Taliban incite Afghans to kill ‘Crusaders’ over Koran burning
Some members of the Afghan parliament have echoed the Taliban’s rhetoric and urged Afghans to wage “jihad” against the “invaders.”
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Shabaab abandons western city as Ethiopian troops advance
Shabaab was in control of Baidoa for three years before abandoning the provincial capital today without a fight.
Turkish jihadists eulogize commander killed in Waziristan
Sinan Tekin, a Turkish national who was known as Emir Yunis, led a group of foreign fighters along the Afghan-Pakistani border.
US announces a ‘surge’ of military trainers to Afghanistan
The US took another step in implementing its new Afghan strategy. Starting this spring, the Army will send a large contingent of military trainers to Afghanistan.
Al Qaeda ‘operates in Afghanistan under the flag of the Islamic Emirate’: Taliban spokesman
Speaking of al Qaeda, Afghan Taliban spokesman Abdullah Wazir said: “They are an example of discipline and accuracy in the execution of missions and operations entrusted to them by the Military Command of the Islamic Emirate.”
Attempted suicide attack on US Capitol thwarted by FBI
Amine El Khalifi believed he was working with two al Qaeda operatives to carry out a suicide assault on the Capitol Building, but was in fact plotting with two undercover FBI agents.
Treasury: Iranian intelligence supporting al Qaeda
The US Treasury Department designated the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security for its human rights abuses and sponsorship of terrorist organizations, including al Qaeda and its affiliate, al Qaeda in Iraq.
US Predators kill 19 ‘militants’ in 2 North Waziristan strikes
Seven terrorists are reported to have been killed in a village near Miramshah, and 12 more, including Uzbeks, were killed near Mir Ali.
Report: New leader of al Qaeda network in Iran named
A new leader of al Qaeda’s network in Iran has been reportedly named. Muhsin al Fadhli is a longtime al Qaeda operative who was involved in al Qaeda in Iraq’s operations as well as al Qaeda’s 2002 attack on a French naval vessel.
Former Taliban defense minister dies in Pakistani custody
Mullah Obaidullah Akhund was in charge of the Taliban’s military and approved the establishment of al Qaeda training camps, some of which were used to train the Sept. 11 hijackers.
Halt attacks on Pakistani military: Siraj Haqqani
Siraj confirmed that the various Pakistani Taliban groups have signed a peace agreement with the Pakistani government.
Wanted IMU leader urges attacks in Germany
German citizen and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader Mounir Chouka said that “jihad in Germany is only a matter of time.”
‘We in MYC are now part of al Qaeda East Africa’
The Muslim Youth Center, Shabaab’s affiliate in Kenya, said that the groups would fight “under the banner of AQEA (al Qaeda East Africa).” AQEA has long reported to al Qaeda’s most senior leadership.
Shabaab formally joins al Qaeda
The announcement formalizes the longstanding close working relationship between the two terror groups.
Commander killed in drone strike ‘funneled Pakistani jihadists’ to al Qaeda
Badr Mansoor used his links with the Taliban and Harakat-ul-Mujahideen to recruit leaders and fighters into al Qaeda. US intelligence officials said Mansoor is but a part of al Qaeda’s “deep bench” in Pakistan.
US Predators strike again in Miramshah
Four “militants” were killed in the second strike in 24 hours in Pakistan’s Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. A senior al Qaeda-linked Taliban commander is reported to have been killed.
Al Qaeda ‘still standing in Khorasan’ despite US drone strikes: jihadist
Al Qaeda operative Abu Zubaydah al Lubnani said that despite US airstrikes in Pakistan, “time is in our favor.”
US drones kill 10 ‘militants’ in North Waziristan strike
The strike took place in a village known to harbor terrorists that is a stronghold of the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani Network.
Al Qaeda releases photos of slain Khorasan commanders
A jihadist media outlet has released previously unseen photographs of slain top al Qaeda leaders Abu Laith al Libi, Abdullah Said al Libi, and Abu Abdullah al Shami.
Afghan intelligence captures 3 members of northern assassination cell
The Taliban cell is led by a commander known as Qari Abdul Rahim, who is based in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. The group is linked to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Abu Musab al Suri released from Syrian custody: report
A statement at a prominent jihadist forum claimed that al Qaeda strategist, military trainer, and ideologue Abu Musab al Suri has been freed from Syrian custody. The report has not been confirmed.
Al Qaeda operative killed during clashes in Kurram identified
Aslanov Zaur, an Azeri national and al Qaeda commander, was killed during Pakistani airstrikes in Kurram last week. He likely entered Pakistan with the aid of al Qaeda’s support network in Iran.
AQAP operative killed in recent drone strike in Yemen
Abdul Mun’im Salim al Fatahani, who was involved in the suicide attack on the USS Cole in 2000, was killed in the Jan. 31 strike in Lawdar, according to a Yemeni jihadist.
Caucasus Emirate leader orders halt on attacks against Russian civilians
Doku Umarov said that “law enforcement structures, the military, intelligence services and political leadership of Russia” remain legitimate targets.
ISAF captures senior IMU and Taliban military commander
“He represented both the Taliban and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan groups and was responsible for coordinating insurgent activities in Badghis and Faryab province,” ISAF stated.
Islamic Jihad Union details cooperation with Afghan Taliban
The al Qaeda-linked group claimed its fighters “help the Taliban in northern Afghanistan and provide them with military consultation” and are deployed in the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghazni, Kandahar, Helmand, Nuristan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, and Balkh.
Philippine military kills wanted Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf operatives in airstrike
Zulkifli bin Hir, Abu Sayyaf commander Umbra Jumdail, and Muhamad Ali are among 15 terrorists killed in an airstrike in Sulu province, according to the military’s Chief of Staff.
Video: Pakistani Taliban execute 15 Frontier Constabulary personnel
Warning: The video of the Pakistani Taliban executing the 15 Frontier Constabulary personnel who were captured late last year is extremely graphic.
US drone strike kills 11 AQAP leaders, fighters: report
Four local al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula commanders are said to have been killed in a Predator strike in Abyan province. The strike is the first in Yemen since Dec. 22.
ISAF, Afghan forces capture al Qaeda ‘facilitator’ in east
The al Qaeda facilitator “coordinated insurgent activity throughout the area and provided reports to senior al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan,” ISAF stated. He is the first al Qaeda operative reported as killed or captured in Afghanistan in two months.