Russia
Exclusive: Saudi offers Russia deal to scale back Assad support – sources
Monthly Archives: August 2013
Russia
Authorities killed Khasanbi Fakov, the alleged head of the Caucasus Islamist insurgency in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachayevo-Cherkessia, in a shootout in Nalchik last night. His wife, Irina Ortanova, who was also wanted by authorities for terrorist activity, and two associates were also killed. One policeman died after being seriously wounded during the operation.
Malaysia
Seyed Ramin Miraziz Paknejad, an Iranian suspected of running a human trafficking and fake passport syndicate, was arrested along with his wife over the weekend. Paknejad was detained in Thailand last year but jumped bail and fled to Malaysia; he is believed to have ties to terrorist groups, including those who planned bombings in Bangkok.
United States
The US filed murder charges against Ahmed Abu Khattala, who is linked to Ansar al Sharia, for his role in the murder of US personnel in the 2012 attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi; sealed charges have also been filed against about a dozen others. US officials said the recent flurry of drone strikes […]
Al Qaeda
Recent Words Prompt Reassessment of Qaeda’s Leader
Al Qaeda
Al Qaeda wanted attack to change balance of power in Middle East, sources say
Al Qaeda
Al Qaeda threat to Denmark on the wane
CIA
CIA Sees Syria as Top Threat
Iraq
Al Qaeda in Iraq killed 12 people in bombings in Baghdad, a policeman in a shooting a Fallujah, and two more civilians in a bombing in Khanaqin. Security forces captured a senior al Qaeda leader during a series of raids in western Anbar province.
Terrorist threats: Is ‘abundance of caution’ ever excessive?
The recent “serious” al Qaeda threat and the scope of the Western response to it raise tough questions about precautionary measures.
Germany
Turkey halts Iranian spy’s extradition to Germany
US adds emir of Pakistan-based Mullah Nazir Group to list of global terrorists
Bahawal Khan, the leader of the Mullah Nazir Group who is considered to be part of the “good Taliban” by Pakistani officials, continues to support al Qaeda, runs training camps, and conducts operations in Afghanistan.
Egypt
Authorities arrested two Egyptians at Cairo’s airport who were traveling from Turkey with al Qaeda material and arms. In an attack in el Arish, jihadists killed one security person and wounded two others. The army and government are preparing to reach a deal with the Muslim Brotherhood that would see some MB members released from […]
United States
US intelligence, Arab allies and even foes decry lack of American vision for Middle East
Al Qaeda
Wishful thinking on the war on terror
Tunisia
Security forces arrested a Salafist tied to the September 2012 attack on the US Embassy, and also arrested a terrorist linked to the assassination of secular leader Chokri Belaid. Several Tunisian politicians and journalists said they have recently received assassination threats. A report estimated that there are 50 active and sleeper terrorist cells in the […]
Israel
Across Forbidden Border, Doctors in Israel Quietly Tend to Syria’s Wounded
AQAP’s emir also serves as al Qaeda’s general manager
Nasir al Wuhayshi, the emir of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, has been appointed the overall general manager of al Qaeda. Osama bin Laden’s letters contain a description of the general manager’s role.
US kills 4 AQAP operatives in Yemen drone strike
The strike, which took place in the central province of Marib, is the fourth in Yemen in 10 days.
United States
US officials acknowledged the interception of messages last week from al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri ordering al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to attack Western interests as early as Aug. 4. The State Department added Rwanda, Burundi, Madagascar, and Mauritius to the list of countries where US diplomatic missions have been closed due to […]
Syria
Syrian rebel ‘moles’ wage battle from underground tunnels
Philippines
A powerful bomb exploded in Cotabato city as a city administrator’s bullet-proof SUV was passing by, killing at least six people, including the official’s two bodyguards and a policeman, and injuring 25 more. Last week another bombing on Mindanao killed eight people and injured dozens more. Islamist militants are suspected in the blasts. The US, […]
Canada
Accused bomb plotter John Nuttall in psychiatric hospital
Egyptian army responds to jihadist charges of ‘crimes’ and Israeli drones
The army’s statement denied allegations of “crimes” in the Sinai and allowing Israeli drones to operate over Egyptian territory.
Al Qaeda
Al Qaeda Threat: Officials Fear ‘Ingenious’ Liquid Explosive
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed four civilians in an IED attack in Kandahar. The NDS captured 52 Pakistanis in Afghanistan over the past four months. The Taliban denied that two senior commanders were killed during recent fighting in Nangarhar.
Iraq
Insurgents killed four Iraqis in a bombing in Baghdad and two more in a shooting in Madain. Muqtada al Sadr is rumored to have shut down his political office and withdrawn from politics.
Syria
Rebel forces, including the Free Syrian Army and the al Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, captured Menagh air base near Aleppo after a suicide bomber detonated inside the base, which has been besieged for months. Rebels also captured four towns near Latakia. President Assad called the Syrian National Coalition a “failure” and […]
Al Qaeda
Qaeda Leader’s Edict to Yemen Affiliate Is Said to Prompt Alert
Iran
State Department Ordered Review of Iranian terror Activity in Latin America