[UPDATE 2] The U.S. is debating ending the reconciliation negotiations with Sunni insurgents. U.S. helicopters supported an Iraqi operation against death squads in the the Fadhil area of Baghdad. The Iraqi Army also conducted an operation in Rusafa. A terrorist killed 4 and wounded 29 in Mosul after police stopped an attack on a police […]
Abu Sayyaf back in Basilan, says governor
UN envoy terms political situation in Bangladesh ‘worrying’
Rich Saudis Fund Qaeda in Sudan, Chad Charges
Sudan president rejects U.N. troops in Darfur
Central African Republic: Hundreds flee Birao as French jets strike
Deby government accepts UN proposal for deployment of peacekeeping contingent on Chad-Sudan border. Khartoum, however, refuses to support the plan. Meanwhile, the mess in Darfur spills over into the Central African Republic, where the UN warns is “sliding into chaos.” Among the exports from Darfur to Chad and CAF, courtesy of Khartoum, are Islamists and […]
Schools remain closed since Monday in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces to protest attacks on school buildings and teachers. Human Rights Watch blames BRN-C youth wing, Pemuda, and RKK. Zach Abuza has previously noted that both groups are Islamist in nature and include in their leadership JI and Afghan trained fighters.
Thursday’s death toll in the suicide attack on Baidoa hits 8 and the UIC distanced itself from the operation. TFG claims that 350 militia defected earlier this week, marking the first time that militamen have left the UIC.
Beirut on edge as rumors of a planned Hezbollah-backed coup against PM Siniora sweeps the city and Hezbollah rallies thousands in front of the PM’s office demanding his resignation. Downtown businesses brace for extended closures as the rallies develop into a prolonged sit-in.
A Qassam rocket was fired into Israel despite the truce. A Palestinian was killed after throwing a Molotov cocktail at a Hebron checkpoint. Palestinians are still smuggling weapons across the Gaza border.
Leaks indicate the Iraq Survey Group will recommend pulling back troops soon. PM Maliki is receiving criticism from Sunnis in the government for failing to resolve the violence. The remainder of the Stryker Brigade in Mosul is moving to Baghdad.
Ansar al-Sunnah leaders captured, raid on al Qaeda in Iraq cell Ansar al-Sunnah. DUBAI, UAE: Task Force 145, the Coalition hunter-killer teams that focus on al Qaeda in Iraq, have been busy over the past week. Multinational Forces Iraq reports Ansar al-Sunnah leadership has taken a hit in central, western and northern Iraq, while a […]
Woman killed in violence in southern Thailand
Despite assurances by Islamabad that the recent accords with Taliban forces in NWFP do not empower militants, a two-day ban on newspapers by the Taliban in North Waziristan proves successful and demonstrates the Taliban’s domination. BBC apologizes for sparking the controversy by posting an old story that led to rioting, abduction of a local journalist […]
Somalia: Suicide car bomb kills seven people near Govt. base
9 Pakistanis named for 7/11 terror
Thai Militants Claim Border As Religious Conflict Zone
Thousands of Awami League opposition supporters surround presidential palace in Dhaka as allegations grow that the pro-Islamist government is preparing to rig upcoming January 21 elections.
JI fugitive Dulmatin’s wife and two sons have been deported back to Java, Indonesia, as the manhunt continues. Peace negotiations between Manila and MILF, which is suspected to coordinate operations with JI in Mindanao, appears to be back on track.
Islamists blow up Ethiopian truck in Somalia-residents
After Waziristan, it’s now the Talibanization of Bajaur in Pak
Iran and Syria aren’t our friends in Iraq
Baidoa hit by suicide attack as pressure builds for international action against the UIC. Ethiopian parliament authorizes military action. UIC forces appear to be closing in on Baidoa, detonating remote-controlled bomb on Ethiopian lorry 18 km outside of the seat of the TFG. UN moves closer to adopting a draft resolution that will both tighten […]
al Qaeda operating in Somalia: US official
Taliban ban newspaper sales in North Waziristan; free press in Western Pakistan is in danger; North Waziristan Taliban Shura to meet on Friday NWFP/FATA. Click map to view. While many in the western press and various governments continue to debate the results of the Waziristan Accord, which turned North Waziristan over to the Taliban and […]
Key Bush-Maliki summit on Iraq delayed
This post will remain at the top for several days, please scroll down for updates I’m heading to Iraq within the next week. I was able to secure the embed without going through an outside media organization, as I had to do in the past. I established a non-profit, called Public Multimedia, Inc., incorporated as […]
The Islamic Courts will invite “foreign fighters” if the UN arms embargo is lifted (note: al Qaeda is already there.) The Ethiopians and the ICU exchanged mortar fire in Puntland. Ethiopian forces have moved south towards Galkayo. A raido reporter was held for three days by the ICU and beaten.
The AP’s new Baghdad Bob