THE NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — An American drone strike killed Ayman al-Zawahri, a key plotter of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks who took over as the leader of Al Qaeda after Osama bin Laden’s death, at an urban safe house in Afghanistan, President Biden announced on Monday night.
The early-morning strike in the heart of downtown Kabul over the weekend capped a 21-year manhunt for an Egyptian radical who more than anyone besides Bin Laden was deemed responsible for the deadliest foreign attack on the United States in modern times and never gave up targeting Americans.
“Now justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more,” Mr. Biden said in a seven-minute nationally televised address from the White House. “We make it clear again tonight,” he added, “that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.”
American intelligence agencies tracked down al-Zawahri in Kabul earlier this year and then spent months determining that it really was him hiding out in a house in a crowded section of the Afghan capital. After receiving authorization from Mr. Biden a week ago, the C.I.A. fired two Hellfire missiles and killed al-Zawahri on a balcony of the house without killing anyone else, including members of his family or any nearby civilians, American officials said. » | Peter Baker, Helene Cooper, Julian E. Barnes and Eric Schmitt | Monday, August 1, 2022
Ayman Al-Zawahiri, une vie entière dévouée au djihad : Le chef d’Al-Qaida, tué dans une frappe de drone américain, annoncée, lundi, par Joe Biden, était sorti de l’ombre après les attentats du 11-Septembre. Des Frères musulmans à « la base », son parcours épouse toutes les mutations du djihadisme contemporain. »
Al-Qaida-Chef al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan getötet: Mehr als zwei Jahrzehnte nach den Terroranschlägen vom 11. September töten die USA Bin Ladens Nachfolger mit einem Drohnenangriff in Kabul. Präsident Bidens Afghanistan-Strategie kommt das gelegen. »
Showing posts with label al-Qaeda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label al-Qaeda. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 02, 2022
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Mike Pompeo Claims without Evidence That Iran Is Al-Qaida's New 'Home Base'
The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has claimed, without providing evidence, that al-Qaida leaders have established a new “home base” in the Iran, in what appeared to be his latest effort to raise the political cost of the next administration reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.
Speaking with just eight days left in office, Pompeo alleged that Iran was “the new Afghanistan”, telling a news conference in Washington: “Unlike in Afghanistan, when al-Qaida was hiding in the mountains, al-Qaida today is operating under the hard shell of the Iranian regime’s protection.” » | Julian Borger in Washington | Tuesday, January 12, 2021
This assertion appears to be manifestly absurd! Al-Qaeda is a Sunni terrorist group. Iran is Shia. Sunnis and Shiites hate each other with a vengeance. This alone makes Pompeo’s assertion highly unlikely to be true. Pompeo is playing to people’s ignorance. He, in his position, should know better than this. The man needs to go back to school! – ©Mark Alexander
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Is ISIL Expanding in Southeast Asia? | Inside Story
ISIL claimed responsibility for Sunday's attacks on three churches. Police say the suicide bombings were carried out by one family, including two children aged 9 and 12.
At least 13 people died and more than 40 wounded. ISIL has lost territory in Syria and Iraq, but it's been active in other countries. Can the group be stopped?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom | Guests Rahima Abdulrahim - Executive director of the Habibie Center; Olivier Guitta - Managing Director of GlobalStrat consultancy firm; Greg Fealy - author of " Voices of Islam in Southeast Asia: A Contemporary Sourcebook
Friday, August 04, 2017
Yasmine Mohammed - Confessions of an Ex-Muslim
Confessions of an Ex Muslim »
Saturday, April 08, 2017
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Al-Qaeda Leader Threatens Saudi Arabia Over Mass Execution
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| The leader of al-Qaeda has called for attacks on Saudi Arabia |
The leader of al-Qaeda has called for attacks on Saudi Arabia, following the mass execution of 47 people in the Kingdom – many of whom were tied to the extremist group.
Al-Zawahiri, the group's leader, announced the threats in a seven-minute audio recording earlier this week, which was reported by a US terror monitor, the SITE Intelligence Group said on Thursday.
In the recording the Egyptian militant leader urged his followers to launch new attacks against the kingdom’s ruling Al Saud family, which he called a “rotten regime that corrupted your religion”. » | Alexandra Sims | Thursday, January 14, 2016
Monday, November 02, 2015
US Analyzing New Tape from Al Qaeda Leader Zawahiri
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Al-Qaeda Leader Ayman al-Zawahri Urges Young Muslim Men to Launch Lone-wolf Attacks on American Homes
The Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri has called on young Muslim men in Western countries to carry out lone-wolf attacks – and urged greater unity between militants.
