Islamic State video purportedly shows fight with Shabaab
The Islamic State released its first video footage of a clash with Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia and East Africa.
Author Archives: Caleb Weiss
Islamic State claims clashes with Shabaab in Somalia
The Islamic State claims to have killed 14 members of Shabaab, al Qaeda’s arm in Somalia.
AQIM emir confirms death of jihadist commander in Mali
AQIM leader Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud has confirmed that Almansour Ag Kassam (Almansour Ag Alkassoum), an important jihadist who worked with several al Qaeda groups, was killed by France in November.
Shabaab claims assassination of Somali generals
Shabaab killed two Somali generals who were leading a military offensive against the group in the Lower Shabelle region, south of Mogadishu.
Islamic State continues its rampage in northeastern Nigeria
The Islamic State West Africa is progressing in its violent campaign against the Nigerian state in the northeast, as it continues to claim victories against the military.
Islamic State claims control over village in northeast Nigeria
ISWA continues to defy announcements by the Nigerian government of its defeat.
JNIM claims suicide bombing in northern Mali
Monday’s suicide bombing in Gao was the first claimed suicide bombing of JNIM since July.
Shabaab claims series of suicide bombings in Mogadishu
Much like other assaults on popular hotels, restaurants, or various targets inside Mogadishu, Shabaab was quick to claim credit for the operation on social media.
Uighur jihadist group trains with elite unit
Katibat Ghuraba al Turkistan, a smaller predominately Uighur jihadist group in northwestern Syria, recently trained with the elite Malhama Tactical thereby not only raising its credentials, but also its battlefield prowess.
JNIM official warns competing militia groups in northern Mali
The jihadist leader’s speech, while new, continued previous mantras used by JNIM and its predecessor organizations against the various armed militias operating in northern Mali.
Al Qaeda branch claims IED attack on Tunisian soldiers
The IED claim is the group’s first since July and just the second attack claim of the year for the small Tunisian Al Qaeda wing.
JNIM portrays its fight as part of Al Qaeda’s global jihad
As JNIM rallies its members and supporters against France and Mali, it depicts the fight with the two countries as part of al Qaeda’s wider global jihad.
Shabaab targets Italian troops in Mogadishu with suicide bombing
Today’s suicide bombings marks one of the first times European Union troops have been targeted by Shabaab.
Uzbek group shows spoils from Afghan base
Katibat Imam al Bukhari released two sets of photos this month showing captured weapons from overran Afghan military posts.
Shabaab targets local government headquarters with suicide bombing
Today’s suicide bombing on a district headquarters in Mogadishu comes only a week after a similar attack on another district headquarters in the Somali capital.
Hezbollah commemorates last year’s joint operation with Lebanese, Syrian militaries
Despite official Lebanese claims to the contrary, the photos recently released by Hezbollah offer more evidence of how its forces coordinated with the Lebanese military in last year’s battle near Arsal.
France kills top Islamic State in the Greater Sahara commander in northern Mali
In a military operation yesterday, the French reportedly killed a top Tuareg commander for the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara in Mali’s northern Menaka region.
Islamic State releases photos from deadly raid on military base near Lake Chad
The Islamic State’s West African province has gone on a recent spate of assaults on military bases in northeastern Nigeria.
State designates Iran-based Bahraini militant as terrorist
This now makes two Iranian-based leaders of Bahraini militant group Saraya al Ashtar, or the Al Ashtar Brigades, to be designated as global terrorists by the US State Department.
Veteran Malian jihadist surrenders to Algeria
Sultan Ould Bady, a veteran jihadist within various al Qaeda groups in Mali and later the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, turned himself in to the Algerian military yesterday.
Shabaab claims deadly IED blast in Kenya
Shabaab continues to claim deadly attacks on Kenyan Defense Forces inside Kenya despite military operations against it.
Foreign Islamic State fighters captured by Taliban in Jawzjan
The video, which purports to show several foreign Islamic State militants surrendering to the Taliban, allows for a more detailed look at the composition of the group in northern Afghanistan.
Shabaab releases photos from inside joint US-Somali-Kenyan base
If the photos are confirmed, Shabaab was able to wrestle brief control over the base yesterday. This contradicts official statements released by Somali officials about the assault.
Shabaab again assaults base where US soldier died
The same base where a US Special Forces soldier was killed last month was again targeted by Shabaab, this time with two suicide truck bombs.
Islamic State releases photos from Jowzjan battles with the Taliban
The photo-set is at least the second this month showing clashes with the Taliban in the Afghan north.
Analysis: Jihadist exploitation of communal violence in Mali
Rising communal violence in both northern and central Mali further weakens the already fragile state, which in turn, further helps jihadists exploit these problems for their own gain.
Shabaab targets presidential palace with suicide assault
Saturday’s suicide attack on the presidential compound in Mogadishu came just a week after a similar strike was conducted on Somalia’s Ministry of Interior.
US adds Iranian-supported Bahraini militia to terrorism list
The US Department of State added Saraya al Ashtar, an Iranian-supported group that openly flaunts its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps affiliation, to its list of global terrorists.
Iraqi Shia militia ‘willing to send fighters to Yemen’
The Secretary-General of Kata’ib Sayyid al Shuhada, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, said he is a “soldier” of Abdel Malek al Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement.
Al Qaeda wing ambushes police officers in northern Tunisia
Yesterday’s ambush was the highest death toll in a terrorist attack in the country since the Islamic State’s foray into Ben Gardane in March 2016.