Jihadists in Syria train for urban warfare
The Islamic State is training its forces inside Palmyra, a city under its control, while Al Nusrah is instructing fighters near the contested city of Aleppo.
Tag Archives: Islamic State
Hekmatyar denies Hizb-i-Islami supports the Islamic State
“Hizb-i-Islami neither has relations with the Islamic State, or any commitment to the group, nor has it announced any support of that group,” Gulbuddin Hekmatyar said in mid-October.
US Special Forces, Kurdish troops raid Islamic State prison in Iraq
The military’s claim that the US troops who participated in the operation were military advisers and not engaged in a combat mission is implausible, given the involvement of Delta Force operators. One US soldier was killed.
US praises role of Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Baiji operation
Officials continue to whitewash the role that Iranian-backed Shiite militias play in Iraq’s offensive against the Islamic State. The US continues to provide airstrikes to these militias, which are Iranian clients responsible for killing hundreds of American soldiers and remain hostile to the US.
Islamic State promotes training camps in ‘Khorasan’
While the locations of the Shaykh Abu Omar al Baghdadi and Shaykh Abu Musab al Zarqawi camps are unknown, they are likely situated in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, where the jihadist group has established a presence.
US drone strike kills mufti of Islamic State Khorasan Province
Jalaluddin, the former mufti for Khorasan Province, rose thought the jihadist ranks in the Afghan-Pakistan region and was mentored by Sheikh Aminullah, an influential Taliban leader and al Qaeda facilitator, before defecting to the Islamic State. He taught at the Ganj Madrassa, which is listed by the US as a terrorist facility.
Al Qaeda-linked jihadists claim to have detained Islamic State operative in Derna, Libya
The Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) in Derna claims to have captured a top Islamic State leader in Libya. The MSC has been battling the Islamic State in Derna since June, but appears to have the upper hand in the jihadists’ infighting.
Abu Sayyaf Group shows Western hostages in new video
The Philippines-based jihadist group is notorious for taking Western hostages in southeast Asia.
Iraqi military targets Islamic State emir’s convoy in Anbar
The Iraqi military claimed it targeted Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the emir of the Islamic State, as he was traveling to meet with other commanders of his organization at a location on the border with Syria. The fate of Baghdadi, who has been reported killed or wounded several times in the past, is unknown.
Islamic State claims gains in Aleppo province during chaotic fight
The Islamic State has issued a statement claiming to have captured several key towns north of the city of Aleppo. The group’s campaign in Aleppo province had stalled until Russia began targeting some of its opposition, including Free Syrian Army units.
Islamic State kills Iranian general in Syria
Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani is the third senior Iraqi military adviser who has been killed in the Syrian-Iraqi theater since the beginning of the year.
Islamic State ‘province’ claims 4 suicide attacks on Yemeni, Gulf forces
The Islamic State’s “Aden-Abyan Province” claimed responsibility for four suicide bombings in Aden earlier today. The attackers targeted forces from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to Yemeni soldiers. The operations were a departure for the Islamic State, which has usually targeted civilian facilities in Yemen.
US adds Islamic State, Caucasus Emirates operatives to terrorism list
The designations include three jihadists from the Russian Caucasus, including Omar al Shishani’s deputy and a Turkey-based “overseas emissary.” A recruiter from the United Kingdom was also designated.
US counterterrorism efforts in Syria: A winning strategy?
Testimony to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade on the US counterterrorism strategy in Syria. “The West’s involvement is ad hoc, tactical and reactionary.”
US government targets Islamic State’s foreign fighters in new designations
The US State and Treasury Departments announced 35 designations today. The designations target the Islamic State’s foreign fighters, leaders, “provinces” and other related entities. Several jihadists from the West were included among the designees.
US-backed rebels handed over equipment to al Qaeda in Syria
CENTCOM has conceded that rebels belonging to the so-called “New Syrian Forces” turned over equipment and ammunition to Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria. This is the latest setback for the US effort to train and equip Syrian rebels.
Pentagon confirms French al Qaeda member, Islamic State leader killed in airstrikes
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters today that David Drugeon, a French bombmaker who belonged to al Qaeda’s so-called “Khorasan Group,” and Abu Bakr al Turkmani, a senior Islamic State leader, have been killed in airstrikes. Drugeon was killed in July, while al Turkmani perished earlier this month.
