Somalia
Omar Hammami said he fears Shabaab may kill him. Somali forces advanced to the town of Galgalato, which is 20 miles northeast of the capital. Somali and Shabaab forces clashed on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Shabaab held a rally in Afgoye.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Nigeria
Boko Haram reportedly offered a three-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of prisoners in government custody. Boko Haram conducted 196 bombings in 2011, compared to 52 in 2010.
Al Qaeda
Ayman al Zawahiri released yet another videotape via As Sahab, al Qaeda’s propaganda arm. Zawahiri called for the US to release al Qaeda prisoners in exchange for captive American Warren Weinstein, and called for a a popular revolt agains the government of Pakistan.
American terrorist feels ‘life may be endangered’ by Shabaab
“I feel that my life may be endangered by Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahideen due to some differences that occurred between us regarding matters of the Shariah and matters of the strategy,” Hammami said in a short statement released on YouTube.
AQI claims attacks on Haditha, Barwana
The recent terror operation that killed 27 Iraqi policemen was called the “Invasion of Commander Jarrah al Shami.”
Kashmiri is dead, al Qaeda spokesman suggests
Ustad Ahmad Farooq, al Qaeda’s spokesman for Pakistan, mentions Ilyas Kashmiri with Baitullah Mehsud, Ibn Amin, and Badr Mansour, who were all killed in drone strikes. “May Allah have mercy on all of them,” Farooq said.
Afghan interpreter targeted top US Marine general, officers in Helmand
Major General Gurganus then told the press that no incidents have taken place in the wake of the murder of 16 Afghan civilians, but he subsequently disarmed US Marines who were meeting with the SecDef.
Pakistan
Two Swiss hostages “escaped” from Taliban custody and turned themselves over to Pakistani troops in North Waziristan. The Taliban released the son-in-law of a senior general in the Pakistani Army.
Afghanistan
The Taliban suspended “dialogue” with the US. President Karzai wants NATO forces confined to large bases. The Taliban killed 10 civilians in Uruzgan. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban leaders and fighters.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
US drones killed four al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in a drone strike in Al Baydah yesterday. The Saudi embassy in Sana’a said it is aware of an AQAP plot to strike the facility.
US drone strike kills 4 AQAP fighters
The strike took place in the southern province of Al Baydah, and is the fourth drone strike in Yemen since March 9.
Somalia
Shabaab spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage identified yesterday’s suicide bomber as Hassan Abdikadir. Prime Minister Ali is planning on dismissing Interior and Notional Security Minister Abdisamad Mo’allin Mohamud.
Nigeria
President Goodluck Jonathan has initiated peace talks with Boko Haram. The Nigerian government wants a ceasefire in exchange for the release of Boko Haram foot soldiers.
Taliban suspend ‘dialogue’ with US
The Taliban have formally suspended dialogue with the US, and President Karzai said NATO forces in Afghanistan should be restricted to large bases.
Pakistan
The Taliban killed six members of a tribal militia in a bombing in Bajaur and bombed a school in Nowshera. “Terrorists” killed a girl and wounded seven policemen in an attack in Peshawar.
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed nine civilians in bombings in Kandahar and Helmand. Afghan troops killed seven Taliban fighters in Herat. US Marines were disarmed for a meeting with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. The US Army sergeant who murdered 17 Afghan civilians has been flown out of the country.
Hezbollah
Iraqiya List concerned about Iraqi, Iranian and Lebanese armed groups backing up Assad regime
US Marines disarmed for SecDef visit to Helmand
A sergeant major said the Marines were disarmed because someone was “itchy,” while a general said it was done because Afghan troops were not allowed to carry weapons.
Yemen
Yemeni Salafists formed a political party. President Hadi replaced the commanders of several key military units. Former President Saleh demanded that 10 of his political opponents go into exile along with him.
Somalia
A Shabaab suicide bomber killed four people in an attack in the presidential palace compound in Mogadishu. Shabaab claimed the attack was carried out to take revenge “for the defilement & desecration” of Korans.
Nigeria
The “mastermind” of the kidnapping and murder of two Europeans died in custody. Police said that Ali Mohammed was the leader of a Boko Haram splinter group in Sokoto.
Shabaab suicide bomber strikes at presidential palace in Mogadishu
Shabaab continues to be able to penetrate high-security areas in the Somali capital. At least four Somalis were killed in the attack.
Iran
Iran’s War in Gaza
Afghanistan
The Taliban attacked a senior government delegation visiting the scene of the mass murder of 16 Afghans by a US soldier in Panjwai, Kandahar; one Afghan soldier was killed. The Taliban threatened to behead US soldiers to avenge the killings in Panjwai.
Pakistan
US drones killed 15 Taliban fighters, including two of Mullah Nazir’s commanders, in two strikes in South Waziristan. “Gunmen” killed a government official in his office in North Waziristan. The government denied reports that it banned the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the successor to the Sipha-e-Sahaba.
Yemen
An al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula suicide bomber killed four Yemeni soldiers in an attack at a checkpoint near Al Baydah. The attack took place in the city where US drones killed 20 AQAP fighters just days ago.
Taliban threaten to ‘cut off the heads’ of US soldiers
The Taliban continue to release inflammatory statements; meanwhile, the US continues to hope for peace.
Somalia
Shabaab fighters killed two wedding guests in El-adde, and killed a soldier in a grenade attack in Beledweyne. Shabaab also expelled the Save the Children charity from Somalia.
US drones kill 2 ‘good Taliban’ commanders in pair of strikes in South Waziristan
Two commanders and six fighters loyal to Mullah Nazir, a favorite of the Pakistani establishment who has pledged his support for al Qaeda, were killed in the first strike. Seven other fighters were killed in the second strike.
Afghanistan
The Taliban vowed to “take revenge” for the 16 Afghan civilians killed by a rogue US soldier in Kandahar. Security forces captured several Taliban commanders and fighters in Khost, Wardak, and Nangarhar.