March, 2017 | FDD's Long War Journal

Islamic State propagandist was ‘brainwashing’ children, US military says

Thomas Joscelyn | March 31, 2017

The US military announced today that a senior Islamic State propagandist, Ibrahim al-Ansari, was killed in an airstrike in Al-Qaim, Iraq on Mar. 25. Al-Ansari “was a leader in producing and disseminating propaganda to direct, encourage and instruct terror attacks, as well as to recruit foreign terrorist fighters,” a US military spokesman said. Al-Ansari also “promoted terror attacks against US and Turkish citizens” and was responsible for “the brainwashing of young children to perpetuate ISIS’s brutal message.”

US military to actively target Shabaab in Somalia

Bill Roggio | March 31, 2017

The Pentagon’s desire to actively target Shabaab reflects the growing concern that al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa is gaining strength despite the presence of both AMISOM and US forces.

State lists 5 terrorists linked to Islamic State, al Qaeda

Bill Roggio | March 31, 2017

Anjem Choudary, the British Islamist who is directly linked to Omar Bakri Muhammad, and who has formed several radical Islamist organizations, such as Al Muhajiroun, Al Ghurabaa, and Islam4UK, is among the newly designated terrorists.

Capturing Sangin an ‘important victory,’ Taliban says

Bill Roggio | March 30, 2017

“With this important victory, the Mujahideen have opened up operational lines between Kandahar, Helmand and Uruzgan provinces and can throw its brunt at a time and place of its choosing,” the Taliban claimed.

North Caucasian group highlights training in Syria

Caleb Weiss | March 28, 2017

An ethnic Nogai group from the North Caucasus recently showed some of its fighters training in northern Syria. A group of the same name exists in the Caucasus Emirate, but it remains to be seen if this the same unit.

IRGC members killed in Syria’s Hama province

Amir Toumaj | March 28, 2017

Iranian authorities have confirmed that at least two Iranians were killed in combat in Syria’s Hama province. Pro-Assad regime forces have been fighting a major insurgent offensive that was launched by a number of groups in Hama earlier this month.

Afghan Taliban lists ‘Percent of Country under the control of Mujahideen’

Bill Roggio | March 28, 2017

While the report may be seen as a propaganda designed to bolster its claims of controlling territory, it does not inflate the Taliban’s control of districts centers and contested areas throughout the country. The Taliban also admits that there are large areas in Afghanistan where it has only a minimal presence.

Al Qaeda entity involved in communal violence in central Mali

Caleb Weiss | March 27, 2017

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, al Qaeda’s newly formed entity in West Africa, claimed a series of attacks today. One claim discussed its role in the recent communal violence between Fulani herders and Bambara farmers in central Mali.

Al Qaeda’s alleged ‘representative in Syria’ previously freed from US Custody in Afghanistan

David Andrew Weinberg | March 26, 2017

The US Treasury Department designated Muhammad Hadi al-‘Anizi as an al Qaeda terrorist earlier this month. He was detained in Afghanistan in late 2001 at the age of 15. Al-‘Anizi was freed and thanked Kuwait’s leadership for his repatriation. He is now based in Kuwait.

US military confirms death of al Qaeda commander

Bill Roggio | March 26, 2017

The US military said Qari Yasin was responsible for the deaths of two US Marines in the Sept. 2008 suicide assault on the Islamabad Marriott Hotel, and confirmed he was killed in Paktika province.

Assad regime bolstered in Hama province by Iranian-controlled Iraqi militia

Amir Toumaj | March 24, 2017

The Tehran-controlled Iraqi militia Harakat al Nujaba announced today that it is joining pro-Syrian regime forces in Hama province. Insurgents launched a massive offensive in the northern countryside of Hama earlier in the week.

Analysis: Insurgents launch major offensive against Assad regime in Hama province

Thomas Joscelyn | March 24, 2017

Jihadists, Islamists and rebel groups affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched a new offensive against Bashar al Assad’s regime in northern Hama province earlier this week. Hay’at Tahrir al Sham, al Qaeda’s joint venture in Syria, is playing a prominent role in the fighting, dispatching several suicide bombers and its “special forces.” Upwards of 10 or more FSA-branded groups are participating as well.

IRGC-controlled Iraqi militia deploys to eastern Damascus battle

Amir Toumaj | March 23, 2017

The Tehran-controlled Iraqi militia Harakat al Nujaba has announced its participation in a battle raging east of Damascus, joining regime forces in the Jobar and Abbasin districts.

Resolute Support spins loss of Sangin district center as a victory

Bill Roggio | March 23, 2017

Last night, the Taliban, after months of heavy fighting in Sangin in Helmand province, took control of the district center. Yet, Resolute Support, NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, is attempting to claim victory.

