Shabaab strikes American, Italian forces in Somalia
No casualties were reported in either attack, however.
Monthly Archives: September 2019
Houthis claim major operation inside Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Houthis claim that the operation is the largest in nearly four years of conflict with Saudi Arabia and its allies.
As U.S. pleads with Taliban to protect election, Taliban threatens more attacks
Not only does the Taliban reject democracy in Afghanistan, it is opposed to it worldwide. Given the Taliban’s clear and consistent views on the “evils” of democracy and all Muslim’s religious obligation to resit it, it is absolute folly for the State Department to attempt to appeal to the Taliban to permit elections to take place.
US military again strikes Islamic State in Libya
The US military launched its second airstrike against the Islamic state near the town of Murzuq in the past week.
Afghan officials identify AQIS members killed in controversial Musa Qala raid
Afghan officials have identified several AQIS members who were killed during a controversial raid in Musa Qala, Helmand earlier this week. They have also posted images purportedly documenting the weaponry, explosives and cash seized at the jihadists’ compound.
Taliban’s prime objectives: US withdrawal, ‘establishment of an Islamic government’
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly made it absolutely clear that the aim of this Jihad is the end of occupation and establishment of an Islamic government,” the Taliban says in a recent statement.
Testimony: The Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Policy
On Sept. 19, Thomas Joscelyn testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs at a hearing titled, “The Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Policy.” His testimony focused on the close working relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Joint raid targeted al Qaeda members in Taliban stronghold, U.S. and Afghan officials say
U.S. and Afghan officials say they targeted al Qaeda members in Musa Qala, a Taliban-controlled district in the southern Helmand province. Reports indicate that dozens of civilians perished during the clash that ensued.
Islamic State trains in Somalia’s Puntland
The camp is at least the second one ran by the Islamic State in Somalia’s northern Puntland region.
U.S. kills 8 Islamic State fighters in Libya airstrike
The U.S. military killed eight Islamic State fighters yesterday in the first recorded airstrike against the group in more than one year.
Al Qaeda, Islamic State report attacks in Burkina Faso
Both groups have claimed deadly assaults in Burkina Faso, playing into the already perilous security situation in the country.
Taliban destroy hospital in truck bombing
The Taliban has warned civilians to stay away from places near government facilitates, including election sites, as it says these targets are fair game. However, given the scarcity of medical facilities, it is impossible for Afghan civilians to avoid hospitals such as the one in Qalat.
Taliban suicide bombers kill dozens of civilians in Kabul, Parwan
One of the attacks, in Parwan province, targeted an election rally while President Ghani was speaking. The Taliban has warned civilians to stay away from election sites.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi praises the Islamic State’s global operations
In a newly-released audio message, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi boasts that his Islamic State has conducted “unified raids” across the globe this year. Many of these operations were conducted by the Islamic State’s wilayat, or provinces,
Taliban supplies al Qaeda with explosives for attacks in major Afghan cities
A raid against a Taliban explosives warehouse in Ghazni highlights the enduring relationship between the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Key questions concerning Hamza bin Laden’s life remain unanswered
On Sept. 14, President Trump released a statement saying Hamza bin Laden was killed in an American “counterterrorism operation.” However, key questions concerning Hamza’s life and death remain unanswered.
Saudi oil facilities set ablaze by Houthi drone strikes
The confirmed drone strike campaign so far from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen represents another worrying development in the region.
JNIM apologizes for killing civilians in central Mali
After killing at least 14 civilians in a landmine explosion last week, al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslim’s offers a rare apology.
US offers rewards for information on 3 al Qaeda leaders in Syria
The U.S. State Department has offered rewards of up to $5 million each for information concerning three al Qaeda leaders in Syria. All three have been involved in the heated disagreements over jihadi strategy and leadership in the Levant.
Taliban video highlights recent raids in Zabul
Taliban fighters overran a district center in Zabul and destroyed and looted several bases, including one along a main highway. Afghan officials previously downplayed the fighting in Zabul.
Ayman al-Zawahiri defends 9/11 hijackings in anniversary address
On the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 hijackings, Ayman al-Zawahiri defends the attack. He claims in a new video that all of the Islamic scholars’ arguments against the hijackings have been “refuted.” The video also features various al-Qaeda leaders from around the globe.
AQAP and Islamic State resume fighting in Yemen
The past week has seen the harshest fighting between the two jihadist groups since April.
Several districts change hands as fighting rages in northern Afghanistan
At least six districts have been taken over by the Taliban, while the Afghan military said it gained control of three. The Taliban has said it would “continue [its] Jihad” after President Donald Trump torpedoed a peace deal with the group.
Global Terrorism: Threats to the Homeland
Thomas Joscelyn testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security on the subject of global terrorism and the threats to the United State homeland.
Taliban assaults Farah City
Farah City is the third capital that has come under attack by the Taliban in the past week.
Suicide bombing in Kabul is the latest in Taliban wave of attacks
The Taliban’s military and political actions during the past several months makes it clear that the return of the Islamic Emirate is its primary goal, and not peace.