Islamic State goes from ‘junior varsity’ to all pro in 8 months, Admiral Kirby says
Administration and military officials shouldn’t bristle when asked why they failed to properly assess the danger of the Islamic State.
Monthly Archives: August 2014
Al Nusrah Front video features captured members of Lebanese security forces
The Al Nusrah Front is using hostages from Lebanon’s security forces in its anti-Hezbollah propaganda. Al Nusrah, an official branch of al Qaeda, is attempting to pressure Hezbollah into withdrawing its forces from Syria.
United States
General Dempsey, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that if and when he finds that the Islamic State is plotting direct attacks on the US homeland or Europe, then he will recommend that the US take military action against the group in Syria. He also said the group should be constrained and defeated […]
Afghanistan
As Coalition troops disappear, Afghan educations could too
Iraq
Iraq Urges Global Help in Fight against Jihadists
Libya
Libya’s Islamist militias claim control of capital
Iran
Iran Says It Downed Israeli Drone over Nuclear Site
Iraq
The Iraqi military claimed it killed 10 Islamic State fighters in an airstrike in northern Babil, and “many” more near the Bayji refinery. The US destroyed an Islamic State vehicle in an airstrike near the Mosul Dam. Iraqi officials claimed that US airstrikes killed eight Islamic State fighters north of Mosul.
Al Nusrah Front
Peter Theo Curtis, Abducted in 2012, Is Released by Nusra Front
Afghanistan
US strikes in Syria against Islamic State would be hindered by intelligence gaps
Chechnya
Russia keeps its eye on the Islamic State
Egypt
When will the US, Europe wake up to the threat of radical Islam?
Syria
The Islamic State took over the military airport in Al Tabaqa, the last regime stronghold in the province, after battles in which 346 IS fighters and 170 regime soldiers have been killed and another 150 regime troops likely taken captive. Warplanes were towed from the base to the Syrian Badeya and to the Deir Ezzor […]
Lebanon
The Muslim Scholars Committee delivered video to the government that shows nine kidnapped Lebanese troops being held captive by Islamists. The Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic Front also released lists of names of those held captive. Security forces arrested three Syrians in the Bekaa Valley for posting the logo of an extremist group in […]
Egypt
Egyptian Islamic authority: Extremists no ‘Islamic State’
Libya
Tripoli Airport is reportedly in flames, the day after its capture by Islamist forces after weeks of fighting. Unidentified warplanes again attacked areas of Tripoli today; previous airstrikes in Tripoli have been claimed by the government-allied Operation Dignity. The new parliament issued a statement blaming the Libya Dawn and Ansar al Sharia groups as “terrorists” […]
Prospect of sectarian slaughter challenges new Iraqi government
The murder of Sunni worshipers at a mosque in Diyala imperils the formation of a new government.
Islamic State fighters assault last Syrian stronghold in Raqqah
Islamic State fighters are reported to be in control of large areas of the Tabqa military airport, the last major stronghold for the Syrian military in Raqqah province.
Nigeria
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a lengthy video in which he claimed to have created an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza in northern Nigeria’s Borno state; last month Shekau had voiced his support for the leader of the Islamic State as well as leaders of al Qaeda and the Taliban. The Nigerian military dismissed Boko […]
United Kingdom
British ambassador Peter Westmacott warned that among the 70 UK jihadists arrested after returning to Britain, a number were carrying “very specific” instructions for terrorist missions in the UK. British intelligence is coming close to identifying the Islamic State jihadist who beheaded American journalist James Foley; among those being investigated is UK rapper-turned-jihadist Abdel Majed […]
Afghanistan
The military claimed that 37 Taliban fighters were killed during operations in Kunduz, Zabul, Logar, Ghazni, Paktika, and Ghor. The Taliban killed five policemen in Helmand. A suicide bomber wounded 16 people in Helmand.
Iraq
The Islamic State killed 42 Iraqis in bombings in Baghdad and Kirkuk. In Baghdad, a suicide bomber targeted an intelligence headquarters; in Kirkuk three bombs were detonated at a market. The Iraqi military claimed it killed several “key” islamic State leaders in airstrikes in Mashada and 12 more fighters near Tikrit. The US launched an […]
Egypt
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove
Iraq
IS threatens Iraq’s minority Shabak community
Iraq
Islamic State inciting Arab-Kurdish divide in Iraq
Yemen
A general was killed in a bombing that targeted his car in Aden. Three soldiers were killed in an IED attack on their convoy in Hadramout. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is accused of having executed both attacks.
Egypt
Egypt calls for Gaza ceasefire as fighting rages
Islamic State
Saudis Must Stop Exporting Extremism: ISIS Atrocities Started With Saudi Support for Salafist Hate
Taliban ‘condemns’ US rewards for Haqqani Network leaders
“This act has proved that the Americans are now trying to hide their defeat through such propaganda wiles,” the Taliban said.
Islamic State
Theresa May: New laws to tackle British jihadists