Afghanistan
Freedom of Mullah Baradar by Pakistan key for Afghan peace
Monthly Archives: September 2013
Syria
Regime forces stepped up attacks on rebel-held areas of Damascus following the US-Russian agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons; the rebels, disappointed with the recent deal, want the focus shifted to tilting the war in their favor. A recent study by a British defense consultancy estimates that nearly half of the Syrian rebels are now aligned […]
Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham
Syria: nearly half rebel fighters are jihadists or hardline Islamists, says IHS Jane’s report
Egypt
The army’s spokesman said operations in the Sinai will continue. The spokesman also said that 309 militants have been arrested in the Sinai in recent months. Authorities said they foiled a plot by militants in Gaza to attack Egyptian forces. The trial of a journalist known for covering the Sinai was postponed until Sept. 18.
Israel
Secretary of State Kerry met with Israeli officials to discuss the latest developments related to Syria. Prime Minister Netanyahu said he hopes that the US-Russia deal on Syria’s chemical weapons will result in their “complete destruction.” Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to resume agricultural cooperation that has been frozen for 13 years.
Taliban assassinate senior Pakistani Army general in Dir
Major General Sanaullah commanded Pakistani army forces in Swat; Lieutenant Colonel Tauseef commanded the 33 Baloch Regiment. Both were killed in an IED attack in Upper Dir.
Pakistan
Pakistan – KP announces military pullout from Malakand
United States
The US and Russia have reached an agreement for the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons by mid-2014. Under the agreement, the Assad regime must deliver a complete list of the types, quantity, and locations of Syria’s chemical-weapons stockpiles to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by Sept. 20. The option remains for punitive […]
Afghanistan
Taliban releases ‘pointless’ for Afghan peace: Afghan officials
Russia
Pentagon in Back Seat as Kerry Leads Charge
Afghanistan
A Taliban suicide bomber killed three civilians in an attack outside of Kandahar Airbase. Security forces killed eight Taliban fighters in Kunar. Afghan special forces killed a Taliban commander in Herat.
Iraq
A suicide bomber killed 21 people during a funeral in a village north of Mosul. Security forces killed a suicide bomber in Taji and detained another in Fallujah.
Syria
The Syrian National Coalition elected “moderate Islamist” Ahmad Tumeh as the SNC’s provisional prime minister. Tumeh plans to run the SNC provisional government from northern Syria; its financing is expected to come primarily from the Gulf, and Saudi Arabia in particular. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant clashed with regime forces on the […]
Israel
A top Israeli intelligence official said Israel has been “absolutely certain” for many months that the Assad regime has been using chemical weapons in Syria. A new report suggests that Iran ceased its production of nuclear warheads in 2004.
Yemen
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula confirmed that Kaid al Dhahab was killed in a US drone strike. AQAP killed two Yemeni soldiers in an ambush in Hadramout. Tribesmen bombed an oil pipeline in Marib.
Tanzania
A Catholic priest in Zanzibar was hospitalized with burns to his face and body after an assailant threw acid on him as he was leaving an Internet cafe. He had been threatened during the past two months and had reported the threats. President Shein ordered police to expedite investigations into the rise in acid attacks; […]
Competing jihadist groups comment on reports of Hammami’s death
The Muslim Youth Center, Shabaab’s affiliate in Kenya, said Hammami sowed discord, while the pro-Hammami Islamic World Issues Study Center asked what purpose his death served.
Afghanistan
With pullout looming, NATO forces disassembling larger Afghan bases
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan drawdown, US forced to take costly option in transporting military gear out
Syria
Maaloula’s cathedral and churches empty of Christians as Syria’s latest front-line fight takes its toll
Al Qaeda
Niger confronts Sahara smugglers
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant overruns air defense base in Hama
The al Qaeda affiliate assaulted the 66th Brigade’s air defense base and ammunition depot in Hama.
Russia
US, Russia strike deal on Syria chemical weapons
United Kingdom
The Home Office said that 249 persons were arrested for terrorism-related offenses in 2012/13. Of the 249 arrested, 37 were charged with a terrorism-related offense, and so far 23 of the 37 have been convicted.
Philippines
Defense Secretary Gazmin said there is no ceasefire between the government and Moro National Liberation Front rebels in an ongoing standoff in Mindanao in which 53 people, including 43 militants, have been killed, some 62,000 people have been displaced, and at least 100 people are being held hostage. Clashes also continued on Basilan, where one […]
United States
US officials are now signaling they will allow for weeks of diplomacy on the Syrian chemical weapons issue, although they say the option of a military strike remains on the table. They also said they will not insist on including the threat of force in a draft UN Security Council resolution, as doing so would […]
Afghanistan
Seven Taliban fighters and two Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban suicide assault that targeted the US Consulate in Herat. A Taliban suicide bomber wounded 24 Afghans in an attack in Paktika.
Iraq
Al Qaeda killed 30 Iraqis in two bombings at a mosque in Baqubah; the second blast targeted those who were attempting to aid the victims of the first attack. Three Awakening members and two al Qaeda fighters were killed in a clash in Abu Ghraib. Three al Qaeda fighters were killed in a premature detonation […]
Free Syrian Army
Syrian opposition to choose PM in push for credibility
Afghanistan
ISAF reconsiders Afghan basing plans