London terrorist a ‘soldier’ of the Islamic State, group claims

Thomas Joscelyn | March 23, 2017

Amaq News Agency claims that the terrorist who launched an attack in London yesterday was the Islamic State’s “soldier.” The UK Metropolitan Police have identified him as Khalid Masood, a 52 year-old man who was born in Kent.

What’s really behind Trump’s laptop ban

Thomas Joscelyn | March 23, 2017

Skeptics scoffed. But al Qaeda has been devising ingenious ways to blow up planes for years.

Taliban takes key district in Helmand province

Bill Roggio | March 23, 2017

Afghan forces withdrew from Sangin’s district center, then bombs government buildings, military bases, and the police headquarters. Seven of Helmand’s 14 districts are now under Taliban control.

Taliban claims US drones killed commander from North Waziristan

Bill Roggio | March 23, 2017

Commander Yusuf Wazir, the slain Taliban leader, also lost a father and a brother in previous US drone strikes, according to the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Three Taliban commanders are reported to have been killed in US drone strikes along the Afghan-Pakistani border since the beginning of March.

Pakistani Taliban confirms senior al Qaeda commander killed in Afghanistan

Thomas Joscelyn & Bill Roggio | March 22, 2017

The Pakistani Taliban confirmed today that Qari Muhammad Yasin, a senior al Qaeda military commander, was killed along with three of his “companions” in a US drone strike on Mar. 19. The airstrike was carried out in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province. Yasin was a member of the Punjabi Taliban, which includes jihadists from various other Pakistani terrorist organizations who are aligned with al Qaeda.

Shabaab suicide bombing strikes near presidential palace

Caleb Weiss | March 22, 2017

The suicide bombing, which killed at least 10 people, occurred just 150 meters from Villa Somalia, Somalia’s presidential palace in Mogadishu.

US designates Iran-backed Bahrainis as terrorists

Amir Toumaj & Caleb Weiss | March 21, 2017

The U.S. State Department on Friday announced the designation of two Bahraini nationals affiliated with Iran-backed militant group the Ashtar Brigades. The designation of the two individuals comes amidst repeated attempts by Tehran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to foment an insurgency against the rulers of the tiny island, who have launched a widespread crackdown on all Shiite opposition. Friday’s announcement signals a new tone in US policy towards Iran’s malign activities in the region.

Al Qaeda commander believed to be killed in US airstrike

Bill Roggio | March 21, 2017

The death of Qari Muhammad Yasin, an experienced Pakistani jihadist, has not been confirmed by the US or jihadists operating in the region. He was targeted in an area of Afghanistan known to serve as an al Qaeda safe haven.

Israel carries out two strikes against Assad Regime, Hezbollah targets in Syria

David Daoud | March 21, 2017

Israel forcefully redraws its blurred red lines on Hezbollah weapons transfers via Syria.

Insurgents launch new offensive in outskirts of Damascus

Thomas Joscelyn | March 20, 2017

Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), Ahrar al Sham, and the Free Syrian Army-affiliated Faylaq al Rahman launched a surprise offensive against Bashar al Assad’s regime in Damascus yesterday. HTS, an al Qaeda front group, has been stepping up its attacks in the Syrian capital in recent weeks.

67 Taliban fighters ‘graduate’ from camps in Afghan north

Bill Roggio | March 20, 2017

One of the training facilities is in a contested district in Faryab province. The Taliban has publicized 12 camps since late 2014.

Afghan soldier wounds 3 US troops in insider attack

Bill Roggio | March 19, 2017

The shooting, which took place as US troops were training their Afghan counterparts on a base in Helmand province, is the first recorded insider attack since Oct. 2016.

Leader of al Qaeda’s joint venture in Syria promises to ‘escalate’ operations

Thomas Joscelyn | March 19, 2017

Abu Jaber (also known as Hashem al Sheikh), the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), has released a message commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Syrian revolution. He portrays HTS as a popular revolutionary force and calls on other rebel groups to join it for the sake of “unity.” He also promises to “escalate” operations against Bashar al Assad’s regime.

Islamic State uses improvised weapons of war in Mosul, Iraq

Thomas Joscelyn | March 18, 2017

The Islamic State’s Ninawa province has released a video highlighting its use of improvised weapons of war in the battle for Mosul, Iraq. The weapons include: vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) with armor attached, modified drones, and a remote-controlled rocket launcher. Children or young adolescents used as “martyrdom” bombers are also featured in the propaganda production.

Analysis: Merger of al Qaeda groups threatens security in West Africa

Caleb Weiss | March 18, 2017

Earlier this month, four al Qaeda groups in West Africa merged to form the “Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims.” Its constituent organizations launched more than 250 attacks across the region in 2016, a significant increase in the jihadists’ operational tempo from the previous year.

Israel’s airstrikes in Palmyra likely targeted Hezbollah weapons shipments 

David Daoud | March 17, 2017

Hezbollah may have begun receiving weapons shipments at Palmyra’s T-4 airport in an attempt to avoid Israeli detection.