"I call on all Muslims who can harm the countries of the crusader coalition not to hesitate. We must now focus on moving the war to the heart of the homes and cities of the crusader West and specifically America," he said in an audio recording posted online on Sunday, referring to nations making up the Western-led coalition in Iraq and Syria.
He suggested Muslim youth in the West take the Tsarnaev and Kouachi brothers, who carried out the Boston marathon bombings and Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris respectively, and others as examples to follow.
In a recording released on Wednesday, Zawahiri denounced Isis as "illegitimate", indicating the extent of the schism between the twogroups. » | Alice Harrold, Agency | Sunday, September 13, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Al Qaeda Mag Urges Attack on Koch Brothers, Buffett, Bloomberg
The list in Inspire magazine also included industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, internet entrepreneur Larry Ellison, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, economist Robert Shiller, and former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. Not mentioned is Janet Yellen, who succeeded Bernanke as Fed chairman.
Also pictured was Jim Walton, one of the heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune, although he was misidentified in the caption as his late father, Sam Walton. Several other names on the list were misspelled.
The slickly produced magazine article begins with a photo illustration showing blood-spattered pictures of several of the leaders next to a dripping gun. Its stated goal is to derail the "revival of the America Economy."
The article says the "economic personalities" and "wealthy entrepreneurs" can get off the list by withdrawing their money from U.S. banks, investing their wealth outside American soil, and denouncing support for Israel.
Shiller, a Nobel Prize winner, said he was shocked to learn his name was on the list.
"Why me? I am non-plussed. Why I am included?" he said. "I was just in Istanbul for an Islamic finance forum, part of the G20. I quoted Mohammed. I'm sympathetic to the Islamic community." » | Robert Windrem and Tracy Connor | Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Friday, April 24, 2015
Al-Qaeda Cell Planned Suicide Attack on Vatican
USA TODAY: ROME — Italian police busted an al-Qaeda-linked terror ring that planned, but never carried out, an attack on the Vatican five years ago and is believed to have been involved in a bombing in Pakistan that killed more than 100 people, authorities said Friday.
Raids were carried out simultaneously in seven different Italian provinces with arrest warrants for 18 suspected Islamic extremists following a lengthy investigation in Cagliari, capital of the Italian island Sardinia.
Authorities uncovered plans for a suicide bomber plot against the Vatican in 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI was pontiff. Evidence includes a "martyr's vow" from a would-be suicide bomber threatening to strike against the Vatican, the spiritual focal point for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
Mario Carta, an official from the counter-terror police force that carried out the raids, called it "one of the most important operations ever carried out in Italy." Police said the operation targeted an "extremely well-structured terror network" based in Sardinia since at least 2005 that was made up of Pakistani and Afghan nationals.
Nine people have been arrested, and two are still at large in Italy. Seven of the suspects are believed to be in Pakistan, Carta said. » | Eric J. Lyman, Special for USA TODAY | Friday, April 24, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Friday, January 09, 2015
'Hacktivist' Group Anonymous Says It Will Avenge Charlie Hebdo Attacks by Shutting Down Jihadist Websites
Hacker group Anonymous have released a video and a statement via Twitter condemning the attacks on Charlie Hebdo, in which 12 people, including eight journalists, were murdered.
The video description says that it is "a message for al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and other terrorists", and was uploaded to the group's Belgian account.
In the clip, a figure wearing the group's symbolic Guy Fawkes mask is seated in front of a desk with the hashtag #OpCharlieHebdo - which stands for Operation Charlie Hebdo - featured on screen.
The figure, whose voice is obscured says: "We are declaring war against you, the terrorists." » | Keely Lockhart, Video source YouTube / anonymous belgique | Friday, January 09, 2015
Thursday, January 08, 2015
Al-Qaeda Plotting Attack on Britain
Al-Qaeda is planning a Paris-style terrorist atrocity against Britain, according to the head of MI5.
Andrew Parker, the Director General of the Security Service, warned that the threat of a “mass casualty attack” was growing and that intelligence pointed to the existence of specific plots.
Security was stepped up yesterday at British ports, and armed police were put on patrol at the Eurostar terminal at London’s St Pancras station.
Mr Parker warned that although three terrorist plots had been foiled in recent months, it was almost inevitable that one would eventually succeed. » | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor | Thursday, January 08, 2015
Saturday, December 06, 2014
Barack Obama Condemns ‘Brutal Murder’ of American Photojournalist
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| Luke Somers, a 33-year-old British-born US journalist, who has been killed in a failed rescue attempt. |
US president Barack Obama has condemned the “brutal murder” of American photojournalist Luke Somers, who was shot by his al-Qaida captors during a rescue mission by US special forces.
