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The Al Nusrah Front’s ‘inherited jihad’
Al Jazeera aired the second part of its interview with Abu Muhammad al Julani earlier this week. Julani again made it clear that Al Nusrah is a part of al Qaeda and referenced Ayman al Zawahiri’s “directives” following the beginning of the Arab revolutions in late 2010 and early 2011.
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Islamic State continues to clash with multiple foes in Aleppo, Hasakah
Several al Qaeda ideologues have issued a fatwa saying it is “compulsory” to fight the Islamic State in Aleppo. The edict was issued after the Islamic State seized towns and villages from other rebel groups in the province.
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US claims 10,000 Islamic State fighters killed since start of air campaign
If true, US intelligence assessments on the strength of the Islamic State are grossly underestimated.
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With sudden advances in Aleppo, Islamic State provokes counteroffensive
The Islamic State has seized towns and villages in Aleppo province, provoking a counterattack from several rebel organizations. The “caliphate’s” move may have been timed to disrupt its jihadist rivals’ advances in northern Syria.
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Analysis: Al Nusrah Front ‘committed’ to Ayman al Zawahiri’s ‘orders’
Earlier this week, Al Jazeera aired the first part of its interview with Abu Muhammed al Julani, who is the emir of the Al Nusrah Front. Julani stressed that his organization is “committed” to Ayman al Zawahiri’s “orders,” thereby dispelling erroneous reports that his group was going to “break” with al Qaeda.
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Jihadists claim victory in battle for one of the last regime-controlled towns in Idlib
Jihadists, including al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, have claimed victory in the battle for the town of Ariha. The town was one of the last regime-controlled areas in the province of Idlib.
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Another al Qaeda veteran reportedly killed while leading Jund al Aqsa in Syria
Said Arif, an al Qaeda veteran, has reportedly been killed in an airstrike in Syria. Jihadists on social media have identified Arif as a senior figure in Jund al Aqsa, an al Qaeda front group.
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Islamic State reportedly seizes all of the Al Waleed border crossing in Iraq
The capturing of the Iraqi side of the Al Waleed border crossing comes just days after the jihadist group captured the Syrian side.
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Islamic State seizes Syrian side of Al Waleed border crossing with Iraq
The fall of the strategic location means that the Syrian regime has lost control of all crossings with Iraq.
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Islamic State releases media from Palmyra
After taking the city of Tadmur, the Islamic State has released both photographs and videos from the highly strategic city.
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Islamic State seizes Syrian city of Palmyra
The jihadist group may destroy ancient ruins in the city, as it has done in Mosul and elsewhere. The Islamic State is now said to control half of Syria.
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Coalition airstrikes kill 14 Al Nusrah Front members
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, claims that 14 fighters were killed in recent coalition air strikes in Syria.
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Al Qaeda graduation day in Idlib, Syria
Propaganda photos posted by the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, show what appears to be more than one hundred new graduates at a camp in Idlib.
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Veteran jihadist served al Qaeda for 17 years, ‘martyred’ in Syria
In a video recorded prior to his death, a jihadist known as Abu Hafs al Masri explained that he served al Qaeda for 17 years and had lived with Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda leaders. Al Masri was a senior leader in Ahrar al Sham in Syria when he was “martyred” in late March.
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Islamic State advances on ancient Syrian ruins of Palmyra
Islamic State advances on ancient Syrian ruins of Palmyra
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An al Qaeda front group in Syria
In a tweet last month, Jund al Aqsa, an al Qaeda-linked jihadist group in Syria, identified Adel Radi Saker al Wahabi al Harbi as its fallen military commander. Al Harbi was wanted by the US government, had previously served as the deputy leader of al Qaeda’s Iran network, and was a member of al Qaeda’s so-called “Khorasan Group.”
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Turkistan Islamic Party had significant role in recent Idlib offensive
The new video shows the group’s role in the recent fighting at Jisr al Shughur. The Turkistan Islamic Party has long fought in Syria alongside the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria.
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Syrian jets pound insurgent-held town: monitor
Syrian jets pound insurgent-held town: monitor
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Al Qaeda, jihadist allies declare victory over Syrian regime in key city
The “Battle of Victory” coalition, which includes the Al Nusrah Front and several other jihadist groups, has declared victory in the city of Jisr Al Shughur. The battle for the city began several days ago and was the next step in the jihadists’ plans for conquering all of northwestern Syria. A highly influential al Qaeda-linked ideologue was reportedly wounded in the fighting.
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Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria involved in new Idlib offensive
The Turkistan Islamic Party, an al Qaeda-affiliated group that also operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan and China, operates in Syria under the moniker “Katibat Turkistani.”
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Al Nusrah Front, allies launch new offensives against Syrian regime
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, and its allies formed a new coalition to battle regime forces in the northern city of Jisr Al Shughur. The alliance is modeled after the coalition that took control of the city of Idlib late last month.
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Lebanese Army defector portrayed as ‘martyr’ in Al Nusrah Front video
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has released a video portraying Osama Mansur as a “martyr” for its anti-Iranian, anti-Hezbollah cause. Mansur served in the Lebanese Army before defecting to Al Nusrah.
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Southern Syria rebels set collision course with al Qaeda
Southern Syria rebels set collision course with al Qaeda
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Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb leader congratulates jihadists on Idlib victory
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s emir, Abdulmalek Droukdel, has released an audio message praising the head of the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, for working with other Islamist and jihadist groups to capture the city of Idlib.
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Canada conducts first air strike in Syria
Canada conducts first air strike in Syria
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Islamic State releases photos from Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus
The photos show its forces engaging Palestinian factions in the camp, including beheading two members of Aknaf Bayt al Maqdis, a group loyal to Hamas.
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Islamic State releases photo report from Syria’s Hama province
The photo report details the fighting at Sheikh al Hilal near the city of Al Salamiyah in Hama province. The Islamic State was able to seize a nearby town, as well as release a video showing the execution of several regime soldiers. In the south, the jihadist group was able to enter the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp but is now fighting for control against Jaish al Islam and a group loyal to Hamas.
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Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine Among World’s Most Dangerous Countries
Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine Among World's Most Dangerous Countries
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IS militants ‘enter Yarmouk refugee camp’ in Syrian capital
Islamic State forces 'enter Yarmouk refugee camp' in Syrian capital
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Jihadist coalition claims control of Idlib
The Jaysh al Fateh coalition has captured the city of Idlib, or much of it. Propaganda photos posted online show jihadist groups, including the Al Nusrah Front, controlling government buildings and key facilities.
