Israel
Poll: Spike in Palestinian support for military operations against Israel
Monthly Archives: January 2013
Pakistan
The Taliban named Bahwal Khan as Mullah Nazir’s replacement in South Waziristan. Security forces killed 21 Lashkar-e-Islam fighters in Khyber. Two people were killed in a bombing at an electrical tower in Peshawar. Seven bodies thought to be kidnapped Pakistani soldiers were found in North Waziristan.
Al Qaeda
Sahel security global threat, 8-14,000 Jihadists now in Mali, region, to double in year: Study
Al Qaeda
Several jihadists recruitment cells dismantled in the Maghreb
Iran
Iran rethinks its staunch support for Assad regime
Afghanistan
The Afghan government released 250 Taliban fighters from prison as part of a reconciliation effort. The US indicated that it will deploy less than 10,000 troops to Afghanistan after 2014.
Palestinian Territories
Fatah held a large rally in the Hamas stronghold of Gaza. This is the first such rally since Hamas took control of the area in 2007. The name of the Palestinian Authority was officially changed to “State of Palestine.”
Syria
A car bomb exploded at a crowded gas station in Damascus, killing 11 people. Government ground and air forces attacked rebel positions in Damascus. Hezbollah leader Nasrallah called for the Lebanese government to take a more active role in finding a solution to the Syrian conflict.
Syria
Syria military, rebels battle over two airports
Iraq
Flow of Arms to Syria Through Iraq Persists, to US Dismay
Afghanistan
Afghan peace process and the transitional justice
Nigeria
Nigeria Emerges as Center for Pirate Attacks
Yemen
A Yemeni man was arrested in Taiz for spying for Israel. Saudi Air Force jets have also been targeting al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, according to a report.
Somalia
Puntland security forces killed three Shabaab fighters while repelling an attack near the Galgala Mountains, a Shabaab stronghold. One soldier was also killed in the fighting. Shabaab fighters killed a woman after opening fire on a wedding ceremony.
Egypt seizes US-made antiaircraft and antitank missiles headed for Gaza
A tip from a local Bedouin let to the seizure of six US-made antiaircraft and antitank missiles.
Afghanistan
Insider Attacks in Afghanistan Shape the Late Stages of a War
United Arab Emirates
Tensions flare between UAE and Muslim Brotherhood
Israel
Publisher apologises for labelling Israel ‘Occupied Palestine’ in textbook
Taliban name Mullah Nazir’s replacement
Bahwal Khan, the new emir of the Mullah Nazir group, maintains close ties to al Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban, and a host of terrorist groups, US intelligence officials told The Long War Journal. Additionally, the US intelligence officials denied that the Pakistani government or military aided in the killing of Nazir.
Mali
The al Qaeda-linked Ansar Dine suspended its ceasefire on Dec. 26, less than a week after the UN authorized a military intervention. The group’s leader, Iyad Ag Ghaly, criticized the Malian government for “recruiting mercenaries” and for failing to make meaningful concessions during negotiations.
Morocco
A court in Rabat arraigned 12 members of a cell dismantled in December that recruited Moroccans for al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The cell, based in Fez, included a man who had been extradited from Algeria in 2005 for trying to join the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Treasury Department Designates Militant Groups in the DRC
Saudi Arabia
Saudi jets bolster US drone attacks on Yemen: report
Pakistan
Pakistan blocks cellphone services in 50 cities
Afghanistan
American missiles kill senior Taliban militant in Pakistan who fought US troops in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
High level Afghan intelligence officials visits Pakistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan – Illegal armed groups a security threat: DIAG chief
United States
General John Allen submitted plans for a US troop presence in Afghanistan after 2014 with three options: 6,000; 10,000; and 20,000 troops. A federal judge reluctantly ruled that the Justice Department need not make public a legal memorandum justifying the targeting of US citizen and al Qaeda ideologue Anwar al Awlaki.
Afghanistan
Afghan War Commander Gives Options for After ’14
Afghanistan
Twenty Taliban fighters were released from Bagram prison as part of “peace” efforts. The Taliban killed an ISAF soldier in an IED attack in the south. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban commanders and fighters.