Monthly Archives: August 2014





Philippines

Security forces arrested two Abu Sayyaf militants, including alleged sub-leader Nur Hassan a.k.a. Jemhar Halillula Ali, during raids in Zamboanga city. A public school supervisor who was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf in January was released after payment of a ransom.


United States

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Islamic State cannot be defeated without striking its base in Syria. Secretary of Defense Hagel warned that the IS poses “an imminent threat” to US interests everywhere, not just in Iraq, and said it is “as sophisticated and well-funded as any group” the […]


Iraq

Fighters listed as ‘terrorists’ help US in battle against ISIS in Iraq



Iraq

Ex-General Says US Must ‘Destroy’ Jihadists in Iraq, Syria


Afghanistan

The Taliban killed five policemen and a civilian in Herat. The Taliban’s offensive in Kunduz is led by a commander who was freed from prison by the Afghan government. The government expelled a New York Times reporter. The US doubled Siraj Haqqani’s bounty, raising it to $10 million, and offered $5 million rewards for four […]


Iraq

The US launched six airstrikes against the Islamic State near the Mosul Dam. The Iraqi military claimed it killed 19 Islamic State fighters in Jurf al Sakhar, six in Fallujah, and an Islamic State governor and two bodyguards in Baqubah. The Anbar tribes killed four Islamic State fighters near Fallujah. The bodies of 12 people, […]


Iraq

No end in sight for Islamic State’s attack on Iraq


Iraq

Pentagon leaves door open to strikes in Syria to curb Islamic State


Iraq

Foley Abduction Linked to British Jihadi Kidnapping Ring



Syria

The Islamic State battled regime forces for control of Al Tabaqa, the last regime stronghold in Raqqah; regime forces carried out at least 11 airstrikes, and dozens of IS fighters are said to have been killed. The IS was also targeted by regime airstrikes in Aleppo, Deir Izzour, and Hama. The IS battled Kurdish YPG […]


Kuwait

Kuwaiti authorities released Hajjaj al Ajmi, who was recently designated a terrorist by both the US and the UN, after detaining him briefly on his return from Qatar. A Kuwaiti newspaper reported on Aug. 19 that security forces were on high alert over reports from Iraq that Islamic State militants were planning to infiltrate Kuwait’s […]


Lebanon

Abou Taymour al Dandashi, a Salafist militia leader who was arrested for his role in Tripoli clashes, was released from Roumieh Prison; judicial sources claimed he was not a militia leader. Government officials are refusing to divulge details of the negotiations for the release of security forces held captive by Islamist militants, but some say […]




Libya

Reports have emerged that 11 planes, said to be passenger aircraft, disappeared during recent clashes at Tripoli airport. Due to security concerns, Egypt has banned all flights from Libya, and Tunisia has banned flights originating from Mitiga, Misrata, and Sirte, which are not under government control. In coordination with US naval forces in the Mediterranean, […]


Tunisia

For security reasons, the Transport Ministry canceled all flights coming from Mitiga, Misrata, and Sirte airports in Libya. The Interior Ministry announced the arrest of seven terrorists earlier this week; four were detained in Gabes as they tried to flee into Libya, and three others in Medenine. The suspects in Medenine were thought to be […]





France

French ex-hostage of ISIL ‘knows’ James Foley’s killer



Nigeria

Boko Haram militants stormed the Liman Kara riot police training academy near Gwoza in Borno state, one of only two such facilities in Nigeria. A witness claimed that the police trainees, said to number at least 290, fled after hundreds of militants appeared on the scene. The UK is planning to send three Tornado surveillance […]


Iraq

Leaders Express Outrage as Britain Tries to Identify Beheaded Journalist’s Killer


United Kingdom

The Islamic State militant shown beheading US journalist James Foley in a recent IS propaganda video is said to be a Londoner called “John” who guards IS’ Western hostages in Raqqah, Syria; UK authorities are working with the FBI in tracking him down and have asked Londoners to help identify him. Khadijah Dare, 22, a […]