FDD's Long War Journal

Afghanistan

New militant magazine appeals for help against drones

Pakistan

Christians vote for protection in Pakistan

Ethiopia

Ethiopia: Govt Frees Detained Rebels on Pardon Grant

Carla del Ponte, a leading member of the UN team investigating possible use of chemical weapons in Syria, said there were “strong concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof” that sarin gas had been used by Syrian rebels. The UN team later issued a statement stressing it had reached no conclusions, and the White House […]

Chechnya

Conspiracy Theories in Kyrgyzstan: Accounts Tie Boston Bombers’ Family to Mafia

Taliban claim bombing at political rally, name new emir of Kurram

A politician from the pro-Taliban Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl party was targeted because he “handed over dozens of Arab mujahideen to America” after the battle of Tora Bora. Hafiz Dolat Khan is the Taliban’s new emir in Kurram.

Al Qaeda

Maghreb fights narco-terrorism

Iran

Inside Assad’s Near-Perfect Plan to Turn Syria into ‘The Sinkhole’

Egypt

An alcohol seller was gunned down by men believed to be Islamist militants in the Sinai. Unidentified gunmen kidnapped four contractors in the Sinai. A cabinet reshuffle is expected to affect 11 ministers, but it is unlikely to meet opposition calls for a complete overhaul.

Israel

The head of the IDF’s Northern Command said, “There is no need to get into hysterics, everything is calm [in the North], the residents of the north can sleep in peace.” Two mortar shells from Syria landed in the Golan Heights. Israel and Turkey are said to be “close” to completing a compensation deal related […]

Kenya

Kenya: Countering the Radicalization of Kenya’s Youth

Kenyan court gives life sentences to 2 Iranians for terror plots

Two Iranian nationals believed to be members of the IRGC Quds Force were sentenced to life in prison by a Kenyan court. The Iranian government will help the two appeal the sentencing.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

Al Qaeda Headquarters in Libya

Pakistan

Extremists Pursue Mainstream in Pakistan Election

Tanzania

Authorities arrested four Saudis and four Tanzanians suspected of involvement in a bomb attack Sunday on a church in Arusha in which two people were killed and 60 more injured. The four Saudis had arrived at an airport near Arusha on Saturday and were detained while trying to slip across the border into Kenya.

Egypt claims successes in operations against Gaza smuggling tunnels

An official in the Egyptian Armed Forces announced the successful destruction of over 150 smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza. Throughout April, Egyptian authorities seized numerous weapons being smuggled in the Sinai and near the border with Libya.

Kenya

A Kenyan court sentenced Ahmad Abolfathi Mohammed and Sayed Mansour Mousavi, two suspected IRGC Quds Force members, to life in prison for plotting attacks against Western and Israeli targets in Nairobi. Muslim authorities in Garissa criticized police methods and searches in mosques as an operation to flush out Shabaab militants in the town entered its […]

Iran

Israel’s Red Line Crossed, US Tacitly Backs Ally’s Strikes in Syria

Libya

Militiamen blockaded the Foreign Ministry again, after pressing Congress to pass a law barring Gaddafi-era officials from holding public office. The militiamen now demand the removal of Prime Minister Zeidan. The Zeidan government has rejected allegations by Chad and Niger that Libya is harboring Islamist terrorists recently driven out of Mali. A top Libyan intelligence […]

Bangladesh

The death toll from clashes between rioting Islamist protesters and police around Dhaka has risen to 45, including five policemen. Hundreds of people have been injured during the protests, which began several days ago but are now said to have largely subsided. Security has been beefed up in the capital and around major mosques across […]

Afghanistan

ISAF killed a wanted Saudi terrorist and an Afghan commander in Nuristan last week; both men have been linked to “Arab” elements of the insurgency. The Taliban killed four civilians in an IED attack in Farah.

Israel

Israeli Attacks on Syria Fuel Debate Over US-Led Airstrikes

Malaysia

The ruling National Front coalition won its 13th consecutive election, but by its narrowest margin ever. The opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which had pledged to impose a strict version of sharia law if elected, threatened to challenge the results.

Iraq

Insurgents killed nine Iraqi civilians in attacks and bombings in and around Baghdad. In one attack, the mayor of Mahmudiyah and his son were killed after gunmen stormed their home. Three more civilians were killed at a bombing near an Internet cafe in the capital.

Syria

Israeli jets carried out the second strike in 48 hours, allegedly against Hezbollah stocks of Fateh-110 missiles supplied by Iran. A military research facility at Jamraya was targeted, as were areas near Maysaloun on the Lebanese border and the nearby Dimas air base. State media claimed the attacks caused massive damage and many casualties. The […]

Israel

Two Iron Dome batteries were deployed to the north of the country and Israeli embassies were put on high alert amid reports that Israel struck multiple targets in Syria recently. Deputy Defense Minister Danon did not confirm the alleged strikes in Syria, but said Israel “is protecting its interests and will continue doing so.” The […]