Counterterrorism Blog
The first multi-expert blog dedicated solely to counterterrorism issues, serving as a gateway to the community for policymakers and serious researchers. Designed to provide realtime information about terrorism cases and policy developments.
April 2009 Archives

Iraqi police criticized for security laxness

Pakistan, Taliban Violence Flares

Qaeda figure urges Pakistanis to rebel against govt - Abu Yahya al-Libi

Pakistan army: Taliban holding town hostage - Sultanwas

(U.S.) FBI to Avoid Partnerships with CAIR

U.S. Asking E.U. to Take Detainees

(Pakistan) Taliban still in control in Dir

Pakistan army pounds Taliban positions - Zardari says "critical hour"

(Syria) U.S. Plans New Talks With Syria - Damascus Hopes to Ease Sanctions

Britain ends combat operations in Iraq

Turkish warplanes hit suspected PKK in Iraq

Colombia clash kills eight troops - with the FARC

Sri Lanka president, rebels vow to fight on

(Carribean) 17 arrested in Curacao in alleged drug ring - linked to Hezbollah

Afghan Taliban leader warns of new offensive

(U.K.) 7/7 bombers' friends jailed over terror training camp plans - innocent of London bomb attacks but convicted of conspiracy to attend Pakistan training camp

(U.S.) In conspiracy trial, dark tale emerges of jihad training - efforts to create terrorist training camp in Oregon

(Afghanistan) Falling Short on Afghanistan - financing gap 48% of country's need

Pakistan troops battling Taliban take key town - Daggar, the main town in the Buner district - and - Pakistan drops troops behind Taliban lines

(Pakistan) Taliban advance on Mansehra

(Pakistan) Taliban capture 60 security personnel in Buner - take town of Pir Baba

Pakistani Military Moves to Flush Out Taliban - 6,000 troops moved from Indian border to west

(Iraq) SCENARIOS-What capture of Iraqi insurgent might mean - Abu Omar al-Baghdadi

Iraq Uncovers Shiite-Sunni al-Qaeda Murder Squad - first time Sunnis and Shiites found working together for AQ in Iraq

Iraq lags in maintenance, adding to U.S. costs - trouble maintaining own military equipment

Thailand vows no interference in extradition case - of Victor Bout

Britain, France fail to win Sri Lanka truce

Iran's Latin America Inroads - Michael Braun quoted

(Pakistan) Media warned against 'anti-Taliban coverage' - in Swat

(U.K.) British Court Clears 3 Men on Terrorism Charges - for being involved in 7/7 bombings. No successful prosecutions for the attacks to date - and - Key relationship between July 7 leader and al-Qaeda terrorist disclosed

Pakistan targets Taliban in air attack -widening military operations in Buner

(Afghanistan) SAS to increase in size to counter Taliban in Afghanistan - U.K. SecDef says will increase their special forces

U.S. steps up effort on digital defenses

'Afghanistan needs German help on opium war'

Pakistan expands offensive against Taliban - in Buner

(Pakistan) DSP among two killed in roadside blast - Deputy Superintendent of Police

Iraq wants US forces out of Mosul on time

(Lebanon) UN chief raps 'intimidation' by Lebanon militias - militias fostering instability as elections near

(Philippines) 13 rebel camps overrun in Philippines: military - MILF camps

Sri Lanka says key rebel positions taken

(Indonesia) Terrorist is jailed in Indonesia

(Iraq) Detained man is Qaeda-linked insurgent leader: Iraq - Abu Omar al-Baghdadi

FBI to add bomb maker to wanted list - Abu Ibrahim

(Pakistan) Army Effort Erodes Truce With Taliban - Government Claims to Repel Militant Advance in District Seen as Route to Afghanistan From Stronghold in Swat

Afghans say free 7 police after Taliban raid

(U.S.) Should the U.S. Reach Out to Regimes? - Walid Phares quoted

Pakistan troops continue assault on Taliban near Swat valley - death toll nearly 50

(Pakistan) Taliban terrorise metropolis near tribal badlands - Peshawar

(Pakistan) Pro-Taliban Group Suspends Peace Talks With Pakistan - Tehrik-e-Nifaaz Shariat Muhammadi

(Pakistan) Taliban threat to Islamabad ridiculous: Athar Abbas - director of Inter-Service public relations

(Iraq) Will Shi'ite Militias Seek Revenge in Iraq? - Mahdi Army waiting on word whether to fight again

(Hamas) Masha'al reelected as Hamas leader

Yemen frees ship, captures pirates

Sri Lanka says combat gives way to rescue

The fog of (cyber) war - Cybermilitias, black hat hackers and other non-nation-state bad guys blur the lines on the virtual battlefield.

