The Nigerian Army announces a cyber warfare operation as protests against police brutality in the country continue. (Premium Times)
October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The governor of Zazi Maidan District and a bodyguard are shot dead and another two injured in Khost Province. (TOLOnews) At least five people are killed and another nine injured after two bombing attacks. The attack occurred in Jalrez District, Maidan Wardak Province. (TOLOnews) At least twelve police officers, including the district chief, are killed when two bombs explode in Kang District, Nimruz Province. (TOLOnews)
War in Afghanistan October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The governor of Zazi Maidan District and a bodyguard are shot dead and another two injured in Khost Province. (TOLOnews) At least five people are killed and another nine injured after two bombing attacks. The attack occurred in Jalrez District, Maidan Wardak Province. (TOLOnews) At least twelve police officers, including the district chief, are killed when two bombs explode in Kang District, Nimruz Province. (TOLOnews)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijani troops capture the town of Zəngilan and several nearby villages in Zangilan District, Nagorno-Karabakh. (The Washington Post)
War in Afghanistan October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kills at least 12 members of the police in Baharak District, Takhar Province. (TOLOnews)
October 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kills at least 12 members of the police in Baharak District, Takhar Province. (TOLOnews)
French police launch a terror investigation into a racist attack on Sunday, in which two Muslim women were repeatedly stabbed near the Eiffel Tower while the perpetrators, believed to be two other women, shouted racial slurs at the victims. The attack came as tensions mount over the murder of Samuel Paty. (Al Jazeera) (Euro Weekly News) (National Turk)
Iran–United States relations, Iran–Iraq relations, Iranian intervention in Iraq The U.S. Department of the Treasury says it has blacklisted Iraj Masjedi, the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, saying he has overseen the training and support of Shia militia groups, which are responsible for attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. (Reuters)
Terrorism in France French police launch a terror investigation into a racist attack on Sunday, in which two Muslim women were repeatedly stabbed near the Eiffel Tower while the perpetrators, believed to be two other women, shouted racial slurs at the victims. The attack came as tensions mount over the murder of Samuel Paty. (Al Jazeera) (Euro Weekly News) (National Turk)
A mass shooting at a school in Kumba, Southwest, Cameroon kills at least six children and wounds eight others in an attack apparently committed by Ambazonian separatist insurgents. The United Nations office reports eight children were killed. A spokesman for the separatist movement expresses "shock and disgust" over the attack. (Reuters)
A report published three days earlier by the Center for Strategic and International Studies finds that white supremacist and other far-right groups have perpetrated a majority of domestic terrorist attacks and plots in the first eight months of 2020. It also notes a rise in terrorist incidents perpetrated by far-left groups, as well as a decrease in fatalities from domestic terrorist attacks during that same time period compared to recent years. (The New York Times via MSN)
Anglophone Crisis Kumba school massacre A mass shooting at a school in Kumba, Southwest, Cameroon kills at least six children and wounds eight others in an attack apparently committed by Ambazonian separatist insurgents. The United Nations office reports eight children were killed. A spokesman for the separatist movement expresses "shock and disgust" over the attack. (Reuters)
Domestic terrorism in the United States A report published three days earlier by the Center for Strategic and International Studies finds that white supremacist and other far-right groups have perpetrated a majority of domestic terrorist attacks and plots in the first eight months of 2020. It also notes a rise in terrorist incidents perpetrated by far-left groups, as well as a decrease in fatalities from domestic terrorist attacks during that same time period compared to recent years. (The New York Times via MSN)
Kumba school massacre A mass shooting at a school in Kumba, Southwest, Cameroon kills at least six children and wounds eight others in an attack apparently committed by Ambazonian separatist insurgents. The United Nations office reports eight children were killed. A spokesman for the separatist movement expresses "shock and disgust" over the attack. (Reuters)
Syrian Civil War A United States drone strike kills 17 members of al-Qaeda in Idlib, including eleven leaders. Five civilians were also killed. (Military News)
A United States drone strike kills 17 members of al-Qaeda in Idlib, including eleven leaders. Five civilians were also killed. (Military News)
