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Shiite militias, Iraqi troops enter central Tikrit
Militias that US military commanders claimed to have quit the fight have entered Tikrit.
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Afghan intel captures Taliban commander involved in targeting ‘foreigners’ in Kabul
The Taliban commander is also thought to played a part in the March 19 assassination of Matihullah Khan, the chief of police for the southern province of Uruzgan.
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Iranian-backed Shiite militias still operating in Tikrit
Several Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups continue to operate in Tikrit, despite claims by US government officials that most of these militias had left the battle. The US continues to launch airstrikes to support Iraqi forces and these militias, many leaders of which are responsible for killing US and Coalition servicemen during the Iraq War.
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Libya
A rocket killed a Filipino and wounded eight others, including three Filipinos, one African national and four Libyans, in the western Libyan town of Zawiya. According to Egyptian state media, three Egyptian hostages were freed by Libyan soldiers from their extremist captors in Banghazi. The internationally-recognized Libyan government will request intervention from the Arab League to help stabilize the country.
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Tunisia
Prime Minister Habib Essid announced that Tunisian security forces have killed Khaled Chayeb, the commander of the attack that massacred 21 tourists at the National Bardo Museum, and eight other jihadists during an ambush overnight. Political leaders and thousands of Tunisians conducted an anti-terrorism march in Tunis on Mar. 29.
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Nigeria
A minimum of 15 -39 people have been killed in Nigeria after Boko Haram’s threat to disrupt elections with violence. Vote counting has begun amid warnings from the US and UK of “deliberate political interference” and one observer noting that the polling was “generally fair.”
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Analysis: Iranian Reactions to Operation Decisive Storm
As Operation Decisive Storm got underway, Iranian outlets, analysts, and elites all prepared to frame the conflict between the Shiite Houthis in Yemen and the 10-member coalition as part of the larger Saudi-Iranian cold war. Such zero-sum statements indicate that any set-back for the coalition will be a win for Iran.
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Clashes with Taliban halt supply of power in south Afghanistan
Clashes with Taliban halt supply of power in south Afghanistan
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Official says commander of group that massacred 21 in Tunisia is dead
Official says commander of group that massacred 21 in Tunisia is dead
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Iraqi army weighs cost of US-led strikes in Tikrit
Iraqi army weighs cost of US-led strikes in Tikrit
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Apparent airstrike kills scores at UN refugee camp in northern Yemen
Apparent airstrike kills scores at UN refugee camp in northern Yemen
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UN Secretary General troubled by Iraq abuse claims, refugees
UN Secretary General troubled by Iraq abuse claims, refugees
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Interview with activist describes role of al-Khans’aa Brigade
The members of the Brigade are mostly foreign women who assume the role of finding wives for the fighters through their networks in Europe.
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Jihadist coalition claims control of Idlib
The Jaysh al Fateh coalition has captured the city of Idlib, or much of it. Propaganda photos posted online show jihadist groups, including the Al Nusrah Front, controlling government buildings and key facilities.
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US continues airstrikes in Tikrit despite involvement of Iranian-backed Shiite militias
A Pentagon spokeman’s statement that members of the Popular Mobilization Committee “have resumed their offensive operations on the ground in Tikrit” is an admission that the Shiite militias are still involved in the fighting.
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Shabaab suicide assault team storms hotel in Somali capital
Shabaab took control of the hotel and trapped several government officials. The al Qaeda branch continues to strike at high-security locations in Mogadishu.
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Jihadist coalition captures checkpoints around city of Idlib
Photos and videos posted on social media show that Jaysh al Fateh, a coalition of several jihadist groups, has captured a number of Syrian regime checkpoints surrounding the city of Idlib.
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Syria
SOHR claims that the regime killed 18 people, including three children, while shelling the town of Daraa in southern Syria.The US dropped graphic anti-jihadist leaflets over the Islamic State-held city of Raqqa. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will investigate claims of a chemical weapons attack on the village of Sarmin that killed sex and wounded dozens. The UN doubled its estimate of Syrians living in besieged areas to about 440,000. An Islamic State suicide bomber hit a Kurdish checkpoint in the city of Hasakah, killing one and injuring another. A Hezbollah commander and two fighters were reportedly…
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Kenya
Shabaab gunned down a senior officer with Kenya’s counterterrorism police in Mombasa. Security forces are on high alert amidst reports that Shabaab operatives have snuck into the country to conduct attacks.
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Somalia
A senior Shabaab commander was captured along with three others when security forces raided his hideout in Mogadishu, according to a senior intelligence officer. Amisom troops deserted the strategic towns of Awdeegle , Barrire and Sabiib in Lower Shebelle region, according to residents. Interim Jubbaland Forces and African Union troops are conducting an offensive against Shabaab in the Jubba region.
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Egypt
A ten-year-old girl was killed when she picked up an improvised explosive device placed near her school in Fayoum province. A senior police official was killed in a shootout with unknown gunmen in Suez. The rise in terrorist attacks in Egypts is apparently failing to drive off investors. Egypt is ready to send troops into Yemen along with regional Arab partners.
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Al Nusrah Front video showcases more American-made TOW missiles
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has released another video showing its fighters using American-made TOW missiles in the battle for the city of Idlib.
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US continues to insist airstrikes support Iraqi forces, not Shiite militias
US military commanders are ignoring the presence of Shiite militias in the Tikrit operation, despite the fact that they make up more than two-thirds of fighting force.
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Saudi Arabia begins Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen
Saudi Arabia and other regional allies began an air campaign in Yemen targeting Houthi rebel positions throughout the country.
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Suicide bombing kills 7 in Kabul
Suicide bombing kills 7 in Kabul
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Nigeria denies that Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds in northeast
Nigeria denies that Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds in northeast
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US-led coalition, Iraqis pound Islamic State in Tikrit
US-led coalition, Iraqis pound Islamic State in Tikrit
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Saudi Arabia, allies launch air campaign in Yemen against Houthi fighters | Reuters
Saudi Arabia, allies launch air campaign in Yemen against Houthi fighters
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Boko Haram kidnaps hundreds from Damasak
As forces from Nigeria, Chad, and Niger continue to push Boko Haram from its strongholds in northeastern Nigeria, the group has continued to inflict damage upon civilians. Earlier this month, Boko Haram kidnapped over 400 young women and children from the Nigerian town of Damasak near the border with Niger.
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US begins airstrikes against Islamic State in Tikrit, supports Shiite militias
The US has reversed its decision to avoid assisting Iranian-backed Shiite militias and is now providing direct air support in the battle for Tikrit. Many militia leaders and one militia fighting in Tikrit are on the US terrorism list.
