FDD's Long War Journal

Egypt

The Islamic Insurgency That Could Soon Hit Egypt

Over 20 Egyptian policemen executed in the Sinai

Over 20 policemen were killed in the latest attack by Islamist militants in the Sinai Peninsula. The attack comes amid an ongoing crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood and calls by extremists to wage “jihad” against the army.

Al Qaeda

Analysis: Egyptian crackdown hands al Qaeda new lease on life

Libya

A retired judge was shot dead in Benghazi after leaving dawn prayers at a mosque. The Benghazi Local Council blamed the government for failing to uphold security and judicial processes throughout Libya, and particularly in Benghazi. Outgoing Interior Minister Mohamed Al-Sheikh said he resigned because Prime Minister Zeidan disrupted Al-Sheikh’s measures to activate the police […]

Al Qaeda

Al Qaeda ‘targeting European high-speed rail’

Tunisia

Security forces have besieged an area in Kasserine near the Algerian border after reports of the presence of armed groups. The ruling Islamist Ennahda party agreed to meet with the opposition “without conditions” to try to resolve the current political impasse. Captured terrorist Mohamed Habib Al-Omri told authorities that the killing of eight Tunisian soldiers […]

Germany

A German media report said intelligence sources claimed that the recently intercepted communications between al Qaeda leaders included discussion of attacking European railways. German authorities are said to have taken discreet measures in response, including the deployment of plain-clothed police in stations and on trains.

Australia

Musa Cerantonio, an Australian imam, has posted Facebook messages calling for the overthrow of the Egyptian government, the establishment of jihadist groups in Egypt, and the creation of an Islamic state in the Sinai. A former resident of Egypt, Cerantonio is said to now be in Malaysia. The Catholic convert is an active al Qaeda […]

Brazil

Britain detains partner of journalist linked to Snowden

Indonesia

After rioting at Labuhan Ruku prison on Sumatra, some 25 to 30 prisoners escaped. Authorities recaptured several of the escapees. It is the third prison break in the country over the past six weeks; several terrorists escaped in the first of the three, in Medan. Interpol has blamed recent jailbreaks in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Libya […]

Afghanistan

Afghan peace process: Pakistan may release more Taliban prisoners

Al Qaeda

American al Qaeda militant urges attacks on US diplomats

Egypt

France urges Saudi, Qatar to help resolve Egypt crisis

Ennahda

In turnaround, ruling Tunisia Islamists will meet rivals

Afghanistan

The Taliban killed seven Afghan soldiers and four policemen in attacks across the country. Security forces killed 16 Taliban fighters in an airstrike in Helmand and five more fighters in Ghazni.

Afghanistan

Illegal Armed Groups Threaten Security of Baghlan: Officials

Syria

Aleppo: A city where snipers shoot children

Iraq

Four civilians were killed in a pair of bombings in Sunni neighborhoods in Baghdad. Security forces captured 29 suspected terrorists and seized 12 IEDs during raids in Mosul.

Pakistan

Pakistani Cleric Cleared In ‘Blasphemy’ Case

Libya

Libyan Amazighs push for recognition

Egypt

Security forces continued to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood, raiding homes tied to the Islamist group’s leadership. State agencies reported that 36 Islamists were killed during an attempted prison break. At least one border guard was killed in another attack in the Sinai.

Syria

A Libyan emir of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was reportedly killed in clashes with regime forces in Latakia. The Islamist Jund al Sham battalion claimed an attack in Homs that killed nine civilians. Control of the main crossing between rebel-held and regime areas of Aleppo has been given to the rebel […]

Russia

Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov has released a series of statements over the past few weeks, in which he defends the creation of the Caucasus Emirate but notes that it has few fighters in the mountains of Chechnya and many Chechen jihadists have gone to Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and elsewhere. Russia is planning to impose […]

Libya

A bomb detonated outside the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi yesterday, injuring a guard. Militiamen in Tripoli yesterday seized and beat a bank manager in front of his staff, who later went on strike, demanding a government investigation of the assault. Interior Minister Mohammed Khalifa al-Sheikh resigned, citing interference with his mandate by unspecified members of […]

Morocco

Authorities announced the breakup of a terrorist cell with ties to leaders in al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Four suspects, who were active in Fes, Meknes, Taounate, and Tiznit, were arrested. The cell’s leader was accused of planning a terrorist attack and inciting sabotage. A crowd of 10,000 Islamists marched in Rabat in support […]