All articles tagged with #insurgency
Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq are reportedly preparing armed units that could cross into Iran, potentially with U.S. backing, signaling a possible new front against Tehran. The piece also explains who the Kurds are, the size of Iran’s Kurdish minority, and the historical context of U.S. ties with Kurdish groups, noting uncertainties about cross-border mobilization.
Pakistan's military says it has concluded a week-long operation against the Baloch Liberation Army in Balochistan, reporting 216 militants killed and casualties among security forces and civilians after militants seized towns including Nushki; the BLA says its operation also ended, while combing continues in some areas amid ongoing cross-border tensions with India.
Balochistan’s long-running conflict—rooted in colonial-era borders, political exclusion, and resource extraction—has driven repeated uprisings, with a new surge led by the BLA. As security operations escalate, analysts say lasting peace requires political dialogue, accountability for disappearances, and a credible reconciliation framework that addresses governance and economic grievances tied to projects like CPEC.
Pakistan's security forces used drones and helicopters to eject militants from the desert town of Nushki after a three-day battle, as weekend attacks across Balochistan left 58 dead and operations against the BLA continued province-wide.
Pakistan’s security forces killed roughly 22 militants in overnight raids across Balochistan, raising militant deaths to about 177 in 48 hours after coordinated attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army that killed around 50 people; authorities say normalcy is returning but train service remains suspended, and there are no talks planned with the BLA.
Pakistan’s security forces intensified operations against Baloch separatists after a weekend of unprecedented multi-city assaults in Balochistan, including Quetta and the Gwadar port, killing at least 31 civilians and 17 security personnel; authorities say 145 militants were killed in about 40 hours, and the Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attacks. The strikes targeted military installations, police stations, banks, and a prison in Mastung, with mobile internet suspended in several cities as security forces said they were conducting mop-up operations. Islamabad blames Afghan sanctuaries for militant safe havens, a claim Kabul denies, while analysts warn the insurgency has momentum and local support that complicates containment.
A coordinated wave of suicide and gun attacks by militants, led by the Baloch Liberation Army, rocked Pakistan's Balochistan province, targeting civilians, a high-security prison, police stations and paramilitary sites. Officials say the assaults left more than 120 people dead or wounded on Saturday (including civilians and security personnel) and that security forces killed a large number of militants—92 on Saturday—with the total militant deaths in the past 48 hours reaching about 133. The violence included prison breaks, bank robberies, and attempted assaults on government facilities, and some footage showed female fighters among the attackers. Pakistan accuses the group of Indian backing, a charge New Delhi denies. The attacks prompted emergency hospital measures and disrupted rail services across the region.
An explosion occurred during evening prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, Nigeria, with reports of casualties, amid ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in the region. No group has claimed responsibility, but militants have previously targeted similar sites.
Former Syrian regime leaders, including top spymasters and generals, who fled after Assad's regime collapsed, are secretly plotting to undermine the new government and potentially retake control, with some supporting armed insurgencies and lobbying efforts in Washington. Their true threat level remains uncertain amid internal disagreements and ongoing instability in Syria.
Reform UK is experiencing rapid growth and increasing professionalism, with a larger and more organized conference that balances insurgency energy with expanding appeal, led by Nigel Farage's disciplined leadership and a focus on winning the next general election.
Boko Haram killed over 60 people in an overnight attack in Borno State, Nigeria, targeting the village of Darul Jamal, with military strikes killing 30 militants in response. The attack marks a resurgence in jihadist activity in the region, which has suffered a 15-year insurgency causing over 40,000 deaths and displacing more than two million people.
Jihadists, identified as Boko Haram members, killed at least 60 people in northeastern Nigeria's Darul Jama, marking a significant escalation in the region's ongoing insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. The attack involved indiscriminate shooting and arson, highlighting the challenges faced by Nigeria's military efforts to curb violence. Additionally, a separate attack in Edo state resulted in the kidnapping of Chinese workers and the death of eight security officials, further illustrating the region's instability.
Hamas has shifted to guerrilla-style tactics in Gaza, conducting deadly ambushes and hit-and-run attacks against Israeli forces, despite being weakened after nearly 21 months of war. The group continues to pose a significant challenge to Israeli military efforts, employing underground tunnels, improvised explosive devices, and decentralized cells, making it difficult for Israel to effectively target Hamas leadership and infrastructure. Despite ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, Hamas remains resilient and committed to its insurgency campaign.
Nine bus passengers kidnapped in Balochistan, Pakistan, were found dead with bullet wounds, amid ongoing insurgent violence in the region. The victims, laborers from Punjab, were seized by armed men, with no immediate claim of responsibility, though Baloch separatists are suspected. The region faces complex tensions involving ethnic insurgents, accusations against India, and attacks targeting Pakistani military and Chinese interests, especially around the strategic port of Gwadar.
The Wagner Group announced its withdrawal from Mali after claiming to have completed its main mission in fighting terrorism, amid ongoing militant attacks and increased insecurity in the region. Despite their departure, Russian influence in Mali and the broader Sahel region is expected to continue through other forces like Africa Corps, with the situation raising questions about the effectiveness of Wagner's operations.