The 33-year-old was shot during the rescue attempt on Saturday morning and died while being transferred to a warship by American troops. A South African teacher being held with him, Pierre Korki, was also killed in the raid.
“On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Luke’s family and to his loved ones,” Obama said in a statement.
“As this and previous hostage rescue operations demonstrate, the United States will spare no effort to use all of its military, intelligence and diplomatic capabilities to bring Americans home safely, wherever they are located. And terrorists who seek to harm our citizens will feel the long arm of American justice. » | Martin Chulov in Beirut andEmma Graham-Harrison | Saturday, December 06, 2014
Friday, December 05, 2014
Luke Somers: Yemen Hostage's Family in Video Appeal
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| The journalist was abducted in Yemen in September 2013 |
In the online statement, his mother, Paula Somers, says: "Please... give us an opportunity to see our Luke again."
A man identifying himself as Mr Somers, who was abducted in 2013, appeared in a separate video on Wednesday, saying his life was in danger and asking for help.
The US has revealed it tried to rescue him last month.
"Regrettably, Luke was not present, though hostages of other nationalities were present and were rescued," the National Security Council said on Thursday.
In a video posted on YouTube, Mr Somers' mother and brother said he was "only trying to do good things for the Yemeni population".
"Luke is only a photojournalist and is not responsible for any actions the US government has taken," his brother, Jordan, said.
Noting that her son "appears healthy" in his captors' video, Paula Somers said: "We thank you for that." (+ video) » | Friday, December 05, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Senior Al-Qaeda Jihadist Speaks Out In Defence Of Peter Kassig
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| Peter Kassig had founded his own relief group, delivering medical aid in conflict zones |
A senior al-Qaeda jihadist has spoken out in defence of a Western hostage slated as the next to be beheaded by the rival extremists Isil in Syria.
Abdul-Rahman Kassig, the American Muslim convert and aid worker formerly known as Peter, has been named by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as the next victim in their series of videoed murders of British and American captives.
Isil members warned on Twitter that Mr Kassig was to be killed on Wednesday, as a "deadline" passed for meeting their demands – that America call off its bombing campaign.
But the Isil threat to Mr Kassig has caused dissent from within the ranks of the jihadists' own community, with a number of Islamists speaking out in support of him, particularly because of his conversion.
Abu Omar Aqidi, a prominent member of al-Qaeda faction Jabhat al-Nusra, said in a public statement that he had been told Mr Kassig was the medic who treated him and other fellow jihadists. » | Ruth Sherlock in Istanbul and Richard Spencer | Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Friday, July 04, 2014
Islamic State Seizes Key Oil Fields after Defections from Al-Qaeda Ally
The extremist Sunni jihadist group that declared a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq has seized control of one of Syria’s most important oil fields after rebel fighters from other factions switched their allegiance to support it.
In a crucial strategic advance for Islamic State, the organisation that is tearing Iraq apart, anti-government rebels in Syria who had been loyal to the rival Jabhat al-Nusra switched sides - handing over the Al-Omar oilfield, which has the potential to produce up to 75,000 barrels of oil per day.
The development represents a huge step up for the Islamic State in its struggle against al-Nusra, which is backed by al-Qaeda but regards the new grouping as dangerously extremist.
It means that the caliphate proclaimed by the Islamic State now controls a stretch of Syria from the town of Deir al-Zour in the middle of the country to Abukamel on the Iraqi border. Within neighbouring Iraq, to the east, it holds the cities of Mosul and Tikrit, has free rein in Anbar province and is threatening to attack Baghdad. » | Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Thursday, July 03, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Report: Al Qaeda Working on New Bombs to Bring on Planes
Monday, June 16, 2014
Should the US Rescue Iraq?
Friday, June 13, 2014
Obama May Have to Agree Deal with Iran as Islamists Sweep South
President Barack Obama is under growing pressure to set aside years of hostility and start co-operating with Iran to counter the jihadist threat engulfing Iraq and its capital, Baghdad.
Ten years after his predecessor, President George W Bush, declared “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq, the Obama administration was openly admitting it might have to recommit to the use of military force to reunite the country and check the long-term menace of the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.
Britain too was offering counter-terrorism expertise that would mean it working alongside not just Iraqi troops but Shia militias and even Iranian special forces, only recently considered among the greatest threats to British interests in the region.
Iran has already sent units of its Revolutionary Guard to Iraq to help defend Baghdad from the onslaught being waged by ISIS, a Sunni jihadist al-Qaeda offshoot, according to reports emerging from Baghdad and Tehran.
State media quoted President Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, as telling the Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will apply all its efforts on the international and regional levels to confront terrorism.” » | Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent, and Robert Tait in Jerusalem | Friday, June 13, 2014
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