Taliban gains pull US units back into fight in Afghanistan
Taliban gains pull US units back into fight in Afghanistan
Monthly Archives: April 2015
Coalition Debates Expanding ISIS Fight – NYTimes.com
Coalition debates expanding Islamic State fight
Turkistan Islamic Party had significant role in recent Idlib offensive
The new video shows the group’s role in the recent fighting at Jisr al Shughur. The Turkistan Islamic Party has long fought in Syria alongside the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria.
Islamic State releases new video from the Baiji oil refinery
The jihadist group shows more fighting that has taken place at the facility. It is unclear when some of the footage was recorded, as some scenes have been previously featured in photo reports. While the Iraqi Security Forces have claimed to have regained control of the refinery after a recent Islamic State offensive, attacks are still occurring at the complex.
Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent Threat to the United States
Testimony to the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence on the threat posed by jihadist groups in Africa.
Boko Haram rolls with the punches, remains a threat
As coalition forces have pushed Boko Haram from its former strongholds, the terrorist group has retained the ability to strike back. Its relatively new official ties to the Islamic State may enhance the group’s longevity, creating a more difficult security environment for Nigeria and its partners.
Libya
The Tripoli-based Islamist faction rejected the UN’s peace proposal that included recognizing the rival internationally-recognized parliament as “the only legislative authority in the country.” The bodies of five Libyan journalists kidnapped eight months ago have been found near the city of Al Bayda, close to the site of their disappearance.
Algeria
The Defense Ministry announced that the Army killed six armed jihadists belonging to the Katibat Ennour group in the Hendu area 120 km east of the capital. Separately, “ten smugglers and four drug traffickers were arrested” on Apr. 27.
Tunisia
Islamic State propoaganda infers that Tunisia is a new target for the expansion of the group’s ‘Caliphate.’ Tunisia will soon be taking delivery of 12 US Blackhawk helicopters to assist in counterterrorism operations.
Mali
Gunmen killed two soldiers and a child when they opened fire on a national guard camp in the town of Goundam in northern Mali. Tuareg rebels attacked UN peacekeepers outside of Timbuktu and fighting broke out in the town of Menaka, casting doubt on a UN-brokered peace process.
Nigeria
The Nigerian Army claimed that it rescued hundreds of kidnapped women and girls in the Sambisa Forest, a known Boko Haram stronghold. According to a spokesman, none of the girls were those kidnapped from Chibok over a year ago.
Islamic State releases video of recent battles near Ramadi
Footage shows the jihadist group battling Iraqi Security Forces in the Al Sufiyah area of Ramadi. The area is said to be “75 percent” cleared, but fierce fighting is still ongoing.
Islamic State promotes training camp in eastern Afghanistan
The camp is named after Ustad Yasir, a senior Taliban commander who was killed in an internal purge in 2012. The camp’s name is further evidence that the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province is comprised of marginalized Taliban commanders.
Taliban launch offensive in northern Afghan province
Thousands of Taliban fighters are said to have attacked multiple districts in the northern province of Kunduz. The chief of the provincial council claimed that the Taliban control two-thirds of Kunduz.
Jihadists celebrate in key Idlib city after defeating Syrian regime
Many jihadist groups, including those within al Qaeda’s network in Syria, have published videos of their forces celebrating in or near Jisr al Shughur in Idlib province.
Saudi-led air strikes hit Yemeni capital, ships shell Aden-residents
Saudi-led air strikes hit Yemeni capital, ships shell Aden-residents
Syrian jets pound insurgent-held town: monitor
Syrian jets pound insurgent-held town: monitor
Somalia’s al Shabaab kills three officials, former lawmaker in Mogadishu
Somalia's al Shabaab kills three officials, former lawmaker in Mogadishu
Islamic State captures dam, overruns base in western Iraq
More than 120 Iraqi soldiers, including the commander of the 1st Iraqi Army Division, are reported to have been killed after the Islamic State took control of the Thar Thar dam and a military barracks.
Al Qaeda, jihadist allies declare victory over Syrian regime in key city
The “Battle of Victory” coalition, which includes the Al Nusrah Front and several other jihadist groups, has declared victory in the city of Jisr Al Shughur. The battle for the city began several days ago and was the next step in the jihadists’ plans for conquering all of northwestern Syria. A highly influential al Qaeda-linked ideologue was reportedly wounded in the fighting.
Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria involved in new Idlib offensive
The Turkistan Islamic Party, an al Qaeda-affiliated group that also operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan and China, operates in Syria under the moniker “Katibat Turkistani.”
White House says hostages, including American, killed in counterterrorism operation
The White House says that two hostages, including an American, were killed in a counterterrorism “operation” in January. The two perished in an attack that also killed Ahmed Farouq, a prominent al Qaeda leader. Declassified documents recovered in Osama bin Laden’s compound identified a jihadist by that name as an up and coming leader. Adam Gadahn, an American al Qaeda spokesman, was also killed in a separate operation.
Syria
The US-led coalition conducted seven airstrikes in Syria between Apr. 21-22, one near Hasakah and six near Kobani. SOHR estimates that the US-led air campaign has killed 2,079 people, including 66 civilians, since its inception in September. A report claims that Al Nusrah’s Khorasan Group has regenerated after taking significant losses early in the Western air […]
Somalia
Shabaab claimed credit for gunning down a senior military officer in Mogadishu. The jihadist group has promised to continue recent attacks against UN targets. A Kenyan administrative chief was abducted by Shabaab in north Kenya and is now believed to be in Somalia.
Egypt
A shell killed one person and wounded four after hitting a house in Sheikh Zuweid city in North Sinai; the source of the artillery is unknown. Egypt and Bahrain will conduct joint military exercises aimed at influencing the political process in Yemen.
Nigerian soldiers retreat from mined Boko Haram stronghold
Nigerian soldiers retreat from mined Boko Haram stronghold
The nine lives of Sufi Mohammad
The nine lives of Sufi Mohammad
McCain: New ISIS War Powers Request ‘Is Not Going Anywhere’ – Defense One
McCain: New Islamic State war powers request 'is not going anywhere'
Wily, methodical Kurds learn what it takes to drive back surprisingly resourceful ISIL fighters | National Post
Wily, methodical Kurds learn what it takes to drive back surprisingly resourceful Islamic State fighters
Al Nusrah Front, allies launch new offensives against Syrian regime
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, and its allies formed a new coalition to battle regime forces in the northern city of Jisr Al Shughur. The alliance is modeled after the coalition that took control of the city of Idlib late last month.