The information, data and findings from the below brief was collected by and sourced from TRAC: Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium, in partnership with the Mackenzie Institute. Please click here to visit TRAC.
Islamic State Activity in Russia, Libya and Syria
Islamic State claims ambush on police officers on federal highway in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia (20 June 2018)
On 20 July 2018, some unidentified individuals attacked a police patrol on the federal highway “Kavkaz” in Kizilyurt (Dagestan, Russia). Two police officers were killed at the place of the attack and one officer received serious injuries. Later, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility.
One of the perpetrators was a local resident (24-year-old), Shamil Shakhmagomedov.
Claim:
Photos:
Islamic State in Libya claims credit for an armed assault on a police station in al-Uqaylah, between Sirte and Ajdabiya (24 July 2018)
On 24 July 2018, the Islamic State claimed credit for an armed assault on a police station in al-Uqaylah (between Sirte and Ajdabiya) and setting two vehicles alight. According to unconfirmed reports, several officers were killed in the attack (1 possibly beheaded). Clashes with the Libyan National Army 20 kilometers south followed the raid.
Claim:
Photo of the vehicle destroyed by arson:
Photo from @libyaalhadathtv showing an electrical IED detonator allegedly found at the police station in al-Uqaylah:
It is worth noting that in early June 2018, a similar attack took place on a police station in Qanan, 10 kilometers south-east of Ajdabiya—an area that has witnessed several previous Islamic State attacks.
Islamic State: “Course of the Battles in Rural Daraa in Wilayat Hauran (ash-Sham)” (24 July 2018)
The course of a major engagement between the Islamic State and Syrian regime forces in southern Syria has included artillery strikes, an armed assault (with video footage), and a claim for a suicide bombing. In particular, a suicide bomber from the Islamic State detonated his car bomb in the middle of a gathering of regime forces and loyal militias near the village of Ein Zubaydah. The bomb killed and wounded dozens, and was able to destroy several mechanisms that were on site.
Shortly after, regime forces tried to advance on the town of Jalin, just west of Daraa. Violent clashes erupted, in which at least 23 members of the regime were killed and many more wounded. Assad fighters were able to destroy 4 opposition tanks and a Shilka vehicle with guided missiles during the confrontations. Syrian and Russian planes continue to bombard villages and towns controlled by Islamic State fighters, as well as using various types of ground strikes and rockets. The daily average is more than 100 air strikes (some with phosphorus), and almost constant artillery shelling.
Photos:
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The above has been compiled by Ryan J. Anderson, an MA student at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, specializing in Intelligence and International Affairs. He is a Junior Research Affiliate with the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security, and Society (TSAS), a research analyst at the International Counter-Terrorism Youth Network (ICTYN), and was previously a Research Fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP), Queen’s University. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanandrson.
