FDD's Long War Journal

ISAF captures al Qaeda trainer in Kunar

The al Qaeda leader was targeted in a raid in the Watahpur district, a known hub for the terror group, on June 6.

Prime Minister Zeidan denied rumors that Ansar al Sharia Tunisia was involved in recent clashes in Benghazi, but a spokesman for state security in Benghazi said the attacks on government-affiliated barracks were “organized and professional” and noted that the attackers did not leave any of their dead behind. Zeidan promised to bolster security in Benghazi. […]

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

AQIM confirmed that Abou Zeid, an Algerian-born senior commander, was killed three months ago during fighting in Mali. The statement was the group’s first acknowledgment of the key militant’s death, which had been reported earlier this year by France and Chad.

Sweden

The chief analyst for Säpo, the Swedish intelligence service, said that at least 30 Swedes are known to have traveled to Syria to fight with the rebels and that Sweden only “rarely” can stop them from doing so. Some who have gone to Syria are known extremists, some have attacked civilians in Syria, and “many” […]

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GCHQ intercepted foreign politicians’ communications at G20 summits

China

Snowden’s Leaks on China Could Affect Its Role in His Fate

Afghanistan

Security forces killed 15 “rebels” in Logar. The Taliban killed five policemen in an IED attack yesterday in Paktika. Six civilians were killed in an IED attack in Uruzgan.

Iraq

At least 51 Iraqis were killed in a wave of attacks throughout Iraq. One of the attacks was a suicide bombing in Baghdad. More than 1,000 Kurdish soldiers from the Iraqi Army’s 16th Brigade defected to the Peshmerga after refusing to defend the Sunni Arab town of Sulaiman Bek.

Hezbollah

Boris Johnson: We’ve left it too late to save Syria – this conflict can never be won

Al Nusrah Front

Putin backs Assad and berates West over proposal to arm Syrian rebels

Egypt

An Egyptian cleric and his son were given suspended sentences and ordered to pay a fine for burning a Bible during a protest outside the US embassy in Cairo in September. A senior Muslim Brotherhood official slammed Hezbollah for its role in the Syrian civil war.

Israel

Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel will not be “deluding” itself over Hassan Rouhani’s electoral victory in Iran. Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to resume economic ties, which had been suspended since November.

Salafi jihadists slam Hamas over arrest of Salafist preacher

In recent days, Salafi jihadists have slammed Hamas over the arrest of a Salafist preacher, who Salafi jihadists say has been tortured while in Hamas’ prisons.

Al Qaeda

Niger’s Bad Dream Approaches As Islamists Set Sights On Niamey

Nigeria

Security forces detained a Ukrainian plane at Kano International Airport that was suspected of carrying military hardware. The impounded plane, which was said to be carrying military hardware to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was released 12 hours later. Three suspected Lebanese Hezbollah operatives arrested last month in connection to a large weapons cache […]

Tunisia

Democratic Movement Party chairman Mohamed Abbou charged that Army Chief of Staff General Rachid Ammar should be sacked for failing to protect the country and taking too long to round up al Qaeda-linked terrorists in the Jebel Chaambi area. Abbou has criticized Ansar al Sharia Tunisia in the past. A member of the Nidaa Tounes […]

Libya

Due to security problems in Benghazi, Congress postponed the vote on a successor to President Magarief. Unidentified congressmen said the new president is likely to come “from the east,” where Benghazi is located. The public prosecutor who had been held by Tripoli’s Supreme Security Council was released. The commander of the Libyan Shield militia was […]