Iraq’s foreign minister said Iranian influence is on the decline. A court in Dhi Qhar is prosecuting 48 Mahdi Army fighters for murder. Iraqi forces detained six insurgents in Basrah, five in eastern Baghdad, and two in Mosul. A policeman and two soldiers were killed in Mosul.
The IDF destroyed Hamas’ elite ‘Iran unit.’ The Israeli Cabinet will vote on a proposal to declare a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza. The United States and Israel signed an agreement aimed at stopping the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.
The Air Force struck more than 50 targets, including 30 smuggling tunnels. The Navy denied it interdicted an Iranian ship carrying aid to Gaza. Hamas fired 13 rockets into southern Israel. Hamas suicide bombers have been attempting to infiltrate Israeli units operating in Gaza.
Troops enter built-up neighborhoods in the south and east. Heavy fighting reported in Khan Younis, Beit Lahiya, and Jabaliya. Iran threatens to cut off Hamas funding if cease-fire implemented.
Australian special forces killed a Taliban leader and several other fighters during an operation in Uruzgan province. CENTCOM commander General David Petraeus said Iran should have an interest stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan, but there are “major conflicting interests” with the West.
US, Iran share interests in Afghanistan: Petraeus
A new program by Amnesty International advocates “Solidarity with Guantanamo Detainees.”
At least three Katyusha rockets are reported to have struck in western Galilee, wounding two Israelis; IDF returns fire. Israeli troops are poised to strike in southern Gaza.
Pakistan sacked its national security adviser for admitted the lone surviving Mumbai terrorist is Pakistani. The Taliban murdered two more “US spies” in North Waziristan and killed three policemen in Hangu. Police arrested four al Qaeda operatives in Panjgur near the border with Iran.
In Gaza fight, Iran lurks in background
The operation may be expanded into southern Gaza. Israeli leaders are open to a political solution as reports indicate Hamas’ command and control is in disarray.
A profile of Binyam Muhammad, who was allegedly plotting attacks inside the U.S. with Jose Padilla at the time of his capture.
Lebanon’s majority leader Saad Hariri said that the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council told him that Hezbollah would not attack Israel from Lebanon to aid Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah has increased its military’s preparedness after the battle in Gaza began in late December. The US Treasury designated the Waad Project, a Hezbollah-run construction […]
Israeli troops meet resistance in northern Gaza on the second day of ground operations designed to rout Hamas’ military and end the missile attacks into southern Israel.
A profile of Guantanamo detainee Khirullah Said Wali Khairkhwa, who was formerly the Taliban’s governor of the Herat province and admittedly met with his Iranian counterparts.
An attack at a checkpoint in Baghdad comes two days after an attack at a tribal reconciliation meeting in Yusafiyah and as Iraqi security forces are asserting control.
The Long War Journal’s roundup of the major developments in the primary and secondary theaters during the past year.
Interim President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned from office today after months of fighting with Somalia’s parliament. Eight more people were killed in the third day of fighting between Shabaab and a rival Islamist militia in Guriel. Ethiopian troops have moved into the Hiran region.
Security forces killed 11 Taliban in Swat. The Taliban banned female education in Swat. A Chinese engineer was killed in Malakand. A woman was killed in a car bombing in Lahore; police claimed “Indian spies” were behind the bombing. The “masterminds” behind the kidnapping of an Iranian diplomat have been arrested.
Iraqi forces detained 89 “wanted men” in Diwaniyah, 13 al Qaeda operatives in Samarra, six “criminals and terrorists” in Basrah, five terrorists in Baghdad, and an “Iranian infiltrator” in Diyala. A US Marine was killed during fighting in Anbar province.
One Somali was killed and 19 were wounded in a Shabaab attack in Baidoa. Heavy fighting was reported in Mogadishu as insurgent groups attacked Somali and Ethiopian bases. Insurgents mortared the police academy in Mogadishu. Iran will send warships to battle Somali pirates.
US forces detained an Iranian Qods Force agent and an associate near Baghdad. Coalition forces captured 11 al Qaeda operatives in central Iraq. Iraqi police found seven severed heads in Baghdad.
The US Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of State for Asia and Near East Affairs said Iran and Syria’s rearming of Hezbollah may lead to another war with Israel that will result in the destruction of Lebanon. A senior Israeli general said Hezbollah would be defeated in five days. Another senior Israeli general said the […]
Malaysia releases a dangerous terrorist from jail. The case highlights the dangers of turning over terrorists to their home countries. Originally published at The Weekly Standard.
Coalition and Afghan forces killed 13 Taliban fighters and captured 15 during operations in the South and East. ISAF troops must now be accompanied by Afghan forces on all missions. The governor of Kandahar province will resign after serving on four months. Herat officials claim Iranians are behind the theft of artifacts and the destruction […]
Armored and mechanized forces convert the existing, basic light infantry force into a heavier, more capable force able to deal with external threats.
The move may signal a change in posture against the Mahdi Army and Muqtada al Sadr. It also highlights the
decline of the Sadrist movement over the past two years.
Recent weapons purchases shed light on the possibile force structure of Iraqi Army’s light armored forces, including reconnaissance and cavalry units.
Al Qaeda suspected of using a mentally handicapped female suicide bomber in one of the attacks outside of Baghdad’s Green Zone.
Syria and Iran benefit from Al-Qaeda, says jihadi leader