Russian special forces train Palestinian militia in Syria
Russian special forces are reported to have held a training event for the pro-regime Palestinian militia, Liwa al Quds.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
Jihadist leader in Mali denies reports of his death
Al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslims directly refutes France’s claiming of killing one of its co-founders and senior leaders, Amadou Kouffa.
Shabaab raids hotel in Mogadishu
Shabaab has continued to demonstrate its ability to strike in heavily fortified areas of Mogadishu.
French military claims senior JNIM leader killed
The claim has not been confirmed elsewhere, nor has JNIM commented on the event, but the French military has claimed a recent operation killed JNIM co-founder Yahya Abu al Hammam.
JNIM takes credit for dubious suicide bombing in Timbuktu
Over the weekend, al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed a series of attacks across Mali, continuing its recent uptick in activity. Most notably, the group took credit for a dubious suicide bombing attempt on French troops near the northern city of Timbuktu “Continuing its earlier vow to escalate its operations […]
Iranian proxy warns of more attacks in Bahrain
The group directly threatens more attacks on the Bahraini government and its security forces, as well as declare the United States and the United Kingdom as legitimate targets on the island.
Analysis: The budding insurgency in southern Syria
Yesterday, a low-quality video depicting an IED attack on a regime checkpoint in southern Syria was uploaded to the internet. A relatively unknown group, the Popular Resistance, claimed credit within the video itself. While this small outfit has claimed a series of sporadic attacks since its inception last fall, it nonetheless represents a budding insurgency […]
Shabaab assassinates more high-ranking Somali military personnel
Shabaab has now assassinated four high-ranking Somali military personnel in the same general vicinity.
JNIM claims suicide assault on Malian military
In a statement released earlier today, Al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which operates in West Africa and the wider Sahel, claimed Tuesday’s suicide assault on a Malian military base in the northern town of Tarkint. A photo of the purported suicide bomber was also released. “Continuing in its campaign against […]
Al Qaeda group claims series of attacks across Sahel
Several attacks in both Mali and Burkina Faso were claimed by al Qaeda’s jihadist conglomerate JNIM.
Treasury designates Syria-based Iranian proxy groups
The US government has designated the Afghan Fatemiyoun Division and the Pakistani Zaynabiyoun Brigade for their ties to Iran’s Qods Force.
Islamic State Somalia eulogizes foreign fighters
The video provides the first known instance of a Western foreign fighter within the Islamic State Somalia’s ranks.
US airstrike kills dozens of Shabaab fighters day after Ethiopian forces ambushed
A US airstrike reportedly targeted Shabaab militants as they went on the offensive following the deadly terrorist attack in Nairobi.
Shabaab claims assault in Kenyan capital
The jihadist group continues to launch large-scale attacks inside Kenyan territory.
Shabaab kills pro-Islamic State commander
With Shabaab continuing to target ISS members and pro-ISS members within its own ranks, it is unlikely Fiile will be the last commander to be killed by the al Qaeda branch.
Analysis: Islamic State expanded operations in Somalia in 2018
The Islamic State’s loyalists claimed more operations in Somalia in 2018 than in 2016 and 2017 combined. The group has also expanded its operations to include tactics normally associated with its larger rival, Shabaab.
JNIM claims ambush in Burkina Faso
The ambush marks one of the deadliest attacks inside Burkina Faso, which is part of the growing jihadist violence inside the country.
Islamic State video purportedly shows fight with Shabaab
The Islamic State released its first video footage of a clash with Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia and East Africa.
Islamic State claims clashes with Shabaab in Somalia
The Islamic State claims to have killed 14 members of Shabaab, al Qaeda’s arm in Somalia.
AQIM emir confirms death of jihadist commander in Mali
AQIM leader Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud has confirmed that Almansour Ag Kassam (Almansour Ag Alkassoum), an important jihadist who worked with several al Qaeda groups, was killed by France in November.
Shabaab claims assassination of Somali generals
Shabaab killed two Somali generals who were leading a military offensive against the group in the Lower Shabelle region, south of Mogadishu.
Islamic State continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria
The Islamic State West Africa is progressing in its violent campaign against the Nigerian state in the northeast, as it continues to claim victories against the military.
Islamic State claims control over village in northeast Nigeria
ISWA continues to defy announcements by the Nigerian government of its defeat.
JNIM claims suicide bombing in northern Mali
Monday’s suicide bombing in Gao was the first claimed suicide bombing of JNIM since July.
Shabaab claims series of suicide bombings in Mogadishu
Much like other assaults on popular hotels, restaurants, or various targets inside Mogadishu, Shabaab was quick to claim credit for the operation on social media.
Uighur jihadist group trains with elite unit
Katibat Ghuraba al Turkistan, a smaller predominately Uighur jihadist group in northwestern Syria, recently trained with the elite Malhama Tactical thereby not only raising its credentials, but also its battlefield prowess.
JNIM official warns competing militia groups in northern Mali
The jihadist leader’s speech, while new, continued previous mantras used by JNIM and its predecessor organizations against the various armed militias operating in northern Mali.
Al Qaeda branch claims IED attack on Tunisian soldiers
The IED claim is the group’s first since July and just the second attack claim of the year for the small Tunisian Al Qaeda wing.
JNIM portrays its fight as part of Al Qaeda’s global jihad
As JNIM rallies its members and supporters against France and Mali, it depicts the fight with the two countries as part of al Qaeda’s wider global jihad.
Shabaab targets Italian troops in Mogadishu with suicide bombing
Today’s suicide bombings marks one of the first times European Union troops have been targeted by Shabaab.