Latest Articles about Terrorism
The Chechens Fighting for the Islamic State in Mosul
Analysts who have followed developments in Syria and Iraq have increasingly paid attention to the presence of Chechen fighters in the area since 2013. An influx of large numbers of Chechen militants to Syria created conditions for the appearance of ethnicity-based Chechen armed groups. ... MORE
North Caucasian Insurgency Experiences Setbacks but Conditions for Political Violence Persist
On December 4, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the killing of Rustam Asilderov (a.k.a. amir Abu Muhammad Kadarsky) in Makhachkala, Dagestan. Government forces killed Asilderov along with four other insurgents in the Dagestani capital’s suburb of Talgi. Asilderov, 35, was the leader of... MORE
Al-Qaeda’s New Blood in North Africa: An In-Depth Look at Hisham Ashamwy
Egypt has been one of the least studied and covered theaters of jihad that have emerged in the aftermath of the 2011 Arab uprisings. The comparatively low death toll and resilience of the central state understandably make it less of a priority for both policymakers... MORE
The Arrest of Asif Choto: A Serious Blow to Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
Islamist terrorist organizations in Pakistan have not been very successful in recruiting rank and file from Karachi. The city developed a culture somewhat resistant to their influence, which is demonstrated by local voting patterns. People in the southern port city and financial capital of Pakistan... MORE
From Hip-Hop to Jihad: A Profile of Italian Foreign Fighter Anas el-Abboubi
On September 28, 2016, the U.S. Department of State designated Islamic State (IS) member Anas el-Abboubi as a Special Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13244, which imposes sanctions on foreign individuals determined to commit acts of terrorism. El-Abboubi is the first Italian citizen... MORE
Briefs
SOMALIA: PRO-IS FIGHTERS EXPLOIT CLAN LOYALTIES Islamic State-linked (IS) militants took over the port town of Qandala in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region early on October 26, apparently facing little resistance (Shabelle News, October 26). Qandala is a strategic target, a hub for smuggled weapons brought... MORE
Algeria’s Role in Libya: Seeking Influence Without Interference
Faced with a range of potential threats, Algeria is one of the countries most concerned with developments in Libya. Close adherence to a doctrine of non-interference has limited Algeria’s role in its neighbor’s affairs. However, when Fayez al-Sarraj, the president of Libya’s Government of National... MORE
Kenya Struggles to Combat Al-Shabaab’s Cross-Border Attacks
Al-Shabaab has increased attacks in areas near the Kenyan border in recent months, as local and international military action pushes the al-Qaeda affiliated group out of its hideouts in southern Somalia. Analysts believe the militants now have bases in the north and northeastern regions of... MORE
Egypt’s Policies Entrench the Islamist Threat
At a time when Islamic State (IS) is losing ground in Syria and Iraq, its Sinai franchise dealt a blow to the Egyptian armed forces stationed in Sinai. On October 14, the group attacked an army checkpoint in restive North Sinai, killing 12 soldiers... MORE
An Unwinnable War: The Houthis, Saudi Arabia and the Future of Yemen
Saudi Arabia and its allies are engaged in an unwinnable war in Yemen. The Saudi-led campaign called “Operation Decisive Storm” began in March 2015 with the aim of forcing Yemen’s Houthi rebels to withdraw from the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and reinstalling Yemen’s internationally recognized... MORE