Pakistan Vows to Stop Taliban Advance as Military Secures Town - regain Lal Qila in Lower Dir

(Pakistan) TTP assembling Taliban in Mardan: residents - could be the next district to fall

(Pakistan) 'Tehreek-e-Taliban Peshawar coming soon' - says Taliban spokesman

(Pakistan) Swat refugees nurse dreams of peace in Pakistan - thousands of refugees have fled Swat to escape Taliban

US endorses Indian role in Afghanistan

Pakistan urges Taliban to lay down arms

(Canada) Ottawa still weighing Khadr order, says Cannon - unsure whether should appeal decision to request Khadr be sent home from Guantanamo

Afghan blasts, shootings kill 14

(Pakistan) Reports: At least 4 killed in Pakistan blast - North Waziristan

US-Iraqi force raids alleged Qaeda hideout - in Baghdad, 7 AQ killed

Al Qaeda threatens to kill British hostage - AQIM

(Afghanistan) Can Afghans regain lost valley? Police say no - Doab valley

(Pakistan) Taliban flex muscle in Pakistan

Pakistani official: Peace deal in Swat 'intact' - despite military operations in Lower Dir - and - Pakistan launches new offensive against militants

(Pakistan) Taliban Attack, Kill Christians in Pakistan Town - in Karachi

(Philippines) Gunmen abduct farmer in Philippines - despite crackdown on kidnappings

Israeli spy for Iran sentenced to prison

Khamenei blames U.S. for terror attacks - against Iranians in Iraq

Pakistan Fires Key Architect of Swat Peace Deal - Syed Mohammed Javed, may have contacts with Zawahiri - and - Taliban's Buner Retreat Leaves Local Recruits in Charge - and - Taliban 'leave' Pakistan district - and - Fear grips Pakistan district

UN to press Sri Lanka for access to war zone

(Pakistan) Petraeus Calls On Pakistan To Redirect Military Focus - towards counterinsurgency

3 arrested in Lebanon on Israel spy charges

Editorial: Pakistan's Self-Defeating Army

Mali working to free last two hostages: president. Hostages were kidnapped by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Iraqi blasts stir worries of insurgent push - Farhana Ali quoted

Canada will appeal ruling on Guantanamo detainee - Omar Khadr

New Perils in Iraq - Walid Phares quoted

Pakistani Taliban confound Obama, Clinton

(U.S.) Closing arguments begin in terror trial in Fla. - Liberty City Six

Pakistani Taliban withdraws from key valley - Buner

U.S. Won't Confirm Al Qaeda In Iraq Arrest

Sri Lanka says Tamil Tiger leader trapped

Venezuela claims arrest FARC commander

US ramps up cybersecurity focus

(Somalia) Islamist leader back in Somalia

(Egypt) Hezbollah cell worries Egypt

(Sri Lanka) US warning over Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka rebels face calls to surrender

Somalia warns US against striking pirates

Hamas leader fails to address British lawmakers - technical glitch

Pak claims India backing Baloch militant group - Baloch Liberation Army

(Afghanistan) General: Insurgents targeting southern Afghanistan - 80% of attacks in South

(Somalia) UN seeks plan to stabilise Somalia

(U.S.) Banned Techniques Yielded 'High Value Information,' Memo Says - Memo from DNI Blair

(U.K.) Nine terror raid men handed over - to U.K. border agency

Washington signals softer tone on Hamas - administration asking to relax rules on granting assistance

(Israel) Top Israeli negotiator for captured soldier resigns - point man in Shalit negotiations

