Iraqi military says it retakes control of key base in Tikrit
The military said that Camp Speicher is now back under its control after an Islamic State assault that took place last week.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Pakistan
The Pakistani military claimed it killed 28 foreign and local “militants” in airstrikes in the Shawal Valley in North Waziristan. Locals said that “nine women, six children and two civilian men” were killed in the airstrikes. The US is thought to have killed six al Qaeda operatives in the July 10 drone strike in the […]
6 al Qaeda operatives thought killed in recent drone strike in Pakistan
Sanafi al Nasr, a top al Qaeda leader based in Syria, named three jihadists killed in the “Khorasan.”
Afghanistan
The US killed 15 Taliban fighters in an airstrike in Logar. The strike was said to have been carried out by a drone. The Taliban killed two people in a motorcycle bombing in Logar.
Iraq
Twenty-seven people were killed in a series of bombings in Baghdad. In one attack, a suicide bomber killed nine people at a checkpoint. The Islamic State reportedly overran Camp Speicher outside of Tikrit. The group claimed to have destroyed nine aircraft and killed two senior officers and scores of troops. The Islamic State expelled Christians […]
Iraqi Army comes under attack in Haditha
Islamic State fighters overran a military outpost somewhere near the city of Haditha, one of the last areas in Anbar under Iraqi control.
Islamic State stones women to death in Raqqah
The Raqqah Division of the Islamic State stoned two women to death purportedly for committing adultery.
Islamic State storms Camp Speicher, routs Iraqi forces
The large military base was attacked two days after the retreat of the Iraqi military and allied militias following their failure to recapture Tikrit.
US drones target ‘Punjabi Taliban’ in North Waziristan strike
The US has launched three strikes in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan in the past 10 days, indicating that a top jihadist leader is thought to be operating there.
Iraq
UN accuses Islamic State of executions, rape, child abuse in Iraq
Afghanistan
Four Taliban fighters were killed while launching rocket attacks on Kabul International Airport. The Interior Ministry accused the Haqqani Network and Pakistan’s military intelligence service of directing the Kabul attack. The Taliban killed two civilians in a rocket attack in Kunar. General Dunford warned that al Qaeda is likely to return in force to Afghanistan.
Iraq
An Islamic State suicide bomber from Australia killed five people in an attack at a Shia mosque in Baghdad. Islamic State fighters set up a sophisticated ambush to repel government forces in their attempt to take control of Tikrit.
Yemen
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters killed two policemen in an attack on a police camp in Baydah. Two policemen were kidnapped in Baydah two days ago. At least 35 people were killed as government forces battled Shia Houthi rebels in Amran over the past several days.
Australian Islamic State suicide bomber attacks Shia shrine in Baghdad
The Baghdad Division of the Islamic State claimed that Abu Bakr al Australi detonated his vest at a Shia mosque in the Shorja district.
Iraq
Weeks of combat in Iraq show Shiite militias have few offensive capabilities
Iraq
For Iraq, debacle in Tikrit as forces walk into trap set by militants
Iraq
Top Marine commander: Iraq chaos shows costs of US withdrawal
Islamic State, allies blunt Iraqi offensive to retake Tikrit
Iraqi military units, SWAT units, and Shia militias withdrew from Tikrit after facing heavy fire. It is the second failed attempt to retake the city.
US launches another drone strike in North Waziristan
The strike is the second in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan in the past week.
Taliban leader Adnan Rasheed reported captured in South Waziristan
Rasheed leads the Taliban’s Ansar al Aseer Khorasan (“Helpers of the Prisoners”) and also claimed to have formed a suicide team to kill former President Musharraf.
US adds Norwegian AQAP bomb maker to list of terrorists
Anders Cameroon Ostensvig Dale, a Norwegian who joined al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in 2008, is thought to have been trained under AQAP bomb maker Ibrahim al Asiri or one of his lieutenants.
US advisers give dark assessment of state of Iraqi military
At least four divisions from the Iraqi Army have dissolved, and the remaining force is suspect.
Iraq
Expansion of ‘secret’ facility in Iraq suggests closer US-Kurd ties
Islamic State routs Iraqi armored column in Anbar
Several M1A1 tanks and M113 armored personnel carriers were destroyed. The ambush highlights the deteriorating state of the Iraqi security forces.
Afghanistan
Fifteen Taliban fighters and seven security personnel were killed in fighting in Laghman. Ten Taliban and seven policemen were killed in clashes in Ghor. The Taliban killed eight civilians in an IED attack in Kandahar and two Afghan soldiers in a bombing in Nangarhar.
Iraq
The government is sending 4,000 Shia militiamen to serve in Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar. Human Rights Watch said the Iraqi military executed 255 prisoners to retaliate for Islamic State murders. Secretary of Defense Hagel said the US is not coordinating military operations in Iraq with Iran or Russia.
Iraq
Iraqi soldier tells of desertion as militants attacked refinery: ‘Our officers sold us out’
Iraq
In Iraq, death toll rises among Shiite recruits battling insurgency
Australian cleric who claimed to join Islamic State captured in Philippines
Musa Cerantonio claimed he arrived in Syria on July 3, but he was recently arrested in Cebu.
Afghanistan
The Taliban killed six de-miners in an attack on a convoy in Herat and a general in a magnetic mine attack in Kabul. The European Union said the results of the presidential election must be audited. The United Nations said civilian casualties are the highest they have been since 2009.