Islamic State’s ‘provinces’ claim attacks in Egypt, Libya
In statements posted on Twitter earlier today, the Islamic State’s “provinces” in Egypt and Libya claimed recent attacks in both countries.
Author Archives: Thomas Joscelyn
Captured Shabaab official previously identified as group’s ‘chief of intelligence’
Somali officials have reportedly captured Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, who has been identified by the State Department as Shabaab’s “chief of intelligence.” The UN has said that another Shabaab official held that role.
4 Gitmo detainees transferred to Afghanistan are veteran insurgents, files allege
On Dec. 20, the Defense Department announced the transfer of four Afghans to their home country. Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) deemed all four to be “high” risks to the US, its interests and allies. All four are veteran insurgents, according to JTF-GTMO.
Al Qaeda condemns Pakistani Taliban’s attack on Peshawar school
The spokesman for al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has released a statement condemning the Pakistani Taliban’s attack on a Peshawar school earlier this week, calling it “un-Islamic.”
Egyptian jihadists thank State Department for ‘blessing’ of terrorist designation
Ajnad Misr says in a statement that the US is the real “terrorist” organization, and claims to be fighting a “global system” that seeks to thwart the revolution in Egypt. The group’s rhetoric is similar to al Qaeda’s.
State Department designates Egyptian jihadist group, ex-Gitmo detainee
The State Department today added Ajnad Misr, an Egyptian jihadist group, and Ibrahim Rubaish, a senior al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) official, to the US government’s list of specially designated global terrorists.
Mass grave of Islamic State’s victims reportedly found in eastern Syria
A mass grave of approximately 230 Sheitaat tribesmen has been reportedly found in eastern Syria. The tribe has been battling the Islamic State since earlier this year.
Afghan Taliban releases statement condemning attack on Pakistani school
The Afghan Taliban has released a statement condemning the Pakistani Taliban’s attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar.
6 Guantanamo detainees transferred to Uruguay were part of al Qaeda’s network, files allege
Intelligence cited in leaked Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) threat assessments link the six recently transferred Guantanamo detainees to Abu Zubaydah and al Qaeda.
Representative of Ayman al Zawahiri reportedly captured in Turkey
Abd al Baset Azzouz, an al Qaeda operative who served as Ayman al Zawahiri’s representative in Libya, was captured in Turkey in mid-November. Azzouz is reportedly being investigated for his possible ties to the Sept. 11, 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi.
Islamic State supporters advertise Sinai as jihadist destination
The Islamic State’s supporters are encouraging young jihadist recruits to travel to the Sinai. According to one online jihadist, the Islamic State’s expansion into the Sinai and throughout North Africa will facilitate the “liquidating” of the Jews.
Ex-Gitmo ‘poet’ now recruiting for the Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost was once held at Guantanamo. Today, he is recruiting for the Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dost claims he had a vision at Guantanamo predicting the coming caliphate.
5 transferred Gitmo detainees served al Qaeda, leaked files allege
The Defense Department announced the transfer of five Guantanamo detainees yesterday. According to leaked threat assessments prepared by Joint Task Force Guantanamo, all five served al Qaeda. Four of the five were deemed either “high” or “medium to high” risks.
AQAP rejects Islamic State’s ‘caliphate,’ blasts group for sowing dissent among jihadists
Harith bin Ghazi al Nadhari, a senior AQAP sharia official, directly responds to a Nov. 13 speech by the Islamic State’s Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Nadhari says that Baghdadi’s caliphate is illegitimate and criticizes him for trying to split the jihadists’ ranks around the world.
Jihadist group ‘Soldiers of Egypt’ claims responsibility for attack on police near university
Ajnad Misr, the “Soldiers of Egypt,” claimed today’s bombing of a police post near Helwan University in Cairo. The group has repeatedly targeted security personnel at universities.
