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  • Islamic State kills almost 100 soldiers in Niger

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Jan 14, 2020

    Over the last month, the jihadist group has killed at least 174 Nigerien soldiers in three separate attacks.

    Islamic State kills almost 100 soldiers in Niger
  • Islamic State kills dozens of soldiers in Niger

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Dec 13, 2019

    The Islamic State continues to make inroads in the Sahel, conducting several high-profile raids in the border region between Mali and Niger.

    Islamic State kills dozens of soldiers in Niger
  • Al Qaeda-linked group reappears in Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Oct 27, 2019

    The photo marks the first sign of life for the group since 2017 and the first official publication since 2015.

    Al Qaeda-linked group reappears in Nigeria
  • Al Qaeda, Islamic State report attacks in Burkina Faso

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Sep 19, 2019

    Both groups have claimed deadly assaults in Burkina Faso, playing into the already perilous security situation in the country.

    Al Qaeda, Islamic State report attacks in Burkina Faso
  • Jihadists in West Africa renew allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

    Thomas Joscelyn

    News
    Jun 17, 2019

    On June 15, the Islamic State’s West Africa province released a video featuring a masked jihadist known as Abu Salmah al-Mangawi. Along with foot soldiers in Burkina Faso and Mali, al-Mangawi renewed his pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

    Jihadists in West Africa renew allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
  • Deadly Niger ambush claimed by the Islamic State

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    May 16, 2019

    The jihadist group also claimed an assault on a high-security prison near the capital of Niamey.

    Deadly Niger ambush claimed by the Islamic State
  • Thousands flee Islamic State West Africa offensive in northeast Nigeria

    Thomas Joscelyn and Caleb Weiss

    News
    Jan 17, 2019

    Islamic State West Africa has forced thousands of civilians to flee Rann after raiding and ransacking the makeshift town in northeastern Nigeria. The assault in Rann is part of a broader ISWA offensive in the region.

    Thousands flee Islamic State West Africa offensive in northeast Nigeria
  • Islamic State arm reportedly seizes Nigerian town

    Thomas Joscelyn

    News
    Dec 29, 2018

    Islamic State West Africa reportedly seized the town of Baga in northeastern Nigeria earlier this week. The Nigerian military downplayed the jihadis’ advances, but it appears that ISWA seized the town, at least temporarily. And ISWA documented its spoils in a series of images released today.

    Islamic State arm reportedly seizes Nigerian town
  • Islamic State continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Dec 3, 2018

    The Islamic State West Africa is progressing in its violent campaign against the Nigerian state in the northeast, as it continues to claim victories against the military.

    Islamic State continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria
  • Islamic State claims control over village in northeast Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Nov 26, 2018

    ISWA continues to defy announcements by the Nigerian government of its defeat.

    Islamic State claims control over village in northeast Nigeria
  • Islamic State releases photos from deadly raid on military base near Lake Chad

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Aug 17, 2018

    The Islamic State’s West African province has gone on a recent spate of assaults on military bases in northeastern Nigeria.

    Islamic State releases photos from deadly raid on military base near Lake Chad
  • More female suicide bombers target Niger mosque

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Jun 6, 2018

    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.

    More female suicide bombers target Niger mosque
  • At least two dozen killed in Nigeria suicide bombings

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    May 2, 2018

    Yesterday’s suicide bombing continues to prove the residual threat of jihadist violence in northeastern Nigeria.

    At least two dozen killed in Nigeria suicide bombings
  • State Department designates 7 ISIS-affiliated groups as terrorist organizations

    Thomas Joscelyn

    News
    Feb 27, 2018

    The State Department announced today announced today that seven ISIS-affiliated groups have been designated as terrorist organizations. Underscoring the so-called caliphate’s growth outside of Iraq and Syria, the move targets ISIS affiliates in Bangladesh, Egypt, the Philippines, Somalia, Tunisia and West Africa. Two ISIS leaders in Africa were named as specially designated global terrorists as well.