Zawahiri argues Islamic State’s ‘caliphate’ not based on ‘prophetic method’
Al Qaeda has released the third installment of its long-delayed “Islamic Spring” series, which features long-winded speeches by Ayman al Zawahiri. As in past editions of the series, Zawahiri argues that the Islamic State’s “caliphate” is illegitimate.
In Dabiq magazine, Islamic State complains about jihadist rivals in Libya
The Islamic State’s newest edition of Dabiq magazine features an interview with Abul Mughirah al Qahtani, who is identified for the first time as the head of the “caliphate’s” Libyan “province.” Qahtani complains bitterly about the Islamic State’s jihadist and Islamist rivals. He notes, for example, that Ansar al Sharia has failed to swear allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and says the group is close to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Pakistani Taliban spokesman says reports of joining Islamic State are ‘lies’
Earlier today, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Muhammad Khorasani denied reports that his group was going to join Abu Bakr al Baghdadi’s Islamic State. Khorasani said that these reports are “false” and based on “lies.” There are multiple indications that al Qaeda helped reorganize the current Pakistani Taliban coalition this year.
AQAP, Islamic State both praise 9/11 attacks in English-language magazines
The latest editions of AQAP’s Inspire and the Islamic State’s Dabiq were published online today. Both English-language magazines praise the 9/11 attacks.
Zawahiri argues Islamic State’s caliphate is illegitimate in newly released message
In an audio message released today, al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri argues that Abu Bakr al Baghdadi’s Islamic State is illegitimate. Zawahiri says Muslims are under no obligation to swear allegiance to Baghdadi, and al Qaeda does not recognize the Islamic State as a “caliphate.” Despite their differences, Zawahiri says that if he were based in Iraq or Syria he would cooperate with the Islamic State in the fight against the West and other common enemies.
Prime Minister says 2 British nationals killed in airstrikes were plotting attacks
In a speech before the UK parliament today, Prime Minister David Cameron said that two British nationals recently killed in airstrikes carried out by the US and UK were plotting attacks in Britain. Both were members of the Islamic State. One of the two was well-known for computer hacking and online recruiting.
Dissident Taliban commander claims Pakistani intel ordered him to conduct assassinations, attacks in Afghanistan
Mullah Mansour Dadullah, who has rejected the appointment of Mullah Mansour to replace Mullah Omar, also said that the Taliban’s leadership is based in Pakistan. He has not expressed a desire to join the Islamic State.
AQIM battalion claims ‘fewer than 10’ members defected to Islamic State
Yesterday, the Islamic State claimed that AQIM’s entire Al Ansar Battalion in Algeria had defected. In a statement released online today, AQIM responds by saying that fewer than 10 fighters from the battalion have joined Abu Bakr al Baghdadi’s cause.
Islamic State ‘province’ bombs another mosque in Sanaa, Yemen
The “caliphate’s” men have once again struck a mosque in Sanaa, Yemen. Unlike al Qaeda, the Islamic State deliberately targets Houthi civilians.
Islamic State’s Caucasus ‘province’ claims first official attack on Russian forces
The Islamic State’s Caucasus “province” has claimed responsibility for an attack on Russian forces. It is the first official claim by the group since it was established in June.
Islamic State brutally executes 4 men in response to slaying by ‘Angel of Death’
The Islamic State has brutally executed four men who belonged to the Iraqi and Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The executions are a response to the PMF’s own slayings of Sunnis, the Islamic State says.
Islamic State kills 2 senior Iraqi generals in suicide assault near Ramadi
The Islamic State claimed credit for killing Major General Abdel Rahman Abu Raghif, the deputy commander for the Anbar Operations command, and Brigadier Safin Abdel Majid, the commander of the 10th Iraqi Army Division, in a six-man suicide assault on a military headquarters near Ramadi.
Central Asian groups split over leadership of global jihad
Earlier this month, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan officially swore allegiance to the Islamic State’s emir, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. On August 20, fighters from the Islamic Jihad Union followed in al Qaeda’s footsteps and pledged loyalty to Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, the newly appointed leader of the Taliban.