(Afghanistan) Father of Afghan minister kidnapped: police - Gunmen believed to be Taliban guerrillas

(U.S.) FBI's newest 'Most Wanted' terrorist is American - Daniel Andreas San Diego

(U.S.) Counterterrorism Official Urges Broader Approach to Foreign Policy - NCTC Director Leitner

(U.S.) President Obama tells CIA not to worry about terror memo releases - by James Gordon Meek

(Afghanistan) Obama's Gitmo - Bagram Airforce Base

(Pakistan) US need not worry about Nizam-e-Adl: PM - Swat sharia law regulation

Pakistan boosts police pay as violence grows - in NWFP

(Pakistan) Six troops kidnapped in Swat

(Pakistan) Boys' school blown up in Bajaur

(Iraq) US tech giants head to Iraq - to find tech-savy ways to rebuild

(India) Ten killed in firefights across IHK

Sri Lanka rebels: 1,000 civilians die in govt raid - military denies accusation

Turkish police detain 37 in al Qaeda raids

(Pakistan) Taliban in Pakistani ex-resort: `Welcome, Osama!' - Swat Taliban spokesman extends safe-haven offer to AQ and Taliban

Pakistan targets dangerous Taliban commander - Hakeemullah Mehsud

US Treasury Freezes Assets Of Group Leader Tied To Al Qaeda - Abdul Haq, leader and commander of the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Party

Nigeria: JTF Counters Militant Leader

(U.S.) Some influential Muslim groups question FBI's actions - CAIR and ISNA object to domestic CT - see CTB posts on CAIR: FBI Cuts Off CAIR Over Hamas Questions and The Importance of the FBI's CAIR Cutoff

(Afghanistan) Suicide bomber killed in Afghan governor's compound - shot before he could reach target

(Afghanistan) Raids crack Afghan opium trade - U.S. helps nab 7 drug lords - Michael Braun quoted

(Pakistan) Extremist Tide Rises in Pakistan - After Reaching Deal in North, Islamists Aim to Install Religious Law Nationwide

(Pakistan) CIA arrests 11 gang members

(Gaza) Report: Hamas killed, maimed dozens of opponents - quashing dissent during and after Israel's Gaza campaign

(Algeria) Crackdown on al Qaeda hits Algeria's potato crop - fertilizer bans hurting farmers

Iraq arrests children recruited by Al-Qaeda

Obama keeping database details a secret

Sri Lanka: 17 rebels dead in clashes

Asia militants get more sophisticated online

(Mexico) Hezbollah using drug smuggling routes- Michael Braun quoted.

France arrests ETA military leader

(Pakistan) Militant HQ blown up in Kohat

Saudi senior Al-Qaeda figure arrested in Iraq - Abu al-Khassib

Sri Lanka rejects U.N. cease-fire plea

Somali lawmakers endorse use of Islamic law

Iraqi forces conduct sweep in Fallujah

(Yemen) Our Main Enemy Is Al Qaeda. Interview with Yemeni president.

At least 13 killed in latest Afghan violence

Israel ready to bomb Iran N-sites: Report

The 2008 Belgium Cell and FATA's Terrorist Pipeline - CTC Sentinel Article by Paul Cruickshank

U.N. opens new counter-terrorism office

Pakistan's double game

(U.S.) Judge Skeptical Of State Secrets Privilege For NSA/Charity Case also see Victor Comras' April 7th post

(Colombia) ELN asks FARC for ceasefire

(Pakistan) Taliban moving on Mardan - may be next region in NWFP to fall

(Pakistan) Traffic police compiling nationwide record of registered vehicles - to monitor all vehicles entering Islamabad

(India) 25 killed as Indian election race begins - attacks by Maoists

(Iraq) No deaths in Iraq suicide attack: defence ministry - previous reports said 16 killed yesterday

(Iraq) Kurds, Arabs Maneuver Ahead of U.N. Report on N. Iraq - disputed territories in Kirkuk

(Lebanon) Army ambush puts spotlight on Lebanon's Wild West - and the power of drug trafficking clans

Somalia: 5 Killed Fighting Among Islamists, Including Commander - Islamic Courts Commander

