Syria
The government rejected a call for Arab troops to be sent to stop the violence. Hamas leaders evacuated their families due to the deteriorating security situation. Both the US and France said Iran was supplying Syria with weapons.
Monthly Archives: January 2012
European Human Rights Court rules on landmark terror case
The European court ruled that Abu Qatada, al Qaeda’s representative in the UK, cannot be transferred to Jordan.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan – Regional powers seen behind escalating unrest
Somalia
Kenyan troops killed six Shabaab leaders in an attack on a command post in Tatar. Ethiopian and Somali forces clashed with Shabaab forces in Beledweyne; no casualties have been reported.
Nigeria
“Gunmen” killed a police corporal in Mubi and three Chadian nationals in Damaturu. No group has claimed the murders but Boko Haram has been active in the cities over the past several months.
Algeria
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb fighters kidnapped the governor of Illizi in the southeastern region of Algeria near the Libyan border. The AQIM fighters are thought to have taken the governor across the border into Libya.
Afghanistan
Insecurity Mainly Based in Afghan Villages: ICRC
Norway
An Islamic extremist group posted a video on Facebook threatening revenge for Norwegian involvement in the Afghan war. Arfan Bhatti and others have been given permission to demonstrate on Jan. 20 outside the Norwegian Parliament against the war. The Police Security Service said radical Islamism is still the biggest threat facing Norway.
United Kingdom
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that radical cleric Abu Qatada should not be deported to Jordan from the UK. Convicted in absentia of terrorism in Jordan, he claimed he faced possible retrial in Jordan that might involve evidence obtained through torture. Unless the UK appeals the court’s ruling, Qatada will be released.
United States
Kareem Ibrahim, 65, a Guyanan imam who provided religious and operational support to a group planning to set off explosions under JFK Airport in 2007, was sentenced to life in prison. Ibrahim had sought to involve Iran and also to use suicide bombers.
Al Qaeda
Is Al Qaeda actually involved in the Syria uprising?
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Yemen unrest ‘may delay presidential election’
Israel
Cyberattacks Temporarily Cripple 2 Israeli Web Sites
Pakistan
Pakistan – No talks underway with terrorists: Inspector General of Frontier Corps
Afghanistan
Costs in doubt as NATO moves toward smaller Afghan force
Egypt
Islamist set to be Egypt’s new parliament speaker
Syria
Syria: beyond the wall of fear, a state in slow-motion collapse
Germany
2 Americans honored for catching terrorist suspect
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Prisoner trade motivated Norwegian’s kidnap
Norway
Swedes more fearful of terror attacks: study
Afghanistan
The Taliban claimed to have shot down a civilian helicopter in Helmand province; three people were killed in the crash. ISAF said there are no signs that the Taliban has infiltrated the Afghan security forces.
Iraq
Insurgents killed 11 Iraqis and wounded dozens more in car bombings in Mosul and Hillah. Security forces detained 14 al Qaeda members, including a leader, in Kirkuk.
Iran
Europe is expected to agree to ban the import of Iranian oil by the end of the month. Saudi Arabia said it could make up for the loss of Iranian oil exports. Iran warned Gulf Arab states they would suffer consequences if they raised oil production to replace Iranian oil.
Israel
The US and Israel agreed to postpone a joint military exercise to avoid exacerbating tensions in the region. Mossad agents were alleged to be behind the recent assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist.
Egypt
An agreement was reached between the political parties to install a Muslim Brotherhood leader as speaker of the newly elected parliament. The Islamist parties won 69% of the seats in parliament.
Yemen
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula took control of the town of Rada’a in Baydah province, killing two policemen. The attack was led by the brother-in-law of Anwar al Awlaki. The fighters pledged their loyalty to Ayman al Zawahiri.
Somalia
Kenyan aircraft killed seven people, including four children, in airstrikes in Jilib. Five Shabaab fighters surrendered to the government in the Gedo region.
Yemen
Yemen PM says country needs tens of billions in aid
Thailand
Police found materials to make a bomb during a search in Samut Sakhon near Bangkok. The materials were linked to Atris Hussein, a Lebanese Hezbollah operative who was detained last week.
Pakistan
Pakistan Supreme Court starts down the road toward a constitutional coup