Latest Briefs
Nigerian Militants Target Children in Kidnap-for-Ransom Schemes
In Nigeria's delta region, where large oil and gas resources are located, there are various armed groups threatening stability. These groups range from youth gangs to more organized militias to vigilantes. While these armed groups have been involved in kidnapping expatriate energy workers, in recent... MORE
BRIEFS
ASSASSINATION LISTS OF BAATHISTS DISTRIBUTED IN SOUTHERN IRAQ During the Iraq-Iran war of 1980-1988, the Iraqi government created the "Popular Army," a military contingent consisting of volunteers and commanded by senior Baath Party leaders. The purpose of the formation was to reinforce the army on... MORE
Jihadi Ideologue Justifies Attacks on Muslim Governments
A recent posting in the Islamist internet forum alfirdaws.org demonstrates the points of contention among the proponents and detractors of the jihad. The posting, entitled "To Those Hostile to the Mujahideen and their Methods," is authored by the user al-Jethami, who refutes allegations that the... MORE
Morocco Raises Terrorist Alert Level to Maximum
On July 7, Moroccan Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa took an extraordinary measure by raising the terrorist alert level for the kingdom to "maximum." According to information released by the ministry, the decision was made on the basis of "reliable intelligence" indicating that Morocco is the... MORE
BRIEFS
PAKISTANI MEDIA CALLS RED MOSQUE INCIDENT AN INTELLIGENCE FAILURE The Pakistani newspaper The News published a report on July 13 that questioned how it was possible for the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) administration to smuggle in large quantities of arms and ammunition, especially considering that... MORE
BRIEFS
ANSAR AL-ISLAM IN THE MUSLIM DESERT RELEASES NEW WARNING On May 1, the website https://sahara.6te.net posted a warning to the Moroccan government that "Ansar al-Islam in the Muslim Desert" has declared "jihad against this agent government headed by Mohammed the Sixth, and all the agent... MORE
JI Weakened, Yet Potential for Violence Remains
The June arrests of two important Jemaah Islamiya (JI) leaders, Abu Dujana and Zarkasih (also known as Abu Nu'aim), along with their aides, is a major blow to the network and will weaken it significantly (The Jakarta Post, June 25; Terrorism Focus, June 19). Yet,... MORE