Suicide bomber kills 17 Pakistani troops in North Waziristan
The suicide bomber rammed a water truck packed with explosives into a camp run by the Pakistani military’s Frontier Works Organization.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
France confirms death of senior AQIM commander Abou Zeid
President Hollande said that the senior al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb commander was killed “during combat led by the French military in the Ifoghas Mountains in northern Mali at the end of February.”
US posts $5 million reward for American suspected of being Zawahiri’s emissary to Shabaab
The FBI told The Long War Journal that Jehad Mostafa is thought to be Abu Abdullah al Muhajir, the American who distributed aid at a Somali camp in 2011 on behalf of al Qaeda’s emir. The US also offered a $5 million reward for Omar Hammami.
Al Qaeda-linked group claims responsibility for rocket attacks on Israel
The al Qaeda-linked Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSC) claimed responsibility for rocket attacks in Israel earlier this morning. The attacks were in protest of President Obama’s visit.
US drones kill 4 ‘militants’ in Pakistan
The strike took place in the terrorist hub of Datta Khel in North Waziristan, where some of al Qaeda’s top leaders have been killed in the past.
US, UN add Ansar Dine to list of terror groups
Ansar Dine received significant “military support” from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. In November 2012, Ansar Dine established “an alliance” with AQIM and MUJAO.
Swedish jihadist killed in Syria while fighting for the Muhajireen Brigade
Albu Kamal As Swedee joined the al Qaeda-linked group after expressing disdain for the Free Syrian Army. Jihadist have urged Swedes to join the jihad in Syria.
Pakistani Taliban overrun rival faction’s headquarters, dozens killed
Hundreds of Tehrik-e-Taliban-e Pakistan (TTP) militants overran the headquarters of a rival militant faction, Ansar-ul-Islam, in Khyber Agency. Clashes between the two factions have raged since January.
Syrian government accuses rebels of launching chemical attack
The use of chemical weapons has yet to be confirmed. Sixteen Syrian soldiers are said to be among the 26 people killed in the purported chemical attack.
ISAF targets IMU suicide bombing network following deadly attack
The operational tempo against the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is increasing. So far this year, ISAF has already conducted 11 operations against the IMU, about twice as many as were conducted during the same January- March period in each of the two previous years.
Al Qaeda in Iraq claims ‘storming’ operation in Baghdad
The Iraqi terror group said the attack was part of its “Destroying the Walls” campaign, which was announced by the group’s emir, Abu Du’a, last year.
Afghan forces thwart unprecedented terror plot in Kabul
NDS forces raided a Haqqani Network safe house in eastern Kabul, killing five militants, capturing two others, and seizing a 7,800-kg truck bomb wired for detonation. The bomb’s destructive capacity had a radius of nearly one mile, according to Afghan officials.
Palestinian jihadist trainer killed fighting for Al Nusrah Front
Muhammad Ahmed Qanitah was a member of the al Qaeda-linked Tawhid and Jihad Group in Jerusalem, and previously served in Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Benghazi suspect fled to Pakistan, recently detained in Libya
A Libyan named Faraj al Chalabi has been detained in connection with the Sept. 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi. It is “unclear” what role he is suspected of playing, but he fled to Pakistan afterwards. Muammar Qaddafi’s regime previously said he worked for al Qaeda.
IMU commander captured in Kunduz
ISAF has targeted the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan eight times so far this year. The captured IMU commander is from Uzbekistan.
Tunisian ‘martyrs’ celebrated by Ansar al Sharia
The head of Ansar al Sharia Tunisia has said that foreign jihads have “emptied Tunisia of its young,” but his group’s Facebook page openly celebrates the “martyrdom” of Tunisians killed while fighting in Syria.
Al Nusrah Front poised to take over last major city on Euphrates River
The al Qaeda affiliate continues to push back government forces in Deir al Zour, and the group has also established the Sharia Committee for the Eastern Region to govern areas under its control.
Al Qaeda in Iraq claims ambush that killed Syrian, Iraqi troops
The Iraqi terror group said it killed the Syrian and Iraqi soldiers just one day after its affiliate, the Al Nusrah Front, seized a border crossing in Syria.
2 US soldiers killed by Afghan policeman in attack at Special Forces base
An Afghan Local Policeman opened fire on a US Special Forces base in Wardak. The attack is the second of its kind in four days.
2 ‘militants’ reported killed in US drone strike in Pakistan
The two “militants” are said to have been on horseback when they were targeted. The strike is the first reported by the US in Pakistan in 29 days.
Nigerian jihadist group executes 7 foreigners
Ansar al-Muslimeen in the Land of Black Africans said it executed the foreigners after British and Nigerian forces attempted to free the hostages.
Taliban suicide bombers strike in Kabul, Khost
The suicide attacks took place as US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was visiting the capital to discuss the handover of security to Afghan forces.
Al Nusrah Front seizes control of Syrian city of Raqqah
Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria teamed up with the jihadist Ahrar al Sham Brigade to take control of the provincial capital. The jihadist alliance effectively controls most the Euphrates River Valley in Syria all the way to the Iraqi border. The Al Nusrah Front also carried out two suicide attacks in Homs.
Afghan security forces attack US base in Kapisa
Afghan troops using an Afghan Army Humvee drove onto a US military base today, opened fire on US soldiers and civilians, and killed a civilian contractor.
Former bin Laden spokesman in US custody
Sulaiman Abu Ghaith served Osama bin Laden as a spokesman, threatened mass casualty attacks against America, and recruited the al Qaeda cell responsible for a 2002 attack on US Marines in Kuwait. He lived under a loose former of house arrest in Iran for years before being reportedly freed in 2010.
Pakistani American indicted for supporting al Qaeda suicide bomber
Reaz Qadir Khan was arrested two days ago by the FBI and charged with providing material support for an al Qaeda suicide bomber who participated in a suicide assault in Lahore, Pakistan in May 2009.
Confusion reigns in confirming deaths of senior AQIM leaders in Mali
Photos have surfaced from Chadian soldiers depicting what they claim is the corpse of Mokhtar Belmokhtar. French news services have said the images depict recently reported killed al Qaeda commander Abou Zeid. Jihadist sources deny the images depict either man.
Al Qaeda-linked groups increasing contact with Salafi groups in Nile Delta and Sinai
Egyptian officials are worried that they are seizing only a fraction of the weaponry entering the Sinai Peninsula from Libya. In addition, al Qaeda-linked groups are said to be increasing contact with Salafi groups in the Sinai and Nile Delta.
Pakistani al Qaeda ‘company’ commander praises Mumbai attacker
Asmatullah Muawiya said that the executions of Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru will fuel a new round of attacks on India, and that Kashmir will become a focal point for jihadists after the US abandons Afghanistan.
Pakistani Taliban execute, behead soldiers in South Waziristan
The deaths of the six soldiers had not been reported. Taliban emir Hakeemullah Mehsud also threatened to attack the US and Britain.