Afghanistan
Pakistan: High cost to a devil’s bargain
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Afghanistan
Security forces killed and captured several Taliban, Haqqani Network, and HIG commanders and fighters in Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Logar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Baghlan. Three ISAF troops were killed in attacks in the south and east.
Iraq
Insurgents killed an Awakening fighter in Babil, a contractor in Mosul, and a lawyer in Kirkuk. Security forces arrested three terrorists in Fallujah.
Somalia
Shabaab commander Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys proudly admitted to recruiting children to serve with the terror group. “We recruit underage children to fight for us, the children are ready to die for their country and religion,” he said. Shabaab sentenced a couple to 100 lashes for committing adultery.
Pakistan to shoot down US Predators?
Is the Pakistani military considering shooting down the CIA-operated unmanned US Predator and Reaper strike aircraft that roam the skies over Pakistan’s tribal agency of North Waziristan? Two reports over the past 24 hours, from STRATFOR and The Express Tribune, are giving that impression. First the STRATFOR report: Citing unconfirmed reports, STRATFOR Pakistani sources said […]
Niger
Police suspect al Qaeda was involved in a bombing at a Peoples Democratic Party rally in Suleja two weeks ago that killed 11 people. Police found information on a suspect’s cell phone that may link him to the terror group.
Egypt
Mohammad al Zawahiri, the brother of al Qaeda’s Ayman al Zawahiri, justified terror attacks against the US. “Jihad holds a legitimate place in the duties of Muslims, and is legitimate [against] America, which violates Muslim lands,” he said.
Syria
Security forces in Deraa fired teargas to break up crowds gathered at the funeral of two people killed during protests on March 18. Several people were injured and one was arrested.
Libya
The US launched more than 110 cruise missiles at Libyan air defense installations. Forces loyal to President Gaddafi have reached the outskirts of Benghazi, the rebel stronghold, and have launched ground and artillery strikes into the city.
United Kingdom
A court sentenced Rajib Karim, a former British Airways employee, to 30 years in prison for plotting to carry out terror attacks on airplanes. Karim worked with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leader Anwar al Awlaki.
Indonesia
The National Anti-Terror Agency chief said a series of four book bombings that wounded four people in Jakarta have been executed by Jemaah Islamiyah. “All three bombs’ intended recipients were the group’s enemies,” the anti-terror chief said.
Pakistan
The top tribal leaders in North Waziristan vowed to wage jihad and carry out suicide attacks against the US. General Petraeus said Pakistan needs to act in North Waziristan. The Taliban executed a spy in Kohat.
North Waziristan tribal leaders vow to wage jihad, carry out suicide attacks against the US
The tribal leaders in Pakistan’s Taliban-controlled agency made the threats against the US after holding a press conference in Peshawar.
ISAF identifies more ‘foreign fighters camps’ in Afghanistan
Last night, ISAF noted that the Taliban was training “foreign fighters” at camps in the Sayyad Valley district in the northern province of Sar-i-Pul. In the same press release, ISAF also noted that special operations forces targeted a Taliban commander in Zabul who is linked to “insurgent foreign fighter training camps.” In Qalat District, Zabul […]
Afghanistan
Security forces killed and captured several Taliban, Haqqani Network, and HIG commanders and fighters in Helmand, Zabul, Khost, Wardak, and Sar-i-Pul. The Taliban killed a British soldier in Helmand and kidnapped six road workers contracted by the UN in Sar-i-Pul.
Somalia
Eighteen people were killed during fighting between Shabaab fighters and Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu. Infighting between Somali troops in Mogadishu resulted in the death of one soldier. Puntland suspended Saracen International’s anti-piracy training program.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Yemen’s Interior Ministry claimed it captured Khalid Saeed BaTarfi, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s “communication officer.” BaTarfi is also an AQAP military commander in Abyan province.
Yemen
Security forces and “unidentified snipers” opened fire on protesters at Sanaa University, killing 42 people. President Saleh declared a state of emergency after the massacre.
Egypt
Abboud al Zommor, an Egyptian Islamic Jihad commander who was released from prison, said he will form a political party. Zommor was the mastermind behind the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat.
Libya
The United Nations passed a resolution to enforce a no-fly zone. President Gaddafi called for a unilateral ceasefire as fighting is reported in Misrata.
ISAF targets Taliban commander linked to ‘suicide camps’ in Afghan north
The Taliban commander targeted in the raid is linked to foreign fighters and suicide training camps in the northern province of Sar-i-Pul.
Pakistan
General Kayani and Prime Minister Gilani denounced a US Predator strike in North Waziristan that killed 11 Taliban fighters, including a commander, and 21 tribal members in North Waziristan. The Taliban torched two NATO fuel tankers in Peshawar.
Afghanistan
Security forces killed more than 40 Taliban fighters in Helmand and Kunar and detained several more in Uruzgan and Khost. The Taliban killed two civilians in Uruzgan. The governor of Kunar escaped an assassination attempt.
Iraq
Insurgents killed four people in bombings in Baghdad and Tikrit. Security forces detained a senior leader of the Islamic State of Iraq who was behind attacks in Kirkuk and captured four wanted men in Al Kut.
Pakistan’s Army chief ‘condemns’ US Predator airstrike in Datta Khel
General Kayani said today’s Predator strike in Datta Khel was a “senseless attack” that targeted “a jirga of peaceful citizens including elders of the area.” A senior Taliban commander and 10 fighters were among those killed.
Somalia
Ten people were killed after Shabaab launched an attack on the town of Bula Hawo on the Kenyan border. Shabaab took control of the village of Dif and arrested 10 merchants in Sadow and accused them of selling drugs. The African Union jailed three Ugandan soldiers for killing civilians.
Yemen
The government claimed that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula attacked a police outpost in Marib, near where tribal members attacked an oil pipeline two days ago. Security officials said two policemen and three AQAP fighters were killed. Security forces arrested two AQAP members in Taiz.
Libya
Rebel forces repelled an assault by forces loyal to President Gaddafi in Ajdabiya, the gateway to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. The UN Security Council still continues to discuss a no-fly zone.
Egypt
The government has released Mohammad al Zawahiri, an Egyptian Islamic Jihad member and the brother of al Qaeda’s second in command, Ayman al Zawahiri. Scores of Egyptian Islamic Jihad members have been released from prison over the past several weeks.
US Predators strike again in al Qaeda stronghold of Datta Khel
The strike appears to have targeted a meeting between rival “militant” groups in North Waziristan, which was being hosted by tribal elders loyal to so-called “good Taliban” leader Hafiz Gul Bahadar.