Ansar Dine shows captured Malian army soldiers
Despite not previously reporting taking hostages during last month’s attack in Nampala, Ansar Dine is now claiming to have captured five Malian soldiers during the large-scale assault.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
Malian military base targeted in southern Mali
The assault is one of the largest on a Malian military base in recent years, and has left twice as many Malian soldiers dead as last year’s attack on the same base.
Shabaab reportedly recaptures southern port city
The jihadist group has again reportedly recaptured the strategic port city of Marka. However, African Union forces have denied that they have withdrawn from the city.
Foreign jihadists advertise role in Latakia fighting
The foreign jihadists are operating within Jaysh al Fateh’s renewed offensive in Latakia, in which several Free Syrian Army groups are also taking part.
Shabaab defectors claim German jihadist is dead
While the claim cannot be confirmed, the German jihadist is wanted by the Kenyan government for his roles in several attacks in the country.
Islamic State claims Jordan suicide bombing
This suicide bombing is the first attack of its kind in Jordan since the civil war in Syria began.
The Islamic State grows in the Philippines
The video is the culmination of the Islamic State’s build up of its propaganda and activity in the region.
Foreign fighter group pledges allegiance to Al Nusrah Front
Jaish Muhammad is the latest foreign fighter group to join the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria.
Islamic State details activity in the Philippines
The infographic gives information on how many Filipino troops have been killed in Islamic State operations and how many “fighting battalions” it has in the country.
Al Qaeda has launched more than 100 attacks in West Africa in 2016
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and associated groups have unleashed a string of attacks in Mali and elsewhere in West Africa this year.
Uzbek groups part of new offensive in southern Aleppo
The two Uzbek groups are fighting with the Jaysh al Fateh coalition as part of its renewed offensive in southern Aleppo.
Islamic State-loyal groups claim attacks on Filipino military
With increased social media presence and video and news releases by official Islamic State channels, Islamic State presence, activity, and interest in the Philippines is growing.
Iranian Qods Force leader reportedly in Fallujah
The photo shows Soleimani’s and the militias dependent on Iran’s importance in the fight for Fallujah.
Video shows Hezbollah Brigades convoy heading for Fallujah
The Hezbollah Brigades will likely join other Iranian-backed groups in the fighting for Fallujah when the operation to recapture the city officially begins.
Ansar Dine’s branch in southern Mali releases first video
The first video promises to be the first of many of Ansar Dine’s southern branch. Ansar Dine’s Katibat Macina, which is more commonly known as the Macina Liberation Front, is integrated within al Qaeda’s larger strategy for Mali and West Africa.
Caucasus Emirate in Syria fighting in Aleppo
The small Chechen and North Caucasian group loyal to the Caucasus Emirate continues to highlight its presence in Aleppo.
Islamic State claims suicide bombing in Maiduguri
Despite being pushed back in several places of northeastern Nigeria, the attack still proves that the Islamic State West Africa, formerly known as Boko Haram, can still strike in heavily guarded areas.
Islamic State launches mobile app for children
The mobile app is designed to teach the Arabic alphabet to children of Islamic State supporters around the world. The vocabulary featured within the application is littered with jihadist and militaristic terminology.
Uzbek al Qaeda battalion trains ‘commandos’ in Aleppo
The fighters shown training in urban Aleppo in the video are part of the Uzbek battalion’s ‘commando forces’ in Aleppo.
AQAP identifies two Australian fighters killed in drone strike
The two Australians were reportedly killed in a drone strike in November 2013 with several others, including a veteran al Qaeda member.
Uzbek group showcases fighting Kurds in Aleppo
The Uzbek Imam Bukhari Jamaat joins several other jihadist groups and rebel factions in the battle for the Aleppo neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsud.
Jihadists strike across northern Mali
Jihadists in Mali continue to prove their potency in the north by launching a spate of attacks in recent days. One such assault left a French special forces soldier dead and three others wounded.
Islamic State West Africa reaffirms loyalty to al Baghdadi
The jihadist group also implies that its leader, Abubakar Shekau, is still alive and leading the Islamic State West Africa after rumors of his demise.
Tunisian Al Qaeda battalion claims ambush near Algerian border
The Tunisian state continues to face a jihadist threat from both the Kasserine region and what is emanating from the Libyan border.
Shabaab overruns Somali military base
Shabaab continues its gains in southern Somalia despite large-scale presence of African Union troops.
Abu Sayyaf Group battalion defects to Islamic State
The Jund al Tawhid Battalion makes at least three Abu Sayyaf Group battalions to have defected to the Islamic State. However, it is still unclear if the entirety of Abu Sayyaf has done so.
AQIM claims attack on Algerian gas plant
AQIM says the attack is meant to show that it can target Algeria in “whatever area we want, and to let you know that your fortifications that you have made will not prevent the strikes of the mujahideen from reaching you.”
Islamic State claims killing Russian soldiers at Palmyra
The Syrian regime is trying to recapture the city and Russian troops appear to be helping in the endeavor. This also comes just days after Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will be withdrawing the “main part” of its forces in Syria.
AQIM targets beach resort in Ivory Coast
Al Qaeda continues to prioritize targeting hotels, which are considered soft targets, across the African continent. AQIM has launched assaults on several hotels in West Africa in recent months, while Shabaab regularly targets hotels in Somalia.
Caucasus Emirate in Syria highlights role in Aleppo fighting
The small North Caucasian group does not play a significant role in the fighting, however, its inclusion is still important as it provides extra manpower to al Qaeda and its other allies against the regime and Kurdish forces.