Shabaab claims attacks in northeast Kenya
Shabaab, al Qaeda’s official branch in Somalia and East Africa, continues to be a capable insurgent and terrorist group in the region.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
Islamic State claims suicide attack on presidential guards in Tunisian capital
The Islamic State has claimed three attacks in the North African country. The latest, a suicide bombing, was intended to show that Tunisia is not safe, according to the jihadist group.
Al Nusrah Front fights Iraqi militia in Aleppo
Iranian-backed Shia militias are fighting for Assad in Aleppo as regime forces, backed by Hezbollah and Russian airstrikes, try to push back jihadists and rebels in the northern province.
Jihadists storm Radisson hotel in Malian capital
The attackers were heard yelling “Allahu Akbar” and separated Muslims from non-Muslims. The hostage crisis is the second to occur in Mali this year, but the first to occur in its capital. Jihadists have increasingly been able to penetrate southern Mali after a French-led counterterrorism mission in the north.
Al Nusrah Front shows captured Humvees in Aleppo
The photos mark one of the first times a Humvee has been captured by a jihadist group in Syria, and indicate that Iraqi militias have transported US-made military hardware from Iraq to Syria.
AQAP shows fighting in strategic Yemeni city in new video
In the midst of fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has been able to capitalize on the chaos and gain territory in Yemen.
Turkistan Islamic Party shows US-made machine gun, captured drone
The Uighur group continues to fight alongside Al Nusrah Front, an official branch of al Qaeda, in northwestern Syria.
Chechen group says it took ‘spoils’ from Russian forces in Syria
The predominately Chechen group also says it fighters recaptured a hill from Russian forces in the Latakia province in recent days.
Islamic State trains with American armored vehicles in Iraq
Photos released by the jihadist group show its “Third Armored Brigade” using US-made MRAPs to train in northern Iraq.
Shabaab targets Mogadishu hotel in suicide assault
Shabaab continues to demonstrate that it can penetrate high-security areas in Mogadishu, even after losing many of its major urban strongholds in southern and central Somalia.
Malian al Qaeda leader threatens France in audio statement
The reclusive leader of Ansar Dine, an al Qaeda group that operates in Mali, has resurfaced again to threaten the French and dismiss the latest peace deal with the Tuaregs in Mali.
Shabaab photo release shows aftermath of ambush in central Somalia
While most Shabaab attacks are located in the capital of Mogadishu or in the south, the jihadist group maintains the ability to launch operations in the country’s central regions.
Islamic State promotes training camps in ‘Khorasan’
While the locations of the Shaykh Abu Omar al Baghdadi and Shaykh Abu Musab al Zarqawi camps are unknown, they are likely situated in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, where the jihadist group has established a presence.
Qods Force commander photographed with Iraqi militia in Aleppo
The photo comes just days after Soleimani was spotted in Latakia addressing Iranian and Syrian troops. The Syrian regime also relies on Shiite militias from Iraq and elsewhere, which are often trained and advised by the Iranian Qods Force.
Turkistan Islamic Party shows fighters on frontlines in northwestern Syria
The Uighur jihadist group plays a role in assisting Al Qaeda in northwestern Syria.
Abu Sayyaf Group shows Western hostages in new video
The Philippines-based jihadist group is notorious for taking Western hostages in southeast Asia.
AQIM battalion attacks Tunisian soldiers in Kasserine
While Tunisia has made claims the Uqba bin Nafi battalion has been defeated, the al Qaeda group remains a threat to the country’s security.
Islamic State West Africa targets Nigerian army in new video
The video showing an attack on Nigerian troops in Borno state was released as the jihadist group killed over 30 in suicide attacks in neighboring Chad.
Shabaab photo report shows attack on Somali base
Despite being pushed out of its major urban strongholds, the al Qaeda branch continues to be a potent threat inside Somalia.
Crimean Jamaat reportedly pledges allegiance to Al Nusrah Front
The ranks of the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, continue to swell with foreign fighters.
5 female suicide bombers strike in Nigeria
The Islamic State West Africa has routinely used women and girls to execute suicide attacks in the region. The group has deployed at least 52 female suicide bombers since June 2014. It is likely some of these women and girls were kidnapped and indoctrinated to conduct attacks.
Uzbek group pledges allegiance to Al Nusrah Front
The mainly Uzbek group, Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, has formally pledged allegiance to Al Nusrah Front. However, it was always under al Qaeda’s influence.
Photos show Taliban in control of Kunduz city
Photos released on Twitter by Taliban fighters and supporters show the jihadist group in control over the northern city. The Taliban raised its white banner over several buildings in Kunduz.
The Islamic State West Africa continues to utilize women as suicide bombers
The group, formerly known as Boko Haram, has used at least 47 women as suicide bombers since June 2014.
Gulf states continue to pay price in Yemen despite advances
While the Saudi-led coalition has made gains towards the proclaimed Houthi capital in Sanaa, the Iranian-backed Shiites continue to hit the coalition hard in both Yemen and southern Saudi Arabia.
Turkistan Islamic Party releases photos from captured Syrian regime airbase
The Uighur jihadist group, with its longstanding ties to al Qaeda, continues to play a pivotal role assisting Al Nusrah Front in northwestern Syria.
Shabaab photo release details attack on AMISOM base
The photos show Shabaab’s Sheikh Abu Zubayr Battalion again overrunning an African Union base in Somalia.
AQIM battalion claims ‘fewer than 10’ members defected to Islamic State
Yesterday, the Islamic State claimed that AQIM’s entire Al Ansar Battalion in Algeria had defected. In a statement released online today, AQIM responds by saying that fewer than 10 fighters from the battalion have joined Abu Bakr al Baghdadi’s cause.
Saudi al Qaeda cleric showcases training camp for children in Syria
While the Islamic State gets most of the attention for the training camps it runs for children, it is not the only jihadist group in Syria that does so.
AQIM highlights attack on UN troops in Mali
The video shows an attack on a convoy between Goundam and Timbuktu in northern Mali in July.