Algeria
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb fighters kidnapped the governor of Illizi in the southeastern region of Algeria near the Libyan border. The AQIM fighters are thought to have taken the governor across the border into Libya.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Afghanistan
The Taliban claimed to have shot down a civilian helicopter in Helmand province; three people were killed in the crash. ISAF said there are no signs that the Taliban has infiltrated the Afghan security forces.
Iraq
Insurgents killed 11 Iraqis and wounded dozens more in car bombings in Mosul and Hillah. Security forces detained 14 al Qaeda members, including a leader, in Kirkuk.
Yemen
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula took control of the town of Rada’a in Baydah province, killing two policemen. The attack was led by the brother-in-law of Anwar al Awlaki. The fighters pledged their loyalty to Ayman al Zawahiri.
Somalia
Kenyan aircraft killed seven people, including four children, in airstrikes in Jilib. Five Shabaab fighters surrendered to the government in the Gedo region.
Thailand
Police found materials to make a bomb during a search in Samut Sakhon near Bangkok. The materials were linked to Atris Hussein, a Lebanese Hezbollah operative who was detained last week.
AQAP fighters seize control of Yemeni town, swear allegiance to Zawahiri
Rada’a has been taken over by Tareq al Dhahab, the brother-in-law of slain AQAP ideologue Anwar al Awlaki.
Hakeemullah Mehsud rumored killed in recent drone strike
The report is unconfirmed. Pakistani officials said radio chatter among Taliban fighters indicates he is dead.
UN adds 2 Haqqani Network leaders to terrorist list
Ahmed Jan Wazir and Fazl Rabi serve as key commanders in the Haqqani Network and have ties to the Taliban. Wazir was appointed by Taliban and al Qaeda fighters to command operations in Ghazni province.
Pakistan
Six people were killed during a Taliban attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan. Interior Minister Malik denied the government is in talks with the Taliban. General Kayani called the prime minister’s criticism of the military “divisive” and said the comments should be withdrawn.
Kenya
Shabaab named Sheikh Ahmad Iman Ali, a leader of the Muslim Youth Center, as its leader in Kenya. The Jan. 11 raid in Gerille by Shabaab forces has resulted in six people killed and four missing; Shabaab also seized weapons from a police station.
US warns of terror threat in Thailand
The emergency message said that “foreign terrorists” may be seeking to attack areas in Bangkok frequented by tourists. A Hezbollah operative has been arrested.
Thailand
The US Embassy in Bangkok warned that “foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future.” US citizens were told to “exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok.” Hours later, Thai authorities arrested a Lebanese man linked to […]
Shabaab names new leader of Kenyan branch
Sheikh Ahmad Iman Ali has been named the “Supreme Amiir” of Shabaab in Kenya. The Muslim Youth Center said he would follow in the footsteps of Fazul Mohammed, the slain al Qaeda leader.
Pakistan
US Predators killed six “militants,” including several “foreigners” in a strike in North Waziristan. Security forces killed 15 Taliban fighters in Arakzai. Militants killed three policemen in Peshawar.
Afghanistan
The Taliban said they would continue to wage jihad and would not abide by the Afghan constitution. A Taliban suicide bomber killed the district governor of Panjwai in Kandahar, his two sons, and two bodyguards. ISAF killed two Taliban commanders in an airstrike in Kunar.
Yemen
Twenty people were killed in northern Yemen during fighting between Houthi rebels and Salafists. Yesterday the Military Affaires Committee gave “armed groups and tribesmen” two days to quit the capital.
Somalia
Shabaab killed four people in Afgoye and stoned a Kenyan “spy” in Kismayo to death. The Red Cross suspended aid deliveries after Shabaab interfered with operations.
Kenya
Shabaab fighters crossed the border from Somalia and attacked a police station in Gerille. Five people, including three policemen and a government official, were killed in the attack; several people are said to be missing. Shabaab claimed credit for the attack.
Taliban assassinate key district governor in Afghan south
Sayed Fazuldin Agha was the district governor of Panjwai, a former Taliban bastion in Kandahar. He was instrumental in reconciling local Taliban groups with the Afghan government.
Afghan Taliban vow to continue ‘jihad,’ reject Afghan constitution
The Taliban insist that the proposed office in Qatar is to be used to conduct a prisoner exchange and educate the international community.
US Predators kill 6, including ‘foreigners,’ in North Waziristan strike
The strike is the second in North Waziristan in two days, and signals that the moratorium on the drone program has been lifted.
ISAF captures Haqqani operative who facilitates attacks in Faryab
The Haqqani Network continues to expand its area of operations throughout Afghanistan.
Saudi ‘fighter’ reported killed in last drone strike
The Saudi was “a common Arab fighter” who stayed at a guesthouse with his wife, according to the report.
Afghanistan
Security forces killed 10 Taliban fighters and detained 30 more in Balkh. A suicide bomber failed in his attempt to assassinate Kandahar’s chief of police after penetrating security at the compound. The Taliban claimed credit for yesterday’s suicide assault in Paktika that killed seven people.
Iraq
Insurgents killed four policemen in Al Qaim; one insurgent was also killed. Police killed two “masked men” in Kirkuk. The Kurdish Regional Government has balked at turning over Vice President Hashemi to the central government.
Yemen
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters killed an intelligence officer and wounded seven more during an attack in Aden. President Saleh will travel to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.
Kenya
Sheikh Ahmed Iman Ali, a Shabaab leader in Kenya, declared jihad against the government. Police detained seven Shabaab operatives. Somali refugees at camps in northern Kenya are fleeing due to increased violence.
Somalia
Shabaab denied Kenyan military claims that 60 of their fighters were killed during recent fighting in Garbaharey. A Shabaab leader asked the leader of the Tabliqis to join their movement after African Union forces shelled a Tabliqi moaque in Mogadishu.
American fighter pictured with Shabaab commander identified
The Long War Journal has confirmed that Cabdulaahi Ahmed Faarax is the Shabaab fighter who has been seen with Omar Hammami. Faarax, who is from Minneapolis, was indicted by the US for terrorist activities in in October 2009.