Federal prosecutors announce the discovery of ghost guns and "explosive device components", which raises the possibility of them filing terrorism charges against six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (The Detroit News) (Michigan Live)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot Federal prosecutors announce the discovery of ghost guns and "explosive device components", which raises the possibility of them filing terrorism charges against six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (The Detroit News) (Michigan Live)
Following high-level talks in Delhi, India and the United States sign a military agreement on sharing sensitive satellite data. The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) gives the Indian Armed Forces access to a range of sensitive geospatial and aeronautical data for military use. Agreements on nuclear energy, earth sciences and alternative medicine are also signed. (BBC News)
India–United States relations Following high-level talks in Delhi, India and the United States sign a military agreement on sharing sensitive satellite data. The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) gives the Indian Armed Forces access to a range of sensitive geospatial and aeronautical data for military use. Agreements on nuclear energy, earth sciences and alternative medicine are also signed. (BBC News)
2020–2021 United States racial unrest, Black Lives Matter Protesters march through Philadelphia for a second night, demanding racial justice after the killing of Walter Wallace. The marches began peacefully but became more confrontational into the evening and Wednesday morning. Police and the city's office of emergency management said looting was reported in several areas. Protesters try to erect makeshift barricades using bins while police use pepper spray and batons after saying they were attacked by demonstrators. (BBC News)
Protesters march through Philadelphia for a second night, demanding racial justice after the killing of Walter Wallace. The marches began peacefully but became more confrontational into the evening and Wednesday morning. Police and the city's office of emergency management said looting was reported in several areas. Protesters try to erect makeshift barricades using bins while police use pepper spray and batons after saying they were attacked by demonstrators. (BBC News)
The National Weather Service issues Storm Surge Warnings from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, to Navarre, Florida. (National Hurricane Center)
2020 Nice stabbing Three people are killed at Notre-Dame de Nice in Nice, by an attacker shouting "Allahu Akbar". The city's mayor describes the incident as "terrorism" while police investigate the case. The attacker has been shot and arrested by police. (Reuters)
A man is arrested near a church in Sartrouville, Île-de-France, after police received a call from his father. The man had been trying to carry out a stabbing attack and was quoted as saying he was inspired by the Nice attack. (Le Parisien)
Three people are killed at Notre-Dame de Nice in Nice, by an attacker shouting "Allahu Akbar". The city's mayor describes the incident as "terrorism" while police investigate the case. The attacker has been shot and arrested by police. (Reuters)
A police officer is wounded after being stabbed several times by a 16-year-old boy in Kukmor, Tatarstan, Russia. The attacker is then shot dead by a fellow officer. The stabbing is being investigated as a terrorist incident. (Al Jazeera)
Terrorism in Russia A police officer is wounded after being stabbed several times by a 16-year-old boy in Kukmor, Tatarstan, Russia. The attacker is then shot dead by a fellow officer. The stabbing is being investigated as a terrorist incident. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Lyon shooting A Greek Orthodox priest is critically wounded after being shot twice while closing his church in Lyon, France. The attacker fled the scene. The victim, a Greek national, is being treated for life-threatening injuries. (BBC News)
A Greek Orthodox priest is critically wounded after being shot twice while closing his church in Lyon, France. The attacker fled the scene. The victim, a Greek national, is being treated for life-threatening injuries. (BBC News)
2020 Nigeria hostage rescue SEAL Team Six conducts a predawn raid in northern Nigeria, rescuing American hostage Philip Walton, who was kidnapped in Niger. The Pentagon says no U.S. military personnel were injured in the operation. (CBS News)
SEAL Team Six conducts a predawn raid in northern Nigeria, rescuing American hostage Philip Walton, who was kidnapped in Niger. The Pentagon says no U.S. military personnel were injured in the operation. (CBS News)
War in Afghanistan November 2020 Afghanistan attacks Three policemen are killed and two others are injured after a bomb on a motorbike explodes near a police checkpoint in Herat, Herat Province. (TOLOnews) At least four people are killed and another eight injured after a mortar shell hit the governor of Kunduz's compound, as soldiers were playing volleyball. (TOLOnews)
November 2020 Afghanistan attacks Three policemen are killed and two others are injured after a bomb on a motorbike explodes near a police checkpoint in Herat, Herat Province. (TOLOnews) At least four people are killed and another eight injured after a mortar shell hit the governor of Kunduz's compound, as soldiers were playing volleyball. (TOLOnews)
