Caucasus Emirate

December 12, 2024 | Bill Roggio |

Hayat Tahrir al Sham’s terror network in Syria

On December 8, 2024, rebel forces deposed the regime of Syria’s longtime dictator, Bashar al Assad, after the insurgents stormed through much of the country, retaking various regional capitals and culminating...

November 22, 2022 | Joe Truzman, Caleb Weiss

Jihadis issue vague threats against World Cup

In online statements, both al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al Qaeda’s general command issued vague threats against the FIFA World Cup and its host Qatar. Islamic State supporters have additionally...

May 4, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

Analysis: The Islamic State’s ideological campaign against al-Qaeda

On April 29, the Islamic State’s “province” (wilayah) in Yemen released a lengthy video that is intended to undermine al-Qaeda’s ideological legitimacy within the jihadists’ ranks. The 50-plus...

August 29, 2016 | Thomas Joscelyn, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

Zawahiri’s Revenge

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham — which has now rebranded itself "the Islamic State" (IS) — is trying to position itself as the new leader of the global...

July 20, 2016 | Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

Bloody Ramadan: How The Islamic State Coordinated A Global Terrorist Campaign

In late May 2016, the Islamic State (ISIL) ...

April 15, 2015 | Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

Al Qaeda Is Beating the Islamic State

Co-authored by Bridget Moreng The Islamic State’s lightning offensive through Iraq and Syria last year has dominated the headlines, but the jihadist group that has won the...

January 5, 2015 | Thomas Joscelyn The Long War Journal |

Dagestani Jihadist Swears Allegiance to Islamic State, Invoking Backlash

Earlier this month, Rustam Asilderov, a senior jihadist in Dagestan, released a video in which he pledged allegiance (bayat) to the head of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Asild...

August 1, 2014 | Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Thomas Joscelyn

Zawahiri’s Revenge

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham -- which has now rebranded itself "the Islamic State" (IS) -- is trying to position itself as the new leader of the global jihadist movement. After being...

April 15, 2014 | Thomas Joscelyn |

One Year On: Mystery Still Shrouds Boston Bombers

One year ago today, two backpack bombs were detonated at the Boston Marathon, killing three people. More than 260 others were wounded or maimed. In the months since, many man-hours have been spen...

April 14, 2014 | Bill Roggio

Assessing Terrorism in the Caucasus and the Threat to the Homeland

Download the full testimony (PDF)....

March 25, 2014 | Bill Roggio |

Turkish Charity İMKANDER Praises Slain Islamic Caucasus Emirate Emir in Rally

A charity known as İMKANDER has praised Doku Umarov, the former emir of the Islamic Caucasus Emirate ...

January 27, 2014 | Daveed Gartenstein-Ross |

Russia’s ‘Ring of Steel’ Around Sochi Can’t Stop Terror Attacks Outside

Next month’s Olympic Games in Sochi have generated a great deal of anxiety about the possibility of terrorist attacks. Sochi is the most dangerous Olympics we have seen in terms of...

December 30, 2013 | FDD Policy Brief |

Bombings Hit Russia Ahead of Olympics

Two bombings have rocked the southern Russian city of Volgograd in as many days, just weeks ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Sunday’s attack on the...

October 22, 2013 | Boris Zilberman FDD Policy Brief |

The Volgograd Suicide Bombing in Context

A female suicide bomber carried out an attack in the southern Russian city of Volgograd on Monday, killing 6 and injuring 33 civilians on...

April 22, 2013 | Thomas Joscelyn The Weekly Standard |

Investigating the Boston Bombers’ Foreign Ties

There is still much we don’t know about the Boston Marathon bombers. It will take time to piece together a more complete picture of their backgrounds. But the investigation has taken an imp...

April 22, 2013 | Thomas Joscelyn The Long War Journal |

Dagestani Jihadist Group Issues Statement on Boston Bombings

Vilayat Dagestan, a jihadist group that is part of the Caucasus Emirate, an al Qaeda-linked group operating in the North Caucas...

March 28, 2013 | Bill Roggio The Long War Journal |

Chechen Commander Forms ‘Army of Emigrants,’ Integrates Syrian Groups

A commander from the Russian Caucasus known as Abu Omar al Chechen has formed Jaish al-Muhajireen wa Ansar, or Army of the Emigrants and Helpers, and integrated several Syrian fighting units into...

March 25, 2013 | Bill Roggio The Long War Journal |

Swedish Jihadist Killed in Syria While Fighting for the Muhajireen Brigade

A Swedish Muslim who entered Syria to wage jihad against President Bashir al Assad's regime was killed while fighting alongside the Muhajireen Brigade (Emigrants Brigade), a group of foreign...

March 18, 2013 | Bill Roggio The Long War Journal |

Palestinian Jihadist Trainer Killed Fighting for Al Nusrah Front

Co-authored by David Barnett A Palestinian jihadist military trainer and commander who was a member of the Tawhid and Jihad Group in Jerusalem and who previously served with Ham...

February 21, 2013 | Thomas Joscelyn The Long War Journal |

Ex-Guantanamo Detainee Reportedly Killed in Syria

A former Guantanamo detainee named Slimane Hadj Abderrahmane has reportedly been killed while fighting in Syria. T...