Iraq
Iraq reconciliation would help counter Islamic State – US military
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
US drone strike targets Shabaab’s external operations chief
Yusuf Dheeq, the head of Shabaab’s Amniyat, which directs the group’s intelligence and external operations activities, was the target of the strike. His fate is unknown.
Canada
Canadian police arrest man, charge him with aiding Islamic State
Argentina
Argentina prosecutor Nisman ‘planned warrant’ for President Fernandez
France
Three French soldiers attacked outside Jewish centre
Islamic State burns captured Jordanian pilot alive
First Lieutenant Mu’adh Yusuf al Kasasibah was burned alive in a cage by Islamic State fighters.
Pakistani Taliban emir for Bajaur joins Islamic State
Maulana Abu Bakr, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan’s emir for Bajaur, swore allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the “caliph” of the Islamic State.
Iraq
US, allies plan tough battle to retake Iraqi city from Islamic State
Islamic State
Pilot held by Islamic State puts Jordan’s king in a tough spot
Yemen
Yemen’s Houthis give parties three days to solve crisis
Al Nusrah Front
Deadly bus bombing hits central Damascus
Iraq
Almost 1,400 Iraqis killed in January violence
US drones kill 4 AQAP fighters in southern Yemen
The strike is the second this week, and is an indication that the US counterterrorism program in Yemen will continue despite the Houthi takeover of the capital.
Coalition kills Islamic State ‘chemical weapons engineer’
Abu Malik was associated with al Qaeda in Iraq and then the Islamic State for a decade before he was killed.
Al Qaeda
Hagel: Gitmo transfers caused friction with some at White House
Al Qaeda
Hagel: Gitmo transfers caused friction with some at White House
Iraq
Islamic State seizes oil facility in northern Iraq, 15 workers missing
Egypt
Egypt court rules Hamas armed wing ‘terror group’
European Union
EU countries could hire PR firms to beat back Islamic State
Afghanistan
White House declines to call Afghan Taliban ‘terrorists’
Jundallah
At least 55 killed in blast at Shikarpur imambargah (Pakistan)
Al Qaeda
US drone strategy in trouble as Yemeni al Qaeda gathers support
Islamic State admits its forces withdrew from Kobane
Two fighters featured in an Islamic State video credited the air campaign by the US-led Coalition with forcing their retreat.
Taliban claim insider attack at Kabul Airport that killed 3 US contractors
The commander of police at the airport confirmed that a guard killed the three contractors. The green-on-blue or insider attack is the first of its kind recorded so far this year.
Iraq
Beyond front lines in Iraq, a forgotten force faces Islamic State
Afghanistan
1 of the Taliban 5 back in the game
Afghanistan
Officials: Detainee swapped for Bergdahl suspected of militant activities
Iran
Survivors say Iraqi forces watched as Shi’ite militias executed 72 Sunnis
Hezbollah
Israel, Hezbollah signal their flare-up is over
Iraq
Islamic State purportedly sets new deadline for hostage swap