Ilmurad Khikmatov

Active

Terror organization: Uzbek Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (KTJ)

Status: Leader

Role: KTJ’s current leader and also one of al-Qaeda’s devoted followers. In April 2019, Abdul Aziz, an ethnic Uzbek of the Fergana Valley and former deputy emir of the al- Qaeda-linked Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) in Afghanistan, was elected the new leader of KTJ. According to a UN Security Council report dated 3 February 2022, “KTJ’s capability is undermined by conflict between the current group leader Abdul Aziz and the former group emir Abu Saloh.” But this is a superficial assessment of the situation taking place among the Uzbek jihadists in Syria.

The Ancient Precursor To IMEC – Analysis

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), first announced by Prime Minister Modi on 9 September 2023 on the sidelines of India’s G20, will accelerate under the new Trump Presidency and the likely resolution of the Israel-Hamas war, a prelude to which is the latest 45-day ceasefire between the warring parties.

The Middle Corridor: A Route Born Of The New Eurasian Geopolitics – Analysis

The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is quickly becoming a key trade link between Western China and Europe, bypassing both Russia’s Northern Corridor and the Suez Canal. This network of rail, road, and maritime transport offers a shorter and more efficient trade route. Its importance has grown significantly, especially in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making it an appealing option for international commerce. While the corridor has expanded rapidly, it still faces infrastructure, operational, and geopolitical challenges that require ongoing investment and collaboration. This article explores the structure, strategic importance, challenges, and future potential of the Middle Corridor within the evolving landscape of Eurasian trade.

Qatar’s ‘Day After’ Plan for Gaza: Keeping Hamas in Power

Qatar wants the Palestinian Authority (PA) government to collect the garbage, rebuild destroyed houses, and pay salaries to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, while Hamas is busy rearming, regrouping and getting ready for the next attack on Israel.

[T]he PA government in Ramallah, the de facto capital of the Palestinians in the West Bank, decided to suspend the broadcasts of the Qatar-owned Al-Jazeera television for supporting and promoting Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups. Israel and some Arab states had also shut down the broadcasts for the same reason.

Syrian spy agency targeted ICIJ’s Syrian media partner, documents show

Assad regime collected intel on SIRAJ journalists after its reporting on Syria’s use of Western-made trucks triggered more sanctions.

Syria’s feared intelligence services launched an investigation into ICIJ’s Syrian media partner, Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism, after it reported on Damascus’ business links with Europe, internal documents reveal.

Poland-Belarus Border: How Many Migrant Bodies Lie Undiscovered in the Forests?

The Polish authorities have absented themselves from responsibility for migrants dying on the border with Belarus, leaving NGOs and activists to find and identify bodies lying in the forest areas.

Volunteer rescuers are the only ones looking for migrants missing on Poland’s border with Belarus. Since the migration crisis on the border exploded into life in 2021, it has happened that a random walker comes across the corpse of a migrant and the Polish authorities are contacted; otherwise, they have left it to us to deal with this terrible situation.

Trump wants Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza. Here’s why the idea is rejected

President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip was met with a hard “no” Sunday from the two U.S. allies along with the Palestinians themselves, who fear Israel would never allow them to return.

Trump floated the idea on Saturday, saying he would urge the leaders of the two Arab countries to take in Gaza’s now largely homeless population, so that “we just clean out that whole thing.” He added that resettling most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million could be temporary or long term.

Spotlight on Iran (January 15 – 22, 2025)

  • Iran presented the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas as an Israeli defeat and a victory for Hamas and the “Palestinian resistance.” According to senior Iranian officials, Israel was forced to agree to the ceasefire after failing to realize its goals in the war even after 15 months. The Houthis and the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also congratulated Hamas on the “victory.” The Iranian foreign minister spoke with senior Hamas and PIJ figures and congratulated them on the “victory of the resistance.” He stressed Iran’s continued support for the “resistance.”
  • The Houthis claimed responsibility for six attacks against Israel using ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles. The IDF Spokesperson reported the interception of two ballistic missiles. Senior Houthi officials announced a halt to direct attacks against Israel due to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip but threatened to resume operations in the event of Israeli “violations.” However, they declared that attacks in the Red Sea against vessels connected to Israel would continue.
  • The pro-Iranian militias in Iraq announced the suspension of their military operations against Israel due to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. In practice, they stopped the attacks as early as November 24, 2024.
  • The Syrian authorities have instructed foreign airlines flying to the country not to allow the entry of Iranian citizens.
  • The Syrian security and intelligence services announced the seizure of weapons on the Syrian-Lebanese border, including Iranian-made drones. Experience indicates that Iran continues to make efforts to transfer weapons to Lebanon even after the collapse of the Assad regime.
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Al-Shabaab

Established In: 1996-1997

Established By: Ibrahim Haji Jaama’ Al-Afghani

Also Known As: Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, HSM, Al-Shabaab al-Islaam, Al-Shabaab al-Islamiya, Al-Shabaab al-Jihaad al Shabaab, As-Saḥab, Ash-Shabaab, Hezb al-Shabaab