Hamas suspects Gaza beggars are spies

Egypt seeks arrest of Hezbollah chief

Spain Asks U.S. for Spanish Qaeda Leader - Mustafa Setmarian Nasar

Al Qaeda Urges Somalis To Attack Ships - audiotape from Sa'id Ali Jabir Al Khathim Al Shihri

Thailand's Failed Experiment? - by Zachary Abuza

(U.S.) Mich. Muslim Group Says FBI Asking People To Spy - CAIR complains to DOJ

Afghanistan's decisive days - crucial test will come in the leadup to elections

Pakistan Dodges A Bullet - last month's 'almost' political breakdown

(Russia) Counter-terrorism operation ends in Chechnya - officially ended at 00:00 April 16

Iran's new South American embassies tied to Hizbullah activity, U.S. routes - Michael Braun quoted

(Columbia) FARC announce new hostage release

(Philippines) Two militiamen killed in attack in southern Philippines - killed by MILFq

Sri Lanka advances on rebels

Egypt"s Accusations Against Hezbollah To Put An End To Arab Reconciliation - David Schenker quoted

In Lebanon's wild east, Hezbollah finds itself on left foot - clash between military and Shiites in Bekaa puts Hezbollah in the middle

(U.S.) Counterspy review - Blair forms counterintelligence panel

Choking charity route to terror financing - International conference held in India

Chavez urges rebels to accept cease-fire

How to Beat al Qaeda at Its Own Game - control the narrative

(U.S.) Obama Wavering on CIA Memos - Top Officials at Odds Over Whether to Withhold Some Details on Interrogation Tactics

'Godfather' Dawood supporting al-Qaeda: US lawmaker - see CTB posts on Dawood Ibrahim

French forces detain 11 pirates off Kenya

(Pakistan) Mehsud's aide remanded to judicial custody - Badshah Din Mehsud, close aid to Baitullah Mehsud

Pakistan grants bail to detained hard-line cleric - Maulana Abdul Aziz arrested coming out of Red Mosque in 07 - also see LWJ post

Pakistan Aid Effort Hits Saudi Hurdle - Riyadh closely aligned with Sharif

(India) Judge Removes Lawyer Defending Mumbai Attack Accused (Update1) - lawyer also representing a victim of the assault

Egypt mulls toughening Hezbollah stance

British MPs meet Hamas supremo in Syria - Khaled Meshaal

Algerian militants strike from eyries - AQIM

Al-Qaeda thrives in the Sahara deadlock - commentary on AQIM

(Canada) Crown appeals Khawaja's sentence, seeking longer prison term - Khawaja first ever charged under Canada's anti-terrorism laws

Hamas: No connection to Hizbullah cell in Egypt - says bureau member

(Pakistan) US to make Pakistan pledge but backs strings - benchmarks and conditions to be attached

The Pirate Economy - Why the U.S. Navy can't win this fight.

Pakistan signs sharia bill into law - Sharia courts established in Malakand Division

(Pakistan) 100 terror suspects held - Rawalpindi

(Pakistan) Taliban consolidating grip in Buner - "Buner fast turning into Swat"

(Pakistan) Taliban recruiting anew in Swat

Mideast: Hamas and Fatah reach 'historic accord' - creation of new 'confederation'

Israel catches infiltrator from Syria

Colombia arrests top FARC drug trafficker - Ignacio Leal, on US DOJ most wanted list

Sri Lanka rejects Tamil cease-fire offer

(Somalia) '3 Rounds, 3 Dead Bodies' - Precision Volley by Navy SEALs Ended a Five-Day Ordeal For an American Seaman, but Piracy Off Somalia Continues

Muslim Brotherhood Chief Defends Nasrallah

Iraq accuses media of provoking strife

Al-Qaeda claims Iraq attacks

US Al-Qaeda member urges support for jihadists - Adam Gadahn

(Pakistan) Kasab's trial to start from 15th

(Pakistan) Security forces pound Taliban hideouts - Kurram

(Pakistan) Dead men plotting terror? - foiled UK terror attack possibly planned by Rashid Rauf

