JNIM targets French troops in suicide assault
JNIM claims its first suicide bombing of the year on French troops in the Timbuktu region of northern Mali.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
US launches airstrike on Islamic State in Somalia
Yesterday’s drone strike was the first US airstrike on the Islamic State in Somalia this year.
Shabaab tries to assassinate top general in Somalia
Shabaab’s suicide bombing against Somalia’s top general is the latest in the group’s recent attacks against government officials. The bombing also continues the current spate of increased suicide bombings across the country.
Taliban attempts to cover up images posted by an Uzbek jihadist group in Afghanistan
The Taliban denies that an Uzbek jihadist group, Katibat Imam al-Bukhari (KIB), operates in Afghanistan. The Taliban falsely asserts that photos recently posted by the KIB were “falsified by anti-peace circles.”
Uzbek jihadist group claims capture of Afghan militiamen
Katibat Imam al-Bukhari, a Taliban-loyal Uzbek group that operates in both Afghanistan and Syria, again promotes its Afghanistan operations. This comes as the Taliban has attempted to deny the presence of foreign fighters inside the country.
ISCAP Ambushes UN Peacekeepers in the DRC, Exploits Coronavirus
The Islamic State’s Central African Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a rapid expansion in claimed activity in recent months. At the same time, it has tried to exploit the global coronavirus pandemic to recruit individuals.
Shabaab hits Somali, Turkish bases with suicide bombings
In the span of four days, the Al Qaeda branch has claimed the use of two suicide car bombings on Somali and Turkish military bases in two different areas of Somalia.
AQIM confirms leader’s death
AQIM has released an audio message confirming the death of its longtime emir, Abdulmalek Droukdel.
Jihadist group confirms arrest of Uzbek commander
Jabhat Ansar al Din has confirmed that Abu Saloh al Uzbeki, the former leader of HTS’ Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, has indeed been arrested by his former group.
Hay’at Tahrir al Sham reportedly arrests Uzbek jihadist leader
Abu Saloh, the founder and first emir of Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, was arrested by HTS yesterday after the jihadist reportedly failed to pay his debts.
Jihadists target military outpost in Ivory Coast
While JNIM has not claimed the assault, its Katibat Macina is widely suspected of perpetrating the attack. This comes after sustained operations against it in the area last month.
Islamic State in Somalia suffers setbacks despite uptick in claimed activity
The month of May saw a relative spike in Islamic State claims inside Somalia compared to earlier months. However, this comes in the backdrop of several Puntland security operations against it.
Shabaab targets African Union, Kenyan troops in southern Somalia
The Al Qaeda branch claims its men enacted “heavy losses” to AMISOM and Kenyan troops in southern Somalia. African Union troops and the Somali government have stated otherwise, however.
Houthis allege capture of Al Qaeda base in northern Yemen
Houthis report to have captured an al Qaeda base in one of its historical strongholds in the country. No independent verification of this event, however, has yet been reported.
Al Qaeda, Islamic State strike across the Sahel
The two jihadist groups continue their rampage in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Islamic State claims first attack in island nation of Maldives
The Islamic State in Syria has drawn on Maldivian jihadists since 2014, now it seems the group’s violence has spread back to the island nation.
Iranian-backed group in Bahrain celebrates anniversary of deadly bombing
The group celebrates a March 2014 bombing which killed two Bahraini and one Emirati policemen.
JNIM kills dozens in Mali base attack
The attack in Mali’s northern Gao region is one of the deadliest in recent months.
Houthis report capture of province bordering Saudi Arabia
The capture of large parts of al Jawf allows the Houthis to focus on neighboring Ma’rib, where the internationally recognized Hadi government contests for power in the north.
Jihadists discuss coronavirus, offer advice
As the world continues to deal with the spread of COVID-19, jihadists have taken it upon themselves to exploit the situation for their own political gain and to offer advice to their own members.
Houthis increase use of suicide drone boats in recent weeks
Not only have the Houthis utilized this tactic more in recent weeks, but the insurgency has also exported the drones to the Arabian Sea.
Uzbek jihadist group congratulates Taliban for ‘victory’ in Afghanistan
Abu Yusuf al Muhajir, the emir of Katibat Imam al Bukhari’s Syrian wing, sends a letter of congratulations to the Taliban for its ‘victory’ in Afghanistan.
Hezbollah Brigades official warns Iraqis of working with American troops
The security official of Iran’s proxy group Kata’ib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) gives Iraqi contractors until March 15 to stop working with US troops.
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reports killing Lebanese Hezbollah operatives near Sana’a
Over the last two weeks, the Saudi-led coalition and its allies have reported killing several members of Lebanese Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Yemen.
Analysis: JNIM addresses detractors, sends message of unity
Two recently released booklets by the al Qaeda group are likely meant to assuage tensions both within and outside its organization.
HTS utilizes suicide bombings against advancing regime forces
Since the beginning of the year, Hay’at Tahrir al Sham has utilized at least 12 suicide bombers in defense of Idlib from advancing regime forces.
Jihadists in central Mali pledge allegiance to new Islamic State leader
It is unclear if the unit represents a splinter of al Qaeda’s JNIM, though the group now represents an Islamic State-loyal faction close to the borders with Mauritania.
JNIM targets military bases in central Mali
The al Qaeda group has claimed a series of attacks across the Sahel in recent weeks.
Houthis kill over 100 Yemeni soldiers in missile, drone attack on base
The strike is one of the deadliest attacks in the conflict since 2014.
Ansaru publicly returns to Nigeria
The attack, the group’s first since 2013, announces its operational return to Nigeria.