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Algeria
Algeria hostage crisis: What we know
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Pakistan
Pakistan – Four most wanted TTP men held
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Yemen
US drones killed an al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula commander and two fighters in a strike in Marib province. The three AQAP members were released from prison in April 2012 after being detained for fighting in Abyan province.
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Afghanistan
Afghanistan – Batikot insecurity lingers despite operation
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Syria
More young Syrians disillusioned by the revolution
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Egypt
In Egypt, coalition of groups opposed to Islamists is fracturing
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North Korea
North Korea rocket shows home-grown technology boost: South Korea
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Syria
The head of the Arab League said UN envoy Brahimi’s mission to Syria has not yielded even a “flicker of hope.” Rebels fought government forces within half a mile from the center of Damascus. Russia said it would send planes to Lebanon to evacuate Russians from Syria.
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US kills 3 more AQAP fighters in drone strike in Marib
Three al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters who were captured by security forces but freed in April 2012 were killed in the attack.
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Afghanistan
British Fears for Pakistan Linked to Nuclear Weapons: Analyst
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Ansar Dine
‘Gates of Hell’: Mali Conflict Opens New Front in War on Terror
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ECOWAS
Ivory Coast Leader: ‘Germany Should Also Send Troops to Mali’
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Al Qaeda
‘Lion of the Desert’: Ex-Partner of Germany Leads Malian Islamists
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Eritrea
Eritrean mutineers ‘seize ministry of information’
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Algeria
Prime Minister Sellal said 37 foreigners from eight countries died in the siege at In Amenas; five hostages are missing. The al Qaeda-linked attackers were from Egypt, Canada, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Tunisia. A Canadian named Chedad coordinated the attack; another Canadian participated, as did a former driver at the gas facility. A French jihadist may also have participated. Algerian forces killed 29 militants and captured three, and “a few” may have escaped. Three American hostages were killed. The US had rejected an offer to swap hostages for two terrorists held in US prisons, “Blind Sheikh” Omar Abdel Rahman and…
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Al Nusrah Front claims 2 suicide attacks in Syria
Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria claimed credit for the first two suicide attacks reported in Syria this year. The attacks were launched to avenge reported atrocities in a village in Idlib.
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Mali
French and Malian forces occupied Diabaly and Douentza. French warplanes bombed Islamist camps around Timbuktu and Gao. French Foreign Minister Le Drian said the French-Malian force is seeking “total reconquest” of Mali. The UN said the number of refugees from Mali is about 147,000 and could rise to 400,000; about 239,000 Malians are internally displaced.
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Turkey
The first two batteries of NATO Patriot missiles arrived from Germany; the US and the Netherlands are each sending two more. The missiles, which are for defensive purposes only, will be fully operational by early February. Turkey asked Belgium for more cooperation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party; leading members of the PKK, including Zübeyir Aydar, are based in Belgium.
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Taliban suicide assault team attacks police headquarters in Kabul
Three policemen and all five members of the suicide assault team were killed during an eight-hour-long firefight. The Taliban claimed credit for the attack.
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Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
Pakistan – Manzar Imam was an anti-Taliban crusader: Police
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Pakistan
Pakistan – FC says militants demonising force to scare away local support
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Iraq
Al Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for the assassination of Sunni MP and Awakening leader Aifan Sadoun. Security forces captured AQI’s “religious guide” and three aides in Miqdadiyah.
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Al Qaeda claims assassination of MP Aifan Sadoun; Sunni Awakening leader blames Iran
Dueling statements reflect the deepening sectarian political crisis in Iraq.
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Yemen
US drones killed eight al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in a strike in Marib province. Two Saudi AQAP fighters were among those killed; one was identified as Ismail bin Jamil.
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Algeria
Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the emir of the Those who sign with Blood Brigade, claimed credit for the suicide assault on the In Amenas gas facility under al Qaeda’s banner. At least 48 hostages have been killed, and the death toll is expected to rise. Six jihadists have been captured. The overall death toll from the siege has risen to 81.
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Syria
The opposition National Coalition discussed the idea of a government-in-exile in Turkey. Syria’s foreign minister said any discussion of President Assad’s future was “unacceptable.” Government and rebel forces fought in eastern and southern Damascus.
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Egypt
Opposition groups called for anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrations for Jan. 25. Protesters clashed with police outside a courthouse in Alexandria where policemen are being tried for allegedly killing protesters. Police seized a truck carrying a ton of explosives that was on its way to Sinai.
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Belmokhtar claims Algerian raid, slaying of hostages for al Qaeda
“We in al Qaeda announce that we carried out the blessed commando operation,” Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the emir of the Those who sign with Blood Brigade, said in a video.
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Nigeria
The Islamist group Ansaru claimed an attack on a convoy of Nigerian troops in Kogi state, saying it was to stop African countries from joining the intervention against Islamists in Mali. Suspected Islamist gunmen killed four people in Kano state in an attack on the convoy of a senior Muslim leader.
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US drone strike kills 2 Saudi AQAP fighters in central Yemen
One of the Saudi AQAP fighters was identified as Ismail bin Jamil. The US has launched two strikes so far this year.