(Pakistan) Five Taliban released in Swat

(Pakistan) Balochistan violence continues

Iran ready to train Afghan police - but nothing planned

On Lebanon-Israel frontier, a quiet drug war - Israeli police believe trade controlled by Hezbollah

Hamas Comes Out of Hiding - interview with Khalid Mishal

(Kashmir) Militant 'traitor' warning to Kashmir voters - HM boycotting election

(Philippines) Kidnappers kill hostage in Philippines - on Basilan

Sri Lanka strips Norway of broker role

Sri Lanka suspends offensive for 2 days

Iraq's embattled Christians celebrate Easter

8 suspected militants arrested in Bangladesh

(U.S.) Obama and State Secrets? Shhh... - also see Victor Comras' April 7 post

(Iraq) Bomb kills American soldier in Iraq

Pakistan militants attack NATO supply trailers - Peshawar

Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire

(UK) Our armchair jihadists. Alarming support for the Taliban in England.

(UK) Manchester link to plots across Europe

North Korea sued for aiding Hizbullah

Hijacked U.S.-flagged ship arrives in Kenya

(Iraq) US gets blame for Baghdad bombs

(India) Militants' forays cause alarm in J&K

(Somalia) Fatal French commando rescue of pirate hostages underscores risk of sneak attack - by James Gordon Meek also see Doug Farah's April 10 post

British police grill Pakistanis over 'major plot' - and - Al-Qaeda terror plot to bomb Easter shoppers - All but one were Pakistanis who used student visas

Pirate ships converge on US hostage at sea

(U.S.) More Funds Sought for Iraq and Afghanistan - Pres. Obama requests $83B

Attack destroys six NATO tankers in Pakistan

(Afghanistan) Suicide bomber kills 5, wounds 17 in Afghanistan - in Helmand

The U.S. in Afghanistan: The Longest War

(Pakistan) Cleric pullout imperils Pakistan peace deal - Sufi Muhammad

(Pakistan) Policeman killed in Pakistan riots - in Balochistan

(Pakistan) Rifts in Taliban alliance threaten leader - Baitullah Mehsud

Texas: New Charges for Cuban Militant

(Lebanon) One man's fight to take on Hezbollah - in Lebanon elections

Somalia Hardline Group Silences Radio - Shebab closes only radio in the South

UK's top anti-terror policeman resigns - Security blunder forced police to move up major operation

Extremist Web Sites Are Using U.S. Hosts - Reliable, inexpensive internet servers attract Taliban, al Qaeda

Senior Fatah, Hamas leaders meet in Gaza

Al-Qaida Media Blitz Has Some On Alert

(Afghanistan) U.S. dropping fewer Afghanistan bombs - reflecting change in tactics

U.S. to host talks with Pakistan, Afghanistan - in Washington next month

(Pakistan) Taliban blow up music shop - in Peshawar

(Pakistan) Why Mehsud is claiming responsibility for attacks - possible internal power struggle

Israel says tourists in Sinai are attack targets - threat of attack during Passover

Israel tests system to shoot down Iranian missiles - Arrow System

Hamas working on 'mega' smuggling tunnels

Iran set to say mastering final stage of enrichment - "National Nuclear Day" tomorrow

(U.S.) DC court finds Gitmo detainee properly held - Hedi Hammamy

U.S. Muslims debate aiding FBI

(Afghanistan) General's Paper Sheds Light on Counterinsurgency - McKiernan's guidance paper to U.S./NATO troops

(Afghanistan) Listening in Kabul - commentary on strategy to listen to Tribal leaders

(Afghanistan) US: 4 insurgents killed in southern Afghanistan - Taliban bomb making cell in Kandahar

(Pakistan) '18 terrorists enter Lahore' - intel on potential threat

(Pakistan) Aid workers shot dead in Pakistan - NWFP

(Pakistan) Taliban blow up Pakistan music shop: police - Peshawar

Pakistan 'fighting for survival,' US envoys told - says Zardari

(Syria) U.S. alters course on Syria - Seeks help to rein in Hamas

(Bangladesh) Charity chief held in arms probe - Head of UK-based Green Crescent held after weapons found at school it funded