UN recognizes ties between Ansar al Sharia in Libya, al Qaeda
The United Nations has added the Ansar al Sharia chapters in Benghazi and Derna to its al Qaeda sanctions list, explicitly recognizing their ties to each other, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and other al Qaeda-linked groups.
Analysis: Islamic State snuff videos help to attract more followers
Brutal beheading videos attract young militants to the Islamic State. But the group’s leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi has struggled to recruit established jihadists.
Islamic State releases new execution video, purportedly kills American
The Islamic State has released a new execution video highlighting the mass beheadings of Syrian soldiers captured by the group. An Islamic State executioner also claims to have killed Peter Kassig, an American who was kidnapped in Syria late last year.
Sinai-based jihadist group rebranded as Islamic State’s official arm
A new video has been posted online by jihadists claiming to be the Islamic State’s official arm in the Sinai. The Sinai jihadists were formerly part of Ansar Bayt al Maqdis, but are now marketing themselves as the Islamic State’s representatives.
Islamic State leader claims ‘caliphate’ has expanded in new audio message
The Islamic State has released a new audio message from its leader, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, who claims the group has expanded its “caliphate” into Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Sinai-based jihadists pledge allegiance to Islamic State in audio recording
An unidentified jihadist has released an audio recording saying that Ansar Bayt al Maqdis, the most prolific terrorist group in Egypt, has pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdad’s Islamic State.
Al Nusrah Front tweets photos allegedly showing aftermath of coalition airstrikes
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has tweeted a series of photos purportedly showing the aftermath of the US-led coalition’s airstrikes in Idlib. Prior to today, the coalition had not announced any airstrikes against Al Nusrah since the first day of the bombing campaign in Syria.
Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent calls for jihadist unity against US-led coalition
Usama Mahmood, the spokesman for al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), has released a statement calling on all jihadists to unite against the US-led coalition, which is bombing targets throughout Iraq and Syria.
Al Nusrah Front forces Western-backed rebel group to flee base in Idlib
The Al Nusrah Front has forced the leader of the Western-backed Syrian Revolutionaries’ Front, Jamal Maarouf, to flee his base of operations in Idlib.
Al Nusrah Front offensive in Idlib targets Assad regime, fellow rebels
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has captured several towns and villages in the countryside of Idlib. The territory was controlled by the Syrian Revolutionaries Front (SRF), which has been allied with Al Nusrah despite being part of the Free Syrian Army.
Islamic State uses British hostage in propaganda video to rebut Western, Kurdish claims
The Islamic State has released a propaganda video featuring John Cantlie, a British photojournalist who is being held hostage by the group. Cantlie is made to rebut Western claims about the efficacy of airstrikes in Kobane, a town that sits on the border of Syria and Turkey.
AQAP profiles slain media operative tied to Ayman al Zawahiri’s brother
On Oct. 20, AQAP released a biography for Mustafa Ali, an Egyptian who was killed in a US drone strike in late 2013. The group says he sought “knowledge” from Mohammed al Zawahiri, the younger brother of Ayman al Zawahiri, while imprisoned in Egypt.
Pro-al Qaeda Saudi ideologue criticizes jihadist leaders in Syria, calls for unity
A popular pro-al Qaeda jihadist ideologue who relocated from Saudi Arabia to Syria last year has criticized the Islamic State’s rivals on his Twitter feed. Abdallah Muhammad al Muhaysini says that the failures of various jihadist leaders have driven the youth into the Islamic State’s arms.
Analysis: Al Qaeda’s ‘Resurgence’ focuses on Indian Subcontinent
Al Qaeda released its new English-language, online magazine “Resurgence” earlier this week. At 117 pages, the magazine covers a number of themes, but it focuses on the Indian Subcontinent more than any other region.
State Department adds Osama bin Laden’s doctor to terrorist designation list
Ramzi Mawafi was added to the US government’s list of specially designated global terrorists today. Mawafi has been publicly identified as the emir of al Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula, which serves as a platform for funneling al Qaeda’s assistance to allied jihadist groups.