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Al Qaeda
Djamel Beghal, the charming and chilling mentor of Paris jihadist attackers
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Jihadists mourn slain AQAP sharia official
Jihadists aligned with al Qaeda’s international network mourned the death of Harith bin Ghazi al Nadhari, a senior AQAP sharia official, shortly after AQAP confirmed that he had been killed in a US drone strike.
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Analysis: The Islamic State claims Jordanian airstrikes killed an American hostage
The Islamic State claims that an American hostage was killed during Jordanian airstrikes earlier today. However, the statement could very well be a propaganda ploy, at least in part.
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Islamic State
The immolation of Mu’adh al-Kasasibah
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US Military
Pentagon loses track of weaponry sent to Yemen in recent years
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Al Qaeda jihadists celebrate release of anti-Islamic State ideologue
Jordan has reportedly released Abu Muhammad al Maqdisi. The move was celebrated by al Qaeda jihadists on social media, including those belonging to the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria.
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AQAP releases audio message featuring Ibrahim al-Rubaysh
In a recently released audio message, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula ideologue Ibrahim al-Rubaysh addresses demonstrations against the Charlie Hebdo attack and calls for more attacks against the West.
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China
Islamic State executes three of its Chinese militants: China paper
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Afghanistan
Afghan troops fight insurgents near Pakistan border, 18 killed
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Iraq
Jordanian jets return after striking at Islamic State targets in Syria: sources
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Iraq
Jordan considers expanding role in Coalition to hit Islamic State in Iraq
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Syria
Rebel shelling rocks Syrian capital
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Syria
At least eight people were wounded and possibly five killed after the Islam Army, a Syrian rebel group, attacked Damascus with a barrage of rockets and mortar rounds. At least 54 rebels may have been killed after regime troops attacked their positions in the Damascus suburb of Douma, according to Xinhua via Syrian National TV. It’s been reported that the UAE stopped flying missions over Syria as part of the US-led coalition after Jordan’s pilot was captured late last year; Pentagon releases seem to contradict this report. According to SOHR, the Islamic State has executed 50 people “it accused of…
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Somalia
The Somalian government announced that a US drone strike killed Shabaab’s external operations chief last weekend. Suspected jihadists attacked a police station in Bosaso, injuring one and destroying a vehicle. Airstrikes in the Lower Jubba region killed 27 Shabaab fighters, according to local government authorities.
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Egypt
An Egyptian court sentenced 230 people, including a prominent activist, to life in prison after their conviction for “rioting, inciting violence and attacking security forces.” One person was killed when unknown assailants firebombed a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Cairo.
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Libya
Gunmen stormed the al-Mabrook oilfield south of Sirte, killing 12 people, including at least three foreigners; jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State are suspected. The UAE sent a second plane load of supplies to aid civilians in Libya. The Libyan Army lost 11 soldiers killed and 25 wounded battling Islamist forces near derma; the jihadists are said to have suffered “heavy losses.” Libya Dawn attacked pro-government forces near the oil port of Sidra, killing five soldiers and wounding 13.
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Influential AQAP ideologue killed in US drone strike
Harith bin Ghazi al Nadhari, a senior sharia official in al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, was killed in a US drone strike on Jan. 31. Al Qaeda had consistently elevated Nadhari’s media profile, meaning he was considered a key ideologue for the global organization.
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Iran
Iran’s militias are taking over Iraq’s army
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Hundreds killed as Chadian military overruns Boko Haram strongholds
Chadian forces crossed the border and stormed several towns held by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria. Fierce fighting has reportedly killed hundreds of insurgents over the past week. Battles continue in several strategic towns in the Lake Chad area.
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Algeria
The presidents of Algeria and Benin announced that they would ramp up cooperation in counterterrorism operations. Despite political tensions, the Moroccan and Algerian intelligence services are also reported to have remained cooperative.
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Mali
French forces killed about a dozen jihadists “in the region of the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains” in northern Mali. The UN’s peacekeeping mission is struggling with persistent insecurity and tensions with the civilian populace.
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Nigeria
Chadian troops crossed the border into Nigeria and ejected Boko Haram from the town of Gamboru, which the group has held for several months. The Nigerian military claimed the country’s sovereignty remains intact. Nigerian and Chadian warplanes have bombed the jihadist group “out of a slew of northeastern Nigerian towns.” Boko Haram’s pressure on Maiduguri has “put a stranglehold on one of Nigeria’s key cities.” The UN condemned the jihadist group’s recent attacks.
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Afghanistan
Insider attack targets Afghan police officers
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Iraq
United Arab Emirates, key US ally in Islamic State effort, disengaged in December
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Pakistan
Obama’s Pentagon nominee interested in counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan
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Iraq
Jordan hangs two Iraqi militants in response to pilot’s death
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Islamic State
Islamic State kills 50 captives in Syria this year
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Ajnad Misr
How Cairo is taking the fight to Sinai militants
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Analysis: DIA head warns al Qaeda in Syria may gain ground in 2015
Lieutenant General Vincent R. Stewart, the director of the DIA, testified before the House Armed Services Committee yesterday. Stewart warned that al Qaeda in Syria may gain ground in 2015, the Islamic State remains capable of launching offensive operations despite the coalition’s air campaign, and the Taliban-led insurgency has fought its opposition to a stalemate in Afghanistan.
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Iraq
Jordan to execute jailed would-be bomber, jihadists
