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Al-Qaeda’s North and West African branches respond to the Hamas-led invasion of Israel
Both al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims, al-Qaeda’s branches in North and West Africa, respectively, have openly praised Hamas for its mass killings of Jews in recent days.
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The US Intelligence Community’s newest assessment of the jihadist threat
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) presented its written “Worldwide Threat Assessment” to the Senate last week. The analysis confirms that the Islamic State is capable of sustaining insurgencies in both Iraq and Syria, Afghan security continues to “deteriorate,” and al Qaeda remains a threat in several parts of the globe.
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Fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks, al Qaeda fights on
Fifteen years after 9/11, Al Qaeda remains a threat to the West despite not carrying out a large-scale attack in years. The group is waging insurgencies in several countries and is far larger than it was on 9/11.
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Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb video features French, Dutch hostages
In a newly-released video, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb shows French hostage Serge Lazaervic and Dutch captive Sjaak Rijke. The two men claim to be in poor health, appeal to their governments and family for their release, and mention the prisoner exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
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North Africa
Saharan nations are conducting a major joint military exercise coordinated by the United States and joined by many European nations. Operation Flintlock, a three week operation with over 1,200 military personnel participating, is based out of a temporary command center in Bukina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. Flintlock aims to improve Saharan nations’ capacity to collaborate in the fight against al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and drug smugglers.
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North Africa
Dozens of Tuareg rebels have accepted an amnesty deal with the governments of Mali and Niger, including the rebels’ leaders. The peace ceremony was conducted in Libya where Muammar Al Gaddafi and Algerian mediators arbitrated the negotiations. The Tuareg rebellion has been ongoing since 2007, with rebels aspiring for greater economic development in the Sahel. The Tuareg rebels in Mali recently joined the fight against Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