Russia–United States relations Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden applies for Russian citizenship. (CNN)
The United States, Japan, India and Australia begin the Malabar naval exercise, in what is seen as a push to counter China's military and economic power in the region. Meanwhile, China has accused the United States of having a "cold war mentality" and "ideological prejudice". (Reuters)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Eta is set to head towards Florida after hitting the Caribbean and Central America, especially Nicaragua and parts of Honduras. The slow-moving hurricane, which peaked at category 4, caused floods and devastation in Nicaragua and hurricane warnings are still in place for parts of Nicaragua. (CNN)
Hurricane Eta is set to head towards Florida after hitting the Caribbean and Central America, especially Nicaragua and parts of Honduras. The slow-moving hurricane, which peaked at category 4, caused floods and devastation in Nicaragua and hurricane warnings are still in place for parts of Nicaragua. (CNN)
China condemns U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision yesterday to remove the militant group East Turkestan Islamic Movement from his department's list of designated foreign terrorist groups. (Economic Times)
China–United States relations China condemns U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision yesterday to remove the militant group East Turkestan Islamic Movement from his department's list of designated foreign terrorist groups. (Economic Times)
ISIL insurgency in Iraq Unidentified gunmen using grenades and automatic weapons attacked an army post in western Baghdad, killing 11 people, including soldiers. Both the military and police have launched a manhunt for the gunmen. (Al Jazeera)
Unidentified gunmen using grenades and automatic weapons attacked an army post in western Baghdad, killing 11 people, including soldiers. Both the military and police have launched a manhunt for the gunmen. (Al Jazeera)
COVID-19 pandemic in Poland Several officers are injured after far-right protestors clash with police in Warsaw, after thousands defied public gathering restrictions to participate in the annual Independence Day march. (Al Jazeera)
Several officers are injured after far-right protestors clash with police in Warsaw, after thousands defied public gathering restrictions to participate in the annual Independence Day march. (Al Jazeera)
A major police operation is conducted at the headquarters of Ubisoft Montreal following reports of a hostage situation. The employees remaining in the building are safely evacuated. Later, the police tell the local media that it was a false alarm. Police sources deem the 911 call that triggered the incident a hoax. (Le Journal de Montréal) (CBC)
War in Afghanistan Taliban insurgency November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews)
Taliban insurgency November 2020 Afghanistan attacks The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews) Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
Boeing 737 MAX groundings The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration clears Boeing's 737 MAX to fly again, provided that all planes receive modifications to their software and wiring and that all pilots receive additional training. (BBC News)
Baabda prison escape Sixty-nine inmates escape from a prison in Baabda District, Lebanon. Five of them are killed in a car crash while being pursued by security forces. (U.S. News)
Sixty-nine inmates escape from a prison in Baabda District, Lebanon. Five of them are killed in a car crash while being pursued by security forces. (U.S. News)
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) names Algerian Islamist Abu Obaida Yusuf al-Annabi as its new leader, following the death of Abdelmalek Droukdel during the Battle of Talahandak in June. Al-Annabi has been on the U.S. "international terrorist" blacklist since September 2015, and he has regularly appeared in jihadist propaganda videos. (Al Jazeera)
Insurgency in the Maghreb Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) names Algerian Islamist Abu Obaida Yusuf al-Annabi as its new leader, following the death of Abdelmalek Droukdel during the Battle of Talahandak in June. Al-Annabi has been on the U.S. "international terrorist" blacklist since September 2015, and he has regularly appeared in jihadist propaganda videos. (Al Jazeera)
Second Libyan Civil War, Libyan peace process The United States Department of the Treasury announces unilateral sanctions on the Libyan National Army-linked al-Kaniyat militia and its leader, Mohamed al-Kani, after Russia blocks the United Nations Security Council from blacklisting the group for alleged human rights abuses committed in the city of Tarhuna during the 14-month military offensive led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. (Reuters)
The United States Department of the Treasury announces unilateral sanctions on the Libyan National Army-linked al-Kaniyat militia and its leader, Mohamed al-Kani, after Russia blocks the United Nations Security Council from blacklisting the group for alleged human rights abuses committed in the city of Tarhuna during the 14-month military offensive led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. (Reuters)
