• Islamic State suicide bombers attack Baghdad during Ramadan

    Two bombings in the Iraqi capital killed more than 30 people and wounded dozens more. The Islamic State quickly claimed responsibility for both, saying that Shiite “polytheists” had been targeted. The first bombing struck near a popular ice cream shop in the Karrada district of Baghdad.

    Islamic State suicide bombers attack Baghdad during Ramadan
  • Islamic State faces multiple adversaries in Al Bab, Syria

    The Islamic State has been battling Turkey and allied groups north of Al Bab, Syria since Nov. 2016. The US was reluctant, at first, to support Turkey’s ground operations near the town. But that changed after Turkey turned to Russia for aerial support. The Syrian regime and its allies also launched an offensive south of Al Bab earlier this month.

    Islamic State faces multiple adversaries in Al Bab, Syria
  • Analysis: Islamic State claims historically high number of suicide attacks in 2016

    The Islamic State claims to have carried out 1,112 suicide attacks in Iraq and Syria during 2016. Additional suicide bombers were deployed in Libya and elsewhere. If the group’s claims are accurate, then the so-called caliphate has been using “martyrs” at a historically high rate.

    Analysis: Islamic State claims historically high number of suicide attacks in 2016
  • Islamic State defends Mosul with dozens of suicide bombers

    The Islamic State claims to have carried out 120 “martyrdom operations” in Iraq and Syria in October. Seventy-nine (79) of these suicide bombings were purportedly launched around the city of Mosul. The so-called caliphate has claimed 902 “martyrdom operations” in Iraq, Libya and Syria during the first ten months of 2016. If accurate, then the group is carrying out suicide attacks at a historically high rate.

    Islamic State defends Mosul with dozens of suicide bombers
  • Islamic State claims more than 700 suicide attacks since beginning of the year

    The Islamic State’s Amaq News Agency has claimed 729 “martyrdom operations” in Iraq, Syria and Libya since the beginning of the year. The figures for August indicate that 81 suicide attacks were carried out in these three countries. If the statistics are accurate, then the self-declared “caliphate” is carrying out suicide bombings at a historically high rate.

    Islamic State claims more than 700 suicide attacks since beginning of the year
  • Islamic State suicide bombers strike Syrian regime in Damascus, Homs and Tartus

    The Islamic State claimed five “martyrdom operations” against Syrian regime checkpoints in Damascus, Homs and Tartus earlier today. The assault in Tartus appears to have caused the most casualties, with dozens reportedly killed or wounded.

    Islamic State suicide bombers strike Syrian regime in Damascus, Homs and Tartus