Nigeria Issues Ban over Boko Haram, 25 Killed in Yemen Mosque Blast, Hamas Calls Day of Rage…

All forms of transportation banned in Nigeria to prevent Boko Haram attack

As of Wednesday evening, all transportation, including cars but also livestock including horses, donkeys, and camels, have been banned from entering Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state in Nigeria. This ban has been enforced with the intention of preventing a possible Boko Haram attack. The Muslim Eid al-Ahda holiday (Festival of Sacrifice) began Wednesday, creating a prime opportunity for the jihadists to carry out an attack. As of Sunday a Boko Haram attacks have begun in Borno, where 54 people died in a triple bombing. This is not the first time that the Nigerian military has been forced to ban transportation in the past.  Boko Haram fighters have repeatedly both cars and trucks but also horses and donkeys in their movement and to disguise explosives.

25 Killed in Yemen suicide bombing

An attack in Sanaa has left 25 dead and 36 wounded. The Islamic State has been said to have carried out the attack, which featured a suicide bomber, apparently disguised as a woman, entering the Shiite al-Balili mosque as worshippers were in their morning prayers. One bomber reportedly detonated explosives inside the mosque and as people fled, a second bomber set off explosives at the entrance. This is one of several times that Islamic State fighters have targeted Shiite Houthi mosques. While both Islamic State and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula routinely target Shia. While Islamic State prefers to focus on religious targets, while AQAP typically targets the Iranian-backed Houthi forces. Neither Jihadist force has been targeted by the Saudi-led coalition which is currently fighting against Houthi forces in Yemen on behalf of ousted president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who recently returned to Yemen from exile in Saudi Arabia.

The UN says that almost 4,900 people have died in Yemen due to Saudi-led coalition air strikes and fighting on the ground since March 26^th.

“Day of Rage” called by Hamas over Al-Aqsa Mosque

Hamas has joined the Global Muslim Brotherhood in calling for a “Day of Rage” at the Al-Aqsa mosque. Israeli police barred young men from their prayers at the site. Police and the Palestinian protesters clashed over the sacred area for three days during this week’s Jewish New Year holiday. The police have limited the age of Muslim worshippers entering the Temple Mount area, allowing only men over 40 to enter, and women of all ages.  This restriction is aimed at keeping out the younger Palestinian males who typically form the backbone of the violent protests. Israeli officials are worried that as religious holidays continue, the trouble will increase. Prior analysis has shown that the Muslim Brotherhood and its Palestinian branch Hamas are highly effective at orchestrating protests, frequently violent, on their behalf, often on short notice.

Russia seeks UN approval for Middle East “broad-front fight”; announces naval drills; jets strike Islamic State

Putin visited the UN’s general assembly in an attempt to gain international approval for Russian military entrance into Syria, promoting a “broad-based counterterrorism fight.” U.S. diplomats immediately shut down the proposal. Russia has been working to gather a proposal that would include jets, airbases, and drones in Syria as part of a plan to bring stability to a strife-torn region and fight against IS. Facing resistance from the US and other nations, Russia agreed changed some of the provisions that would appear to grant U.N approval to Russian military action in Syria.

Russia has also announced that they will conduct “combat exercises” in the Mediterranean Sea. The US has continued to accuse Russia of a military build up in Syria. Officials say that there should be forty combat exercises in total taking place through September and October. The drills are likely to continue to increase tensions between Kremlin and the NATO military alliance.

The Russians have also given their jets to Syria to use in airstrikes against the Islamic State. Syrian forces used Russian warplanes to fight against IS insurgents in Northern Syria in an attempt to break a siege on a nearby airbase.  While the Assad regime has been criticized in the past for an apparent disinterest in targeting Islamic State forces, the most recent round of airstrikes, accompanied by ground attacks, are likely intended to reinforce Russia’s position that it is legitimately supporting an ally engaged in a fight against terrorism.

Fighter group Jaish al Muhajireen wal Ansar swears allegiance to Al Nusra Front

Jaish al Muhajireen wal Ansar (JMA), or “The Army of the Emigrants and Helpers,” has made a not-so-surprising move by pledging allegiance to a the Syrian branch of al Qaeda, the al Nusra Front. JMA is a declared terrorist organization by the State Department and is comprised of foreign fighters, often fighting alongside al Nusra as well as other al Qaeda-linked organizations in Syria.

JMA has recently undergone a power shift, with its emir, Salahuddin Shishani removed from his post in June. His replacement was succeeded by al Mu’tasim Billah al Madani, a Saudi sharia court judge and rumored ideologue in al Qaeda’s network. Al Madani is strongly opposed to the Islamic State, even contributing to a fatwa encouraging rebellion against Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and the Islamic State.

Chinese president Xi Jinping arrives in Washington as China continues military expansion

Reflecting the complicated and nuanced US-China relationship, Xi Jinping arrives for a state visit amidst tensions regarding cyber attacks and Chinese military moves in the South China Sea.  While Jinping has pledged cooperation with the US regarding cyber warfare, analysts point out that hacking attacks originating from China have increased since Jinping took office in November of 2012.  A pact that would establish definitions on what is and isn’t a considered a cyberattack remains in the negotiation phase, with the White House stated that a formal announcement is not imminent.

At the same time, concern is mounting in the military sector over China’s development of advanced weaponry, including a nuclear submarine that Pentagon analysts believe can carry missiles designed to strike anywhere in the US.  The JL-2 missiles, which have a range of about 4,598 miles, are the latest addition to an arsenal that already includes the so-called “carrier killer” DF-21D anti-ship missile.

Venezuela’s death spiral continues, Guyana latest target

As President Nicolas Maduro’s woes continue, Guyanese President David Granger has denounced “a persistence of aggressive behavior” towards his country, which borders Venezuela.  Guyana claims that armed Venezuelan vessels have violated its sovereignty, perhaps in a bid to assert control over waters in which Exxon Mobil is conducting oil exploration.  According to Maduro, a centuries-old land dispute between the two countries is being exploited by oil companies.  In response, the Venezuelan military has deployed troops in what it calls a simple military exercise.

This saber-rattling looks to be a reaction to the news coming out of Havana that the Colombian government is close to reaching a peace treaty with the narco-terrorist FARC.  As a staunch backer of the rebels, the Venezuelan government stands to lose if and when the guerrilla war in Colombia comes to an end. While the border crisis with Colombia concludes, Maduro seems desperate for a cause to rally his shrinking base as the parliamentary elections in December loom.

Other headlines we’re following:

Over 700 dead outside Mecca during annual haj pilgrimage

Syrian army bombs IS in Aleppo using Russian warplanes

Pentagon denies report that U.S.- trained rebels defected to al Qaeda

Iran develops recon drone, according to Tasnim news agency

Russia coordinates with Israel to prevent confusion in Syria

Group of nations seeks tribunal for Malaysia plane shot down over eastern Ukraine

Russia plans military base near Ukraine border

Putin to meet with Obama at UN next week

China to provide economic assistance after sanctions lifted

US: Chinese hackers took 5.6 million fingerprints of federal workers