US airstrikes kill dozens of Shabaab fighters
The US military’s air campaign against Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, continues to intensify. AFRICOM launched five more airstrikes against Shabaab over the weekend.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
‘Our soil is not used for carrying out terrorist attacks,’ Pakistan PM claims
Khan’s claim that “our [Pakistani] soil is not used for carrying out terrorist attacks in other countries” is remarkably similar, if not identical to the Afghan Taliban’s false assurances that it won’t allow its territory to be used by terror groups.
US military hits Shabaab in haven south of Somali capital
The two latest strikes took place in a town where Shabaab is dominant. The US air campaign against Shabaab continues to intensify and is on pace to quickly outstrip last year’s strike total.
US military intensifies airstrikes against al Qaeda in Somalia
Since the New Year, US Africa Command has hit Shabaab 14 times. AFRICOM acknowledges that the air campaign is not sufficient to defeat Shabaab, but can only support the Somali government’s efforts.
‘Tired’ Taliban fights on as US is desperate to leave Afghanistan
Political, military, and intelligence leaders, as well as analysts and experts on Afghanistan have been claiming the Taliban is exhausted from fighting for at least 15 years. And yet the Taliban fights on while the US is desperate to leave.
US airstrike kills 24 Shabaab fighters at an ‘encampment’
The pace of strikes against Shabaab’s network in Somalia has intensified despite reports that the US military is seeking to disengage from the war-torn country.
Analysis: US military downplays district control as Taliban gains ground in Afghanistan
The Taliban continues to gain on the Afghan government; seven more districts have fallen under Taliban control or are contested, according to SIGAR. The US military dismissed these gains, stating that this is “not indicative of effectiveness of the South Asia strategy or progress toward security and stability in Afghanistan.”
Mullah Baradar appointed head of Taliban’s ‘political office’ in Qatar
The Taliban said Baradar was appointed to lead the political office to “strengthen” its position in negotiations with the US.
Taliban promotes training camp for ‘Commando Mujahidin’
While these training videos are often mocked, including by the spokesman for Resolute Support and US Forces – Afghanistan, the graduates from these camps have been effective at battling Afghan security forces.
‘They will beg us for talks but we will reject them,’ Taliban spokesman says
One of the Taliban’s top two spokesmen bragged that the group called off negotiations with the US after the latter has pleaded for peace talks.
Counterterrorism strikes in Somalia continue, despite reports of a drawdown
US counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia shows no signs of slowing down despite a report last week that said the Pentagon plans to reduce its role there. The US has launched four strikes against Shabaab during the first week of 2019.
US strike that killed USS Cole plotter first in Yemen in 3 months
Counterterrorism operations against AQAP have significantly tapered off in 2018 after a massive increase in 2017. The strike that killed Jamal-al Badawi is the first in Yemen since mid-September 2018.
Taliban video shows fighters controlling district center in Farah
Afghan security officials denied Shib Koh fell to the Taliban, but a video recently released by the Taliban shows its fighters in full control of the district center.
Analysis: Military spokesman mocks Taliban video, but exposes US lack of understanding of the enemy
A since-deleted tweet by the spokesman for US Forces Afghanistan and Resolute Support Mission highlights a lack of seriousness and understanding about the threat posed by the Taliban.
Taliban trains scores of ‘commandos’ at camp
The video is the latest in a string of Taliban propaganda that shows its fighters going through training.
Taliban denial of presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan is absurd
The Taliban’s own statements and actions as well as Qaeda’s propaganda and operations easily disproves the Taliban’s denial that foreign fighters are in Afghanistan.
Taliban commander admits thousands of foreign fighters are embedded within group
In a startling admission, a senior leader in the Afghan Taliban told NBC News that “thousands” of foreign fighters are currently embedded in the group in Afghanistan. The admission is astonishing as the Taliban has attempted to obscure its relationship with al Qaeda, even though it slips up every now and then. FDD’s Long War […]
US military strikes Shabaab “encampment,” killing scores of fighters
The strikes were launched to “prevent terrorists from using remote areas as a safe haven to plot, direct, inspire, and recruit for future attacks,” AFRICOM noted.
AFRICOM hits Shabaab near Somali capital
The last three strikes against Shabaab have taken place in an area where foreign al Qaeda fighters have historically sheltered. AFRICOM has targeted Shabaab 40 times throughout Somalia in 2018.
Taliban overruns district in Farah after Afghan forces flee
The Taliban overran the district of Shib Koh in the western province of Farah today after Afghan security forces stationed there fled. Farah remains one of Afghanistan’s most troubled provinces.
Taliban attacks on Afghan forces undeterred by mounting US pressure
The attacks show that the Taliban continues to remain on the offensive and also provide a window into the accuracy of the Taliban’s reporting of its military operations.
US strikes target al Qaeda in Libya, Somalia
The US military hit al Qaeda’s branches in Somalia and Libya twice over the past several days, killing 20 fighters in strikes that appear to have targeted the groups’ military capacity.
Taliban shadow governor for Helmand killed in US airstrike
Mullah Manan was responsible for Taliban successes in Helmand that has left every district to be controlled or contested by the group. However the Taliban has been adept at replacing key leaders who have been killed or died of natural causes.
US military against targets Shabaab in central Somalia
The US military has launched six airstrikes in the central Somali province of Mudug since Nov. 19, killing at least 55 Shabaab fighters.
Taliban calls Afghan government “impotent,” says negotiating with it is “a waste of time”
The Taliban yet again belittled the Afghan government as a “powerless and foreign imposed” regime that is unworthy of sitting down at a negotiating table. Additionally, the Taliban noted that it is “fighting and negotiating with the American invaders for the success of Jihad.
Afghan government’s negotiating position completely at odds with Taliban’s
President Ghani wants the Taliban to accept democracy, participate in the government, and break ties with terrorist groups. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to adhere to these demands. Additionally, Ghani called for negotiations that are first driven by Afghans, which is the opposite of what is actually occurring today.
Taliban kills 3 US soldiers in Ghazni roadside bombing
Ghazni remains a hotbed of Taliban activity in southeastern Afghanistan, and the US military has been forced to deploy units there to prevent its collapse.
Analysis: US military grossly underestimates Taliban, al Qaeda force levels in Afghanistan
The US military’s official estimate of the number of fighters in the Taliban’s ranks needs to be at least doubled given the level and intensity of fighting in Afghanistan, as well as the number of Taliban casualties claimed by the Afghan security forces.
AFRICOM launches 2 more strikes against Shabaab in central Somalia
The US military is clearly targeting Shabaab in Mudug province. There have been five strikes there in the past four days and 50 Shabaab fighters are reported to have been killed in the attacks.
US military kills dozens of Shabaab fighters in 3 strikes
The pattern of the strikes, which took place in central Somalia, indicates that al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa either has an established base in the area, or that it was massing its fighters for a large scale attack.