Monthly Archives: January 2009

Pakistan

The Taliban murdered a “US spy” in North Waziristan and bombed a girls’ school in Bannu. Bombings were reported in Malakand, Nowshera, and Kohat. Baitullah Mehsud threatened to teach a “historic lesson” to Israel.


Afghanistan

A US soldier and four Afghans were killed in a suicide attack outside of the German Embassy in Kabul; another suicide attack killed an Afghan in Nangarhar. One US soldier was killed in a helicopter crash in Kunar.


Israel

Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire in Gaza and said troops will remain until rocket attacks stop. Hamas vowed to continue fighting and fired seven rockets into Israel after the cease-fire was declared.



Pakistan

US Intelligence chief: Son of bin Laden likely in Pakistan


Pakistan

The Swat Taliban forced the closure of all of the district’s girls’ schools, and bombed one school in the district. The Taliban also destroyed the home of the leader of the Awami National Party. Security forces killed 12 Taliban fighters in Swat.




Iraq

2 Americans plead guilty to terrorism charges in Iraq


Iran

Iran said to buy high-performance metals: report


Israel

The IDF destroyed Hamas’ elite ‘Iran unit.’ The Israeli Cabinet will vote on a proposal to declare a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza. The United States and Israel signed an agreement aimed at stopping the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.


Afghanistan

Dutch troops launched an operation in Uruzgan province’s Baluchi Valley. Two British soldiers were killed in an IED attack in Helmand province. A US helicopter crash landed outside of ul.Kab


Iraq

A candidate from Prime Minister Maliki’s party was assassinated in Hillah. Police detained 18 insurgents in Baqubah and three more in Balad Ruz. US and Iraqi troops detained four “criminals” in Baghdad.




Somalia

Islamists executed a famous Somali statesman in Kismayu town. Dutch seek Somali pirates’ extradition from Denmark.


Sudan

Sudanese security officials arrested opposition leader Hassan al Turabi after he urged President Omar al Bashir to surrender to the International Criminal Court. In 1990 Turabi invited Osama bin Laden to base his operations in Sudan; bin Laden and al Qaeda remained in Sudan until 1996. Turabi has also supported Hezbollah and the Abu Nidal […]


Israel

Israel apologizes to Ban for hitting UN compound



Somalia

Ethiopian troops fully withdrew from Mogadishu, ending their two-year stay. Shabaab and other Islamist groups immediately occupied the Ethiopian bases. An explosion targeting a militia commander killed six people in Bardhere town.


Pakistan

Mullah Fazlullah announced a “conditional amnesty for social and political workers and public representatives from target killings.” The Taliban murdered a “US spy” in North Waziristan and killed two soldiers in an IED attack in South Waziristan. The military claimed it killed a “large number” of Taliban fighters and their operation commanders in Swat and […]


Afghanistan

A senior Afghan general in charge of western Afghanistan and 12 others died in a helicopter crash in Herat province. Two British soldiers were killed in Helmand province. The Taliban killed an ISAF contractor in Kapisa province and forced markets to close in Khost province.



Iraq

Iraqi forces detained 11 insurgents in Kirkuk and seven more during other raids. Police found an IED factory in Mosul. Iraqi troops raided the home of a provincial security official in Maysan province. An official in Samarra escaped an assassination attempt.



Lashkar-e-Taiba

Pakistan claimed to have detained 71 members of the Jamaat-ud Dawa and Lashkar-e-Taiba, placed 124 members under surveillance, closed down training camps, and shut down the group’s website. An Indian TV station said the Jamaat-ud Dawa has renamed itself and leaders are operating in the open. A captured ISI agent said Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed are […]


Israel

Defense Minister Barak indicated the Gaza war may soon end with a negotiated settlement with Hamas. Israel troops have moved into the Tel al Hawa neighborhood on the outskirts of Gaza City; heavy fighting has been reported. Hamas fired more than 20 rockets into southern Israel.


Kashmir

Hizb founder arrested in held Kashmir, says police


Pakistan

Desperate moves on to secure Swat – the lost valley


Pakistan

NATO’s supply lifeline through the Khyber Pass has been closed again for a security operation. Eight Taliban “bases” and 39 fighters were detained in the Khyber operation. A tribal leader was murdered in Arakazai.