FDD's Long War Journal

Shabaab suicide assault team storms UN compound in Mogadishu

Eight fighters from al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia penetrated security at a United Nations Development Program compound, killing several UN employees.

Jihadists in Syria call on Hamas to end campaign against Salafi jihadists

In a new video, jihadists in Syria denounced Hamas’ recent arrest campaign against Salafi jihadists in the Gaza Strip. The jihadists also called on Palestinians in Hamas and other factions to join the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem.

Egypt

Islamists Press Blasphemy Cases in a New Egypt

Syria

Why Kerry Wants to Strike Syria

Nigeria

Abu Zinnira, a Boko Haram spokesperson, claimed that the group will begin targeting youth vigilante groups that have formed recently in Borno and Yobe states to counter Boko Haram’s violence. Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters are said to have regrouped in the Mandara mountains, between Borno and Adamawara states and Cameroon; there the militants have […]

Tunisia

Imams from mosques in Tunis and Ben Arous protested outside the Ministry of Religious Affairs on June 17 against the rising influence of Salafist extremism. The head of the Union of Imams complained that although more than 1,000 imams have suffered violence from Salafists, the government has not investigated or prosecuted any of the cases. […]

IAEA

Rohani once approved of hiding Iran atomic work

United Kingdom

The Supreme Court ruled that soldiers’ families can sue the government for damages resulting from alleged negligence by the military; in so doing, the court rejected the Defence Ministry’s claim of “combat immunity,” except for decisions made in the heat of battle or at high levels of military policy. The court also overturned sanctions against […]

Al Qaeda

Hamid Karzai suspends US-Afghanistan security pact talks

Norway

Foreign Minister Eide disclosed that Norway has hosted Taliban delegates for secret negotiations in the past. He also said that Norway has “played a key role” in obtaining an official political role for the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Jordan

US War Games Send Signal to Assad

United States

President Obama called the opening of the Taliban’s office in Qatar a first step toward Afghan reconciliation. The US has withdrawn the precondition that the Taliban sever ties with al Qaeda, and will begin peace talks with the Taliban on June 20. The US transferred primary security responsibility for all of Afghanistan to Afghan forces. […]

Pakistan

A suicide bomber killed 35 civilians, in an attack at a funeral procession in Mardan. Among those killed was a member of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assembly. An Army lieutenant colonel died of wounds suffered in an IED attack in North Waziristan on June 9.

Afghanistan

The Afghan military has officially taken control of all combat operations in the country. The Taliban opened a political office in Qatar. Four US soldiers were killed in a rocket attack at Bagram Airbase. Three people were killed in a bombing that targeted a senior political leader in Kabul.

Iraq

A suicide bomber killed 15 Iraqis in an attack on a Shia mosque in Baghdad. Insurgents killed two policemen in an IED attack in Ninewa. Security forces killed an al Qaeda leader in Baghdad. Police seized a truckload of explosives bound for the Egyptian Sinai.

Iran

Fears Grow Over Yemenis’ Ties to Iran

Belgium

NSA helped foil terror plot in Belgium, documents, officials say

Prominent Afghan political leader escapes 4th assassination attempt

A roadside bomb exploded near the convoy of Afghan political leader Ustad Mohammad Mohaqiq in Kabul City. Three people were killed, but Mohaqiq survived the attack.

Afghanistan

Rampant corruption, insecurity haunts Nangarhar residents

Afghanistan

Gen. Dostum Distributing Weapons to His Followers: Jowzjan Governor

Germany

Hidden Report Reveals How Iran Dodges Nuclear Watchdogs

Syria

Pentagon Shoots Down Kerry’s Syria Airstrike Plan

Egypt

Authorities seized a half ton of explosives being smuggled into the Sinai. A new poll found that support for President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood is declining in Egypt. Activists and tourism workers threatened to go on strike if the newly appointed governor of Luxor is not dismissed.

Israel

President Peres said the US is right to arm the Syrian opposition. Housing Minister Ariel said Israel has ceased all new housing construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem to help revive peace talks with the Palestinians. Defense Minister Ya’alon warned that Iran may seek to use the recent presidential election to advance the […]

Palestinian Territories

A Hamas delegation led by Khaled Meshal traveled from Egypt to Turkey to meet with Prime Minister Erdogan. Hamas denounced reports that 30 jihadists had entered the Sinai from Gaza and joined a military base in the area. An IDF general alleged that the Palestinian Authority has scaled back funding of a group known for […]

Syria

A car bombing yesterday by an al Qaeda-linked group killed at least 60 Syrian soldiers near a military base by Aleppo’s airport, activists claimed. Some 700,000 civilians in Aleppo’s Afrin district have been besieged by rebels since May 25. Rebels assassinated a college dean in al Hasaka city; the car of a female university lecturer […]