Israel
Police, firefighters, and emergency services are on high alert in Jerusalem following intelligence indicating the possibility of a terror attack in the city. Some security sources cautioned that the threat was “general, rather than specific.”
Monthly Archives: February 2013
Bulgaria
A Hamas delegation reportedly arrived in Bulgaria for a “ground-breaking visit” that will include meetings with Bulgarian officials. The delegation is headed by Ismail al Ashqar, who previously called for the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and condemned the killing of Osama bin Laden. Bulgaria’s foreign ministry has denied that the delegation is coming.
Egypt
A bipartisan group of US senators called for the restructuring of US aid to Egypt to focus more heavily on counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the Sinai. Senator Lindsey Graham said that “the Sinai … has become a terrorist safe haven.”
Syria
Syrian rebels loot artifacts to raise money for fight against Assad
Ahrar al Sham
Ahrar al-Sham jihadists emerge from shadows in north Syria
Mali
Al Qaeda’s Yemen affiliate, AQAP, called for all Muslims to wage jihad in Mali to counter the French-led military intervention. French, Malian, and Nigerien troops are still trying to secure Gao, where residents fear further Islamist attacks. The UN warned against reprisal attacks on Arabs and Tuaregs.
Algeria
The military killed two terrorists in Ihnouchène near Tisi Ouzou on Feb. 11. The day before, an armed group tried to kidnap a trader in Ihessnaouen, south of Tizi-Ouzou, and shot the trader’s mother after he fled.
Pakistani Taliban praise slain American, British jihadists
Pictures of an American identified as Inaam and a Brit known as Abbas are shown with top leaders of the Taliban, al Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and other terrorist groups who have been killed while waging jihad across the globe over the past four decades.
Netherlands
Sabir Khan, a Pakistani-Dutch al Qaeda member arrested in Quetta in 2010 on charges of planning a suicide attack on a US base in Afghanistan, tried to persuade a Dutch court to prevent his extradition to the US on terror charges. His lawyer said that if the extradition is approved, Khan will appeal to the […]
Thailand
More than 100 heavily armed Islamist “militants” assaulted a military base in the southern province of Narathiwat. The military repelled the assault and killed 16 fighters.
Pakistan
Taliban’s political strategy: Silence voices of dissent
Free Syrian Army
CNN exclusive: Fragile cease-fire holds in besieged Syrian town
Syria
Bombing on Syria border may have targeted opposition leader
United States
President Obama announced in his State of the Union speech that the US will withdraw 34,000 troops from Afghanistan “over the next year,” and that by the end of next year, “our war in Afghanistan will be over.” He said the US is negotiating an agreement with Afghanistan to allow the US to focus on […]
France
UN Security Council to back Mali peacekeepers in weeks
Libya
Security in Libya holding up archaeological breakthrough
North Korea
North Korea conducted its third nuclear weapon test despite UN resolutions, and said it would never bow to the UN resolutions. North Korea threatened further hostile actions against the US. The test was condemned by many nations, including China, the US, Japan, Russia, and the UK, and by the UN Security Council.
Iran
Iran converted some if its enriched uranium into reactor fuel, rendering it unusable for a nuclear weapon. This is the second time Iran has taken this action, having converted 100 kg of its enriched uranium into reactor fuel last year.
North Korea
North Korea sends nuclear message, capability unclear
North Korea
N. Korea’s nuclear test raises tension, shows progress toward viable weapon
Afghanistan
Afghan prisoners’ number sees 13-fold increase in 10 years
Bulgaria
Bulgaria provided Lebanon with a detailed report on the Burgas terror attack, which it says was carried out by Hezbollah. The names of the two primary suspects have also been given to Europol. Bulgaria has asked Europol as well as Lebanon to help in apprehending the two suspects, who are believed to be living in […]
Afghanistan
Australia’s military role in Afghanistan pending US decision
Afghanistan
Taliban still handling prosecutions in parts of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghan Analysts Differ on US Withdrawal Plan
Somalia
An investigation reported that African Union troops who killed seven civilians, including five children, in January acted in self defense after being ambushed. Shabaab claimed to have killed an intelligence chief in Mogadishu and said that eight militiamen defected from the government in Qansaxdhere.
Russia
Syria finds means of financial survival
Egypt
US concerned at “climate of impunity” in Egypt
Another IMU leader captured in Afghanistan as Obama announces US force cut
The US drawdown will impact operations against al Qaeda and its affiliates, which maintain a strong presence in Afghanistan.
Nigeria
The Kano state police commissioner ordered the arrest of three journalists at Wazobia FM radio after nine polio vaccination workers were killed on Feb. 8, accusing the journalists of broadcasting comments that sparked the attacks. One of the journalists was released today. There is no evidence linking the broadcast to the murders.