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.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
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.
Osama’s son coordinates call between Zawahiri and Iran’s Qods Force
Sa’ad bin Laden facilitated communications between Ayman al Zawahiri and the Iranians after the September 2008 assault on the US embassy in Sana’a, Yemen.
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.
Philippines
Philippines: Italian among three aid workers abducted in south
Palestinian Territories
Hamas Rejects Israel’s Conditions for Cease-Fire
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.
US sanctions senior al Qaeda members operating in Iran
Sa’ad bin Laden and three other senior al Qaeda members operating from Iran are placed on the US list of terrorists. Mustafa Hamid is al Qaeda’s primary link to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The USS Cole plotter’s unbelievable story
The ACLU’s quest to free a terrorist who admitted his responsibility for the USS Cole bombing.
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
Israel
Israel kills senior Hamas leader in Gaza
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.
Banned Pakistani terror group re-emerges under new name
Jamaat-ud Dawa, the banned front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba, renamed itself the Movement for the Safeguarding of the First Center of Prayer and held a protest in Lahore.
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.
Iraqi Security Force developments and the latest congressional quarterly report
The 9010 report outlines the transition of the five remaining provinces to Iraqi control. Budget shortfalls due to falling oil prices will hamper the growth of the Iraqi Security Forces in 2009.
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.