Shabaab overruns Somali military base
Shabaab continues its gains in southern Somalia despite large-scale presence of African Union troops.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
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.
Turkistan Islamic Party continues to train children in Syria
While the Islamic State gets most of the attention for its training of children, several other jihadist groups in Syria, many of which foreign al Qaeda groups, also do the same.
Ansar Dine claims four attacks in Mali
Al Qaeda groups operating in Mali continue to be a threat to both local and regional security.
Iraqi Shia militias show US-made equipment on road to Samarra
Iranian-backed Shia militias in Iraq continue to showcase both the ownership and usage of US-made vehicles and equipment.
French special forces target al Qaeda commanders in Mali
The raids targeted AQIM field commander Abu al Nour al Andalusi, a Spanish national, and the Saudi spokesman for Al Murabitoon, Abu Dujana al Qasimi. Neither the French nor AQIM have commented on the raids, which are said to have occurred in recent days.
Filipino forces kill 42 jihadists with Islamic State ties
The Philippines continue to face residual threats from jihadist groups, including several who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Shabaab threatens more attacks in Kenya
Shabaab’s leader in Kenya warns jihadists will turn the country’s flag red with “the blood that we will spill in Kenya.”
Islamic State claims killing Algerian soldiers
Despite facing a large crackdown from the Algerian military, the Islamic State’s branch still claims sporadic attacks in the country.
Ansar al Islam battles Kurds in Aleppo
Despite being forced largely underground in Iraq, Ansar al Islam continues to operate in Syria against regime and now Kurdish forces.
AQIM confirms death of former MUJAO spokesman
Despite having initially denied his death, AQIM finally confirms the death of one of its former spokesmen two years after his reported death.
Philippines-based jihadist groups pledge allegiance to the Islamic State
While jihadist groups in the Philippines were thought to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State since late 2014, a video released last month by Islamic State supporters in the country confirmed these speculations. In a video released a few days ago by an Islamic State media outlet, the jihadist group officially recognized the pledges.
Jihadists launch assaults on UN, Malian forces in northern Mali
The UN’s mission in Mali continues to be one of the most dangerous peacekeeping operations in the world.
Iranian-backed militia seen with US tank in Iraq
The photo offers more evidence of another Iranian-backed militia in Iraq owning and using a US-made M1 Abrams tank.
UN, Malian forces retake police base captured by jihadists
Attacks like this continue to show that the security situation inside Mali, especially in the north and increasingly in the south, is still volatile despite a French-led counterterrorism mission and an UN peacekeeping force inside the country.
Over 100 female suicide bombers used in West Africa since June 2014
As the jihadist group continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria and into neighboring states, the Islamic State’s West African province continues to utilize women and girls as suicide bombers. The use of females makes it easier for the jihadist group to conduct these attacks.
Ansar Dine highlights attack on Tuareg separatists in Mali
The attack last month comes as tensions between Ansar Dine, a Tuareg al Qaeda group, and several Tuareg separatist groups in northern Mali have escalated.
Shabaab showcases attacks in Kenya in new video
The video, which was focused on the legality of providing protection and killing the non-believers, features two undated ambushes on Kenyan security forces. Additionally, the video also calls for attacks on Israelis.
Shabaab targets popular Mogadishu beach resort
The jihadist group has long targeted hotels in Mogadishu, as they are popular with governmental and African Union officials and foreigners.
Shabaab releases photos from captured African Union base
Despite contradictory claims made by Kenya, the photo report appears to confirm a large number of Kenyan troops were killed in the attack.
AQIM takes Australian couple hostage in northern Burkina Faso
The Al Qaeda group continues to take Western hostages throughout the Sahara and the Sahel.
Al Qaeda’s hotel siege ends in West Africa
Despite a French-led counterterrorism mission throughout the Sahara and Sahel, Al Qaeda has been able to retain the ability to launch attacks in Mali and increasingly in neighboring countries.
Al Qaeda attacks hotel in Burkina Faso
The Al Qaeda groups continue to strike at popular hotels throughout West Africa.
Shabaab overruns African Union base in southern Somalia
Despite being pushed out of several of its urban and rural strongholds, the Al Qaeda branch continues to prove its potency in the capture of the African Union base.
Islamic State West Africa launches coordinated assaults in northeast Nigeria
The coordinated assaults are likely intended to show that the jihadist group is still able to mount such attacks, despite some claims to the contrary.
Al Qaeda group strikes in northern Mali
The attacks on the Tuareg National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad are likely an attempt to destabilize the movement and the region after several other Tuareg separatist movements signed a peace deal with the Malian government earlier this year.