Luxembourg
Gulf Investors Plan Euro-Zone’s First Islamic Bank
Monthly Archives: November 2013
Libya
A Tunisian Salafist with links to Ansar al Sharia in Libya and Tunisia denied that Tunisian passports seized at Ansar al Sharia’s Benghazi base belonged to the group’s Tunisian branch. A Derna-based militant from Ansar al Sharia threatened in a televised interview on Nov. 25 that the group would “fight people who seek democracy, secularism, […]
Mali
A senior security official warned that Ansar Dine has reemerged as a threat and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb leader Abdelkrim al-Targui “is closing in too.” Kidal residents complained of the continuing presence of extremist groups. The Malian military is trying to combat sleeper cells in areas such as Gao and Timbuktu. The reconciliation […]
France
A former member of France’s DGSE spy agency dismissed the claim made by a British anti-racism group in a recent report that French intelligence considered killing hate preacher Abu Hamza in England in the late 1990s. Foreign Minister Fabius said France may begin lifting Iran sanctions in December. France may increase increase its troop presence […]
Al Qaeda
Penny Lane: Gitmo’s other secret CIA facility
Afghanistan
The US threatened to withdraw all forces after 2014 if President Karzai doesn’t sign the Bilateral Security Agreement. The government may reintroduce public stoning for adulterers.
Iraq
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham killed 34 people, including four policemen and three soldiers, in a series of attacks in Baghdad and Mosul. Security forces captured an ISIS financier in Ninewa during a raid in Mosul.
Syria
Rebel groups advanced in eastern Damascus and southeast Aleppo; the Syrian National Coalition said it was due to the recent merger of Islamist groups into the Islamic Front. A human rights organization condemned abuses against women in Syria, including rape, kidnapping, and use as human shields. The UN set a Jan. 22 date for the […]
NSA
Spies worry over “doomsday” cache stashed by ex-NSA contractor Snowden
Azerbaijan
A Baku court handed down prison sentences to 29 members of a group for plotting terrorist attacks on President Aliyev, police, hotels, and government buildings during the Eurovision song contest in Baku in 2012. The group’s leader, Vugar Padarov, was killed before the attacks could occur; members of the group were said to have trained […]
Israel
A court indicted a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem for fundraising for Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu said he would soon send a delegation to the US to discuss the Iranian nuclear agreement signed in Geneva over the weekend. The IAF conducted the largest joint-military exercise in Israel’s history, with members of the US, Italian, and […]
Egypt
At least two police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded near a checkpoint in Cairo. Authorities dispersed a rally in Assiut province that defied a new protest law. Defense Minister el Sisi said operations continue in the Sinai against terrorist elements. Prime Minister el Beblawi said a referendum on the country’s constitution would likely […]
Kenya
Authorities believe Shabaab has significant infrastructure in Garissa. Most Somali refugees are against leaving Kenya, and less than 100 have registered at the UNHCR office despite the creation of a voluntary repatriation framework.
Somalia
AMISOM and Somali troops have launched a fresh assault to liberate central Somalia. In Lower Shabelle, a Shabaab landmine missed an AMISOM convoy, killing at least 21 camels instead. A judge was assassinated by Shabaab in Hurwa.
Iran
The Hidden Cost Of The Iranian Nuclear Deal
CIA
CIA remains behind most drone strikes, despite effort to shift campaign to Defense
Nigeria
12 Nigerians were killed over the weekend when suspected Boko Haram militants raided a village in northeastern Nigeria. The ongoing insurgency has led the International Criminal Court to officially designate Nigeria as embroiled in a civil war.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Following the defeat of the M-23 rebels, UN peacekeepers are now targeting a Ugandan Islamist rebel group named the “Allied Democratic Forces” that is operating in eastern Congo. The extremist group is reportedly linked to Shabaab, and is blamed for some 300 kidnappings in the past year.
Recent Shabaab suicide assaults spur Somali and AMISOM operations
After two recent suicide assaults in Beledweyne, AMISOM and Somali troops have begun new concerted operations against Shabaab in central Somalia.
Tunisia
The military resumed its bombing of suspected terrorist hideouts in the Chaambi and Sammama regions of Kasserine last week; operations against al Qaeda-linked militants near the Algerian border have been ongoing for months. Three landmines have exploded in the area this month alone. Abderraouf Ayadi, president of the Wafa Movement and a member of the […]
Mauritania
Islamists poised to win seats in Mauritanian parliament
Afghanistan
Taliban condemn Loya Jirga’s endorsement of Afghan-US security deal
Afghanistan
Taliban-Linked Provincial Candidates Worry Ghazni Officials
Malaysia
UN official says Malaysia should reverse ‘Allah’ ban
Iran
World Doubts Obama’s Wavering Red Lines
Iran
Iran nuclear deal: Saudi Arabia warns it will strike out on its own
Libya
At least nine people were killed and 49 were injured in clashes between Ansar al Sharia and government forces in Benghazi. All of Ansar al Sharia’s bases in Benghazi have reportedly now been destroyed, and the group is said to have “disappeared” from Benghazi. An Ansar al-Islam clinic is treating Ansar al Sharia casualties. An […]
Afghanistan
Adulterers may be stoned under new Afghan law, official says
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait tighten controls on clerics
Iran
Tough road lies ahead after landmark Iran nuclear deal