FDD's Long War Journal

CIA

White House Tactic for CIA Bid Holds Back Drone Memos

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

Qaddafi had ‘massive’ plan to destabilize Saudi Arabia: report

Libya

Libyan and US officials discussed the possible provision of US technical support to Libya’s Air Force. The UK is sending a warship to Libya in April to showcase security equipment.

Islamist gunmen, some disguised as women, infiltrated into Gao from across the Niger River. French and Malian troops fired at militants holed up in the mayor’s office. A MUJAO spokesman said the group has been ordered to “liberate Gao.” A car bomb exploded in Kidal near barracks housing French and Chadian troops, killing the driver […]

Tunisia

The ruling Islamist Ennahda party plans to pick a hardliner to replace outgoing Prime Minister Jebali, who resigned a few days ago. A Tunisian TV report claimed that opposition leader Chokri Belaid had been assassinated by a Salafist cell.

United Kingdom

A court found Birmingham residents Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid, and Ashik Ali guilty of planning to execute a massive terror attack in England. The three al Qaeda-linked ringleaders plotted to use eight suicide bombers to cause more “carnage” than the 7/7 London bombings. Naseer and Khalid as well as four accomplices had traveled to Pakistan […]

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The case for kicking terrorists off Twitter

China

Chinese cyberspies have hacked most Washington institutions, experts say

Iran-backed terror cell exposed in Nigeria

Nigerian authorities announced the arrest of three members of an Iranian-backed terror cell that was planning attacks on US and Israeli interests.

Cyprus terror suspect admits Hezbollah membership

In Cyprus, Lebanese-Swedish dual citizen Hossam Taleb Yaacoub admitted to being a member of Hezbollah and helping the terror group in Europe.

Iran

ECB faces US pressure over Iran

Bahrain

The head of public security said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were responsible for setting up a terrorist cell in Bahrain. The cell allegedly planned to assassinate public figures and attack government buildings, but was broken up and its members arrested on Feb. 17.

Syria

Saudi Arabia, Qatar press for more help to Syrian rebels

Lebanon

A former Lebanese minister and two Syrian Intelligence officers were indicted for plotting a wave of bomb attacks in Lebanon. The plots were allegedly instigated by the Syrian government.

Syria

SNC Cites Hezbollah Role in Syria

Afghanistan

Jirga to Decide on Kabul-Washington Security Pact

Syria

Fighting between government and rebel forces ground on around Damascus and Aleppo airport. Arms shipments to the rebels slowed. President Assad declared: “We are sure we will win.” The rebel Syrian Free Army issued an ultimatum to Hezbollah to stop its attacks in Syria or face retaliation in south Lebanon.

Ex-Guantanamo detainee reportedly killed in Syria

Slimane Hadj Abderrahmane, an ex-Gitmo detainee, has reportedly been killed while fighting in Syria. Abderrahmane was allegedly a member of an al Qaeda-linked group prior to his detention in late 2001. Authorities at Guantanamo deemed him a “high” risk to the US and its allies.

Sweden

Malmö mayor concerned about Islam-critical show

Egypt

Jama’a al-Islamiya and 13 other Islamist parties announced the formation of “armed squads” that they say will help the police “fight vandals, thugs and groups like the Black Bloc.” A court ruled that policemen will be allowed to grow beards ending a de facto ban imposed during the reign of Hosni Mubarak.

Palestinian Territories

Palestinian human rights groups slammed Hamas’ recent decision to reduce the sentences of two Salafi jihadists charged with kidnapping and murdering an Italian national. A Hamas spokesman denounced the coalition deal between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Somalia

African Union and Somali forces battled Shabaab fighters in Janaale. Shabaab claimed it killed 25 “kuffar invaders” and lost three of its own fighters.

Algeria

The Interior Ministry refused to license the Free Awakening Front, the country’s first Salafist party, which had sought to hold its founding convention on Feb. 16. The Id Amenas gas facility, the site of last month’s terrorist assault, will partially reopen starting next week.

Cameroon

French special forces arrived from their regional base at N’Djamena in Chad to assist with the investigation into the kidnapping of seven French tourists, all family members including four children, on Feb. 19. Of all the nations, France currently has the most citizens being held hostage, with a total of 15 in Africa.

China

China floods Iran with cheap consumer goods in exchange for oil

Germany

The government approved the deployment of some 330 troops to Mali; up to 180 of them will participate in the European Union training mission. Two Iranian men were charged in Frankfurt state court with smuggling dozens of German-made motors to Iran for its Ababil III drone, which is used for both surveillance and attacks.