Latest Briefs
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
Secret Camps Offer Operational Courses in Jihad Tactics
An interesting recent posting on the Abu al-Bokhary jihadi forum (https://www.abualbokhary.net/) provides some useful insight about the current conditions and the priorities in the training of mujahideen. The anonymous author of a "Basic Course for Beginners in Secret Mujahideen Camps," describes a "five day course... MORE
Anbar Revenge Brigade Makes Progress in the Fight Against al-Qaeda
The Anbar Revenge Brigade, an armed group of Sunni tribal elements, announced earlier this month that it had killed five of al-Qaeda's top members operating in Iraq. In an internet statement posted on an Islamic website, the group stated, "Your brothers, heroes of the Revenge... MORE
Declassified Document Outlines History of al-Qaeda Threat to the UAE
Documents from the Harmony Database recently declassified by the U.S. military includes a threat made by al-Qaeda to the United Arab Emirates, specifically Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The text is significant since it places the series of warnings against the UAE during the last year... MORE