Latest Briefs
Mujahideen Mull Whether al-Qaeda in the Peninsula is a Fake
As news circulated on the arrest by Saudi authorities in Riyadh of yet more terrorist suspects in connection with the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil facilities last February, chatter on the jihadi forums has turned to considering whether the al-Qaeda organization is still functioning... MORE
Egypt Breaks-up al-Ta’efa al-Mansoura Jihadist Group
On April 19, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior announced the capture of 22 members of a jihadist group that calls itself al-Ta'efa al-Mansoura (the Victorious Sect), and said that the group was planning to launch terrorist attacks against tourist locations and a gas line and... MORE
BRIEFS
PHILIPPINE TROOPS KILL ABU SAYYAF COMMANDER Amilhamja Ajijul, an Abu Sayyaf commander who headed the organization's urban terrorism unit, was killed by Philippine security forces on April 11 (Malaysia Star, April 11). Ajijul was accused of organizing bombings in Zamboanga City, a town 530 miles... MORE
Syrian Jihadi Publication a Barometer of Decline
On April 14, the 10th issue of the Minbar al-Sham al-Islami (Islamic Pulpit of Greater Syria) appeared on the internet forums. The biweekly magazine emerged from the internet publishing group Minbar Suriya al-Islami (Islamic Pulpit of Syria), which also produces the Risalat al-Mujahidee (Message of... MORE
Taliban Shift Tactics in Afghanistan
An increasing series of similarities between the insurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq has caused concern that militants are learning from the ongoing insurgency in Iraq. The abduction of foreign civilians, the increased use of roadside and suicide bombing attacks and the frequent ambush of security... MORE
Jihadis Cast Doubt on the Latest al-Qaeda Declaration
Many comments have been made about the April 3 declaration by "al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula" denying "the recent claims of the Saluli [Saudi] government concerning the arrest of members of the media division of the organization [of al-Qaeda]." The declaration dismissed the reports of... MORE
Abu Ayman, Head of the Secret Islamic Army, Captured in Iraq
Early this month, the Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-Iraq) announced the capture of Mohammed Hila Hammad Obeidi, otherwise known as Abu Ayman. According to a press release, Abu Ayman, a senior aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was captured by U.S.-led Iraqi forces on March 7 (MNF-Iraq... MORE
Wave of Arrests in Saudi Arabia Thwarts Second Refinery Attack
Over the past two weeks, Saudi Arabian security authorities have conducted a series of raids across the country, including in the capital Riyadh and the cities of Mecca and Medina. On March 29, a total of 40 suspected members of al-Qaeda were picked up in... MORE
Taliban Attacks Target Communication Infrastructure
Unknown assailants detonated powerful explosives at a government-run Radio Pakistan FM radio transmission tower at approximately 1:00 AM on March 20 in Wana, Pakistan. The explosions were heard miles away and disabled the facility for two days. No casualties were reported and service has since... MORE