Iraq
Insurgents killed two policemen in Fallujah, a police brigadier in Kirkuk, a policeman in Ramadi, and a civilian in Khanaqin. The minister for national reconciliation said the Asaib al Haq may be willing to lay down their weapons.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Hezbollah
Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah called on Syrians to back their government and not protesters. Nasrallah also said Hezbollah would retain its arsenal of rockets and that “no one will be able to take it away.”
Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran is developing a triggering device for nuclear weapons, and its nuclear program is recovering from the Stuxnet virus. Iran’s intellignece minister said the “confessions” of CIA spies would be aired on state television.
Somalia
Shabaab’s leaders are said to have fled the Bakara market in Mogadishu as Somali and African Union forces advance into the Shabaab stronghold. Four people were killed in fighting in Beledweyn and five more were killed in Mogadishu.
Afghan government, Taliban battle for control over northeastern Afghan district
An Afghan official warns that failure to address the situation in the northeast will lead to “another Waziristan and al Qaeda’s next home inside Afghanistan.”
Taliban suicide bomber kills 6 at Peshawar police station
The police station housed a unit of the Crime Investigation Department as well as commandos from the Special Services Group.
Taliban claim suicide attack at police headquarters in Peshawar
The Taliban’s last three attacks in Pakistan have occurred in secured areas in two of Pakistan’s major cities.
ISAF captures Taliban’s top leader for Helmand province
Also, the Taliban attempted to assassinate the governor of Helmand as he drove to the former Taliban stronghold of Sangin.
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed 12 Afghans in an IED attack Helmand and four more in a suicide attack in Laghman. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban fighters in Helmand, Khost, Logar, Nangarhar, and Sar-i-Pul.
Iraq
Insurgents killed four Iraqis in a car bombing and a Ministry of Defense colonel in Baghdad. Security forces captured four al Qaeda fighters in Anbar.
Yemen
Government forces loyal to President Saleh attacked the home of tribal leader Sadiq al Ahmar, who has sided with the opposition. The attack sparked heavy fighting in Sana’a, with nine people killed.
Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran is increasing its uranium stockpiles. The US imposed economic sanctions on seven foreign firms, including Venezuela’s state oil company, for their dealings with Iran.
Syria
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the site bombed by the Israelis in 2007 was “very likely” a nuclear facility. A human rights group claimed more than 1,100 people have been killed by government forces during the last two months of protests.
Kenya
Police in Garrisa arrested three Bangladeshi men who are suspected of belonging to Shabaab. The three men have UK passports and were traveling to Somali.
Somalia
Senior Shabaab leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys called for businessmen to take up arms in the Bakara market in Mogadishu. Aweys held a press conference in Bakara to make the announcement. The African Union displayed four captured Shabaab fighters.
Egypt
Former President Hosni Mubarak will be tried for “pre-meditated killing” of protesters during anti-government demonstrations this year. His two sons have also been referred to the court. More than 800 Egyptians are said to have been killed before Mubarak ceded power on Feb. 11.
‘Germany-based Moroccan al Qaeda foreign fighter facilitator’ captured in southeastern Afghanistan
The al Qaeda operative is providing intelligence on the Qaeda network that funnels terrorists into Afghanistan. Before he reached Afghanistan, he traveled through Iran, where a recruiter attempted to convince him to become a suicide bomber.
The Taliban
The Taliban denied reports that Mullah Omar was killed. “We strongly reject these baseless allegations,” a spokesman said. Afghan intelligence claimed Omar was killed while being moved from Quetta to North Waziristan.
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed four ISAF soldiers in an IED attack in the east and another in an attack in the south. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban fighters in Helmand, Khost, Wardak, Paktia, and Kunduz.
Kazakhstan
The Taliban warned the Kazakh government faced “negative consequences” if it deploys troops to support NATO in Afghanistan. The Kazakh parliament approved the deployment of an unspecified number of soldiers to Afghanistan last week.
ISAF spokesman bungles Haqqani Network’s relationship with the Taliban
Brigadier General Josef Blotz claims the Haqqani Network is not part of the Taliban.
Iraq
Insurgents killed two civilians in Kirkuk, a civilian in Baghdad, and a policeman in Al Qaim in Anbar. Two US soldiers were killed during “combat operations” in central Iraq on May 22.
Iran
The European Union has tightened sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear program. President Ahmedinejad said Western countries are “using special equipment” to drain clouds of rain and cause droughts in the Middle East.
Taliban deny Mullah Omar was killed in Pakistan
Afghan intelligence believes Omar was moved from Quetta to North Waziristan, but would not confirm the Taliban supremo was killed.
US Predators strike again in Mir Ali
Seven “foreigners” were reported killed in the terrorist haven of North Waziristan.
Somalia
African Union and Somali forces have advanced on the Bakara market in Mogadishu, a stronghold of Shabaab and a key source of finances. Twenty people have been killed during two days of fighting.
Pakistani Taliban claim assault on Karachi naval base
“It was the revenge of martyrdom of Osama bin Laden. It was the proof that we are still united and powerful,” a Taliban spokesman said.
Pakistani senator: ‘ISI’s strategy is to save the Taliban from defeat’
Pakistan’s ISI and military have played favorites with the Haqqanis, preserved Mullah Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadar, and supported the 2009 “peace deal” that brought the Taliban to power in Swat.
Pakistan
Terrorists launched an assault on Pakistani Naval Station Mehran in Karachi. Four naval personnel and four terrorists have been reported killed, and two naval aircraft, including a P-3 Orion, are reported to have been destroyed. The terrorists have taken hostages.
Afghanistan
Six Afghans and four Taliban fighters were killed after the Taliban assaulted a polcie headquarters in Khost. The Taliban killed an ISAF soldier in the east. Security forces killed and captured several Taliban fighters in Helmand, Zabul, Ghazni, Khost, Paktika, Logar, Nangarhar, and Baghlan.