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Pakistan
Girls schools are being targeted by Islamists in the NWFP, and some blame the MMA. “The Taliban own the night and part of the day” in Waziristan, said Prime Minister Durrani. Seven Afghans are being held in a Quetta bicycle bombing.
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An Interview with Captain Eric Coulson
Video shot by Captain Coulson of an IED detonation. See This post brought to you by Force Protection & Ultra Machine & Fabrication for a larger view. FALLUJAH, IRAQ: One of the best sources of news on the situation in Iraq is from the officers and enlisted serving in the theater who maintain military blogs. While at Camp Fallujah, I met up with one such Milblogger. Captain Eric Coulson is the commanding officer of Alpha Company, Task Force 321 Engineers (Task Force Pathfinder), and the author of Badgers Forward, one of the finest Milblogs out there. Captain Coulson’s battalion replaced…
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Somalia
Afghanistan Again: Somalia Falling to Al Qaeda
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Somalia
Fighting continued around Baidoa in Idale, Dinsor and Daynunay Friday. Local reports indicate an Ethiopian convoy is on its way to Baidoa, which appears to be nearing its final stand.
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India
Indian authorities on alert for suspected al Qaeda assassination plot that targets Congress President Sonia Gandhi, whose security has been tightened. Indian press reports indicate the cell is led by a Pakistani named Sajjad (alias Ashique), operations chief of United Jehad Council, which Indian intel sources claim was set up by al Qaeda and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, and includes Kashmiris and Lashkar operatives.
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Iraq
Sadr has agreed to end the boycott, as a block of Shiite, Kurdish and a Sunni politial party continue to attempt to form a coalition without Sadr. Shiite leaders are pressing PM Maliki to deal with the militias, and are pressuring Sadr to halt the sectarian killings.
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United Kingdom
Western intelligence agencies concerned over rise of global Jihadist chatter that exceeds pre-9/11 levels. British authorities convinced London the target of a major Christmas suicide bomb attack and are tracking 6 suspected cells believed to track back to Pakistan. Threat level in UK raised to “severe,” which is the highest level and points to an imminent attack. Nevertheless, statements from British officials are now contradictory. London police commissioner states there is no specific intel of an impending attack.
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Anbar Province and the Iraq Study Group Report
Iraqi Politicians and Tribal Sheihks are concerned about the implications of the Iraq Study Group report The Anbar mayors meeting in Fallujah. Click image to view. FALLUJAH, IRAQ: The release of the Iraq Study Group report, a 79 point plan to address Iraq, created by a blue ribbon panel lead by former Secretary of State James Baker and Representative Lee Hamilton, has implications far beyond domestic U.S. politics. I’ve been asked numerous times how this report has effected the U.S. troops serving in Iraq. The answer is very little. Most shrug their shoulders at the news reports, and haven’t had…
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Indonesia
The U.S. and Australia issue travel warnings on Indonesia, where Christmas and New Year’s attacks are feared. Indo intel chief Syamsir Siregar discounts the advisories. JI head Abu Bakar Bashir calls on Muslims to not disturb Christians during the holiday. Indonesian Supreme Court overturns Bashir’s conviction for his involvement in the 2002 Bali attacks.
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Somalia
ICU and al Qaeda forces under the command of Abu Talha al-Sudani launch attack on Baidoa on 3 sides – Burhakabo, Idaale and Dinsor. Both claim victory but heavy fighting continues. The ICU claims to be in control of Idaale now. Independent reports that 70 ICU and jihadists killed.
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Somalia
Somalia: Islamists suffered heavy casualties, says Puntland president
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Somalia Panel Discussion
Global Crisis Watch December 20, 2006 | Episode #39 Midweek NatSec Panel – Somalia Dahir Mirreh Jibril, Permanent Secretary in Charge of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and Niagara University’s Dr. Abdiweli Ali join Nick Grace to dissect the situation on the ground inside Somalia. Click the image to listen. 27.5 minutes | 12.5 Megs
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Somalia
Fighting has been reported in the town of Idaale. The ICU is prepared to take Bardhere, and has deployed more troops on the Ethiopian border. Dozens of TFG troops have defected to the ICU. Kenya has sent a delegation to Somaliland, possibly to recognize the region as a state. Displaced families have demonstrated against the ICU in Mogadishu.
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Iraq
(Iraq) Top Iraqi Shiite Cleric Is Inching Toward a Coalition
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Hezbollah
Are US Taxpayers Paying for a Network Infiltrated by Hezbollah?
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Lebanon
(Lebanon) Moussa resumes bid to broker compromise in Beirut
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Chad
Chad clashes leave dozens dead
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Lebanon
Qatari troops first Arab nation to deploy in Lebanon
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Pakistan
3 Lashkar-e-Tabia men held in New Delhi
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Iraq
Suicide Car Bombing in Baghdad Kills 11
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UN: Kofi Annan Exits The World Stage, But Only Officially
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Al Qaeda
Islamist Web site warns US over ailing jailed cleric, Abdel-Rahman, the Blind Sheikh
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Palestinian Territories
In his latest tape, Ayman al-Zawahri criticizes Palestinian elections: “Any way other than holy war will lead us only to loss and defeat.” Hamas’s exiled leader Khaled Mashaal said PA leader Abbas ‘counts for nothing.’ Hamas killed 2 PA policemen loyal to Fatah right after the latest ceasefire took hold. A judge with ties to Fatah was shot. Israeli forces kill 2 members of Islamic Jihad in the West Bank.
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Iran
President Ahmadinejad says Israel, US, Britain will vanish: “this is a divine promise.” PM Blair calls for an “alliance of moderation” with Moderate Muslim states counter Iran. Israel says Iran is trainings dozens, if not hundreds of Hamas operatives inside Iran. Ahmadinejad’s allies took a beating in the latest round of elections.
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France
French counterterror forces on high alert
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Afghanistan
Over fifty Taliban were killed during an operation in Kandahar’s Panjwai district since the weekend. Mullah Ubaidullah Akhund is leading the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. A Taliban command said the truce in Helmand is proof KArzai and the Coalition are weak. Kabul has been free of suicide attack for 2 months due to intensive operations south of the capital. A look at the incremental positive changes in security and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
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Al Qaeda
French troops had bin Laden in sights: documentary
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Iraq
Sistani now supports a non-Shia based coalition government. Task Force 145 captured the military emir of Mosul. Abu Deraa, the Mahdi Army death squad leader, is alive and well. Four senior tribal leaders from Diyala were murdered after attending a conference of the province’s tribes. The Iraqi Army is beginning to take the lead in Samarra.
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Al Qaeda
Fugitive al Qaeda American James Ujaama Arrested in Belize
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(Somalia) Three injured in attack on Mogadishu Internet cafe
