FDD's Long War Journal

US adds wanted Saudi al Qaeda leader to terrorism list

Ahmed Abdullah Saleh al Khazmari al Zahrani, who is better known as Abu Maryam al Zahrani, is thought to be based in Pakistan and has been spotted in Iran.

Yemen

“Gunmen” assassinated the deputy chief of police in a shooting from a motorcycle in Damar. Iran’s ambassador to Yemen denied the US ambassador’s accusation that Iran is supporting insurgent and terrorist groups.

Afghanistan

Afghan Containers Still Stranded in Pakistan, Iran

Spain

Police intercepted a truck carrying nuclear components destined for Iran, and arrested two men who worked for the company that sent the prohibited materials. The company, which used false companies in the United Arab Emirates for deliveries, has ties to firms involved in Iran’s nuclear program.

Afghanistan

Concerns over Iran’s influence in Afghan media agencies

Syria

Rebels released 48 Iranian hostages in exchange for the release of 2,130 rebel prisoners held by the Assad regime. The Iranians were captured by the Free Syrian Army in early August and were suspected of belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Yemen

Ali Hassan al Ahmadi, Yemen’s national security chief, said that “the use of friendly aircraft” to target al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula would continue. Iran’s ambassador to Yemen denied that his country was running spy networks in the country.

Syria

Iran may be reconsidering position on Syria

Syrian regime reportedly using wide range of tactical ballistic missiles

US officials have accused the Assad regime of using Iranian-made, short-range ballistic missiles against a rebel offensive this week. The regime has deployed a wide array of tactical ballistic missiles against suspected al Qaeda-affiliated rebels this month.

Syria

Syrian military forces seized the Deir Baalbeh area of the central city of Homs after launching a fierce assault against the area several days ago. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared his support for the Syrian revolution. Austria has announced its support for Iran’s six-point plan on the crisis in Syria.

Yemen

A Yemeni intelligence officer was assassinated in the capital of Hadramout province by suspected al Qaeda militants. The commander of Yemen’s central military region deployed an infantry brigade to Marib province to stop armed tribesmen who maintain ties with al Qaeda from attacking oil pipelines. Yemen’s Navy claimed its forces have intercepted an Iranian ship […]

Syria

Russia urged the Assad regime and the opposition Syrian National Council to pursue peace talks. The opposition rejected the invitation. Two Air Force generals and three Syrian state journalists defected. Government forces began firing Iranian-made ballistic missiles.

Gulf States

At a summit in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the five other Gulf States — Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates — accused Iran of meddling in their internal affairs. Iran rejected the accusation. The Gulf States agreed to unify their military commands.

Egyptian forces intercept 17 rockets headed for Gaza

On Monday, an attempt to smuggle 17 short-range rockets into Gaza was foiled by Egyptian security forces.

Afghan policewoman kills US military adviser inside Interior Ministry

An Afghan policewoman assigned to the “gender and equality department” at the Interior Ministry is said to have shot an American civilian adviser in the head at close range.

North Korea

South Korea salvaged parts of a North Korean missile launched earlier this week. Officials said there was evidence that North Korea was working on an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the US and there was evidence of technological ties with Iran.

Syria

Saying neither side could win the conflict, Syria’s vice president called for a negotiated settlement. Both Turkey and Iran put forward plans to end the conflict. The government warned that the rebels may use chemical weapons and blame the attack on the government.

Syria

Iran cautiously tests options in Syria beyond ally Assad

Syria

An Islamist rebel faction captured an infantry base in Aleppo. The air force bombed a Palestinian refugee camp. Iran called for a halt to violence. Lebanese Hezbollah leader Nasrallah said rebels in Syria would not emerge as the victors.

United States

The US authorized the deployment of two Patriot missile batteries and 400 troops to Turkey along the Syrian border. The total of six missile batteries to be deployed by NATO is less than requested by Turkey. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on seven companies and five persons linked to Iran’s uranium-enrichment program.

Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria claims another suicide attack

The Al Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant said two of its suicide bombers attacked the Interior Ministry yesterday.

Syria

The US recognized the opposition Syrian National Coalition as the “sole legitimate representative” of the Syrian people. More than 100 countries also recognized the opposition coalition. Russia, China, and Iran did not.

US adds Al Nusrah Front, 2 leaders to terrorism list

The US government called the Al Nusrah Front “a new alias” for al Qaeda in Iraq, and said Al Nusrah is under the direct control of the emir of the Iraqi terror group.

Yemen

Seventeen Yemeni soldiers, including the chief of staff for Yemen’s central military region, were killed in last week’s ambush in Marib province by al Qaeda. A senior Yemeni general claimed that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has only 700 to 800 fighters in the country.