AFRICOM kills ‘foundational’ Shabaab leader in strike
AFRICOM has stepped up its air campaign against Shabaab since the beginning of the year, targeting the group 33 times.
Yearly Archives: 2020
Generation Jihad: Ep. 4 – ISIS: A History of the Caliphate
Hosts Tom Joscelyn and Bill Roggio discuss the rise of ISIS and how the idea of building a caliphate in Iraq evolved over time. Bill witnessed the jihadists’ earliest state-building efforts during multiple embeds in Iraq.
League of the Revolutionaries threatens U.S. Embassy in Iraq
Throughout its statements, the front group has made threatening the U.S. embassy one of its main talking points.
Taliban touts training camps ‘still going on’ that prepare fighters for ‘war’
As U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls for the Taliban to honor a non-existent commitment to “reduce violence,” the Taliban continues to train for war.
Palestinian militants praise Houthi’s offer for a prisoner exchange with Saudi Arabia
Gaza’s militant groups commend Houthi’s efforts to release Hamas members held in Saudi Arabia under terrorism charges.
Attack on Turkish soldiers spotlights Ankara’s Idlib conundrum
On March 19, Turkey’s defense ministry announced the death of two Turkish soldiers at the hands of “radical elements” in northwest Syria’s Idlib. The attack highlights Ankara’s challenges in the Syrian province.
Generation Jihad: Ep. 3 – AQAP Names A New Emir
Hosts Bill Roggio and Tom Joscelyn profile Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) new emir, Khalid Batarfi.
Saudi textbooks revised, but still incite hate
Saudi Arabia has revised its educational curriculum, but the kingdom’s textbooks still include passages that incite hate against Jews, homosexuals and the “infidels.”
Houthi leader proposes prisoner exchange of Hamas members detained in Saudi Arabia
The Houthi leader offered to release a captured Saudi pilot in exchange for the freedom of the detained Hamas members.
Northern Afghan district falls to the Taliban
The district Yamgan in in Badakhshan has been under siege for several months before falling to the Taliban today.
Taliban attacks against Afghan security forces continue unabated
The Taliban has taken credit for 17 attacks per day against Afghan security forces. Despite promises from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Taliban would “destroy” Al Qaeda, the Taliban has not lifted a finger against the group.
Hezbollah derides release of former SLA member into U.S. custody
Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah charges that American pressure influenced the Lebanese government to release former SLA member Amer Fakhoury, the “Butcher of Kiam”, who was accused of torturing prisoners during Israel’s occupation of south Lebanon.
Islamic State claims assault on Sikh temple in Afghan capital
The Islamic State’s Khorasan arm claims its terrorist, Abu Khalid al-Hindi, carried out an assault on a Sikh temple in Kabul earlier today. Despite suffering setbacks in eastern Afghanistan, the group has conducted several attacks in the Afghan capital this year.
State designates Iran-backed League of the Righteous as Foreign Terrorist Organization
Additionally, the group’s leader, Qais al Khazali, and his brother, Laith al Khazali, have been listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Both Qais and Laith were in U.S. custody up until the withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011.
Generation Jihad: Ep. 2 – Wishcasting in Afghanistan
In a follow up to episode one, hosts Bill Roggio and Tom Joscelyn explain why wishful thinking in Afghanistan has led the U.S. to portray the Taliban as something it is not. True peace is not on the horizon.
Analysis: AQAP’s new emir reaffirms allegiance to Zawahiri, praises Taliban
Last week, AQAP released an audio message form its new emir, Khalid Batarfi. In it, Batarfi renews his allegiance to Ayman al-Zawahiri on behalf of AQAP. He also praises the Taliban and Shabaab.
JNIM kills dozens in Mali base attack
The attack in Mali’s northern Gao region is one of the deadliest in recent months.
Al Qassam Brigades warns Israel about prisoners held amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Al Qassam Brigades’ spokesperson holds Israel “fully responsible” for the health of Palestinian prisoners during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Dozens of Afghan security personnel killed in Taliban insider attack
The deadly assault in Zabul takes place as U.S. military officials continue to ponder if the Taliban’s drumbeat of daily attacks is part of the group’s overall strategy or the efforts of a “splinter” cell.
New ‘League of the Revolutionaries’ warns U.S. troops in Iraq
A spokesman of the group warns US troops in Iraq, while also threatening Israel in a speech that alludes to Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Houthis report capture of province bordering Saudi Arabia
The capture of large parts of al Jawf allows the Houthis to focus on neighboring Ma’rib, where the internationally recognized Hadi government contests for power in the north.
CENTCOM commander wrongly suggests ‘splinter’ Taliban group carrying out large number of attacks in Afghanistan
The U.S. military wonders if a “splinter” Taliban groups is responsible for attacks that are occurring in nearly every Afghan province. Meanwhile, the Taliban is claiming the attacks in its own name.
Generation Jihad: Ep. 1 – The U.S.-Taliban Withdrawal Deal
Hosts Bill Roggio and Tom Joscelyn review the U.S.-Taliban withdrawal agreement and why it isn’t a true peace deal.
Purported new Iraqi Shia group claims attacks on Camp Taji
The group is likely a front for other Iranian proxies inside Iraq.
Al-Qaeda lauds Taliban’s great ‘victory’ over America and allies
Al-Qaeda’s general command has released a three-page statement celebrating the U.S.-Taliban withdrawal agreement as a “victory” for the Taliban. Al-Qaeda calls on Afghans and the mujahideen to bolster the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Jihadists discuss coronavirus, offer advice
As the world continues to deal with the spread of COVID-19, jihadists have taken it upon themselves to exploit the situation for their own political gain and to offer advice to their own members.
Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza commemorates former Secretary General Zuhair al Qaisi
The commemoration of a Popular Resistance Committees leader and the aftermath of his assassination.
Introducing: Generation Jihad, a new podcast from FDD’s Long War Journal
Each week the Generation Jihad podcast will bring you a new story focusing on jihadism around the globe.
Houthis increase use of suicide drone boats in recent weeks
Not only have the Houthis utilized this tactic more in recent weeks, but the insurgency has also exported the drones to the Arabian Sea.
Al Qaeda’s West African branch seeks French withdrawal, then negotiations
Al Qaeda’s branch in West Africa, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, has released a statement saying it is willing to meet with the Malian government — but only after French and allied forces withdraw from the area.