Syria
Jihadists join Aleppo fight, eye Islamic state, surgeon says
Jihadists join Aleppo fight, eye Islamic state, surgeon says
After a four-day artillery bombardment, government troops assaulted a Palestinian refugee area in southern Damascus. Two bombs exploded in central Damascus, killing five government security personnel. European Union foreign ministers agreed to additional sanctions on Syria. Russia rejected further sanctions.
Egypt has been coordinating operations with Israel during its campaign in Sinai against Islamic militants. In the operation so far, Egyptian forces have killed 32 “criminal elements” and arrested 38 more, and shut down 31 tunnels connecting the Sinai and Gaza. The Egyptian army said there are 225 main tunnels into Gaza.
Security forces killed three al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters after their convoy was ambushed in Shaqra. AQAP attempted to assassinate a commander of a pro-government tribal militia in Abyan; a bodyguard was killed in the attack.
In Death, Cleric Stokes Tensions in Kenya
Afghan officials claimed the suicide bomber was 14 years old; the Taliban said the attack was carried out by a 28-year-old man.
United Kingdom – Reform call as madrassa teacher guilty of child cruelty
Taliban sets posts, seek usher from growers in Nangarhar
Clinton Tells Russia Sanctions Will End, but Congress May Disagree
Security forces detained 50 Shabaab fighters and supporters in Afgoye. Shabaab targeted Somali troops in an IED attack in Beledweyne; casualties have not been disclosed.
In Egypt, a backlash against harassment
Turkey faces questions on Syria policy
Vatican official says Israel fostering intolerance of Christianity
Epidemic of kidnappings breaks out in Syria
Pakistan Christian girl accused of blasphemy released
Sierra Leone removes nine Iranian vessels from shipping register
Obama Finally Talks Drone War, But It’s Almost Impossible to Believe Him
Four French captives of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb appeared in a video pleading with the French government to negotiate with al Qaeda for their release. The captives were among a group of seven kidnapped two years ago in Niger; three were released in 2011.
Haqqani leader turned network into ‘killing machine,’ intelligence officials say
Indonesia: Shia group wants talks, not sermon
Business as usual: the US won’t even consider labeling Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism despite acknowledging that the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate aids the Haqqani Network.
50% chances of Government collapse after International forces leave Afghanistan: Former British Ambassador to Afghanistan
Insurgents killed eight people in bombings at mosques in Kirkuk and a soldier in a shooting in Baqubah. Security forces detained nine “terrorists” in Kirkuk.
France considered sending lethal aid to the rebels. The amount of aid delivered so far has been limited. Iran has sent 150 Revolutionary Guards commanders to aid the Assad regime.
African Union forces secured the port of Elma’an. Kenyan troops killed a Shabaab commander and seven fighters in Jiliib. Shabaab killed one person in a grenade attack in Baidoa.
A truckload of weapons from Burkina Faso has been delivered in Mali to Islamist militants from the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in Africa. Last month Burkina Faso’s foreign minister traveled to Paris to propose peace talks between the militants and the Malian government.
Turkish troops and aircraft continued their offensive for a second day against Kurdistan Workers Party militants near the border with Iraq and Syria. Eighteen militants and one soldier have been killed in the operation. Turkish aircraft also bombed areas in the Kurdistan region inside Iraq.
After pressure from Congress, the State Department finally added the group, which has links to the Taliban, al Qaeda, and the Pakistani military and intelligence services, to the US list of foreign terror organizations.
Insider attacks: How US and Afghan troops see the mission now
Killing of Rebel With Qaeda Links Opens Debate on Syrian Opposition