Afghanistan
Taliban Run Into Trouble on Battlefield, but Money Flows Just the Same
Monthly Archives: June 2014
Afghanistan
Afghans tighten security as Taliban threaten vote
Iran
Iraq’s spiral into chaos exposes many weaknesses
United States
President Obama said his administration is looking at ways to help Iraq respond to the ISIS advance, but stated that any US military action is contingent on a workable political plan by the Iraqis. The White House said no US ground troops would be involved in Iraq. Three planeloads of Americans, mostly civilian contractors, were […]
Iraq
Iraqi Shiite Cleric Issues Call to Arms
Syria
The Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic Front continued to battle regime forces in Latakia, Hama, Homs, and Deir Izzour. The Islamic Front also clashed with regime forces in Aleppo and Deraa. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham fought against regime forces in Homs, and is said to be besieging parts of Deir […]
Iraq
Syria Islamist militants pause and reinforce from Iraq
Jordan
Concerned about events in Iraq, Jordan has reportedly deployed some 40,000 troops along its eastern and northeastern borders with Iraq and Syria to prevent ISIS and Al Nusrah Front fighters from entering Jordan. The State Security Court charged the owner and 13 journalists of the Amman-based Iraqi satellite TV station Al-Abasiya with inciting terrorism.
Al Nusrah Front
With ISIS advancements, nearby Jordan must be concerned, analysts say
Lebanon
Security forces arrested six suspected Syrian terrorists in raids near Arsal, including Zaher Abdel-Aziz Ahmad, thought to be a member of the al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades. Lebanese leaders are anxious to resolve the governmental deadlock and improve Lebanese security in the wake of the worsening situation in Iraq.
Iraq
US to move aircraft carrier to Gulf
Libya
Abdulhakim Belhaj, a co-founder of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) and former leader of the Tripoli Military Council, claimed to be against terrorism and announced that the LIFG had dissolved before the beginning of the revolution, but said he was opposed to Khalid Haftar’s Libyan National Army “Dignity Campaign” that seeks to rid the […]
Taliban commander exchanged for Bergdahl coordinated with al Qaeda to attack Northern Alliance the day before 9/11
Mohammad Fazl, one of the five Taliban leaders exchanged for Bowe Bergdahl, played a key role in al Qaeda’s military preparations leading up to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Pakistan
The US ended its self-imposed, six-month-long moratorium on drone strikes in Pakistan when it launched two attacks on June 11-12 in North Waziristan. A senior Haqqani Network commander and two top Afghan Taliban leaders are reported to have been killed in the strikes.
Afghanistan
A Taliban suicide bomber killed three Afghan Local Police officers in Ghazni. The Taliban killed seven civilians in an IED attack in Faryab. The US is secretly transferring some of the non-Afghan prisoners held at Bagram to their home countries.
France
In Europe, no plans for military involvement in Iraq
Iraq
Iraqi troops stopped the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham on the outskirts of Samarra, the city that hosts the Al Askaria mosque. The ISIS took control of the towns of Dhuluiyah, Saadiyah, and Jalula to the west of Samarra. ISIS fighters also attacked Taji and other towns south of Samarra.
Syria
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham clashed with regime forces in Raqqah; and in Hama, in Berri in eastern Reef Hama. The Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic Front battled regime forces in Homs, Hama, Reef Dimashq, and Latakia. The Islamic Front also clashed with regime forces in Idlib and Deir Izzour. The […]
Al Nusrah Front
Turkey ignored direct warnings of ISIS attack on Mosul
Iranian perspectives on the crisis in Iraq
Recent statements by Iranian political and religious leaders suggest that Iran’s keen interest in the current Iraqi crisis could lead it to intervene in some fashion.
Lebanon
The Al Nusrah Front attacked a Syrian refugee camp in Arsal, killing one Syrian man, injuring another, and kidnapping two more. A military judge is seeking the death penalty for 31 suspected members of the al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades.
Qatar
Qataris Cast Eyes on Foreigners in Modesty Push t
Al Qaeda in Iraq
Repent or die: al Qaeda forces announce rules for Iraqi territory they now control
Algeria
Algerians fear FIS comeback
Libya
A suicide bombing at the Bersis checkpoint outside Benghazi manned by soldiers from Khalid Haftar’s forces injured three soldiers and three civilians. Ansar al Sharia denied it was negotiating a ceasefire with Haftar’s forces.
United States
President Obama said Iraq is going to need help due to the jihadist advance, and that his team is working to determine the most effective aid to offer. The White House has refused previous Iraqi requests for American airstrikes against Iraqi insurgents. The US has been flying reconnaissance drones over Iraq since last year. US […]
ISIS statement details gains in Mosul
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham detailed its gains in the city of Mosul on Tuesday in a statement released today by ISIS’ Ninewa media office.
Drone strike killed Haqqani Network, Afghan Taliban commanders
A “key” Haqqani Network commander and two “prominent Afghan Taliban commanders” are said to have been killed in the two drone strikes in Pakistan that took place over the past 24 hours.
Iraqi military’s lack of airpower enabling ISIS’s advance
Iraq’s lack of air assets is leaving security forces demoralized as ISIS rapidly advances across the country.
ISIS’ advance halted at Samarra
Iraqi forces appear to stiffen as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham attempted to take control of Samarra for the second time in the past week.