(India) Mumbai suspect trial is delayed

France finds 'Eta bomb factory' - Hundreds of kilos of bomb-making ingredients in Grenoble

Taliban threaten 2 attacks per week in Pak

Pakistan could collapse within six months: US expert - David Kilcullen - see his comments at CT Blog panel on Mumbai

Surrender the only way out, Lanka president warns LTTE - and - Sri Lanka rewards terrorist attack bus driver (who protected cricket team)

Taliban blamed for suicide attack on Pakistan mosque. Man challenged by security guards at mosque in Chakwal blows himself up, killing at least 22 people.

(U.S.) Gates Planning Major Changes In Programs, Defense Budget - Shifting from large-scale war to counterinsurgency programs

NATO boosts Afghan troops, names leader

(Somalia) Who is Amriki?

Update: Bomb hits Islamabad police base. 5 dead.

U.S. missile kills 13 in Pakistan

(Iraq) Roadside bombers in Iraq attacked

NATO summit 'has delivered on Afghanistan'

Uzbekistan allows supplies for Afghanistan

(U.S.) Hostages held after 'multiple' shootings - in Binghamton, New York

Iran to UN: Arms ship seizure illegal

Splintered Taliban Thwarts Afghan Peace - Many insurgents seek settlement; others fight on

Yemen captors of Dutch hostages offer swap

Iraq: Deadly carbomb strikes northern city

(Mexico) As Mexico Battles Cartels, The Army Becomes the Law - see Doug Farah's April 2nd post

No deal with al Qaeda, says US

U.S. Challenged On Sealing of Detainee Files - unclassified DOJ records not being made public

(Afghanistan) Military Wants More Troops for Afghan War - Request for 10,000 Not Yet Submitted To White House

(Iraq) 8 al-Qaeda gunmen arrested in Diala

(Iraq) IED wounds 6 people in Mosul

(Iraq) US replaces Blackwater for some Iraq security - with Triple Canopy

(Pakistan) Taliban Destroys a Key Bridge in Pakistan - Main Supply Route For U.S. Is Cut Off

Pakistani militant poses growing threat to US - Baitullah Mehsud

(Kashmir) Top LeT militant killed in encounter - Abdullah Uni

Somalia: Clan Lawmaker Wounded in Capital

US to release 'Al-Qaeda surgeon' - Ayman Saeed Batarfi

(U.S.) Judge Orders Release of Guantanamo Detainee - Yasim Muhammed Basardah

(U.S.) Senate Legislation Would Federalize Cybersecurity - Rules for Private Networks Also Proposed

(U.S.) The Future of Fusion Centers: Potential Promise and Dangers - DHS testimony

US issues bulletin on threat from Pakistan - federal authorities explain Mehsud's threat is merely an aspiration

(Afghanistan) 14 die in militant attack on southern Afghanistan government building - Kandahar provincial council office

(Afghanistan) Australian Special Forces Kill Taliban Commander in Afghanistan - Mullah Abdul Bari coordinated bomb attacks in Uruzgan

Afghanistan commanders expect spike in violence - because of increased troop numbers

Afghan Police, Coalition Forces Kill 31 Militants - Helmand province

(Pakistan) New chief: JI's refusal to jihad and politics - Jamaat-e-Islami chooses new chief

Pakistan: Suspected US missile kills 12 militants - in Orakzai

(Pakistan) Can Pakistan Be Governed? - NYT Magazine

(Iraq) In a Desolate Iraqi Village, War Is Far From Over - in Diyala

(Iraq) Terror group turns to new tactics in Iraq - Hamas al-Iraq throwing RKG-3's, armor piercing grenades

Iraqi Militants Show New Boldness - 'there isn't an insurgency in Iraq anymore..but there is going to be a terrorism problem in Iraq for a long time'

British troops begin Iraq pullout - 4,100 troops to leave by July

(Iraq) PKK evacuation period begins

(Kashmir) Fresh encounter in Kashmir

(Sri Lanka) Outcome of Sri Lanka's Long War May Hang on Fate of Insurgent Leader - LTTEE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran,