US drones kill 17 in first strike in Pakistan in nearly a month
The strike took place in a village where two senior Haqqani Network leaders have been killed by the US over the past several years.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
2 arrested in Canadian terror plot ‘inspired by al Qaeda ideology’
Canadian authorities announced the arrest of two Canadian-born citizens in a terror plot involving pressure cooker bombs. The two suspects, who were “inspired by al Qaeda ideology,” targeted a public gathering at the British Columbia Legislature in Victoria on Canada Day, July 1.
Taliban launch suicide assault outside base in Kabul
The suicide assault team attacked a base in an area of Kabul where logistics and other contracting companies are located, killing seven people, including four Nepalese guards.
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.
Syrian jihadists behead Catholic priest, 2 others
The Vatican reported last week that the priest was captured by fighters “linked” to the Al Nusrah Front for the People in the Levant, al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria. A graphic video of his beheading has been published on the Internet.
New al Qaeda video features magazine editor, discussion of Arab Spring
A new al Qaeda video features Hossam Abdul Raouf, the editor of the “Vanguards of Khorasan” magazine. Raouf has long served al Qaeda. In his new speech, Raouf returns to an old theme, criticizing democracy and arguing that sharia law must be implemented.
Shabaab confirms 2 top leaders were killed in infighting
Ibrahim al Afghani, a jihadist leader closely linked to al Qaeda, and Abul Hamid Hashi Olhayi, were killed during Shabaab infighting in Barawe. Hassan Dahir Aweys is reportedly in custody in Mogadishu.
Al Nusrah Front claims joint operations, including a suicide assault, with Syrian rebel groups
Al Qaeda’s affiliate carried out a suicide assault with the help of the Nasser Salahuddin Brigade, and conventional attacks with the help of Dera’ al Assima, Liwa al Habib al Mustafa, and Liwa’ al-Tawhid brigades, three Free Syrian Army units in Damascus.
Suicide bomber kills 4 in Christian neighborhood in Damascus
Today’s suicide attack is the third in the Syrian capital this month. It is unclear if the bomber targeted Christians or a pro-Assad militia.
Online jihadists discuss fate of al Qaeda operative held by Saudi Arabia
Online jihadists have once again taken up the cause of Saleh al Qarawi, who is detained inside Saudi Arabia. Al Qarawi previously headed the Abdullah Azzam Brigades and reportedly operated from inside Iran. Earlier this month, the Brigades threatened Iran over its role in the Syrian conflict.
Muhajireen Army uses BMP to launch suicide assault on Aleppo airport
The al Qaeda-linked group launched two suicide assaults against Minnigh airport. In one of the attacks, the Muhajireen Army said that most of the 15 fighters who were killed were “from the Caucasus and Azerbaijan.”
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.
Taliban launch suicide assault on Presidential palace, CIA HQ in Kabul
The suicide assault team penetrated the perimeter at one of the most secured areas in Kabul and clashed with Afghan and US forces for nearly two hours before being defeated.
Taliban’s shadow governor for Nuristan again reported killed in airstrike
The governors of Kunar and Nuristan provinces in Afghanistan claimed that Sheikh Dost Mohammed was killed in a US drone strike. Dost Mohammed’s death is unconfirmed, and Afghan officials have claimed he was killed one other time already this year.
Spain uncovers al Qaeda network for Syrian jihadists
Spanish authorities have discovered an al Qaeda cell near Morocco that has sent dozens of fighters to Syria. The leader of al Qaeda in Spain was recently released after serving 12 years in prison for conspiracy in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Suicide assault team strikes inside Shia mosque in Peshawar
Three members of a suicide assault team killed security guards at the mosque, allowing one of the bombers to detonate his vest as Shia worshipers were offering Friday prayers.
Taliban want release of 5 al Qaeda-linked commanders in exchange for captured US soldier
The Taliban are using their office in Qatar to further their political standing in the international community as well as negotiate the release of al Qaeda-linked leaders.
Shabaab suicide assault team storms UN compound in Mogadishu
Eight fighters from al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia penetrated security at a United Nations Development Program compound, killing several UN employees.
Jihadists in Syria call on Hamas to end campaign against Salafi jihadists
In a new video, jihadists in Syria denounced Hamas’ recent arrest campaign against Salafi jihadists in the Gaza Strip. The jihadists also called on Palestinians in Hamas and other factions to join the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem.
ISAF captures al Qaeda trainer in Kunar
The al Qaeda leader was targeted in a raid in the Watahpur district, a known hub for the terror group, on June 6.
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi launches suicide assault at hospital in Quetta
A female suicide bomber killed female college students on a bus, then a suicide assault team struck a hospital where the wounded were taken.
Islamic State of Iraq leader defies Zawahiri in alleged audio message
An audio message attributed to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the emir of al Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq, was released online on June 14. In the message, al Baghdadi openly disobeys al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri.
Al Qaeda facilitator targeted in eastern Afghanistan
The al Qaeda facilitator who was targeted in Nangarhar is known to relay messages for senior al Qaeda leadership and provide financial and logistical support for terrorists operating in Afghanistan.
Al Nusrah Front releases first official messages in 2 months
Al Qaeda’s Al Nusrah Front has released four new messages, the first such productions in two months. The Al Nusrah Front and Islamic State of Iraq suspended their propaganda operations after a dispute erupted in early April. Ayman al Zawahiri ruled on the dispute in a letter and their propaganda operations have now been restarted.
US to arm Syrian rebels after chemical weapons ‘red line’ is crossed
President Obama’s deputy national security adviser said that the US will provide military and other aid to the Supreme Military Council and the Syrian Opposition Coalition, despite that fact that these groups have supported the Al Nusrah Front in the past.
Mohammed al Zawahiri rejects ‘filthy market of democracy’
Mohammed al Zawahiri and two of his Egyptian jihadist allies have issued a statement criticizing the Democratic Jihad Party. “Jihad and Democracy are opposites and don’t mix,” they say.
Treasury designates Hezbollah operatives in West Africa
The Treasury Department designated four Hezbollah operatives based in West Africa. The operatives are said to have helped Hezbollah in its recruitment and fundraising efforts, among other activities.
Suicide bomber strikes at supreme court in Kabul
The suicide attack is the second of its kind in the capital in two days. Up to 16 employees of the court were killed when a suicide bomber targeted buses transporting workers.
Analysis: Zawahiri’s letter to al Qaeda branches in Syria, Iraq
Al Jazeera has published a letter purportedly written by Ayman al Zawahiri to al Qaeda’s franchises in Iraq and Syria. Two US intelligence officials say the letter is genuine. In the letter, Zawahiri rules on a dispute between the two al Qaeda branches and appoints a new representative in the region.
ISAF targets al Qaeda leaders in Kunar
Over the past several days, ISAF launched five raids against two senior al Qaeda leaders and two al Qaeda-linked Taliban commanders in Kunar and Nuristan provinces.