    State Department designates 7 ISIS-affiliated groups as terrorist organizations
  • Scores dead in suicide bombing at Nigerian mosque

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Nov 21, 2017

    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.

    Scores dead in suicide bombing at Nigerian mosque
  • West Africa hit with spate of suicide bombings

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    May 20, 2017

    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.

    West Africa hit with spate of suicide bombings
  • Female suicide bomber attacks in West Africa on pace to quadruple in 2017

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Apr 13, 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.

    Female suicide bomber attacks in West Africa on pace to quadruple in 2017
  • Osama bin Laden’s files: AQIM commander recommended training Boko Haram’s members

    Thomas Joscelyn

    News
    Feb 18, 2017

    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.

    Osama bin Laden’s files: AQIM commander recommended training Boko Haram’s members
  • Young female suicide bombers strike in northeast Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    Threat Matrix
    Dec 12, 2016

    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.

    Young female suicide bombers strike in northeast Nigeria
  • Jihadists argue over leadership of Islamic State’s West Africa province

    Thomas Joscelyn

    News
    Aug 4, 2016

    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.

    Jihadists argue over leadership of Islamic State’s West Africa province
  • Islamic State claims suicide bombing in Maiduguri

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    May 13, 2016

    Despite being pushed back in several places of northeastern Nigeria, the attack still proves that the Islamic State West Africa, formerly known as Boko Haram, can still strike in heavily guarded areas.

    Islamic State claims suicide bombing in Maiduguri
  • Islamic State West Africa reaffirms loyalty to al Baghdadi

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Apr 2, 2016

    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.

    Islamic State West Africa reaffirms loyalty to al Baghdadi
  • Over 100 female suicide bombers used in West Africa since June 2014

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Feb 3, 2016

    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.

    Over 100 female suicide bombers used in West Africa since June 2014
  • Islamic State West Africa launches coordinated assaults in northeast Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Dec 29, 2015

    The coordinated assaults are likely intended to show that the jihadist group is still able to mount such attacks, despite some claims to the contrary.

    Islamic State West Africa launches coordinated assaults in northeast Nigeria
  • Islamic State West Africa targets Nigerian army in new video

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Oct 11, 2015

    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.

    Islamic State West Africa targets Nigerian army in new video
  • 5 female suicide bombers strike in Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Oct 2, 2015

    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.

    5 female suicide bombers strike in Nigeria
  • The Islamic State West Africa continues to utilize women as suicide bombers

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Sep 21, 2015

    The group, formerly known as Boko Haram, has used at least 47 women as suicide bombers since June 2014.

    The Islamic State West Africa continues to utilize women as suicide bombers
  • Suicide bombers kill over 30 in Cameroon and Nigeria

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Jul 27, 2015

    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.

    Suicide bombers kill over 30 in Cameroon and Nigeria
  • Teenage suicide bombers kill more than 20 in northern Cameroon

    Bill Roggio & Caleb Weiss

    News
    Jul 22, 2015

    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.

    Teenage suicide bombers kill more than 20 in northern Cameroon
  • Burka-clad male suicide bomber strikes in Chad capital

    Caleb Weiss

    News
    Jul 12, 2015

    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.

    Burka-clad male suicide bomber strikes in Chad capital
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  • Interactive visual: Profiles of 28 Iran-backed terrorist groups and branches in the West Bank

    Interactive visual: Profiles of 28 Iran-backed terrorist groups and branches in the West Bank

  • Profiles of 15 Iranian-backed Militias in the Middle East

    Profiles of 15 Iranian-backed Militias in the Middle East

  • Detailing Shabaab’s Leadership and Key Personnel

    Detailing Shabaab’s Leadership and Key Personnel

  • Al Qaeda leaders use Afghanistan as a safe haven

    Al Qaeda leaders use Afghanistan as a safe haven

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FDD's Long War Journal

FDD’s Long War Journal provides accurate reporting and analysis of ongoing efforts to address jihadism, conflicts between state and non-state actors, and warfare between states. This is accomplished through original reporting, including by embedded reporters, news aggregation, maps, podcasts, and other formats.

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