Ansar al Islam

Ansar al Islam claims first attack in Iraq since 2014

For the first time in five years, the jihadist group has claimed an attack in its native Iraq.

Ansar al Islam battles Kurds in Aleppo

Despite being forced largely underground in Iraq, Ansar al Islam continues to operate in Syria against regime and now Kurdish forces.

Ansar al Islam coordinating with the Al Nusrah Front, Jaish al Muhajireen wal Ansar in Aleppo

Ansar al Islam, an al Qaeda-affiliated group that operates in Iraq and Syria, has been cooperating with the Al Nusrah Front and the Chechen-led Jaish al Muhajireen wal Ansar in the fighting for two Shiite villages in northern Aleppo.

Ansar al Islam claims new attacks on official Twitter feed

In one tweet earlier this month, Ansar al Islam implied that it had a hand in the killing of a top Iraqi general. But this claim cannot be independently verified and the few details offered by the group conflict with published reports based on Iraqi government sources.

Ansar al Islam releases propaganda photos showing operations in Iraq

Ansar al Islam, a jihadist group founded in September 2001, has released a set of propaganda photos showing its claimed operations in Iraq. The photos purport to show the organization’s control over a highway between Tikrit and Kirkuk, captured spoils, and its willingness to grant amnesty to members of Iraq’s security forces.

Ansar al Islam claims attacks against Iraqi military, police

Ansar al Islam, a jihadist group founded in northern Iraq in September 2001, has claimed a number of attacks against the Iraqi government since the rebel offensive began earlier this month.

Ansar al Islam names new leader

Ansar al Islam, an al Qaeda-linked terror group based in northern Iraq, named Abu Hashim Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman al Ibrahim as its new emir.

Ansar al Islam claimed responsibility for a series of bombings in Baghdad on Oct. 6, 10, and 13. The terror group said it killed more than 60 Iraqis in attacks on policemen and Shia militias in the Sadr City, Al Washash, and Al Atefiyah neighborhoods.

Iraqi forces arrest leader of Ansar al Islam

Abu Abdullah al Shafi, the top leader of Ansar al Islam, was captured along with seven associates during a raid in Baghdad. Shafi has close ties with Osama bin Laden.

Iraqi troops detain deputy leader of Ansar al Islam

Fakri Hadi Gari, the group’s deputy emir, and the financial emir were captured by Iraqi forces in Mosul.

Ansar al-Islam raids Assad regime position in Latakia

Ansar al-Islam raided an Assad regime military position in the Latakia province yesterday, killing more than two dozen Assad loyalists. The attack was widely celebrated on Sunni jihadist social media channels. Ansar al-Islam is a small jihadist group that originated in Iraq, but has fought in Syria for years.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb honors Ansar al Sharia’s slain military commander

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has released a eulogy for Mansur al Shalali (aka “Harun”), the slain military commander of Ansar al Sharia in Libya. AQIM notes that Shalali fought for several years in Algeria. The eulogy further underscores the tight relationship between AQIM and Ansar al Sharia Libya.

Jaish al Muhajireen wal Ansar leader accuses Islamic State of creating ‘fitna’ between jihadist groups

Salahuddin al Shishani also accused the Islamic State of attempting to assassinate him after his failed attempt to mediate a dispute between the group and al Qaeda’s branch in Syria.

Ansar al Sharia Tunisia calls for Islamist solution to political crisis

The assassination of a popular politician has sparked a crisis in Tunisia. Ansar al Sharia Tunisia, an al Qaeda-linked group, has called for a common Islamist solution to the crisis.

Jihadi History: Al-Qaeda’s failed mobilization efforts in Central African Republic

In early 2014, as Muslim civilians were being massacred in Central African Republic as part of a cycle of violence between Muslim and Christian militias, al-Qaeda went on a full-court press in an attempt to foster any jihadist movement to take up arms in the country. These attempts, however, largely fell on deaf ears. As such, this offers a unique glimpse into when, and potentially how, jihadist mobilization attempts fail.

Islamic State announces new global campaign to rally members and supporters

The current Islamic State spokesman announced yet another global campaign for the group’s global affiliates and supporters. Though intrinsically propagandistic, prior global campaigns had severe real world consequences.

Houthis strike commercial vessel, target French warship

A Norwegian tanker was hit with a cruise missile, while a French warship shot down two drones that “came straight at” it. The Houthis have vowed to continue to attack all international ships that enter or leave Israeli ports.

Houthis target U.S. warship, commercial vessels in the Red Sea

The attack is the latest by the Houthis against international shipping and U.S. Navy warships. The U.S. military has yet to respond to repeated attacks on U.S. warships and commercial vessels.

International Maritime Security Construct issues warning as Houthis threaten commercial shipping

The IMSC did not identify any of the “malign actors” that caused it to issue the warning, but it is clear the warning is in response to threats by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

Leader of Yemen’s Houthis states willingness to support ‘Palestinian people’

Abdul Malik al-Houthi says he willing to support ‘the Palestinian people’ with rocket barrages if the United States intervenes to support Israel.

Islamic State confirms death of yet another leader, appoints new ‘caliph’

Another caliph is dead. A new one, Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, has been appointed.

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.

Analysis: Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb encourages its Sahelian wing to continue fighting the Islamic State

Abu Yasir al-Jaza’iri, an Algerian ideologue in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, offers the group’s harshest rebuke of the Islamic State to date.

Al Qaeda’s JNIM pushes closer to Malian capital

Over the last two weeks, al Qaeda’s West African branch has made a more concerted effort to advance closer to the Malian capital of Bamako.

Taliban meets with Hamas during high-level talks in Turkey

In recent weeks, a Taliban delegation led by Zabihullah Mujahir visited Turkey to meet with various officials including senior Hamas members.

Analysis: Al Qaeda ideologue calls for jihad in Sudan, provides guidelines

Abu Hudhayfah al Sudani, a veteran member of al Qaeda, calls on youth in his native Sudan to unite and form a cohesive jihadist front to combat the Sudanese government. He provides the prospective jihadis a step-by-step guide on how to do so.

Ayman al Zawahiri is alive; Taliban and Al Qaeda “remain close,” UN reports

Zawahiri lives. The Taliban-Al Qaeda alliance remains strong. The leaders of Al Qaeda’s branches in North and East Africa have assumed roles in Al Qaeda’s line of succession.

Islamic State claims prison break outside of Nigeria’s capital

Hundreds of prisoners, including an unclear number of jihadists, remain free following a massive jailbreak just outside the Nigerian capital of Abuja earlier this week. The Islamic State has said its men were behind the raid.

Turkistan Islamic Party leader celebrates Eid in Afghanistan

The presence of Abdul Haq al Turkistani, a veteran Al Qaeda leader, in Afghanistan contradicts the Taliban’s claims that there are no foreign fighters based in the country.

Tajik terrorist serves as Taliban commander in northern Afghanistan

A Tajik commander in the Al Qaeda-linked Jamaat Ansarullah who was appointed to lead several districts in northern Afghanistan continues to celebrate the group’s ties to the Taliban.