US adds 5 al Qaeda, Taliban, Haqqani Network, and IMU facilitators to terrorist list
The five leaders are based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The designations highlight the interconnectedness of the various terror groups based in the region.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
US citizen plotted aerial ‘drone’ strikes on Pentagon and Capitol
Rezwan Ferdaus, a physicist from Massachusetts, planned an assault that involved striking the Pentagon and the Capitol using airplane models carrying bombs, blowing up bridges, and shooting politicians. He also sought to aid al Qaeda by building detonation devices for use in killing US soldiers overseas.
US adds 2 Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders to list of terrorists
Zafar Iqbal co-founded the terror group and is a top fundraiser, and Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi is the deputy emir and ideologue who aided in the 2008 Mumbai terror assault.
AQAP releases 7th edition of Inspire
The seventh edition of Inspire celebrates the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as a number of other attacks. The magazine uses a photo of New York’s Grand Central Station to promote a future article by Anwar al Awlaki.
US Predators kill 3 ‘militants’ in South Waziristan
The strike took place in Azam Warzak, a transit point for al Qaeda and Taliban fighters entering and exiting Afghanistan.
UK terror sweep uncovers suicide bomb plot
Two members of the al Qaeda-linked cell traveled to Pakistan to receive training and guidance on bomb making.
Shooting at compound in Kabul used by contractors and CIA
The attacker and a US citizen were killed in a shootout at a complex that houses Western security contractors and supposedly a CIA office.
US Predators kill 6 ‘militants’ in North Waziristan strike
Four “militants of central Asian origin” were said to have been killed in the strike in the Mir Ali area.
US designates Hamas operative linked to Iran, al Qaeda
Hisham Muhammad Isma’il Abu Ghazala is also linked to Ansar al Islam and has served as an IED and attack facilitator in northern Iraq.
Admiral Mullen: Pakistani ISI sponsoring Haqqani attacks
During a Senate hearing today, Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence Agency’s role in sponsoring the Haqqani Network – including attacks on American forces in Afghanistan and the US Embassy in Kabul.
Special operations forces kill Taliban’s commander of Tangi Valley
Qari Tahir was the target of the raid that resulted in the downing of a US Army Chinook in August. Thirty-eight US and Afghan troops, including 17 Navy SEALs, were killed.
US airstrikes kill AQAP fighters in southern Yemen
Eleven AQAP fighters are said to have been killed in recent airstrikes in Abyan province.
Pakistan frees al Qaeda commander: report
Dr. Amin al Haq, who served as the security coordinator of Osama bin Laden’s Black Guard, was released after nearly four years in custody.
Taliban suicide bomber assassinates head of Afghan High Peace Council
The suicide bomber was led to Burhanuddin Rabbani for peace talks by a reconciled Taliban minister who has been described as “a trusted emissary.”
Afghan intelligence operations take on significant role
Robust Afghan intelligence operations have helped thwart numerous attacks this summer despite ongoing urban assaults and complex operations launched by the Taliban and the Haqqani Network.
Taliban suicide bomber kills 8 in Karachi
The Taliban targeted the home of a senior police official in Pakistan’s largest city.
Taliban, Pakistani troops fight over downed US drone in South Waziristan
The unmanned US strike aircraft crashed in the village where the Taliban have run training camps and Baitullah Mehsud was killed. A senior Taliban commander led the fight to secure the drone.
Abu Hafs al Shahri confirmed killed in Predator strike in Pakistan
The family of al Qaeda’s operations chief for Pakistan was notified of his death. His cousin, a senior al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan, was killed one year ago.
Afghan, ISAF forces kill more than 70 Taliban in Nuristan
Afghan commandos and Coalition special operations forces launched a raid to retake the district of Barg-e-Matal, which has switched hands multiple times over the past several years.
Taliban tour ‘liberated’ base in eastern Afghanistan
The videotape shows a large group of Taliban fighters at what appears to be an abandoned US military base in Wardak province.
Al Qaeda’s operations chief for Pakistan reported killed in Predator strike
Abu Hafs al Shahri, a Saudi citizen, is said to have been killed in a recent Predator strike. He was on Saudi Arabia’s list of most wanted terrorists.
US State Department adds Indian Mujahideen to list of terror groups
The terror group has been implicated as being behind numerous attacks inside India. The US said the Indian Mujahideen “maintains close ties” to Lashkar e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami.
Suicide bomber kills 31 mourners at funeral in Pakistan’s northwest
The attack took place at a funeral for a member of a tribe that has raised an anti-Taliban militia in Pakistan’s northwestern district of Lower Dir.
Guantanamo recidivism rate climbs higher
During congressional testimony, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that the estimated recidivist rate for ex-Gitmo detainees has risen to 27 percent; 161 ex-Gitmo detainees are now either “confirmed” or “suspected” recidivists.
Special operations forces hunt IMU’s top commander in Afghan northeast
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan’s leader for the Afghan north is connected to networks in Kabul and Ghazni, and facilitates suicide and other attacks.
Taliban launch complex attack on US embassy in Kabul
A Taliban team launched rocket-propelled grenades at the US embassy and ISAF headquarters from a high-rise under construction, while suicide bombers attacked two police stations.
10 years after 9/11: Lessons from the Philippines
While some officials have declared ‘victory’ against al Qaeda, lessons from the Philippines show that the next defeat can come from the jaws of victory.
US Predators kill 4 ‘militants’ in North Waziristan strike
The strike took place in the Mir Ali area, and is the first in Pakistan’s tribal areas in 19 days.
Taliban: ‘Afghans have an endless stamina for a long war’
The Taliban statement denied any role in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, which it described as “an ambiguous and murky event.”
Army snipers hunt bomb planters in Sabari
A US Army sniper team ambushes an insurgent IED cell in the volatile Sabari district of Khost province, Afghanistan.