Monthly Archives: June 2014

Libya

| June 22, 2014

The spokesman for Khalid Haftar’s “Operation Dignity” forces ordered Turks and Qataris in eastern Libya “from Sirte to Musaid” on the Egyptian border to leave the country within 48 hours, referring to Turkish and Qatari intelligence operatives disclosed by captured al Qaeda members in Benghazi. A major firefight broke out at Benghazi’s port yesterday after […]

Denmark

| June 22, 2014

Authorities said a Danish photographer held captive 13 months in Syria has been released. He was reportedly freed after a ransom was paid to his Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham captors.

United States

| June 22, 2014

President Obama said the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham poses a “medium and longterm threat” to the US, but that other terrorist groups may present more immediate threats, and said “ISIS is just one of a number of organizations that we have to stay focused on,” mentioning al Qaeda in Yemen and Boko […]

Philippines

| June 22, 2014

Abdel Basit Usman, a bombmaker and wanted member of the Philippines-based, al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group, was recently spotted during a raid on a Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters camp on Mindanao; Philippines press reports had claimed he was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan in January 2010. Basit is said to be building bombs […]

Malaysia

| June 22, 2014

MH370 captain plotted route to southern Indian Ocean on home simulator

Iraq

| June 21, 2014

Secret US Plan to Aid Iraq Fizzled Amid Mutual Distrust

Syria

| June 21, 2014

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham executed three Free Syrian Army officers (the vice-leader of the military council in Deir Ezzor province and two commanders in the Al Haq group) in Deir Izzour. ISIS yesterday took over Mo Hasan and other strategic towns in eastern Deir Izzour, including the headquarters of the rebel […]

Lebanon

| June 21, 2014

Security forces were on high alert over rumors that the Abdullah Azzam Brigades is planning suicide car bomb attacks in Lebanon. Several foreigners lacking proper identification were detained at Beirut’s weekend market, and 26 wanted individuals were arrested yesterday in Majdalya. Authorities released 13 of 17 suspected terrorists arrested yesterday in Beirut. Yesterday’s botched suicide […]

Kenya

| June 21, 2014

Jermaine Grant trial: ‘Warning text’ in Kenya bomb plot

Egypt

| June 21, 2014

A court upheld death sentences against Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and some 182 followers. Many of those sentenced were tried in absentia, and their sentences are invalidated if they surrender to authorities or are arrested, in which case retrial is ordered. The charges included sabotage, terrorism, and murder. The defense plans to appeal. Badie […]

ISIS and the threat to Turkey

| June 21, 2014

The recent hostage crisis in Mosul is only the latest sign that Turkey’s new neighbor, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham, poses a serious threat to Turkey’s national security.

Libya

| June 21, 2014

Islamist gunmen attacked Benghazi’s port after the forces of Khalid Haftar’s “Operation Dignity” bombed two ships that were carrying weapons to Derna, destroying one of them. The weapons, from Misrata, were said to be destined for the Ansar al Sharia-linked February 17 Brigade. Haftar’s forces continued to bomb Islamist targets in Benghazi, and claimed that […]