Israel and Hamas agree to four-day ceasefire for hostage and prisoner exchange
The agreement calls for 50 Israeli hostages, mostly women and children, to be returned in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners.
Author Archives: LWJ Staff
Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield is a message to the Kurds
Above all, it was a message: a reminder of Ankara’s determination to limit US cooperation with the Kurds, Washington’s most effective partner against the Islamic State in Syria.
Former Taliban shadow governor appears in new propaganda video depicting recent combat in Badakhshan province
The former Afghan Taliban shadow governor for Badakhshan province appears in a new propaganda video featuring recent clashes in Warduj District. Taliban fighters show off captured Afghan army and police vehicles and eulogize the jihadist leader who was killed last summer.
Islamic State in ‘Khorasan Province’ issues video eulogizing slain commander Abdul Rauf Khadim
The Islamic State praised Mullah Abdul Rauf Khadim, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay and senior Taliban commander, and vowed to avenge his death.
Islamic State in ‘Khorasan province’ commander killed in southern Afghanistan
Hafiz Wahidi was the deputy emir for the Islamic State’s Khorasan province. His predecessor was killed in a US airstrike in Helmand last month.
Mapping the emergence of the Islamic State in Afghanistan
The Islamic State claims it operates in multiple Afghan provinces, and runs a training camp in Farah.
Afghan ‘Death’ militia emerges, vows to fight Islamic State, Taliban
The creation of the “Marg” militia appears to be a part of a growing trend of the re-arming of warlords and the defunct Northern Alliance as Afghans fear the resurgence of the Taliban and an increasing threat from the Islamic State.
Boko Haram brings war to Niger, senior Chadian general wounded
Boko Haram has attacked Niger for the first time. Fierce counterattacks by Chadian and Nigerian forces reportedly killed over 100 Boko Haram fighters. A Chadian general was also wounded in the battle.
Hundreds killed as Chadian military overruns Boko Haram strongholds
Chadian forces crossed the border and stormed several towns held by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria. Fierce fighting has reportedly killed hundreds of insurgents over the past week. Battles continue in several strategic towns in the Lake Chad area.
Islamic State appoints leaders of ‘Khorasan province,’ issues veiled threat to Afghan Taliban
The governor is a former leader in the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and his deputy is a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay and Taliban commander in Afghanistan.
Cameroon strikes back after Boko Haram kidnaps 80 villagers
Cameroonian armed forces launched a counterstrike against Boko Haram on January 19 after an estimated 80 villagers were abducted the day before. Cameroonian forces have so far rescued 24 of the hostages.
Chad joins Cameroon, Nigeria, in fight against Boko Haram
Chad’s parliament voted 150 to 0 earlier this week to deploy an undisclosed number Chadian security forces to assist Cameroonian and Nigerian soldiers battling Boko Haram. The US and Russia have also pledged military assistance to Cameroon this week.
Pakistani Taliban splinter group again pledges allegiance to Islamic State
A Pakistani Taliban splinter group released a nearly 17-minute video again pledging its allegiance to the Islamic State. The group primarily consists of low to mid-level former Pakistani Taliban officials from Khyber, Arakzai, Bajaur, Hangu, and Dir in Pakistan, and from Kunar, Logar, and Nangarhar in Afghanistan.
34 Taliban shadow administrators reported killed or captured in Afghanistan in 2014
Seven shadow governors were among those killed. The Taliban suffered losses in 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.
ISIS and the threat to Turkey
The recent hostage crisis in Mosul is only the latest sign that Turkey’s new neighbor, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham, poses a serious threat to Turkey’s national security.
Turkey’s ISIS problem
Recent attacks in Nigde have raised concerns in Turkey over extremism in Syria. Tensions have been high between the Turkish military and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham since the tomb of Suleyman Shah, a small Turkish territory in Syria, fell under the threat of an ISIS attack.
Report: Al Qaeda conference call led to US diplomatic closures
The Daily Beast reports that a conference call involving “more than 20 al Qaeda operatives” is what prompted the closing of more than 20 US diplomatic facilities.
Taliban release video honoring ‘Ghazi’ who attacked ISAF soldiers, escaped custody
The Taliban video praises rogue Afghan National Army soldier Lambar Khan, who participated in a deadly July 9 “green-on-blue” attack at Kandahar Airfield, as well as a second rogue ANA soldier, Lieutenant Ihasanullah, who helped free Khan from custody a few days later. Both men are seen pledging allegiance to the Taliban.
Afghan forces kill Taliban shadow district governor in Faryab province
An Afghan security forces operation in northern Faryab province resulted in the death of a Taliban shadow district governor and a Taliban military commander. This marks the sixth time that a Taliban-designated shadow administrator has been killed since June.
Senior Taliban commanders killed in northern Afghanistan
Senior Taliban commanders, including two deputy provincial shadow governors, have been killed in joint Afghan and Coalition security operations targeting militant hideouts in Jawzjan province. Two other prominent Taliban commanders were killed in Faryab province.
Senior Pakistani Taliban leader gunned down in Peshawar
Pakistani security forces killed a wanted Taliban leader and his accomplice following a brief shootout on the outskirts of Peshawar. The clash comes hours after a coordinated Taliban attack against a Frontier Corps checkpoint left six Pakistanis dead.
Afghan Taliban say spokesman’s hacked email account issued ‘fake’ statement
The Taliban claim that an official spokesman’s email account was hacked by “intelligence agencies” who caused it to issue a false declaration that a Taliban ceasefire would take place during Ramadan.
Taliban militants bungle coordinated multi-province terrorist attacks
Afghan security forces disrupted terrorist plots in Kabul City and Jalalabad, but a massive explosion near the Parwan provincial governor’s compound caused significant damage. An additional suicide attack failed after the bomber prematurely detonated in Kunduz.
Taliban shadow district governor killed in Nimroz province
A Taliban commander and a shadow district governor were killed yesterday during an Afghan security operation in Nimroz province. This is the third Taliban district shadow governor killed this month.
12 killed as Pakistani Taliban target antiterrorism judge in Karachi
A senior Pakistani antiterrorism judge remains in critical condition after his convoy struck a roadside bomb this morning in the sprawling city of Karachi. The Pakistani Taliban were quick to claim credit for the attack.
Armed ‘rioters’ unleash attacks in western China, 27 dead; atmosphere of ‘martial law’ in Shanshan
Armed rioters attacked police stations in China’s restive western Xinjiang province today. Clashes between rioters and police left at least 27 dead, and an atmosphere of martial law is being reported in Shanshan county.
Pakistani security forces intercept large explosives cache
Pakistani security forces seized 3,000 sticks of dynamite and other lethal cargo at a checkpoint near Peshawar yesterday. This is the third largest seizure of explosives with a connection to Peshawar this month.
Prominent Afghan political leader escapes 4th assassination attempt
A roadside bomb exploded near the convoy of Afghan political leader Ustad Mohammad Mohaqiq in Kabul City. Three people were killed, but Mohaqiq survived the attack.
Taliban shadow district governor killed in Afghan security operation
Afghan security forces killed a Taliban shadow district governor in the northern province of Kunduz during an operation last night. Security operations remain ongoing in the restive Dasht-i-Archi district.
Afghan NDS disrupts Kabul terror plot
Afghan intelligence forces stormed a militant safe house in Kabul City late on May 29. Afghan forces arrested six would-be suicide bombers and killed a seventh suspect. Suicide vests and other explosives were seized in the operation.