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Former Egyptian officer turned al Qaeda loyalist reportedly captured in Libya
The Libyan National Army (LNA) claims to have captured Hisham al-Ashmawy, a former Egyptian officer who defected to the jihadists’ cause. Ashmawy has been accused of orchestrating jihadist operations in both Egypt and Libya. The Egyptian government alleges that he has been involved in a series of terrorist attacks targeting officials.
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Treasury sanctions al Qaeda, Islamic State ‘financiers and facilitators’
The US Treasury Department has designated 5 members of al Qaeda’s international “facilitation and fundraising” network, as well as one of the Islamic State’s “critical facilitators” in North Africa. One of the newly designated jihadists, known as Abu Sulayman al Muhajir, was as an extremist preacher in Australia before relocating to Syria and joining Al Nusrah Front.
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Islamic State ‘province’ bombs hotel in the Sinai
The Islamic State’s Sinai “province” claimed responsibility for a bombing at a hotel in the Sinai earlier today. The group continues to run a prolific insurgency and has proven it is capable of committing mass casualty terrorist attacks against civilians as well.
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Islamic State branch says caliphate’s ‘soldiers’ bombed Cairo courthouse, national security building
The Islamic State’s so-called Sinai “province” has claimed responsibility for a car bombing outside of a Cairo courthouse and an Egyptian national security building earlier today.
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Former Egyptian special forces officer leads Al Murabitoon
A group called Al Murabitoon has released a video featuring its emir, a former Egyptian special forces named Hisham Ali Ashmawi. He is wanted for a string of attacks in Egypt, including the assassination of Egypt’s chief prosecutor in late June. Al Murabitoon makes its loyalty to al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri clear in the video.
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Islamic State’s Sinai ‘province’ claims responsibility for failed rocket attacks on Israel
The Islamic State’s Sinai “province” has claimed responsibility for three failed rocket attacks on Israel earlier today. The attacks came just days after the group launched a massive operation against Egyptian security forces in the Sinai.
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Al Qaeda branches eulogize slain Egyptian jihadist
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb have issued eulogies for Hammam Attiyah, who led Ajnad Misr until his death earlier this month. Little is known about Attiyah, but the eulogies are a significant indication that Ajnad Misr operates as part of al Qaeda’s international network.
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Ansar Bayt al Maqdis
Gaza Salafist leader: ‘We are following Islamic State ideology’
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Islamic State’s ‘provinces’ claim attacks in Egypt, Libya
In statements posted on Twitter earlier today, the Islamic State’s “provinces” in Egypt and Libya claimed recent attacks in both countries.
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Egyptian jihadists thank State Department for ‘blessing’ of terrorist designation
Ajnad Misr says in a statement that the US is the real “terrorist” organization, and claims to be fighting a “global system” that seeks to thwart the revolution in Egypt. The group’s rhetoric is similar to al Qaeda’s.
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Egypt
IS threat led to closure of Western embassies in Egypt
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Egypt
Egypt ready to assist Lebanon against jihadists
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Sinai jihadists take credit for killing American
Wilayat Sinai (formerly known as Ansar Bayt al Maqdis) has taken credit for killing an American in August. The statement was released on Twitter with an accompanying picture of the American’s identification cards.
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Islamic State supporters advertise Sinai as jihadist destination
The Islamic State’s supporters are encouraging young jihadist recruits to travel to the Sinai. According to one online jihadist, the Islamic State’s expansion into the Sinai and throughout North Africa will facilitate the “liquidating” of the Jews.
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Sinai-based jihadist group rebranded as Islamic State’s official arm
A new video has been posted online by jihadists claiming to be the Islamic State’s official arm in the Sinai. The Sinai jihadists were formerly part of Ansar Bayt al Maqdis, but are now marketing themselves as the Islamic State’s representatives.
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Sinai-based jihadists pledge allegiance to Islamic State in audio recording
An unidentified jihadist has released an audio recording saying that Ansar Bayt al Maqdis, the most prolific terrorist group in Egypt, has pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdad’s Islamic State.
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Al Qaeda
ISIS may be eyeing up Egypt as its next target, experts say
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Ansar Bayt al Maqdis
ISIS guides Egyptian militants, expanding its influence
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Ansar Bayt al Maqdis
Under pressure, Sinai jihadists threaten more beheadings
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Ansar Jerusalem beheads 4 Egyptians accused of being Israeli ‘spies’
A little more than one week after the Islamic State released a video featuring the beheading of an American photojournalist, Ansar Jerusalem has released a video online showing four Egyptian civilians being executed in the same manner. The video marks an escalation in the tactics Ansar Jerusalem is willing to broadcast in its propaganda.
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Ajnad Misr
New Egypt terror group adopting ‘lone wolf’ approach –
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Ansar Bayt al Maqdis
Is Egypt winning war on terror in Sinai?
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Ansar Jerusalem denies death of shady figure, mocks Egyptian officials
Ansar Jerusalem says that, contrary to claims made by Egyptian security officials, Shadi el Menai has not been killed and is not the group’s leader. Ansar Jerusalem says the Egyptian government does not even know who the real leader of the group is.
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Ansar Bayt al Maqdis
Israel-Egypt anti-terrorism cooperation at zenith
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2 suicide bombers strike in South Sinai
If Ansar Jerusalem takes credit for today’s suicide attacks, it would be the group’s first claimed attack since bombing a tourist bus in Taba in mid-February. In addition, the two bombings would be the fifth and sixth suicide attacks by the jihadist group since September 2013.
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Ansar Bayt al Maqdis
In Cairo, one family’s story shows rise of radical threat
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Al Nusrah Front fighter reportedly arrested for planning attacks in Egypt
It is unclear whether the suspected jihadist is linked to Ansar Jerusalem. At least four AJ fighters are known to have fought in Syria prior to returning to Egypt, where they died.
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Ansar Jerusalem leader allegedly killed in North Sinai
Ansar Jerusalem has yet to comment on today’s reported events. Since 2011, the Sinai-based jihadist group has confirmed dead only 25 named members.
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Ansar Jerusalem releases video of December bombing in Mansoura
The video’s release comes a day after the US designated Ansar Jerusalem as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity.
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State Department adds Ansar Jerusalem to terrorist designation lists
The State Department today added the Sinai-based jihadist group Ansar Jerusalem to the US government’s lists of designated terrorist organizations. Although State says the group “generally maintains a local focus,” its attacks are entirely consistent with al Qaeda’s global jihad.
