Taliban avenge death of commander killed in October drone strike
The Taliban killed one Pakistani trooper and captured 15 more to avenge the death of Taj Gul Mehsud, a senior deputy to Hakeemullah Mehsud.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
‘Pak Army does not agree’ with ISAF findings on Mohmand incident
“The inquiry report is short on facts,” the ISPR said in a press release.
40 killed in ‘suicide bombings’ in Damascus
The Syrian government, which provided safe haven and support to al Qaeda, claimed the terror group killed 40 people in attacks today in the capital.
AQAP leader’s brother reported killed in US drone strike
Abdul Rahman, the brother of Nasir al Wuhayshi, is rumored to have been killed in a US Predator airstrike in Zinjibar. The report is unconfirmed.
Pakistan
The US released its findings on the cross-border clash that resulted in the deaths of 24 Pakistani troops in Mohmand. The military said it killed 16 Taliban fighters in Arakzai. The government admitted it does not control the military or the ISI.
Pakistani fire, mutual errors led to Mohmand troop deaths: ISAF inquiry
Pakistani troops opened fire on US troops, then failed to cease fire after it was clear that US forces, including aircraft, were involved in the engagement.
Iraq
Sixty-three Iraqis were killed in a suicide attack and a series of bombings in Baghdad. Two more Iraqis were killed in a bombing in Mosul.
Nigeria
A series of explosions followed by street battles took place in the northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu. Boko Haram fighters are believed to have detonated bombs in the cities and then attacked police checkpoints and other targets. No casualties have been reported.
63 killed in Baghdad as political crisis worsens
Prime Minister Maliki’s crackdown on the Sunni leadership threatens to plunge Iraq into civil war.
Pakistan’s government admits it has no control over military, ISI
The Defense Ministry told the Supreme Court that it has no influence over the Pakistani military or intelligence services, and thus cannot speak for them.
Ansar al Jihad in the Sinai Peninsula announces formation
The new Egyptian terror group vowed to “fulfill the oath” of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Jihadist releases new photos of American Shabaab leader
Omar Hammami, the American Shabaab commander, is seen in two new photos with an unknown Shabaab fighter.
Pakistan
The military said 25 Taliban fighters were killed and 17 troops were wounded in clashes in Arakzai. Prime Minister Gilani said that for US-Pakistan relations to be restored, the US must end drone attacks and not carry out an “Abbottabad-like unilateral action in future.”
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed five Polish soldiers in an IED attack in Ghazni. Police killed a suicide bomber in Khost. The US Army has charged eight soldiers with the death of another soldier.
Iraq
Prime Minister Maliki urged the Kurdish Regional Government to hand over Vice President Hashimi, who is wanted for terrorism charges. Insurgents killed an Awakening leader in Abu Ghraib. Security forces detained 16 suspected terrorists in Basrah.
ISAF denies Taliban claim that US troops abandoned base in Afghan east
“We haven’t turned over [to Afghan forces] or vacated any ISAF bases in Laghman,” an ISAF official told The Long War Journal, refuting the Taliban’s assertion.
Lebanon
Palestinian officials are concerned that al Qaeda-linked terror groups are on the rise in the Ein al Hilwah camp in Lebanon. Fatah al Islam, Jund al Sham, Asbar al Ansar, and a new group called Ansar Allah are conducting assassinations of Fatah officials while fighting amongst themselves.
Mauritania
Security forces clashed with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb fighters near the Malian border; no casualties have been reported. The clash took place after AQIM fighters attacked a police station in Adel Bagrou and kidnapped one officer.
Somalia
Kenyan fighter planes killed 11 people during airstrikes on Shabaab fighters in Hosingow near the southern border. Five people were killed during fighting in the Daynile district in Mogadishu.
Afghanistan
Vice President Joe Biden said the Taliban is not the enemy of the US. ISAF said that night raids against the Taliban would continue. Ten Taliban fighters reconciled with the government in Zabul.
Pakistan
Security forces detained eight members of the Punjabi Taliban during a security operation in Wana in South Waziristan. The head of the defense committee said the US would not end the pause in drone strikes unless a high-value target is spotted.
US will break lull in drone strikes only to hit a high-value target: Pakistani official
Javed Ashraf Qazi also said the US has put the strikes on hold, as first reported here at The Long War Journal.
Jund al Khilafah calls for overthrow of Kazakh president
The Soldiers of the Caliphate are attempting to capitalize on last weekend’s clash between government forces and striking oil workers.
Iraq
The government issued an arrest warrant for Sunni Vice President Tariq Hashimi for running death squads that attacked security forces. Hashimi has fled to the Kurdish regions. Three of Hashimi’s bodyguards have been arrested on terrorism charges.
US drone strikes in Pakistan on longest pause since 2008
The US has gone 33 days without hitting al Qaeda, the Taliban, or other terror groups based in Pakistan’s tribal areas. US officials attribute this to deteriorating relations with Pakistan.
Nigeria
Security forces arrested 14 suspected Boko Haram fighters in Kano. The arrests took place after Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base there, resulting in four of its fighters and three soldiers killed.
Lashkar-e-Taiba dominates anti-US rally in Lahore
More than 30,000 Islamists gathered to show their support for the Pakistani military.
Pakistan
U.S. drone operators show signs of exhaustion
Iraq
The last convoy of US combat troops has left Iraq, ending nearly eight years of occupation. Iraqi forces detained eight terrorists in Karbala.
Yemen
Four al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters and two Yemeni soldiers were killed during fighting near Zinjibar. General Ali Mohsen supports the peace deal with the government and has begun withdrawing his forces from Sana’a.