Nigeria
The head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs denounced Boko Haram’s activities as un-Islamic. A prominent Christian leader called for “holy war” against Boko Haram.
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Afghanistan
US Plans a Shift to Elite Forces in Afghanistan
Al Qaeda
US mulls citizenship for bin Laden informer
Pakistan
Pakistan – Bill seeks to ‘rein in’ intelligence agencies
Afghanistan
The Taliban denied that Mullah Omar sent a letter to President Obama. Civilian casualties have risen to more than 3,000 last year; the Taliban are said to be responsible for 77 percent of civilian deaths. French troops have withdrawn from two camps in Kapisa province.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
The US killed al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operative Abdul Mun’im Salim al Fatahani in the Jan. 31 drone strike in Lawdar. He was involved in the suicide attack on the USS Cole in 2000.
Yemen
The government is negotiating with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to get the terror group to withdraw from Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan. AQAP fighters attacked an Army base in Lawdar; one militant was killed during the assault.
Norway
Norway – Hate video suspects released
Syria
Russia and China vetoed the UN resolution on Syria. Government forces killed 260 people in a major assault on the city of Homs. The Arab League called on all Arab countries to sever diplomatic relations with Syria. Protesters in Kuwait attacked the Syrian embassy.
Kuwait
In parliamentary elections, the opposition Islamist party won a majority, securing 34 of the 50 seats. The election was held after parliament was dissolved over allegations of corruption in December.
Iran
US and European officials called the UN nuclear inspector mission to Iran a failure. Iran’s oil minister said Iran would not retreat from its nuclear program. The US warned there is a growing possibility Israel will attack Iran as early as April. Ayatollah Khamenei said “Iran will help anyone willing to cut out the cancer […]
Al Qaeda operative killed during clashes in Kurram identified
Aslanov Zaur, an Azeri national and al Qaeda commander, was killed during Pakistani airstrikes in Kurram last week. He likely entered Pakistan with the aid of al Qaeda’s support network in Iran.
China
Text of proposed UN Security Council resolution on Syria vetoed by Russia, China
Somalia
Kenyan attack helicopters struck a Shabaab convoy traveling near Dalayat; several Shabaab fighters were killed and wounded. The UN said Somalia’s drought has ended.
US withdrawal plan from Afghanistan has not changed
Defense Secretary Panetta’s statement about US plans to withdraw from Afghanistan should come as no surprise. It is the same plan that was announced over a year ago.
Nigeria
Boko Haram denied that their spokesman, Abul Qaqa, is in police custody. Instead, they said that Abu Dardaa, the chief of “public enlightenment,” has been arrested. Police deployed 10 riot police units to Kano to provide security after recent Boko Haram attacks.
Afghanistan
Afghan Troops Should Not Enter Pakistan: Petraeus
NATO
NATO to Acquire First Fleet of Unarmed Drones
Afghanistan
Pakistan PM to Meet Qataris on Taliban Office
Egypt
Muslim Brotherhood official says West is neglecting Egypt
Afghanistan
The Hard Way Out of Afghanistan
IAEA
Nuclear Inspection Visit to Iran Deemed a Failure
Afghanistan
Civilian deaths in Afghanistan at highest level in a decade
Al Qaeda
Heavy weapons rattle northern Mali town, thousands flee
Afghanistan
Afghanistan: ‘This terrible war could have ended in a month’
Pakistan
Seven Pakistani soldiers and 18 Taliban fighters were killed during clashes in Kurrram; seven soldiers are said to be missing. The Taliban killed three people in a suicide attack on a tribal leader in Peshawar and bombed a girls’ school in Dera Ismail Khan.
Afghanistan
NATO is in disarray after the US announced it would end its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2013, one year early. Security forces captured a dual-hatted Taliban and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan commander in Helmand. The Islamic Jihad Union said it works closely with local Taliban forces.
Afghanistan
NATO mulls paying for Afghan forces after 2014
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
A jihadist confirmed that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operative Abdul Mun’im Salim al Fatahani was killed in the Jan. 31 airstrike in Lawdar, Yemen. He was involved in the October 2000 suicide attack on the USS Cole.
AQAP operative killed in recent drone strike in Yemen
Abdul Mun’im Salim al Fatahani, who was involved in the suicide attack on the USS Cole in 2000, was killed in the Jan. 31 strike in Lawdar, according to a Yemeni jihadist.