Britain
Iran ‘faked British chemical weapons plot’
Iran ‘faked British chemical weapons plot’
Timbuktu Training Site Shows Terrorists’ Reach
Defense Secretary Panetta said that as the US is still in a war on terrorism, drone strikes must continue to be used against al Qaeda “where necessary.” He also affirmed the need for covert US action in some cases.
Two Filipino members of a Jordanian journalist’s crew held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants since June 2012 have been freed; the journalist is still in captivity. The militants had demanded a $3.1 million ransom for the three men. MNLF rebels claimed to have assisted with negotiations in order to “help the government clean up the […]
Militants’ Goal in Algeria Gas Plant Siege: A Giant Fireball
Israel’s Defense Ministry faces NIS 4.5 billion cut in planned 2013-14 budget
Western intelligence officials say additional targets were struck in Syria by the Israeli Air Force earlier this week. On Feb. 2, Syrian state television aired footage that purported to show the damage caused by Israel’s airstrikes.
Thirteen security personnel, 12 Taliban fighters, and 10 civilians were killed after the Taliban launched an assault on a checkpoint in Lakki Marwat. The Taliban killed two more soldiers in an IED attack in Arakzai.
NATO chief urges European countries not to use Afghanistan drawdown as excuse to cut budgets
Eastern Afghanistan residents wary of US departure
Report: German check bust man is ex-Iran bank head
Iran rial hits all-time dollar low
Dogged Work, Win or Lose, Marked Clinton Tenure at State
Although splintered, al Qaeda finds new life in unstable areas
Biden: U.S. open to direct talks with Iran
Syria strikes back? Hackers break into Haaretz emails, threaten more attacks
Kerry likely to visit Israel, Egypt in first trip as secretary of state
Panetta: Iranian threat spreads
Frank Video of Mass Sexual Assault in Cairo Is Released by Anti-Harassment Activists
Insurgents killed three soldiers in an IED attack south of Samarra. Security forces captured five al Qaeda fighters in a raid on a bomb factory in Karma. Clerics in Fallujah rejected al Qaeda’s call for demonstrators to join them and fight the government.
A senior security official pledged Iran’s full support for the Assad regime in Syria. US Defense Secretary Panetta said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were exporting portable antiaircraft missiles. US Vice President Biden said the US was prepared to hold direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program.
Twenty-one al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters, five soldiers, and two pro-government militia members were killed during fighting near Shurqa in Abyan. The government confirmed that a ship that was seized for smuggling weapons last week is an Iranian vessel.
After days of heavy fighting, rebels captured a strategic road linking Aleppo with its main airport. The head of the rebel National Coalition alliance held the first direct talks with senior Russian officials. He also planned talks with Iran. The Assad regime considered talks with the rebels.
A suicide bomber killed a Kenyan soldier in an attack in Wajir. Two policemen and a civlian were wounded in the blast, which took place near a bank.
A senior police official said that five Shabaab operatives who entered the country last month are still missing. The five “foreign fighters” are said to be involved in the 2010 suicide attacks in Kampala.
Syrian Jihadist Groups Take Conflict To Lebanon
Protesting in Egypt because they have nothing else
A video of police beating a naked man inflamed anger against security forces and the government. The opposition National Salvation Front called for President Morsi to resign.
German intelligence confirmed that Abu Azzam, a German believed to be a radical Salafist who moved to Egypt last year, posted a video threatening to kill Chancellor Merkel and blow up the Reichstag. The jihadist’s threats were made in the name of Osama bin Laden and also included a threat to US President Obama.
The Turkish left-wing group Revolutionary People’s Liberation Army-Front (DHKP-C) claimed yesterday’s suicide attack on the US Embassy in Ankara. Turkish authorities say DNA tests prove the suicide bomber was Ecevit Sanli, a member of the group. The government alleged that “comprehensive evidence” linked the DHKP-C with nine lawyers arrested last week.