TTP | Search Results | FDD's Long War Journal

Islamic State Somalia eulogizes foreign fighters

The video provides the first known instance of a Western foreign fighter within the Islamic State Somalia’s ranks.

Al Qaeda ideologue justifies Shabaab’s war with the Islamic State in Somalia

Bilal Khuraysat, an al Qaeda ideologue in Syria, has released a treatise justifying Shabaab’s war with the Islamic State in Somalia. The Islamic State continues to battle al Qaeda’s branches and like-minded jihadists in several theaters.

Taliban promotes training camp for ‘Commando Mujahidin’

While these training videos are often mocked, including by the spokesman for Resolute Support and US Forces – Afghanistan, the graduates from these camps have been effective at battling Afghan security forces.

Taliban suicide bomber leads attack on Afghan training center in Wardak province

Three Taliban jihadists attacked a National Directorate of Security (NDS) training center in Wardak earlier today. The assault was led by a Taliban suicide bomber driving a Humvee packed with explosives.

Attack on UN base in Mali carried out according to Zawahiri’s guidelines, JNIM says

Al Qaeda’s branch in Mali attacked a UN base earlier today, killing at least ten peacekeepers from Chad. The group says that the assault was part of Ayman al-Zawahiri’s global campaign, which rejects the “normalization” of Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited Chad today.

‘They will beg us for talks but we will reject them,’ Taliban spokesman says

One of the Taliban’s top two spokesmen bragged that the group called off negotiations with the US after the latter has pleaded for peace talks.

Russia says gas leak likely caused apartment explosion claimed by Islamic State

The Russian government says that a gas leak was most likely responsible for an explosion at an apartment building in Magnitogorsk on Dec. 31. On Jan. 17, the Islamic State claimed that the incident was really an “operation” conducted by the Islamic State’s Caucasus province.

US airstrike kills dozens of Shabaab fighters day after Ethiopian forces ambushed

A US airstrike reportedly targeted Shabaab militants as they went on the offensive following the deadly terrorist attack in Nairobi.

Thousands flee Islamic State West Africa offensive in northeast Nigeria

Islamic State West Africa has forced thousands of civilians to flee Rann after raiding and ransacking the makeshift town in northeastern Nigeria. The assault in Rann is part of a broader ISWA offensive in the region.

Shabaab says Nairobi attack carried out in accordance with Zawahiri’s guidelines

Shabaab released a two-page statement saying the Jan. 15 attack at a hotel in Nairobi was conducted in accordance with Ayman al Zawahiri’s “guidelines.” The al Qaeda arm has other reasons for striking inside Kenya as well, including the government’s role in the guerrilla war in Somalia.

Indian Forces kill top terror commander wanted in Jammu and Kashmir

Indian security forces killed a notorious and heavily sought-after bomb-maker and chief commander of the Pakistani-connected Al-Badr organization in the Jammu and Kashmir region. Indian officials and news sources identified the commander as Zeenat-ul-Islam, and illustrated his ties with numerous US-designated foreign terror organizations in the region, including Al-Badr and Hizbul Mujahideen. A second terrorist, […]

US service members killed by Islamic State suicide bomber in northern Syria

Four Americans, including two service members, were killed when an Islamic State suicide bomber struck in Manbij, Syria earlier today.

Shabaab claims assault in Kenyan capital

The jihadist group continues to launch large-scale attacks inside Kenyan territory.

Taliban suicide bomber targets foreign compound in Kabul

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for a “complex martyrdom operation” in Kabul’s Green Village late yesterday. The target of the attack isn’t clear. The Taliban says the facility served as a “a key intelligence site” for “foreigners.” Afghan officials claim it was mostly empty and had been inhabited by UN employees and NGO workers.

Shabaab kills pro-Islamic State commander

With Shabaab continuing to target ISS members and pro-ISS members within its own ranks, it is unlikely Fiile will be the last commander to be killed by the al Qaeda branch.

Jihadist group consolidates control in northwestern Syria

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a US and UN-designated terrorist organization, has strengthened its grip on northwestern Syria in recent weeks. HTS has seized ground from rival insurgents.

Al Qaeda-linked operations room calls for another mediation effort in Syria

The “Incite the Believers” operations room has called for an independent sharia court to settle the disputes between rival insurgents in Syria. “Incite the Believers” was established by the “Guardians of Religion” organization, Ansar al-Din Front, and Ansar al-Islam late last year.

Counterterrorism strikes in Somalia continue, despite reports of a drawdown

US counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia shows no signs of slowing down despite a report last week that said the Pentagon plans to reduce its role there. The US has launched four strikes against Shabaab during the first week of 2019.

US strike that killed USS Cole plotter first in Yemen in 3 months

Counterterrorism operations against AQAP have significantly tapered off in 2018 after a massive increase in 2017. The strike that killed Jamal-al Badawi is the first in Yemen since mid-September 2018.

USS Cole plotter targeted in American airstrike

CENTCOM confirms that Jamal al-Badawi, an al Qaeda veteran who has been wanted for his role in the USS Cole Bombing, was targeted in an airstrike earlier this month. Press reports indicated that Badawi perished, but CENTCOM says his status is still being investigated.

Analysis: Islamic State expanded operations in Somalia in 2018

The Islamic State’s loyalists claimed more operations in Somalia in 2018 than in 2016 and 2017 combined. The group has also expanded its operations to include tactics normally associated with its larger rival, Shabaab.

JNIM spokesman warns tribes in Mali

Abu Dujana al-Qasimi, the Saudi spokesman for Al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM), released a short audio message yesterday warning tribes in Mali not to cooperate with the “Crusader enemy.”

Taliban video shows fighters controlling district center in Farah

Afghan security officials denied Shib Koh fell to the Taliban, but a video recently released by the Taliban shows its fighters in full control of the district center.

Islamic State arm reportedly seizes Nigerian town

Islamic State West Africa reportedly seized the town of Baga in northeastern Nigeria earlier this week. The Nigerian military downplayed the jihadis’ advances, but it appears that ISWA seized the town, at least temporarily. And ISWA documented its spoils in a series of images released today.

Taliban publicly rejects talks with Afghan government, again

The Taliban has again rejected reports saying that it is willing to talk with the Afghan government.

Jihadis claim US-designated terrorist killed in Syria

Jihadis on social media claim that Abu Julaybib al-Urduni, an al Qaeda loyalist, has been killed in Syria. Abu Julaybib helped found Al Nusrah Front, but later had a falling out with Al Nusrah’s leader over the group’s “disassociation” from al Qaeda and other issues.