Assault on Taliban stronghold of Marja begins
The much-anticipated operation against the Taliban in central Helmand province began as thousands of US, British, and Afghan troops moved into Marja.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Hakeemullah alive, will release tape: Taliban commander
A Taliban commander claims that Hakeemullah Mehsud convened the executive council and decided it was time to prove he was alive.
Iraqi, US forces kill 10 during clash with Hezbollah Brigades near the Iranian border
The clash began after Hezbollah Brigades fighters attacked a joint US-Iraqi force north of Amarah. Twenty-two Hezbollah Brigades fighters were captured.
15 killed in attacks on police in northwestern Pakistan
The twin bombings mark the fourth major attack against security forces in Pakistan’s violent northwestern border with Afghanistan. Twelve policemen were among those killed.
Treasury targets Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
An IRGC general and four companies owned and operated by the IRGC have been designated under Executive Order 13382.
Taliban deny Hakeemullah is dead
Maulvi Noor Jamal, the Taliban commander reported to have replaced Hakeemullah, denied that the leader is dead and said he is not in charge. Pakistan’s interior minister claims he has “credible” information that Hakeemullah is dead.
Suicide bomber kills 19 in Khyber
The bombing in Khyber is the first major Taliban strike in more than a week. Eleven tribal policemen were among those killed.
New rumors of the death of Pakistani Taliban leader emerge
The latest report, which contradicts the previous rumor, states that Hakeemullah Mehsud died in Multan on Feb. 9 from wounds suffered in a US Predator strike in mid-January. The top Taliban spokesman maintains that Hakeemullah is alive.
Pakistani military claims success in Bajaur
The Army, backed by tribal militias, is advancing on Taliban strongholds in the Mamond region.
Shabaab calls for jihad against Kenya
Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia said Kenya is in its crosshairs as Kenya is training both Somali and Kenyan troops to battle the terror group.
Iranian-backed Shia terror group kidnaps US civilian in Baghdad
The League of the Righteous has kidnapped a US citizen and backed out of “reconciliation talks” with the Iraqi government. The kidnapping comes only a month after the US released the top leader of the group.
Bombings kill 41 Shia pilgrims in Karbala
The attack is the third major strike against Shia worshippers in five days and the sixth major strike since Jan. 25.
Inside job suspected in suicide attack on US soldiers in Pakistan
The planning and execution of the suicide car bomb attack in Dir was “too perfect,” according to US military and intelligence officials.
Russian police kill al Qaeda’s co-founder in the Caucasus
Mokhmad Mohamad Shabban, a wanted Egyptian al Qaeda operative who helped establish the terror group in the Caucasus, was killed by Russian security forces during a clash in Dagestan.
3 US soldiers among 9 killed in bombing in northwest Pakistan
The US soldiers were killed while traveling to attend the opening of a girls’ school in Dir. The soldiers served as trainers to the Frontier Corps.
Predators pound terrorist camp in North Waziristan
Eighteen missiles were reported to have been fired from five unmanned strike aircraft. Seventeen terrorists are said to have been killed.
Female suicide bomber kills 54 pilgrims in Baghdad
The suicide bomber killed mostly women and children as they traveled to Karbala as part of a religious ritual.
Shabaab absorbs southern Islamist group, splits Hizbul Islam
The Ras Kamboni Brigade has broken away from Hizbul Islam, merged with Shabaab, and pledged allegiance with al Qaeda.
Reports of Pakistani Taliban leader’s death are premature
A Pakistani television channel claimed today that Hakeemullah Mehsud died days after a Jan. 14 strike and was buried recently in Arakzai. The Pakistani military and US intelligence will not confirm the report.
Suicide bomber kills 17 Pakistanis in Bajaur
The attack took place as the Taliban are liquidating opposing tribal leaders and the military is conducting airstrikes against the Taliban.
US airstrike targets Haqqani Network in North Waziristan
Nine Haqqani Network fighters have been reported killed. The strike is the first in 10 days.
Bin Laden says climate change is a ‘fact,’ denounces the dollar
Al Qaeda’s leader issued his second audiotape in a week.
US kills senior Syrian-based al Qaeda facilitator in Mosul
Abu Khalaf was killed during a Jan. 22 raid in the northern city. According to US intelligence, he entered Iraq last fall to direct operations.
Taliban reject peace talks
The Taliban leadership council again demanded that Western forces withdraw from Afghanistan and insisted it would reestablish the Islamic Emirate.
Shabaab suicide bomber kills seven at Mogadishu medical clinic
A suicide bomber detonated his vest at a clinic at the Mogadishu airport that is used by African Union troops.
Suicide attack at Baghdad police forensics lab kills 18
More than 80 Iraqis were wounded in the second suicide attack in the Iraqi capital in two days.
Bombings hit Baghdad’s hotels
Three car bombs detonated 10 minutes apart outside the Sheraton, Al Hamraa, and Babylon hotels, killing 36 and wounding 71 more.
Bin Laden threatens further attacks against the US
Al Qaeda’s leader praised the Christmas Eve bomber and said attacks would continue as long as the US supports Israel.
US airstrike killed 15 Turkistan Islamic Party fighters in Afghanistan
A Jan. 19 strike in the northwestern province of Badghis killed 13 Uighurs and two Turks.
Al Qaeda leader in Turkey captured
Abu Zar was planning to conduct attacks against Turkish forces in Afghanistan. Turkey has rounded up more than 150 suspected al Qaeda operatives and supporters during raids nationwide this week.