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US strikes Islamic State in Nigeria
President Donald Trump announced that US forces struck Islamic State targets in northwestern Nigeria on December 25 after the Nigerian government reportedly requested military action from the United States. The strikes took place in Sokoto State, which borders Niger and has been one of the scenes of jihadist expansion from the Sahel into Nigeria.
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Jihadi History: Al-Qaeda’s failed mobilization efforts in Central African Republic
In early 2014, as Muslim civilians were being massacred in Central African Republic as part of a cycle of violence between Muslim and Christian militias, al-Qaeda went on a full-court press in an attempt to foster any jihadist movement to take up arms in the country. These attempts, however, largely fell on deaf ears. As such, this offers a unique glimpse into when, and potentially how, jihadist mobilization attempts fail.
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Generation Jihad Ep. 73 — Prison Break (Jihadi Edition)
You guessed it. Our guest is, indeed, Caleb Weiss. This time, he and Bill discuss how (and which) prison breaks fit into the larger strategy of various Jihadi groups — and why some don’t bother.
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Islamic State claims prison break outside of Nigeria’s capital
Hundreds of prisoners, including an unclear number of jihadists, remain free following a massive jailbreak just outside the Nigerian capital of Abuja earlier this week. The Islamic State has said its men were behind the raid.
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Ansaru reaffirms its allegiance to al Qaeda
In a recent statement released online, Jamaat Ansar al Muslimeen, better known as Ansaru, confirmed it maintains its allegiance to al Qaeda after reportedly re-pledging allegiance to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in 2020.
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Islamic State releases photos from deadly raid on military base near Lake Chad
The Islamic State’s West African province has gone on a recent spate of assaults on military bases in northeastern Nigeria.
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Suicide bombers target Eid celebrations in Nigeria
As Abubakr Shekau’s Boko Haram was holding its own Eid al Fitr celebrations in northeastern Nigeria, it launched coordinated suicide bombings on civilians also celebrating the Islamic holiday.
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More female suicide bombers target Niger mosque
Three suicide bombers, including two girls, targeted a mosque and a Quranic school in Diffa, Niger, on Monday. The three are believed to have been sent by Abubakr Shekau’s Boko Haram faction.
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At least two dozen killed in Nigeria suicide bombings
Yesterday’s suicide bombing continues to prove the residual threat of jihadist violence in northeastern Nigeria.
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Scores dead in suicide bombing at Nigerian mosque
At least 50 people were killed by a suicide bomber during morning prayers at a local mosque in northeastern Nigeria. No group has claimed the attack, but it fits with the modus operandi of that of Abubakr Shekau’s faction.
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Understanding al Qaeda through the massive trove of Osama bin Laden’s files
On Nov. 17, The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and FDD’s Long War Journal held an event to discuss the findings from the recently released documents from Osama bin Laden’s compound.
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West Africa hit with spate of suicide bombings
At least a dozen females and another five males have been used in suicide attacks so far this month. The rate of which females are used in this tactic remain on pace to quadruple in 2017 compared to last year.
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Female suicide bomber attacks in West Africa on pace to quadruple in 2017
Despite a relative lull in the use of females in suicide bombings in 2016 compared to 2015, West Africa is currently seeing a significant uptick in the use of females so far in 2017.
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Osama bin Laden’s files: AQIM commander recommended training Boko Haram’s members
A letter recovered in Osama bin Laden’s compound reveals that a senior AQIM commander recommended that his group train Boko Haram’s forces. Other official sources confirm that AQIM did provide the training and also groomed part of Boko Haram’s leadership. However, one of the Boko Haram leaders identified in the letter later cofounded a splinter group known as Ansaru, which rejects Boko Haram’s policies. Ansaru has been supported by AQIM.
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Young female suicide bombers strike in northeast Nigeria
Women and girls continue to be utilized by the Islamic State West Africa (formerly known as Boko Haram). At least 123 suicide bombings involving females have been recorded in data compiled by FDD’s Long War Journal.
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Jihadists argue over leadership of Islamic State’s West Africa province
The Islamic State has named a new wali (governor) for its “province” in West Africa. The move prompted a reply from Abu Bakr Shekau, the longtime leader of Boko Haram who became the wali after announcing his allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi last year. The SITE Intelligence group translated the Islamic State’s announcement and Shekau’s response.
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Islamic State West Africa reaffirms loyalty to al Baghdadi
The jihadist group also implies that its leader, Abubakar Shekau, is still alive and leading the Islamic State West Africa after rumors of his demise.
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Islamic State uses 2 women in suicide attack at Nigerian mosque
At least 22 women were killed as two female suicide bombers launched a coordinated assault at a mosque in the north. The Islamic State West Africa (Boko Haram) has used 105 women and girls as suicide bombers, according to data compiled by The Long War Journal.
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Osama Bin Laden’s Files: Boko Haram’s leader wanted to be ‘under one banner’
A letter recovered in Osama bin Laden’s compound reveals that Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, sought direct contact with al Qaeda’s deputy leader at the time. There is abundant evidence that Boko Haram was supported by al Qaeda’s international network until Shekau swore allegiance to the Islamic State’s Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in 2015.
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Over 100 female suicide bombers used in West Africa since June 2014
As the jihadist group continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria and into neighboring states, the Islamic State’s West African province continues to utilize women and girls as suicide bombers. The use of females makes it easier for the jihadist group to conduct these attacks.
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Islamic State West Africa targets Nigerian army in new video
The video showing an attack on Nigerian troops in Borno state was released as the jihadist group killed over 30 in suicide attacks in neighboring Chad.
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5 female suicide bombers strike in Nigeria
The Islamic State West Africa has routinely used women and girls to execute suicide attacks in the region. The group has deployed at least 52 female suicide bombers since June 2014. It is likely some of these women and girls were kidnapped and indoctrinated to conduct attacks.
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The Islamic State West Africa continues to utilize women as suicide bombers
The group, formerly known as Boko Haram, has used at least 47 women as suicide bombers since June 2014.
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Suicide bombers kill over 30 in Cameroon and Nigeria
At least seven suicide attacks perpetrated by the Islamic State West Africa (formerly known as Boko Haram) in the last three weeks have been conducted by women.
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Teenage suicide bombers kill more than 20 in northern Cameroon
The Islamic State West Africa (formerly known as Boko Haram) has utilized dozens of women and girls as suicide bombers over the last two years.
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Burka-clad male suicide bomber strikes in Chad capital
The attack in N’Djamena is the third in Chad in less than a month. Boko Haram, which now refers to itself as the Islamic State’s West African province, continues to pose a significant threat to regional security despite losing ground in Nigeria.
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Islamic State in West Africa claims Chad suicide attacks
The claim of responsibility for last month’s suicide attacks in Chad comes after the jihadist group killed more than 200 people in Nigeria last week.
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Boko Haram massacres praying Muslims
In its latest attacks, the Nigerian-based terrorist group Boko Haram targeted Muslims celebrating Ramadan.
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Suicide bombers strike Maiduguri
Continuing its offensive against Maiduguri, Boko Haram is suspected of launching two bomb attacks in the Borno state capital on Monday. Over 30 people were killed as two female suicide bombers targeted a popular market.
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Boko Haram kills 38 in attacks on villages in Niger
The suspected Boko Haram attacks in both Niger and Chad continue to demonstrate that the jihadist group is a threat to regional stability and not just Nigeria.
