The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham killed 26 people in a series of car bombings in Baghdad. An al Qaeda leader from Pakistan blew himself up as security forces raided his hideout in Tarmiyah. Security forces captured an al Qaeda leader in Kirkuk and six “infiltrators” in Al Qaim.
Three policemen and three al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters were killed in a clash in the city of Shahr in Hadramout province. Another report indicated that four soldiers were killed during the clash in Shahr, and female AQAP fighters thought to be from Saudi Arabia were detained.
The group has claimed three other attacks against Pakistani troops so far this year. A spokesman said today’s attack was executed to avenge Hakeemullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike.
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan’s condolences for the death of the commander of the Al Tawhid Brigade speaks volumes as to how the Syrian Islamist group is perceived by global jihadists.
US drones killed three al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in an airstrike on a car in the Ghayl Bawazir area near Mukallah, the provincial capital of Hadramout. The strike is the first in more than seven weeks. President Hadi indicated that he will seek a second term as president.
A car laden with explosives rammed into the gates of a police station in Beledweyne, allowing other jihadists to storm the compound.
The strike took place in an eastern province of Yemen where AQAP has been regrouping over the past year.
The escapes of two hostages highlight the differences between Boko Haram and splinter group Ansaru.
The Taliban killed seven children in an IED attack in Paktika and four civilians in bombings in Zabul and Kandahar. Security forces killed 10 Taliban fighters. The Afghan government is reportedly still balking over the language of the Bilateral Security Agreement with the US.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham killed 23 people in attacks throughout the country. In one attack in Tuz Khurmatu, a pair of suicide bombers killed five people. The government executed 12 men convicted on terrorism charges and captured a wanted al Qaeda leader near Mosul.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters killed eight policemen in an ambush near a checkpoint outside of the liquefied natural gas terminal in Balhaf. China is planning to build power plants and improve ports in Yemen.
The Taliban beheaded six construction workers in Kandahar, and killed two policemen in an IED attack in Kabul and an ISAF soldier in the south.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham killed 20 Iraqis, including two soldiers, in bombings in Baghdad, Radwaniyah, Madain, and Tarmiyah. In the attack in Madain, the brother of an Awakening leader was killed in a bombing at the commander’s home.
Yesterday’s attack, which targeted the meeting site of the Loya Jirga that will vote on the Bilateral Security Agreement with the US, killed 13 Afghans.
The attack occurred as President Karzai invited the Taliban and their allies to join the Loya Jirga to discuss the US-Afghan Bilateral Security Agreement.
Iraqi security forces captured an Ansar al Sunnah leader and 10 fighters in Kirkuk and four Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham operatives near Samarra, and destroyed an ISIS military camp near Rawah. The ISIS killed a child in an IED attack at the home of a policeman.
Abu Usama al Ansari also describes Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar as the “Emir of the Believers.” His group, Ansaru, was added to the US’ list of terrorist groups on Nov. 13.
A suicide bomber killed two policemen in an attack on a checkpoint in Ghazni. The Taliban killed two more civilians in an IED attack in Helmand. Jalaluddin Haqqani eulogized his son, Nasiruddin. The US canceled a purchase of Russian helicopters for the Afghan Air Force.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant killed 41 Iraqis in a series of attacks throughout the country. In one attack, a suicide bomber killed 32 Shia worshippers in the town of Saadiyah. In another, a sniper killed the mayor of Fallujah. Security forces captured “three important al Qaeda elements” in Ninewa.
Afghanistan: Insurgents in Herat about-face on peace, rejoin fight after release
Jalaluddin Haqqani praises the “martyrdom” of his son, Nasiruddin, and reinforces his group’s ties to Mullah Omar and the Afghan Taliban.
The Taliban killed three students in a bombing in Farah and an ISAF soldier in an IED attack in the south. The US transferred FOB Salerno in Khost to Afghan forces. The UN said the poppy harvest has increased by 36% since last year.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant killed 19 people in attacks near Tikrit and in Baqubah. In one attack, in Al Alam near Tikrit, a suicide bomber killed 10 people, including two policemen, at a checkpoint.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula vowed to back Salafists in the north who are battling Shia Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. A government-brokered cease fire between the Houthis and Salafists collapsed just one day after it was signed.
Boko Haram has adopted al Qaeda’s tactics and has communicated with top al Qaeda leaders to coordinate in the global jihad. Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter group, was also added to the terrorism list.
Ten Shabaab fighters were killed during clashes between two factions in Bulo-Mare. The United Nations approved the expansion of AMISOM forces to 22,000 troops. Government officials estimate that more than 300 people died during a cyclone that struck in Puntland.
Pakistani private schools ban Malala’s book
The Afghan Taliban’s official statement confirms the death of Nasiruddin, reinforces the point that the Haqqani Network is part of the Taliban, and dents the narrative that the Haqqanis operate only in Afghanistan.
Nasiruddin Haqqani, a top leader in the Haqqani Network, was gunned down in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Ministry of Interior claimed that 28 Taliban fighters were killed during operations throughout the country. Tribal leaders and clerics oppose the Bilateral Security Agreement with the US.
Insurgents killed five Iraqis in separate attacks in Mosul, Diyala, and Salahaddin. The bodies of two men who were tortured and then killed were found in Mosul and Salahaddin.