategic Baledogle Military Airfield in southern Somalia. The departures could create opportunities for Al Qaeda’s Shabaab to expand its influence amid ongoing political instability in Mogadishu.
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IDF finds weapons stockpiles, Hezbollah military site near UN posts in south Lebanon
Israeli forces found weapons stockpiles and a Hezbollah military-use apartment within 100 to 250 meters of United Nations positions in southern Lebanon, adding to a years-long record of Hezbollah military infrastructure near UNIFIL sites.
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Northern Iraq struggles with Kurdish political divisions and security
Northern Iraq faces mounting security and political challenges as Iranian drone attacks continue to target Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, Iraqi forces conduct operations against the Islamic State, and political disputes threaten stability in Sinjar. These developments come amid growing tensions between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, complicating efforts to strengthen…
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Arab parties endorse Eisenkot for Israeli PM, IDF reports 52 ceasefire violations Oct. 16–Nov. 5
Record turnout among Arab voters in Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election nearly doubled the representation of Arab-led parties, potentially making them kingmakers in forming the next government. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported 52 ceasefire violations by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups between October 16 and November 5, as Israeli forces continued conducting strikes…
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Syria detains Hezbollah cell accused of Homs plot
On November 3, Syrian security forces arrested members of an alleged Hezbollah-linked cell accused of plotting an attack on a refinery near Homs, the latest in a series of operations targeting Hezbollah networks and arms smuggling since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. The arrests come amid expanding Syrian-Lebanese talks on border…
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Lebanese military prosecutor charges 13 over Hezbollah explosives shipment
Lebanon’s military prosecutor charged 13 people over a shipment of explosives seized at Dahr al Baidar. Reporting on the prosecution identifies the alleged supplier, intended recipient, vehicle owner, and members of an accompanying transport team. The charges came as Lebanon’s government continued debating whether to transfer the case to the Judicial Council.
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Afghan United Front leads October surge in claimed anti-Taliban attacks
Anti-Taliban resistance groups claimed 82 attacks in October, more than double September’s total, with the Afghan United Front leading the surge. Yet the emergence of new factions and the loss of another NRF commander underscore the challenges facing a resistance that remains divided.
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Syria’s counterterrorism dilemma: Who can Washington trust?
A deadly attack on a Christian funeral in Jordan and subsequent Jordanian airstrikes in Syria have sparked a diplomatic dispute between Amman and Damascus. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD Senior Research Analyst Ahmad Sharawi to discuss the Islamic State’s possible involvement, the deteriorating security situation in southern Syria, and the implications for US counterterrorism…
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Syria hosts Iraqi PM for visit amid security challenges in north and south
Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi in Damascus on October 28 for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade, and reviving energy cooperation. The historic visit came as Syria faces continuing security challenges, including a deadly Jordanian airstrike in the south, clashes with foreign jihadists in Idlib, and…
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Florida teenager arrested in an Islamic State-linked bomb plot
A 15-year-old student in Gainesville, Florida, allegedly sought guidance from Islamic State members and supporters on building drones and explosives to attack people at an unidentified indoor location.
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One war, many fronts: Iran and its proxies
The war with Iran is far from over, and the fight extends well beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD Senior Fellow and former British Ambassador to Yemen Edmund Fitton-Brown to assess the status of the US-Iran conflict, Tehran’s efforts to break the American naval blockade, and the growing role of…
All Articles
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Afghanistan
Over fifty Taliban were killed during an operation in Kandahar’s Panjwai district since the weekend. Mullah Ubaidullah Akhund is leading the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. A Taliban command said the truce in Helmand is proof KArzai and the Coalition are weak. Kabul has been free of suicide attack for 2 months due to intensive operations south of the capital. A look at the incremental positive changes in security and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
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Al Qaeda
French troops had bin Laden in sights: documentary
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Iraq
Sistani now supports a non-Shia based coalition government. Task Force 145 captured the military emir of Mosul. Abu Deraa, the Mahdi Army death squad leader, is alive and well. Four senior tribal leaders from Diyala were murdered after attending a conference of the province’s tribes. The Iraqi Army is beginning to take the lead in Samarra.
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Al Qaeda
Fugitive al Qaeda American James Ujaama Arrested in Belize
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(Somalia) Three injured in attack on Mogadishu Internet cafe
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Palestinian Territories
Abbas vows to hold polls; truce shaky
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Hezbollah
“Hezbollah is still present in the villages and countryside of southern Lebanon”
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Pakistan
[UPDATE 2] Afghanistan has arrested a Pakistani intelligence officer “who acted as a key link with al Qaeda leaders” and served as a ‘Bin Laden escort.’ An intelligence source informs us Sayed Akbar works for the ISI is a colonel. General Khair Mohammed, the Afghan general that was arrested yesterday, was one of Akbar’s contact in Afghanistan, and helped him run suicide bombers into Kabul.
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Nigeria
Two explosions in oil facilities in Nigeria’s Delta
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Somalia
Guns silent as Somali Islamists’ deadline passes
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Palestinian Territories
Blair rejects Hamas government
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Jordan’s King Hosts Israeli PM for Talks
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Indonesia
Indonesia on holiday attack alert
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Iran
The US may deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf to pressure Iran. The US wants the UNSC to pass a resolution on Iran’s nuclear program within days. President Ahmadinejad may have suffered a defeat in the elections for local councils and for the Assembly of Experts.
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Spirit of America at Work in Fallujah
Fallujah children with Spirit of America backpacks. Click image to view. While walking a patrol with the Iraqi Army in Fallujah last week, I ran across a group of young children heading to school. Many of them had backpacks, and all of the backpacks were identical. This immediately made me think of Spirit of America’s school backpack program, so I contacted Jim Hake and Michele Redmond. Michele is confident that these backpacks are indeed part of the Marines “Benefit Day” outreach program in Al Anbar province. The Marines Benefit Day program was conceived by LtCol Jeff Nagel and sought to…
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Iraq
Attacks have been at a two year high over the past 3 months. It should be remembered that Ramadan, coupled with the US election, played a role in the rise in violence. Iraq’s economy is doing surprisingly well. A Sadr aide and IED cell leader was arrested in Kut. An INP battalion commander was relieved of duty, two others were detained for an illegal arrest.
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Iraq
Iraqi TV station plays up US losses
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Afghanistan
Four Taliban were killed in an airstrike in Kandahar. Canadian forces are again on the offensive in Kandahar’s Panjwaii district, part of the larger Operation Falcon Summit. The Taliban have executed two “spies,” beheading one and stabbing another, then “hanging his body from a tree.”
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Thailand
Thailand may hold peace talks with Muslims in Brunei, says Mahathir’s NGO
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US seeks to rein in its military spy teams
