US targets Islamic State in 21 strikes in Syria, Iraq
The most recent attacks did not hit the Khorasan group, al Qaeda’s leadership cadre inside Syria that is plotting to attack the West.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Al Nusrah Front posts photos showing aftermath of US bombings
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has posted a series of photos purportedly showing sites struck by the US.
Houthi rebels sweep Yemeni capital
The stunning Houthi sweep of Sana’a on Monday provides an opportunity for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
US airstrikes target Al Nusrah Front, Islamic State in Syria
Jihadists on Twitter have posted pictures of Al Nusrah Front locations struck in the US bombing campaign in Syria. The strikes are aimed at the so-called Khorasan group, which has been planning attacks against the US and its interests, as well as a number of other targets. Jihadists claim that al Qaeda veterans have been killed in the bombings.
US air war against jihadists in Syria begins
Airstrikes targeted Islamic State command and control centers in Raqqah, the jihadist group’s de facto capital in eastern Syria, as well as arms caches, supply depots, and ground units near the Iraqi border. Also, the US hit al Qaeda’s Khorasan Group near Aleppo.
Al Nusrah Front threatens to execute 2nd Lebanese hostage
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has threatened to kill a second Lebanese hostage. The group has already executed a Lebanese soldier who had been held in its custody since August.
Pakistani Taliban commander killed during fighting in North Waziristan
The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan said that Mohammad Hassan recently was freed from a prison in Afghanistan before rejoining the fight in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Al Nusrah Front threatens life of Lebanese soldier held hostage amid fighting
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has repeatedly threatened to kill a Lebanese soldier in its custody this week. In a tweet earlier today, the group said that the soldier was the “first casualty” in its stalled negotiations with the Lebanese military.
Islamist foreign fighters returning home and the threat to Europe
Testimony to the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats on the threat posed by Islamist foreign fighters returning home to Europe.
Al Qaeda leader released from Iranian custody reported killed
Abu Amru al Masri was previously described as a “mid-level commander,” in one of Osama bin Laden’s documents that was dated June 11, 2009.
Islamic State assaults city in Syrian Kurdistan
The border town of Kobane is under siege from the Islamic State, which continues to advance in Aleppo province.
AQIS claims plot to strike US warships was executed by Pakistani Navy officers
The spokesman for al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent said that all of those who participated in the attempted hijacking of the PNS Zulfiqar were active duty naval officers.
Al Qaeda branches urge jihadist unity against US
AQAP and AQIM have issued a joint statement encouraging the jihadists in Syria to unite in the face of the American-led opposition. However, the statement should not be read as an indication that they are breaking ranks from al Qaeda. The two groups also offer their condolences for the Ahrar al Sham leaders who were killed earlier this month.
Al Qaeda operations chief, propagandist reported killed in airstrikes
Influential jihadists said that Sufyan al Maghribi, a Moroccan who served as al Qaeda’s military chief in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Umar al Talib, a propagandist who narrated videos for As Sahab, have been killed in airstrikes.
Caucasus Emirate eulogizes slain Ahrar al Sham leaders
The al Qaeda-linked Caucasus Emirate joins the Al Nusrah Front and other jihadist groups in offering condolences to Ahrar al Sham.
2 al Qaeda commanders reported killed in US airstrike in eastern Afghanistan
The pair of al Qaeda commanders are said to be members of the Badr Mansoor Group, which was described in one of Osama bin Laden’s documents as an al Qaeda “company.”
Islamic State beheads British citizen, threatens another
The Islamic State released a video of the beheading of David Cawthorne Haines, a British citizen who was kidnapped while providing security for an aid group in Syria’s Idlib province in March 2013.
Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent claims 2 attacks in Pakistan
AQIS has claimed two attacks in Pakistan. On Sept. 2, the group assassinated a Pakistani officer. An AQIS spokesman claims that the group attempted to take over a docked Pakistani ship on Sept. 6 and fire missiles at American warships.
Analysis: Al Nusrah Front explains decision to release UN peacekeepers
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, explained its decision to release more than 40 UN peacekeepers in a video released earlier this week. The group disputes published reports saying that it demanded to be taken off the UN’s list of designated terrorist organizations. And it says the hostages were freed in compliance with sharia law.
US drone strike targets AQAP fighters in Shabwa
Five AQAP fighters, including a Saudi and an individual who shares the nom de guerre of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s emir for Mahfad, are reported to have been killed in the first drone strike since mid-August.
US strategy against Islamic State to mirror counterterrorism efforts in Yemen, Somalia
Obama described the counterterrorism strategy in Yemen and Somalia as “one that we have successfully pursued … for years.” However, several years of cooperation with willing partners have yielded questionable results.
Al Nusrah Front releases eulogy commemorating Ahrar al Sham leaders
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has released a statement honoring the Ahrar al Sham leaders killed in yesterday’s explosion. Al Nusrah says they were among the “best” of men and leaders.
US aided Hezbollah Brigades in breaking Islamic State siege of Iraqi town
Hezbollah Brigades, which was listed by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2009, now controls access to Amerli.
Al Qaeda members mourn Ahrar al Sham, Islamic Front leaders on Twitter
Several influential al Qaeda members have used their Twitter feeds to mourn the slain leaders of Ahrar al Sham and the Islamic Front. The jihadists were killed in an explosion earlier today. One well-connected jihadist, who appears to be an al Qaeda media operative, claimed that the head of the Islamic Front had been in communication with Ayman al Zawahiri.
Head of Islamic Front, other senior leaders killed in explosion
The Islamic Front announced today that more than one dozen of its senior leaders were killed in a car bombing in Idlib. Among the slain leaders is Hassan Abboud, who was the leader of Ahrar al Sham and the head of the Islamic Front’s political office. Abboud was especially close to Ayman al Zawahiri’s representative in Syria.
Al Nusrah Front releases English-language summary of monthly operations
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has released an English-language pamphlet highlighting its activities throughout the month of August. The publication focuses on the group’s military operations, including targeting Assad’s forces and Hezbollah fighters, as well as its social work.
AQAP endorses new branch of terror network in the Indian subcontinent
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has congratulated its “brothers” in al Qaeda for creating a new branch in the Indian subcontinent. AQAP offers “special congratulations” to “our Sheikh and good Emir,” Ayman al Zawahiri.
US airstrikes target Islamic State at the Haditha Dam
The US air campaign against the Islamic State has expanded into Anbar province.
Shabaab names new emir, reaffirms allegiance to al Qaeda
Less than one week after Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed in an American airstrike, Shabaab has named a new leader and publicly reaffirmed its allegiance to al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri.
Al Qaeda veteran takes on a more prominent role as spokesman in Syria
Abu Firas al Suri long served as a clandestine figure in al Qaeda’s international terrorist network. Today he serves as the Al Nusrah Front’s spokesman. He is tasked with defending Al Nusrah’s capture of more than 40 UN peacekeepers.