Al Qaeda, Islamic State strike across the Sahel
The two jihadist groups continue their rampage in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
Islamic State claims first attack in island nation of Maldives
The Islamic State in Syria has drawn on Maldivian jihadists since 2014, now it seems the group’s violence has spread back to the island nation.
Iranian-backed group in Bahrain celebrates anniversary of deadly bombing
The group celebrates a March 2014 bombing which killed two Bahraini and one Emirati policemen.
JNIM kills dozens in Mali base attack
The attack in Mali’s northern Gao region is one of the deadliest in recent months.
Houthis report capture of province bordering Saudi Arabia
The capture of large parts of al Jawf allows the Houthis to focus on neighboring Ma’rib, where the internationally recognized Hadi government contests for power in the north.
Jihadists discuss coronavirus, offer advice
As the world continues to deal with the spread of COVID-19, jihadists have taken it upon themselves to exploit the situation for their own political gain and to offer advice to their own members.
Houthis increase use of suicide drone boats in recent weeks
Not only have the Houthis utilized this tactic more in recent weeks, but the insurgency has also exported the drones to the Arabian Sea.
Uzbek jihadist group congratulates Taliban for ‘victory’ in Afghanistan
Abu Yusuf al Muhajir, the emir of Katibat Imam al Bukhari’s Syrian wing, sends a letter of congratulations to the Taliban for its ‘victory’ in Afghanistan.
Hezbollah Brigades official warns Iraqis of working with American troops
The security official of Iran’s proxy group Kata’ib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) gives Iraqi contractors until March 15 to stop working with US troops.
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reports killing Lebanese Hezbollah operatives near Sana’a
Over the last two weeks, the Saudi-led coalition and its allies have reported killing several members of Lebanese Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Yemen.
Analysis: JNIM addresses detractors, sends message of unity
Two recently released booklets by the al Qaeda group are likely meant to assuage tensions both within and outside its organization.
HTS utilizes suicide bombings against advancing regime forces
Since the beginning of the year, Hay’at Tahrir al Sham has utilized at least 12 suicide bombers in defense of Idlib from advancing regime forces.
Jihadists in central Mali pledge allegiance to new Islamic State leader
It is unclear if the unit represents a splinter of al Qaeda’s JNIM, though the group now represents an Islamic State-loyal faction close to the borders with Mauritania.
JNIM targets military bases in central Mali
The al Qaeda group has claimed a series of attacks across the Sahel in recent weeks.
Houthis kill over 100 Yemeni soldiers in missile, drone attack on base
The strike is one of the deadliest attacks in the conflict since 2014.
Ansaru publicly returns to Nigeria
The attack, the group’s first since 2013, announces its operational return to Nigeria.
Islamic State kills almost 100 soldiers in Niger
Over the last month, the jihadist group has killed at least 174 Nigerien soldiers in three separate attacks.
Islamic State video details operations across the Sahel
The large video details several major Islamic State operations inside the Sahel over the last few years.
Hezbollah Brigades official reportedly calls volunteers for suicide bombings
The official reportedly tweeted out the statement earlier today. The official website of the Hezbollah Brigades has so far not commented, however.
Iranian-backed Bahraini militias eulogize Soleimani, Muhandis
The rare joint statement both eulogizes Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and offers vague threats of retaliation in Bahrain.
Bahraini militias decry U.S. airstrikes on Hezbollah Brigades
This is the second time that several Iranian-backed militias in Bahrain have voiced their support of the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades after U.S. airstrikes on the group.
Hezbollah Brigades threatens retaliation after U.S. airstrikes
Following a deadly rocket attack on a U.S. base in Iraq and subsequent U.S. airstrikes in response, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades threatens to further retaliate by continuing to target U.S. troops.
Islamic State kills dozens of soldiers in Niger
The Islamic State continues to make inroads in the Sahel, conducting several high-profile raids in the border region between Mali and Niger.
Mogadishu hotel raided by Shabaab
Yesterday’s assault marks at least the third time the SYL Hotel has been targeted by Shabaab in recent years.
Turkistan Islamic Party touts captured equipment, training camp in Afghanistan
The video shows TIP’s men with captured Afghan military equipment, as well as recruits undergoing training.
Abdullah Azzam Brigades dissolves itself in Syria
After a long-hiatus, the al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades announces its dissolution inside Syria.
Islamic State releases photos from Malian assault, claims another
The photos detail the In-Delimane assault earlier this month which left over 50 Malian soldiers dead.
Shabaab moves into Somaliland town
Shabaab claims this is the first time the organization has grabbed territory in Somaliland.
JNIM claims prison break in Mali
In addition to the prison break, JNIM also claimed two other recent attacks in Mali and Burkina Faso.
US designates senior JNIM leader as global terrorist
Amadou Kouffa, the leader of JNIM’s Katibat Macina, has been designated as a global terrorist by the US State Department.