Islamic State Claims Aden Attack, Tunisia Breaks up IS Cells, Iraqi Forces retakes territory near Ramadi…

Islamic State claims deadly attack on Yemeni government and Emirati troops in Aden

The UAE was quick to blame Houthi rebels for yesterday’s attack in Aden, Yemen that targeted their headquarters and a hotel housing Yemeni government officials. But it turns out that Wilayat Aden-Abyan, an Islamic State affiliate in the region, has claimed responsibility for the rockets attacks as well as four other suicide car bombings. Initial reports stated that there were 15 dead, but that toll has increased to 22, and now includes Saudi soldiers.

IS, like AQAP , are staunch foes of both the Saudis and the Iranian backed Shiite Houthis. A successful IS operation in Aden against the Saudi-coalition may establish the Islamic State as a contender to AQAP’s jihadi supremacy in Yemen, especially if IS shows it is able to successfully transition from civilian soft targets like mosques to attacks against hardened government and military targets.

South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar snubbed by White House

The ceasefire between Riek Machar’s rebel forces and President Salva Kiir’s government in South Sudan remains for now, after Machar’s meeting with National Security advisor Susan Rice was cancelled yesterday. Citing frustration with both sides, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price confirmed that the meeting would not proceed, urging Machar to adhere to the terms of the peace agreement signed in late August and return to Juba.

For his part, Kiir’s move to divide South Sudan into 28 provinces from the current 10 in contradiction to the ceasefire terms is a diplomatic counter to the pressure applied by the US to enter into a bad deal and weakened position.

As the main driver of South Sudan’s independence, the United States has an interest in stabilizing South Sudan. Violence has continued as both sides claim the other is guilty of breaking the ceasefire.

Tunisian Ministry: 3 IS cells broken up; 11 arrested for recruitment in Libya

11 suspected Islamic State recruits were arrested after Tunisian police broke up three IS recruitment cells reportedly involved in bringing fighters to Libya. The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior announced that the suspects intended to join IS in Libya. According to the Tunisian government, over 3,000 Tunisians have traveled to Syria, Iraq, and Libya to fight for IS.

IS has claimed responsibility for the killing of 21 tourists at the Bardo Museum in the capital of Tunis and another 38 at a beach resort. IS appears centered on targeting Tunisia’s tourism industry, in an effort to destabilize the economy.

Iraqi forces recapture IS-held areas outside of Ramadi

Iraqi forces have retaken several areas north and west of Ramadi, closing in on the Anbar provincial capital that the Islamic State seized back in May. Neighborhoods included Zankura, Albi Jleib, al-Adnaniyah, and Albu Risha. The US-led coalition involved 2,000 troops supported by air strikes. Since the start of October, a sum total of 27 air strikes have been carried out in the Ramadi region. A member of the provincial council announced, “if operations continue at this pace, I expect the liberation of Ramadi to be possible by the end of the month.”

The Islamic States’ seizure of Ramadi has proved problematic for the Iraq state, which has struggled tor retake the city. Ramadi serves as a gateway to the greater Baghdad area, which IS has used to launch a series of deadly attacks in and around the Iraqi capital.

Other stories we’re following:

US-trained rebel groups’ weapons depot destroyed by Russian airstrikes in Syria

Houthi leaders visit Tehran to receive arms shipments, according to sources in Sanaa

Iran’s Supreme Leader forbids further negotiations with US

EU to begin intercepting boats smuggling migrants in southern Mediterranean

Russia offers to resume talks with US over deconfliction in Syria

SecDef Carter: Russian violation of Turkish airspace not accidental, promises response

Violence continues in West Bank, sparking fears of new intifada

Top US commander in Afghanistan: IS present and growing

Australia stops conducting air strikes against IS in Syria, citing Russian intervention

Houthi rebels sign on to UN peace plan

Burkina Faso coup leader charged with threatening national security at military tribunal