Ansaru leader calls Zawahiri ‘our good emir,’ praises al Qaeda branches
Abu Usama al Ansari also describes Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar as the “Emir of the Believers.” His group, Ansaru, was added to the US’ list of terrorist groups on Nov. 13.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Palestinian from Gaza reportedly killed fighting for ISIS near Aleppo
Before reaching Syria, Amer Abu Ghoula was reportedly sentenced to a year in prison in Gaza for aiding those behind the kidnapping and murder of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni.
Haqqani Network emir eulogizes son killed in Pakistan
Jalaluddin Haqqani praises the “martyrdom” of his son, Nasiruddin, and reinforces his group’s ties to Mullah Omar and the Afghan Taliban.
US adds Boko Haram, Ansaru to list of foreign terrorist groups
Boko Haram has adopted al Qaeda’s tactics and has communicated with top al Qaeda leaders to coordinate in the global jihad. Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter group, was also added to the terrorism list.
British officials discuss ‘rising’ al Qaeda threat during testimony
Top British intelligence and security officials testified to the “rising” threat of al Qaeda last week. One official explained that there have been 34 terrorist plots in Britain since the 7/7 bombings and most of these have ties to al Qaeda groups overseas. The officials also expressed concern over al Qaeda’s growing presence inside Syria.
Afghan Taliban condemn the killing of Nasiruddin Haqqani
The Afghan Taliban’s official statement confirms the death of Nasiruddin, reinforces the point that the Haqqani Network is part of the Taliban, and dents the narrative that the Haqqanis operate only in Afghanistan.
Senior Haqqani Network leader killed in Pakistan
Nasiruddin Haqqani, a senior leader and financier in the al Qaeda-linked Taliban subgroup, is reported to have been killed during a clash in Pakistan.
US continues to claim al Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan is minimal
Although Obama administration officials and the military have stated for the past four years that al Qaeda has a minimal presence in Afghanistan, the group and its allies continue to sustain operations in the country.
Pakistani Taliban threaten US for killing leader in drone strike
The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan also praised former emir Hakeemullah Mehsud for “the consolidation of the idea of global Jihad and the Caliphate,” and claimed “sorcery” was responsible for a lingering illness.
Pakistani Taliban’s new deputy emir directed suicide operations, is an ‘intellectual’
Sheikh Khalid Haqqani, the new deputy emir of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, was involved in suicide attacks as far back as 2008 and has been featured in the group’s propaganda.
Pakistani Taliban name Mullah Fazlullah as new emir
The firebrand cleric from Swat replaces Hakeemullah Mehsud to lead the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Fazlullah led the Taliban takeover of Swat and neighboring districts in 2007. He is currently sheltering in Afghanistan’s Kunar province.
Key jihadi ideologue: Jihad against Egyptian army is ‘religious duty’
In a recent article, key jihadi ideologue Sheikh Abu al Mundhir al Shinqiti called on Egypt’s Muslims to wage jihad against Egyptian security forces. He further urged Egyptian Muslims to do all they can to support the mujahideen, in particular those in the Sinai, already fighting Egypt’s army.
Afghan intel captures 2 IMU fighters in Kabul
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan fighters trained in Pakistan’s Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan and were involved in recent fighting in the northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan.
Pakistani Taliban publish picture of Hakeemullah before burial
Umar Media, official propaganda outlet of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, published the photograph of their emir, who was killed by the US on Nov. 1.
Pakistani Taliban name interim emir, spokesman says
Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani, a longtime military commander and the head of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan’s executive council, was appointed to serve as the temporary emir, a top spokesman said.
Afghan Taliban denounce ‘cowardly US drone attack’ that killed Hakeemullah Mehsud
“If America believes that by martyring Mujahideen they will somehow create a void and reach their selfish aims then they are greatly mistaken,” the Afghan Taliban also said.
Pakistani Taliban name new emir after Hakeemullah killed in drone strike: report
Khan Said, who is also known as Sajna Mehsud, is said to have been appointed to lead the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.
Pakistani Taliban leader killed by US after 4-year hunt
Hakeemullah Mehsud led the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan for four years before being killed today in a drone strike.
Al Qaeda in Iraq, Syria a ‘transnational threat’
A senior administration official warned earlier this week that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (or Levant) is a “transnational threat” and “an increasing threat to us.” Iraq has exploded in violence since the withdrawal of American troops. The official said 38 suicide bombers have launched attacks in the last month alone.
Drone Drama
Human-rights groups falsely claim American drone use is a “war crime.”
US drone strike targets head of Pakistani Taliban
Hakeemullah’s bodyguard was killed in a strike in North Waziristan that leveled a compound and killed four other “militants.” A senior commander is rumored to be among them.
US drone strike kills 3 ‘militants’ in North Waziristan
The strike is the first recorded in Pakistan in a month, and took place in an area administered by the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani Network.
Suicide bomber strikes in Tunisia
A suicide bomber blew himself up in the coastal city of Sousse earlier today. According to Tunisian officials, the bombing was part of a planned wave of attacks. No group has claimed the attack, but it comes after weeks of escalating violence between Ansar al Sharia and the Tunisian government.
Afghan Taliban deny opposition to suicide attacks
The Taliban’s official spokesman denounced Mawlana Abdul Aziz, who purported to speak for the group, as a fraud. Aziz told the Pakistani media that suicide attacks are “unlawful.”
US drones kill 2 Shabaab operatives in southern Somalia
A senior explosives expert was one of two Shabaab members killed in the airstrike. Today’s drone strike is the second reported US raid this month targeting a top Shabaab leader.
Clash inside Kabul base kills Afghan soldier, injures 2 NATO troops
The attack took place after an argument between Afghan and Coalition troops inside a military base in Kabul.
Ansar Jerusalem releases video of assassination attempt on Egypt’s interior minister
Almost two months after claiming responsibility for the Sept. 5 assassination attempt on Egyptian interior minister Mohammed Ibrahim, the Sinai-based jihadist group Ansar Jerusalem released video detailing the attack. The bomber was reportedly trained in a camp run by Muhammed Jamal al Kashef.
Al Nusrah Front denies emir killed by Syrian troops
Syrian government news agencies claimed that Abu Muhammad al Julani was killed, but the al Qaeda group denied the reports.
Analysis: UN adds Benghazi suspect to al Qaeda sanctions list
The UN added Muhammad Jamal al Kashef to its al Qaeda sanctions list on Oct. 18. The US government previously designated Jamal on Oct. 7. The UN noted Jamal’s ties to the Sept. 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, whereas the US government’s announcement did not. Jamal’s network continues to plan attacks.
Wanted Taliban commander in Kunar reported killed in US drone strike
Qari Dawat has been targeted by the US for years. He has expressed his support for al Qaeda and kidnapped a Western journalist. His death has not been confirmed.