‘Suicide terrorist’ kills 25 in Damascus: Syrian state TV
The al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades had denied responsibility for the last two suicide attacks in Damascus on Dec. 23, 2011.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Nigeria
Suspected Boko Haram fighters killed 20 Christians at a town hall in Mubi, and “gunmen” opened fire in a church in Gombe, killing six Christian worshippers. Thousands of people attacked and wounded more than 50 Muslims in Sapale in protest of Boko Haram attacks in the north.
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed three ISAF soldiers in an IED attack in the south. President Karzai said that the US must transfer the Parwan detention facility to Afghan control as soon as possible.
Suicide, car bombings kill 73 Iraqis
Today’s attack is similar to a series of suicide and car bombings in Baghdad that took place on Dec. 22, 2011.
Pakistan
The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan executed 15 Frontier Corps soldiers who were captured late last month in Tank, and freed 17 hostages who crossed the border from Afghanistan. Security forces arrested a Taliban commander and three fighters who are accused of conducting attacks in Karachi.
US adds Al Qaeda Kurdish Battalions to list of terror groups
The terror group was formed in 2007 and operates under the aegis of al Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq.
Pakistani Taliban execute 15 Frontier Constabulary personnel
The 15 troops were captured on Dec. 22 after the Taliban overran a fort in Tank. The execution was carried out to avenge the death of a senior Taliban leader who was killed in Khyber last weekend.
Yemen
Five al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters and two Yemeni solders were killed during fighting near Zinjibar. Five people were killed during fighting among forces loyal to Major General Ali Mohsen al Ahmar.
Somalia
Kenyan forces killed a Shabaab commander known as Sheikh Hassan Hussein and two fighters during an assault on Fafadun. One Kenyan soldier was killed during the fighting.
Nigeria
Boko Haram fighters killed a girl and overran a police station in Jigawa. Boko Haram killed three civilians during attacks in Damaturu and Maiduguri.
Libya
Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the head of Libya’s National Transitional Council, warned that the continued presence of militias threatens to plunge the country into civil war. One of the militias is led by Abdel Hakim Belhadj, the leader of the al Qaeda-linked Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.
Are the top 2 Pakistani Taliban leaders ‘at each other’s throats’?
Hakeemullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman Mehsud have long been the subject of rumors of conflict; one such false report in 2009 claimed they killed each other.
Pakistan
Security forces killed 11 Taliban fighters during airstrikes in Kurram; seven militants were killed during infighting in Khyber. Five people were killed in bombings in northwestern Pakistan.
Afghanistan
The Taliban announced that it would establish a “political office” in Qatar. The Taliban killed five policemen and six civilians, including four children, in a suicide attack and bombings in Kandahar. The US will move $30 billion in equipment out of the country starting in 2012.
Taliban releases statement on negotiations
The Taliban confirmed it is in talks to set up an office in Qatar.
Al Qaeda remains entrenched in Pakistan’s tribal areas
Al Qaeda’s role in the formation of the Shura-e-Murakeba demonstrates that the group is still a significant player in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Al Qaeda brokers new anti-US Taliban alliance in Pakistan and Afghanistan
The Shura-e-Murakeba embraces all of the major Taliban groups in North and South Waziristan, including the Haqqani Network, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, and groups led by Mullah Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadar.
Somalia
Ten people were killed during fighting between a pro-government militia and Shabaab forces near Dhusamareb. Ethiopia said its forces would remain in Beledweyne. Shabaab leader Abu Zubayr decried the presence of foreign armies in Somalia.
Nigeria
A Boko Haram spokesman said southerners who live in northern Nigeria have three days to leave or they would be the target of attacks. Abdul Qaqa also vowed to defend Muslims in the north and said the terror group’s forces would attack the military, which is enforcing a state of emergency.
Pakistani troops kill dangerous Taliban commander
Qari Kamran was responsible for the the murders of scores of Pakistani soldiers, policemen, and civilians in the northwest.
India
Police believe that Yasin Bhatkal was in Mumbai and may have directed the bombings on July 13, 2011 that killed 26 people. Bhatkal, who is also known as Shahrukh, is described as a “key” Indian Mujahideen operative.
Pakistan
Security forces killed 15 Taliban fighters in Arakzai and killed 12 “militants” in Khyber. One soldier and four “militants” were killed in a suicide attack in Khyber. The Taliban killed a militiaman in Bajaur.
Afghanistan
More than 380 insurgents, including 19 commanders, reconciled with the government in Badghis province. Security forces detained two Taliban facilitators and several fighters in Helmand and Paktia provinces.
Somalia
Ethiopian and Somali troops seized control of Beledweyne from Shabaab fighters. A pro-governemnt militia and Shabaab are fighting near Dhusamareb.
Kenya
“Gunmen” opened fire in two bars during New Years Eve celebrations in northern Kenya, killing five people and wounding 28 more. Police suspect Shabaab fighters carried out the attack.
Pakistan
The Taliban killed two soldiers in a bombing in North Waziristan and two children in a bombing that targeted an anti-Taliban tribal leader in Landi Kotal.
Afghanistan
President Karzai welcomed US Vice President Biden’s statement that the Taliban are not the enemy. The Taliban killed a British soldier in Helmand. Security forces captured two Taliban commanders and several fighters in Kandahar and Paktia.
Yemen
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula killed two Yemeni soldiers in an attack near Zinjibar. AQAP halted a protest that called for the terror group to quit Zinjibar.
Somalia
Ethiopian troops attacked Shabaab forces in the town of Beledweyne; Shabaab claimed their forces repelled the assault. A clan in Puntland blamed Shabaab for killing a prominent cleric.
Shabaab leader recounts al Qaeda’s role in Somalia in the 1990s
Saif al Adel, Sheikh Yusuf al Ayiri, and Sheikh Abu al Hasan al Sa’idi fought in the Battle of Mogadishu, according to Shabaab’s emir.