Author Archives: Caleb Weiss

Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

Al Nusrah Front, allied rebels capture Syrian helicopter crew

Four of the crew are reported to have been captured with a fifth being executed on the spot. The fate of the sixth crew member remains unknown. No official statement has come from the Al Nusrah Front but the chopper went down in a Nusrah stronghold of Idlib province.



In pictures: Shiite militias operating near Tikrit

Several Shiite militias, which are supported by the Iranian Qods Force, and the Iraqi Security Forces have taken over several surrounding towns of Tikrit. These militias have published several photos and videos from these towns in recent days.


Rocket attack on UN base in Kidal kills 3, injures 12

The rocket barrage has not yet been claimed, but al Qaeda-affiliated groups have launched similar attacks on the UN in the past. This comes one day after a terrorist attack, perpetrated by group loyal to al Qaeda, occurred in Mali’s capital.



Iranian general at the forefront of the Tikrit offensive

Several photos have been released by the semi-official Iranian news agency Fars showing Qassem Soleimani on the battlefield near Tikrit. Other photos circulating on social media show the leader of the Qods Force with various Shiite militias taking part in the current offensive in central Iraq.






Islamic State releases video from al Baghdadi

In a video released by the jihadist group, its fighters are shown attacking near al Baghdadi in Iraq’s Anbar province. While it is unclear when the footage was shot, fighting is still raging for control of the town close to the al Asad airbase where over 300 US Marines are currently stationed.





Iyad Ag Ghaly reportedly in the Kidal region of Mali

Iyad Ag Ghaly, the reclusive leader of the Malian jihadist group Ansar Dine, is purported to be living freely in the Kidal region of Mali. A journalist for the German publication Der Spiegel met with the jihadist leader and his lieutenants.















Islamic State attacks the Al Walid border crossing

The attack was reported to have been repelled by Iraqi forces. The jihadist group has subsequently released photos claiming to show its fighters capturing the outpost, as well as a copious amount of weapons and ammunition.