Morocco intelligence reports large scale recruitment drive for Syria
CAIRO — Morocco has acknowledged that it was a recruitment ground for the Sunni revolt in Syria. Officials reported a huge increase in Moroccan recruits for the war against (more…)
Egypt now unsure whether special forces killed Ansar leader
CAIRO — Egypt, several weeks after his reported death, remains uncertain of the fate of the leader of Ansar Beit Maqdis. The Egyptian military and Interior Ministry have asserted (more…)
Turkey’s Erdogan reverses policy, lists two groups as terrorist
ANKARA — Turkey has designated a leading Al Qaida network as terrorist. The government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has listed the Nusra Front for the Defense of the (more…)
Obama administration urges ‘far more attention’ by NATO to N. Africa
WASHINGTON — The United States has been pressing NATO to expand operations in North Africa. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama was lobbying NATO members to focus (more…)
Al Qaida ‘cell’ targeted Tunis cabinet ministers and their families
CAIRO — Al Qaida-aligned insurgents have begun targeting Tunisia’s leadership. Officials said Al Qaida fighters were attacking senior members of the pro-Western government in Tunis. They said the fighters (more…)
Spain and Morocco break up Al Qaida cell recruiting for Mali, Libya ops
LONDON — Spain has dismantled a suspected Islamist cell in North Africa. The Spanish Interior Ministry reported the arrest of six suspects linked to Al Qaida in the Spanish (more…)
Al Qaida’s ISIL plans new operational presence, Turkish intel warns
ANKARA — The Turkish intelligence community has determined an imminent threat from Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. Officials said the intelligence community has detected plans by (more…)
Intel: Foreign rebels are 15 percent of rebel forces on Golan Heights
TEL AVIV — Israel has detected a major presence of foreigners in rebel militias on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Officials said up to 15 percent of (more…)
Libya’s new general plans buffer zone in East along Egypt border
CAIRO — Libya could create a buffer zone along its border with Egypt. An Arab-backed renegade general was said to be planning a buffer zone between Libya and its (more…)