Iran
The Gulf Cooperation Council called on Iran to stop interfering in the internal affairs of its members. Western sanctions are inflicting damage on Iran’s economy.
Yearly Archives: 2011
Yemen
Yemeni soldiers battled al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters outside Zinjibar. Four soldiers and 16 AQAP fighters were reported killed. Protests continue in Sanaa and in other anti-government hotbeds such as Taiz, Yemen’s second-largest city.
Egypt
Clashes between protestors and security forces continued for the fifth straight day. Thousands of women marched to protest over soldiers’ abuses. An official said Egyptian military personnel accused of human rights violations against protesters would be prosecuted by military courts.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Algerian troops crossed into Mali to help Malian forces combat al Qaeda-linked groups. Such groups in Algeria, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania have become more active since the dispersal of Colonel Ghaddafi’s arsenal in the region.
Somalia
Over 200 Djiboutian troops arrived in Mogadishu to join the African Union force. Residents of Kismayo, a Shabaab stronghold, are facing a severe food shortage. Officials warned that the Tanzania-Kenya border post of Namanga could be easily infiltrated by Shabaab.
Jund al Khilafah calls for overthrow of Kazakh president
The Soldiers of the Caliphate are attempting to capitalize on last weekend’s clash between government forces and striking oil workers.
United States
Tarek Mehanna, a US-born citizen of Sudbury, Mass., was convicted of terrorism charges that included providing material support to al Qaeda. Mehanna, who holds a doctorate in pharmacology, sought training in Yemen for jihad. He prepared, translated, and published propaganda online for al Qaeda.
Al Qaeda
Twitter Use by Shabab in Somalia Incites US
North Korea
In Kim Jong-il Death, an Extensive Intelligence Failure
Philippines
A roadside bomb killed a civilian and wounded seven soldiers in Mindanao’s Surigao del Sur province. Three people were injured following a grenade attack near a security outpost in Cotabato City.
Iraq
The government issued an arrest warrant for Sunni Vice President Tariq Hashimi for running death squads that attacked security forces. Hashimi has fled to the Kurdish regions. Three of Hashimi’s bodyguards have been arrested on terrorism charges.
Afghanistan
A battle of tweets with the Taliban
Iran
In an apparent reference to Iran, Saudi Arabia said the security of the Gulf states was being targeted. US, Europe, and key Arab states discussed how to maintain stability in the energy markets as a possible precursor to an embargo on Iran’s oil exports. Iran would be unlikely to replace its exports.
Turkey
Turkish police and security forces moved in with armored tanks and infantry against 17 locations in the southeastern town of Gaziantep and arrested 13 al Qaeda suspects. Turkish officials broke up another suspected al Qaeda cell on Dec. 14, when six suspects were arrested in Manisa province.
Syria
The Syrian government agreed to allow observers into the country to monitor an Arab League peace deal. The opposition dismissed the deal as a ploy. Some 60-70 Syrian army soldiers were shot while trying to desert. The UN passed a resolution condemning the violence.
Egypt
Protests against the military government continued for the fourth day. An Egyptian general blamed the protesters for the violence.
Israel
Israel completed the second phase of its prisoner swap deal with Hamas, releasing 550 prisoners. In the first phase, which took place in October, 500 prisoners were released.
US unravels international terror financing plot linked to Hezbollah
The federal government is cracking down on terror financing and has uncovered an operation raking in millions for Hezbollah.
US drone strikes in Pakistan on longest pause since 2008
The US has gone 33 days without hitting al Qaeda, the Taliban, or other terror groups based in Pakistan’s tribal areas. US officials attribute this to deteriorating relations with Pakistan.
Kenya
A roadside bomb killed one police officer and wounded two others in the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya. Provincial police chief Leo Nyongesa said a massive security operation is underway in the camp to flush out the attackers.
Taliban seek freedom for dangerous Guantanamo detainees
The Obama administration is considering repatriating some Guantanamo detainees to Afghanistan as part of a diplomatic effort to engage the Taliban. Four senior, high-risk, commanders are thought to be at the top of the list.
Nigeria
Security forces arrested 14 suspected Boko Haram fighters in Kano. The arrests took place after Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base there, resulting in four of its fighters and three soldiers killed.
Sweden
Sweden refuses to release CIA flight info
Afghanistan
Afghan Government Must Not Ignore Past Decade’s Gains
Afghanistan
Afghan Night Raids Will Continue, ISAF Says
Afghanistan
Exclusive: Secret US, Taliban talks reach turning point
Pakistan
Zardari returns to Pakistan amid memo saga
United States
US Army traces alleged leaker’s digital footprints
India
Hafiz Saeed vows jihad against India will continue
Al Qaeda
Pakistan – Blame US, not Taliban, says Jamaat-e-Islami