Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi releases new recording calling for jihad

Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi released a new audio recording this week calling on all Muslims to carry out jihad against the kufar, or non-believers. The Telegram message was released on the holiday of Eid al-Adha and called for attacks on Western nations from the Middle East. This is the first recording since last September claimed […]

UN report details ISIS atrocities in Mosul

A report released by the United Nations last week sheds light on a more precise human toll that the Islamic State took on the civilians of Mosul before their ouster earlier this year. The report describes in great detail the total disregard ISIS had for the civilian inhabitants of Mosul, as well as the infrastructure […]

On this day in SOF history—October 13th: Islamic State of Iraq forms

On this day— October 13th 2006: The Islamic State of Iraq is declared. The subject of “when” the Islamic State (ISIS) was founded has been a go-to method of scoring political points since the emergence of the group as a violent worldwide threat. President Trump and other Trump administration figures have recently said that Trump […]

Al Qaeda looking to co-opt jihadist movement in Syria through influence, mergers

Al Qaeda commander Ayman al-Zawahiri issued an audio message on Sunday telling his supporters to prepare for a guerilla campaign in Syria against Assad, the West, and Iran, Reuters reports. In the undated message, Zawahiri advises his fighters to remain patient and focus on a protracted conflict in Iraq and Syria. The message comes as […]

Islamic State seeking alliance with al Qaeda, Iraqi vice president says

Islamic State is talking to al Qaeda about a possible alliance as Iraqi troops close in on IS fighters in Mosul, Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi said in an interview on Monday. Allawi said he got the information on Monday from Iraqi and regional contacts knowledgeable about Iraq. “The discussion has started now,” Allawi said. […]

OP-ED: War and boxing, an ISIS analogy

Eliminating the “head of the snake” does not defeat an enemy, despite recent comments to that effect made by former Lt. Col. (USMC) Oliver North in a Fox News discussion/commentary regarding ISIL/ISIS. A constant and direct assault on the body destroys the heart and will of an opponent. In World War I, WWII, Desert Storm, […]

US raises reward for info on ISIS leader to $25M

The U.S. is now offering $25 million for information leading to the location, arrest or conviction of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The reward is more than double the $10 million it was previously, and puts the reward for Baghdadi on par with the one for al Qaeda leader […]

How is ISIS selling the battle in Mosul?

So-called Islamic State (IS) has gone on a propaganda offensive as its enemies close in on its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul. The city holds symbolic weight for IS because it was here that the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, made his first – and only – appearance following its declaration of a “caliphate” in the […]