Egypt
Egypt ends domestic spying agency, but creates new one
Monthly Archives: March 2011
Afghanistan
Security forces killed and captured several Taliban and Haqqani Network commanders and fighters in Helmand, Kunar, Khost, Paktika, and Nangarhar. ISAF suspended a ground commander and a helicopter crew during an investigation into civilian deaths in Kunar. An Afghan military official said the Taliban killed 21 Afghan soldiers in the past 25 days.
Iraq
Insurgents killed a policeman in Baqubah. Security forces detained 13 wanted men in Diyala. A court sentenced Baathist leaders Tariq Aziz, Ali Abed Hmoud, and Hussein Khidhierv to life in prison.
Pakistan
CIA contractor released in Pakistan
Afghanistan
Taliban leaders divided – Afghan national security directorate
Norway
Norway ‘wasting money’ on Somali pirates
Sweden
Swedish court: naked Muhammad pics legal
Iraq
US diplomat: Budget fight threatens Iraq gains
Al Qaeda in Iraq
An Iraqi court sentenced Munaf al Rawi, al Qaeda in Iraq’s former leader in Baghdad, and five of his lieutenants to death for their involvement in several major bombings in Baghdad. Rawi gave up information that led to the deaths of Abu Ayyub al Masri and Abu Omar al Baghdadi, AQI’s top two leaders, in […]
Somalia
Twenty more people were killed during shelling by both Shabaab and African Union forces in Mogadishu. The US said it was “disappointed” with the Transitional Federal Government for extending its mandate.
Turkey
The Turkish Air Force ordered an Iranian plane destined for Syria to land at Diyarbakir airport. The Iranian plane is being inspected for suspected nuclear-related cargo.
Libya
Col. Moammar Gaddafi threatened to ally with al Qaeda if the West attacks his forces, and refused to negotiate with the rebels. Gaddafi’s forces advanced to the east and west, shelling the cities of Ajdabiya and Misrata; Benghazi braces for attack. In Paris, G8 ministers failed to agree on the imposition of a no-fly zone.
Israel
The Israeli Defense Forces displayed more than 50 tons of weapons and ammunition, including advanced anti-ship missiles, seized from the Liberian-flagged Victoria cargo ship that was chartered by Iran. The IDF believes the arms were destined for Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Bahrain
Six people, including two policemen, were killed after security forces attacked a protesters’ camp in the capital of Manama. Security forces deployed armored vehicles and helicopters against the protesters, and succeeded in clearing the square.
Yemen
More than 10,000 supporters of President Saleh attacked a group of 4,000 anti-government protesters in Sana’a, the capital. More than 120 people are reported to have been wounded in the attack.
Egypt
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa: ‘The beginning of an epochal development’
Afghanistan
US advisers saw early signs of trouble at Afghan Bank
Pakistan frees CIA contractor Raymond Davis
Pakistan has freed Raymond Davis, the CIA contractor who shot and killed two Pakistanis in Lahore, after the US agreed to pay “blood money” to the families of those killed. Reuters reports: A CIA contractor was acquitted of two murder charges and released by a Pakistani court on Wednesday after a deal to pay “blood […]
US Predators strike in Datta Khel area in North Waziristan
Datta Khel is a known safe haven for al Qaeda and allied terror groups. Today’s strike is the fifth in Pakistan’s tribal areas in six days.
France
Libya – Britain and France in last ditch effort to secure no-fly zone
United States
The Justice Department charged Ferid Imam, a Canadian Muslim, with aiding Najibullah Zazi in the failed NYC subway suicide bombing plot. Imam, who is still on the loose and thought to be in Pakistan, aided Zazi and two others in traveling to Pakistan for training with al Qaeda.
Philippines
Police arrested Ricardo Ayeras, a founding member of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, a group of Christian converts to Islam that has allied with Islamist terror groups. Ayeras was arrested and released two times, in January and August 2007, and accused police of torture.
Iraq
Iraqi delay hinders US planning
Pakistan
Security forces killed six Taliban fighters in Hangu and killed another Taliban fighter in Peshawar. The Taliban bombed two NATO fuel tankers in Kalat.
Afghanistan
General Petraeus testified to Congress on Afghanistan. The Taliban killed a provincial council member in Laghman and a high school principal in Nangarhar. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban, HIG, and IMU fighters in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Khost, Paktika, and Logar.
Full text of General Petraeus’ testimony to Congress
The full text of ISAF commander General David Petraeus’ testimony to Congress today is offered below, without commentary. Mr. Chairman, Senator McCain, it’s a privilege to be here today with Undersecretary Flournoy to report on the situation in Afghanistan. However, before I proceed, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the people of […]
Afghanistan
Afghanistan – Senators want defence minister, Peace Council to go
Iraq
Insurgents killed three civilians and a policeman in Anbar, and kidnapped five Yazidis in Mosul. Security forces detained nine Baathists in Diyala, and captured several wanted men in Baghdad.
Somalia
Twenty people were killed in Mogadishu during mortar exchanges between Shabaab and African Union and government forces. Shabaab claimed the government’s offensive in central Somalia has failed, and said 20 Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a fighters were killed.
Denmark
Denmark ready with F-16s to defend Libyan civilians