China
Saudi Arabia displays ballistic missiles for the first time
Monthly Archives: May 2014
Saudi DNA results confirm neither Asiri nor Wuhayshi killed in US drone strike
Saudi DNA results released today confirm that the corpse transferred from Yemen following the US drone strikes in Shabwa on April 20-21 is neither Nasir al Wuhayshi, AQAP’s emir and al Qaeda’s deputy manager, nor Ibrahim al Asiri, AQAP’s master bomb maker.
Algeria
The Defense Ministry announced that 10 militants have been killed so far in an ongoing operation in Tamanrasset. Security forces also seized 12 Kalashnikovs, an RPG-7 rocket launcher, a GP58 grenade launcher, three ATVs, two motorcycles, and other items, including ammunition. Weapons were also found buried in the Col of Anai area.
United States
FAA under pressure to allow commercial drones
United States
The State Department said the US will allow the Syrian National Coalition to establish a formal diplomatic office in Washington DC, upgrading its status from that of an informal liaison office; and announced a $27 million increase in nonlethal aid to the rebels, bringing the total so far to $287 million. State also said it […]
Syria
The Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic Front battled regime forces in Latakia; Reef Dimashq; Damascus; and Aleppo, where they were joined by the Jaysh al Muhajireen wal Ansar, and the Islamic Front used US-made TOW missiles. In Deraa, Al Nusrah released a rebel commander detained yesterday; 52 rebel groups agreed to allow Al Nusrah […]
Egypt
Sisi discloses two attempts to assassinate him
Lebanon
Security services are investigating reports that T.M.T., a Palestinian in the Al Nusrah Front, is recruiting fighters for terrorist attacks in Lebanon and is in “constant contact” with al Qaeda in Syria, Pakistan, and Iraq; and that Ghazi A., a Lebanese man from Wadi Khaled, is working with Abdel-Mohsen H., a Lebanese explosives expert, to […]
Iraq
Iraqi troops killed 20 Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham fighters in Al Sajar near Fallujah and a suicide bomber in Mosul. The ISIS killed nine people in attacks in Baghdad, Fallujah, and Tuz Khurmatu, two policemen in Hit, and four soldiers north of Hillah.
Yemen
A Frenchman who worked for the European Union mission in the capital of Sana’a was gunned down by unidentified assailants. Two other Frenchmen and a Yemeni national were wounded in the ambush.
Hamas
Hamas not giving up military wing, despite agreement
Afghanistan
Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif urges time for Taliban talks
Saudi Arabia
Pakistan extradited two wanted individuals to Saudi Arabia: Adel Felayeh Salim Al-Eneizi, who was on the kingdom’s 2009 wanted list; and Muhammad Hamid Al-Juhani, who was on the 2011 wanted list of “extremely dangerous” al Qaeda-linked terrorists. Upon arrival in Riyadh on May 3 the two were given medical checkups and allowed to see their […]
Libya
Ahmed Mitig, a Misrata businessman backed by Islamists, was named prime minister, but the president of the GNC instructed current prime minister Abdullah al Thinni to remain in office as Mitig lacked the requisite number of votes. Gunmen in 20 vehicles stormed an intelligence office in Tripoli on May 3, killing two people. Also on […]
Russia
Dagestani officials announced the conclusion of a counterterrorism operation in Khasavyurt in which three suspected militants, including a woman, were killed. A gunman shot a police officer in Khasavyurt prior to the raid.
Kenya
Deputy President Ruto said Kenya would not be cowed into withdrawing troops from Somalia in the wake of recent Shabaab bombings in Mombasa and Nairobi. Ruto blamed judges for releasing terror suspects Jamal Mohammed Awadh and Suleiman Mohammed Sayyed, who allegedly died in the Mombasa blasts; he said 22 other suspected terrorists have also been […]
Nigeria
The leader of Boko Haram threatened to sell the 276 kidnapped schoolgirls. In a video released today, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed the kidnapping of the girls and said “Western education must end.” President Jonathan vowed to recover the girls, and said he had asked for military support from the US and closer security […]
Malaysia
Malaysian police have detained 11 militants suspected of domestic and international terrorism and planning to send fighters to Syria; the head of police said they are not suspected in the disappearance of missing flight MH 370. The search for the airliner is so far unsuccessful after 334 search flights. Heavily armed gunmen in army uniforms […]
Saudis, Chechens, Afghans killed during recent fighting in southern Yemen
Foreigners are said to make up the majority of the 37 al Qaeda fighters killed during Yemeni military operations in the southern province of Shabwa.
Iran
Iran may seal border with Pakistan
Afghanistan
The military claimed that more than 20 Taliban fighters were killed during operations in nine provinces, and an additional 10 fighters were killed in a premature detonation in Kandahar. The Taliban killed three people in attacks in Kandahar, Kabul, and Kunduz.
Syria
The Al Nusrah Front said it would obey al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri’s directive to stop fighting with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham, unless the latter attacks first. About 60,000 Syrians are said to have fled towns in Homs since April 30 to escape clashes between Al Nusrah and Islamic fighters […]
Lebanon
Residents clashed with armed Syrian rebels in Arsal; three Lebanese men were wounded and two others possibly kidnapped. A senior Iranian military official claimed that Lebanon is now Iran’s first line of defense.
Yemen
An al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula suicide bomber killed six soldiers and wounded 20 in an attack at a checkpoint in Shabwa province. Yemeni officials claimed that 37 AQAP fighters, including “Saudis, Afghans, Somalis and Chechens and other nationalities,” were killed during military operations in Shabwa.
Egypt
Ansar Bayt Maqdis claimed two suicide bombings that killed a soldier and wounded at least eight people on May 2 near Sharm El-Sheikh. Gunmen killed a retired senior army officer in al-Arish.
Kenya
Twin bombings of two minibuses in Nairobi this evening killed three people and injured over 60. Yesterday twin bombings killed four people in Mombasa and an IED was discovered at a hotel in Nyali. Authorities suspect that the huge quantity of heroin, worth nearly $300 million, that was seized by the Australian navy off the […]
Nigeria
Security forces in Abuja detained eight suspected militants, mainly foreigners, in advance of this week’s World Economic Forum conference. The national labor union urged the government not to dismiss Boko Haram’s claim that it has a base in Abuja; a retired top general said Abuja is under siege. A Christian group released a list of […]
FBI
FBI Director Says Syrian Civil War Poses Growing Threat
Egypt
Islamic Jihad Gains New Traction in Gaza
Al Nusrah Front says it will comply with Zawahiri’s orders
The Al Nusrah Front has issued a statement saying it will comply with Ayman al Zawahiri’s orders with respect to the ongoing dispute with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (ISIS).