Libya
Rebels took control of a border outpost in the west after more than 200 pro-Gaddafi troops deserted to Tunisia. NATO bombers attacked Gaddafi forces in Tripoli and Gharyan. Two Western photojournalists were killed in Misrata.
Monthly Archives: April 2011
Iran
The UAE’s foreign minister stated that Iran must treat its neighbors with “responsibility and respect.” Kuwait’s foreign minister accused an Iranian spy cell of planning attacks against US infrastructure in the country. Iran and Egypt signed cooperation agreement on tourism.
Libyan Islamic Fighting Group leader ambushed by Qaddafi’s forces
A top Libyan Islamic Fighting Group leader known as Urwah was killed in an ambush by Colonel Muammar Qaddafi’s forces earlier this month. Urwah was reportedly detained by Iran in 2004 but allowed to return to Libya to fight Qaddafi.
Afghanistan
The import and export of suicide bombers
Afghanistan
Special operations forces killed 17 Taliban and foreign fighters during a raid in Kunar that targeted an al Qaeda commander. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban fighters in Zabul, Khost, Paktia, and Wardak. Afghan officials said the suicide bomber who penetrated the Ministry of Defense was not an Afghan soldier. The Taliban killed an […]
Pakistan
Admiral Michael Mullen said Pakistan has a “relationship” with the Haqqani Network but stopped short of accusing the country of supporting the terror group. A court indicted Maulana Abdul Aziz for killing a security officer during the Lal Masjid uprising in 2007. The Taliban in Mohmand killed two merchants for providing livestock to Afghanistan.
17 Taliban, ‘foreign fighters’ killed during hunt for al Qaeda commander in Kunar
The al Qaeda leader “commands and facilitates insurgents throughout the province and border region, directing weapons acquisition, movement, employment of fighters and equipment to Kunar for attacks against Afghan and Coalition forces.”
Somalia
Four people were killed after Shabaab attacked Somali forces in the town of Busar. Shabaab has banned women in the town of Bardhere from selling khat.
Libya
France and Italy are sending teams of military advisers to aid the Libyan rebels. The US is planning on sending more than $25 million in non-military aid to rebel forces.
Pakistan’s ISI has a ‘relationship’ with the Haqqani Network: Admiral Mullen
Mullen falls short of calling out Pakistan for actively supporting the Haqqani Network.
Suicide bombers captured in Afghan border town trained in Quetta
Not all suicide bombers are trained in North Waziristan.
Egypt
Egypt – Top Sunni cleric warns Tehran not to meddle in Arab states
Pakistan
Pakistan – The reason terrorism suspects go free
NATO
Libya: RAF Tornados carry out ‘deliberate, multiple strikes’
Russia
Russia’s fading army fights losing battle to reform itself
Ex-Gitmo detainee deported from Italy to Tunisia
The Italian government announced the deportation of a former Gitmo detainee to Tunisia. Adel Ben Mabrouk had been convicted of terrorism-related charges, but his sentence was commuted to time served because of his eight-year-long detention at Gitmo. Mabrouk went to Afghanistan to train and fight in early 2001 and was part of an al Qaeda cell that plotted to blow up Milan’s Gothic cathedral.
Iran
An Iranian general announced that any foreign attack on Iran would be “suicidal.” The US sanctioned a North Korean bank for an arms deal with Iran. Iran’s governor for OPEC said that oil prices are expected to rise throughout FY 2011.
Russia
Yemen: UN Security Council fails to reach agreement
Egypt
Islamist leader: Egyptian revolution achieved the impossible
Iraq
Iraq – Sadrists threaten retaliation if US stays
Libya
As British help Libyan rebels, aid goes to a divided force
Libya
Libya rebels will receive $25 million from US
India
After Pakistan missile test, India flexes muscle
Afghanistan
Coalition forces killed a Taliban and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan commander in an airstrike in Baghlan. Security forces captured Taliban and Haqqani Network commanders and fighters in Kandahar, Khost, and Logar. Senators demanded the defense minister resign after a suicide bomber penetrated the ministry.
Palestinian Territories
Hamas security forces stormed a hideout used by the Salafists who executed a pro-Palestinian Italian activist. Two terrorists, including a Jordanian, from al the Qaeda-linked Monotheism and Holy War were killed.
Al Qaeda
Omar Hassan, whose sister, Omayma, is married to Ayman al Zawahiri, was killed in Afghanistan earlier this year. Hassan likely facilitated the 2006 merger of the external branch of the Egyptian Islamic Group with al Qaeda.
Zawahiri’s brother-in-law killed in Afghanistan
Osama Hassan was a member of the Egyptian Islamic Group and may have played a role in getting that group’s external faction to merge with al Qaeda in 2006.
Afghanistan
Imran Khan in Taliban peace spotlight
Jordan
Ayman al Balawi was among 103 Salafi Islamists rounded up by Jordanian security forces after attacks in Zarqa wounded 83 policemen. Balawi is the brother of the al Qaeda operative who detonated a suicide vest at a CIA outpost in Khost, Afghanistan in December 2009.
Syria
The government lifted the 48-year-old emergency law and abolished the state security court. Security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters in Homs, wounding 25.