Mali War Six rice farmers are killed by gunmen in the village of Farabougou, Mali, bringing the death toll to 23 since the siege of the village by suspected jihadists began nearly two months ago. (Reuters)
Somali Civil War Seven people are killed and ten others injured by a suicide bomber in an ice cream parlor in Mogadishu. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan tests positive for COVID-19, a day after vice-governor Ahmad Riza Patria tests positive. (The Straits Times) COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar tests positive for COVID-19. A spokesman for the group says he is "following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures". (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey reports a record 190 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 13,936. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar tests positive for COVID-19. A spokesman for the group says he is "following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures". (Reuters)
Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar tests positive for COVID-19. A spokesman for the group says he is "following the advice of health authorities and taking precautionary measures". (Reuters)
Islamic Defenders Front, Islam in Indonesia Six suspected supporters of controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab are killed in a clash with police on a highway near Jakarta. The incident occurred when a police car was attacked while following a car believed to be carrying supporters of the cleric, resulting in a shootout. The police have been investigating the cleric for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Six suspected supporters of controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab are killed in a clash with police on a highway near Jakarta. The incident occurred when a police car was attacked while following a car believed to be carrying supporters of the cleric, resulting in a shootout. The police have been investigating the cleric for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Terrorism in Pakistan An IED explodes near a police station in Rawalpindi, Punjab, injuring 25 people. (The News)
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. This move is the first time that the CAATSA has been used to penalize a U.S. ally. (AP)
Turkey–United States relations, CAATSA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. This move is the first time that the CAATSA has been used to penalize a U.S. ally. (AP)
War in Afghanistan Gunmen attack a security checkpoint in Puli Khumri, Baghlan Province, killing 13 police officers. An armoured personnel carrier and several police vehicles are also destroyed during the attack, which Afghan officials blame on the Taliban. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Al Jazeera)
A man arrested in the Philippines in July 2019 is indicted by federal prosecutors in New York for plotting to carry out a 9/11-style attack in the U.S. The suspect was allegedly directed by the terrorist organization al-Shabaab to attend a flight school in the Philippines and research how to hijack a commercial airliner. (NBC News)
Gunmen attack a security checkpoint in Puli Khumri, Baghlan Province, killing 13 police officers. An armoured personnel carrier and several police vehicles are also destroyed during the attack, which Afghan officials blame on the Taliban. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Al Jazeera)
A knifeman kills two elderly people after storming their home and then tries to attack police officers on a highway in Brisbane, Australia. The attacker, who is shot dead by police, has been identified as a 22-year-old man inspired by the Islamic State. He was arrested in early 2019 when he tried to join the group in Somalia. (CNA)
Terrorism in Australia A knifeman kills two elderly people after storming their home and then tries to attack police officers on a highway in Brisbane, Australia. The attacker, who is shot dead by police, has been identified as a 22-year-old man inspired by the Islamic State. He was arrested in early 2019 when he tried to join the group in Somalia. (CNA)
Iraqi conflict Eight rockets are fired at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, prompting the activation of C-RAM air defences. (ABC News)
War in Afghanistan December 2020 Afghanistan attacks Rahmatullah Nikzad, head of the journalists’ union in Ghazni, dies after being shot three times in the chest by unknown assailants. Nikazd is the fifth journalist to have been killed in Afghanistan in the last two months, and the seventh this year. (Voice of America)
2020 United States anti-lockdown protests About 300 demonstrators attempt to storm the Oregon State Capitol during a special legislative session closed to the public, but they are warded off by the Oregon State Police. The group, which called for reopening Oregon in the wake of COVID-19 mitigation measures, included members of groups such as Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer. (The Daily Beast) (Statesman Journal)
December 2020 Afghanistan attacks Rahmatullah Nikzad, head of the journalists’ union in Ghazni, dies after being shot three times in the chest by unknown assailants. Nikazd is the fifth journalist to have been killed in Afghanistan in the last two months, and the seventh this year. (Voice of America)
