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France
Obama asks Congress to approve military strike against Syria
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Afghanistan
The Taliban killed five people in a suicide attack in Kandahar, 12 people in an IED attack in Helmand, seven more in another roadside bombing in Parwan, and an ISAF soldier in the east. Security forces killed 16 Taliban fighters and detained 10 more in Wardak.
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Syria
Fighters from the Sharia Court of Aleppo clashed with the rebel Saddam Hussein battalion. The Sharia Court executed at least one person in the past two days. Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant released 20 Syrian Kurds after torturing them; at least 50 more Kurdish civilians are still held captive . The ISIL withdrew from the joint rebel siege of Aleppo prison. Gunmen from the Ahrar al-Sham Islamic Movement allegedly massacred 16 civilians, including women and childen, in Idlib; the group denied the accusation. The UN rejected allegations that its inspectors’ departure was related to the…
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Top jihadist reportedly arrested in Sinai
A day after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant called on Egyptians to wage “jihad” against the army, a top jihadist wanted in connection with the recent killing of over 20 policemen in the Sinai was arrested.
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Iraq
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant killed 12 people and wounded 20 more in a car bombing in Ramadi. Another civilian was killed in a bombing in Madeen. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant denounced the Muslim Brotherhood for pursuing democracy in Egypt.
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Egypt
Suicide Bombing Shakes Sinai Amid Security Crackdown
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Egypt
Radicalization in the Sinai Peninsula
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Syria
The White House walk-and-talk that changed Obama’s mind on Syria
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Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant calls on Egyptians to wage ‘jihad’ against army
A new audio message from an ISIL spokesman denounced the Muslim Brotherhood as being worse than secularists. In addition, the spokesman called on Egyptian Muslims to wage ‘jihad’ against the army.
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Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham
Islamist rebels go into hiding ahead of Syria strikes
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Egypt
The Egyptian army announced the arrest of dozens of “takfirists” and “criminal elements” in the Sinai. One of those arrested in the Sinai, Adel Mohammed (Adel Habara), is said to be a top militant wanted in connection with the recent killing of over 20 policemen. A police officer on patrol in the Sinai was reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen. Jihadists were suspected in an attack involving RPGs on a bank in el Arish. The Egyptian army reportedly destroyed 10 smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. A terror plot intended to strike a ship in the Suez Canal failed.
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Lebanon
The army arrested Lebanese nationals Youssef Mohammed al-Fleity and Omar Abdul Mawla al-Atrash, who are suspected of involvement in an Aug. 22 rocket attack on northern Israel. Two Saudi nationals who were arrested and interrogated by Hezbollah in Beirut have been released after the Saudi ambassador interceded for them. Security is being stepped up around mosques in Beirut and elsewhere. Israeli military aircraft have been flying over Lebanese airspace more frequently in recent days.
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Africa
Africa, Europe partner against al-Qaeda
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Somalia
Ten people were killed after Shabaab ambushed government forces in the Bakool area. Shabaab killed an intelligence official in the capital. Security forces detained 27 suspected Shabaab fighters during raids in Mogadishu.
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Nigeria
Boko Haram killed 24 members of a vigilante militia in an ambush in Monguno. Boko Haram fighters attacked the militia, numbering more than 100 members, as it attempted to raid a camp and detained the Islamist fighters.
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Syria
F.B.I. Sharpens Scrutiny of Syrians in U.S. for Signs of Retaliation
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US drones kill 4 Turkistan Islamic Party fighters in Pakistan strike
The strike in Pakistan is the first reported in the country in more than a month. The Turkistan Islamic Party fighters were allied with Hafiz Gul Bahadar, who is considered by the Pakistani government to be a “good Taliban.”
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Libya
Prime Minister Zeidan said that about 50,000 people are needed for a new intelligence agency. Authorities denied rumors that police in the eastern city of Marj had clashed on Aug. 25 with Islamist fighters from a 15-vehicle convoy bearing al Qaeda flags. Egypt’s interim prime minister asked Libya to step up prevention of arms smuggling into Egypt, as smuggled weapons are said to be going to rebel tribesmen in Sinai or across into Gaza, and to provide more protection for Egyptian diplomats in Libya. The head of an NGO involved in clearing old munitions said funding is drying up, and…
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United States
President Obama said he believes the US should intervene militarily in Syria, but stated that he will seek Congressional authorization after debate. Lawmakers return to Congress on Sept. 9. Administration officials are briefing Congressmen in an effort to build support for the planned military intervention. US allies Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Korea, and Turkey have been urging the administration to take action against the Assad regime. A federal court refused to dismiss terrorism charges against al Qaeda-linked cleric Abu Hamza, who faces trial next year.
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Syria
Experts Fear US Plan to Strike Syria Overlooks Risks
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Al Qaeda
Prison escapee evolves into Qaeda-backed jailbreak artist
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Syria
US casts action in Syria as moral imperative but sets no timetable
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Afghanistan
The Taliban killed a district governor and 19 civilians in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Kunduz, and killed five children in a bombing in Baghlan. The Interior Ministry claimed that 57 Taliban fighters were killed during operations throughout the country.
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Al Nusrah Front
Exclusive: Syrians In Ghouta Claim Saudi-Supplied Rebels Behind Chemical Attack
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Syria
NATO said it does not plan to intervene in Syria. The ICRC warned that the proposed Western military intervention will “likely trigger more displacement and add to humanitarian needs” in a situation that is already desperate. The UN said inspectors will leave on Aug. 31 but will not have immediate results, and will return later to investigate other alleged chemical attacks in Syria. Some rebel activists are claiming that the Aug. 21 attack was conducted by forces under the command of President Assad’s brother. The Foreign Ministry said today’s accusations by the US Secretary of State were “lies and baseless.”
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Iraq
Al Qaeda in Iraq killed 11 people in a pair of car bombings in Tuz Khurmatu. Security forces captured a senior al Qaeda commander in Salman who escaped from a prison in Tikrit last year. Iraqis in Khalis refuse to bury slain al Qaeda fighters.
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Egypt
Security forces arrested eight Muslim Brotherhood members wanted in connection with recent attacks in the Sinai. Supporters of former president Morsi held protests in Cairo; turnout was said to be low. Despite the low turnout, at least six people were reportedly killed in clashes.
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Syria
US military officers have deep doubts about impact, wisdom of a US strike on Syria
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Turkey
Prime Minister Erdogan said the goal for any military intervention in Syria should be regime change. “A limited operation cannot be satisfactory to us,” he said. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said the Assad regime was responsible for the Aug. 21 chemical attack in Damascus and cited a Turkish intelligence report.
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Lebanon
The UK urged its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon. A group of Kuwaitis is being evacuated from Lebanon. A court charged five people, including a Syrian intelligence officer and two Lebanese sheikhs, with operating a terrorist cell in the north that targeted religious institutions and leaders. The cell is tied to recent mosque bombings in which 47 people were killed and 500 wounded. Authorities denied that rising concerns over a possible Western strike on Syria is disrupting airline service in Beirut. Security in Beirut is being beefed up due to a series of car bombings.
