Latest Terrorism Monitor Articles
From Syria to Sulawesi: Could Mujahideen Indonesia Timor become an ISIS Ally?
A schism emerged among Syrian jihadist groups after al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri announced on February 3 that al-Qaeda has “no connection” to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) (Daily Times [Lahore], February 13). The message, which was circulated on jihadi websites, has forced... MORE
Indian Investigations Reveal Funding System for Promoting Jihad in Kashmir
After pursuing a cross-border money laundering case for several years, Indian investigative agencies have zeroed in on the leadership of the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and its front charity organization for allegedly funding terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K, Indian-administered Kashmir) and beyond. On... MORE
Congolese Forces Take the Offensive Against Uganda’s ADF-NALU Militants
Fresh from a victory over the rebel troops of the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) in the unsettled but resource-rich Nord-Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Congolese army has launched an offensive against the self-described “Islamists” of the Allied Democratic... MORE
Assad’s Hurricane: A Profile of the Paramilitary Wing of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party
The presence of numerous auxiliary forces fighting alongside the regular Syrian military and security services against the armed opposition to Ba’athist rule is without question. Acting as ancillaries for the Ba’athist regime’s defense are a similar number of paramilitaries, including the Popular Committees, their successor,... MORE
Iran’s Sunni Baloch Extremists Operating from Bases in Pakistan
An Iranian Sunni extremist group operating out of hideouts in southwestern Pakistan, Jaysh al-Adl (JA - Army of Justice), has started to threaten Iran’s security and darken relations between Tehran and Islamabad. Days after JA abducted five border guards from a remote border post in... MORE
Counterterrorism or Neo-Colonialism? The French Army in Africa
France has sent troops in the past year to two former African colonies, Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR). In Mali, the concern was an Islamist terrorist assault on the government, while in the Central African Republic there were fears that religious clashes between... MORE
The Battle for al-Quneitra, the “Gateway to Damascus”
Syria’s southwestern al-Quneitra governorate, bordering the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and the UN administered demilitarized zone, is an active area of conflict between the armed opposition and forces loyal to the Assad regime. In addition to the geo-political significance of al-Quneitra, the governorate is important to... MORE
Yemen’s Southern Insurgency is Undermining the Political Transition
Yemen’s political transition reached a new turning point on February 10, when President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi formally approved the transformation of the country into a six region federal union (Yemen Times, February 10). The move was partially built on the recommendations promoted by the... MORE
The Quetta Shura: Understanding the Afghan Taliban’s Leadership
The Afghan Taliban, formally called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has proved to be resilient in its commitment to imposing its own version of Islam. The hardline movement is steered by a dozen veteran leaders collectively called the Rahbari Shura, better known as the Quetta... MORE
Are Corruption and Tribalism Dooming Somalia’s War on al-Shabaab Extremists?
After decades of conflict that have nearly destroyed the nation, Somalia now stands poised to make a final drive with international assistance to shatter the strength of radical al-Qaeda-associated Islamists in central and southern Somalia, but there are indications that Somalia’s leaders may be posing... MORE