Brian Carter

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 29, 2023

Yemen: AQAP-linked media unit says AQAP does not target Abyan’s tribes; AQAP fighters detonate IED targeting STC-backed forces in Abyan; ...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update, September 27: Tribal Insurgency May Expand in Syria; Mali and Separatist Rebels Resume Fighting; Afghan Taliban and Pakistan Discuss Cross-Border Attacks; Iran Targets IS-Affiliated Militants in Iran

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 26, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 22, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update, September 20: Anti-Syrian Democratic Forces Insurgency Continues in Deir ez Zor, Kremlin Works to Replace Wagner in the Sahel, IS in Pakistan Targets Politician Before Elections, and Haqqani Network Supports Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan Attacks in Pakistan

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 19, 2023

Yemen: Houthis return from Riyadh and restate negotiating position; UAE Foreign Affairs Ministry says it supports Saudi-Houthi talks; AQA...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 15, 2023

Yemen: Saudi Arabia announces it is hosting senior Houthi delegation for talks in Riyadh; Houthi president confirms talks in Riyadh; Yeme...

The Syrian Democratic Forces’ Arab Coalition Is Crumbling, Creating Opportunities for ISIS, Iran, and Turkey

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update, September 13, 2023: SDF Lose Legitimacy in Deir ez Zor, al Qaeda and the Islamic State expand in West Africa, TTP Launches Offensive in Pakistan

Iraq and Syria. The tactics the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) used in recent clashes with Arab tribes in Deir ez Zor province undermined...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 12, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, September 7, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, August 31, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, August 16, 2023

Iraq and Syria. ISIS is conducting offensive operations in the central Syrian desert. Niger. The Nigerien junta will likely expedite effo...

Iran Update, August 14, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, August 9, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, August 2, 2023

Niger. The Nigerien junta is unlikely to capitulate to international pressure to reverse its coup, which will result in its international...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, July 26, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, July 20, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – July 14, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, July 12, 2023

Iran Update, July 10, 2023

Iranian-backed militias and Syrian regime forces deployed to Deir ez Zor in response to rumors of an imminent International Coalition att...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update Special Edition: Local Protests Suggest New ISIS Support Zone in Northeastern Deir ez Zor, Syria

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, July 5, 2023

Iraq and Syria. ISIS conducted three attacks in Iraq near a border crossing in Saudi Arabia, possibly signaling the group’s intent to cha...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 30, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, June 28, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update Special Edition: ISIS Expands Support and Attack Zones Along the Euphrates River

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 27, 2023

Yemen: AQAP captures STC-backed position in Abyan; Yemeni president visits Hadramawt and says Hadramawt will manage its own finances, sec...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 23, 2023

Yemen: PLC Deputy blesses formation of new Hadrami National Council; STC president says he will hold UN-supervised referendum on southern...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 20, 2023

Yemen: AQAP claims responsibility for three IED attacks targeting STC forces; Houthi officials go to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj; Anti-STC ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 6, 2023

Yemen: UN Special Envoy meets with top Yemeni officials in Riyadh; UN special envoy meets with senior Omani officials and chief Houthi ne...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, May 31, 2023

Iraq and Syria. ISIS likely is increasing large-scale operations, setting conditions to challenge regime control in some population cente...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 30, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, May 24, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 24, 2023

Yemen: Houthis ban import of domestic gas into Houthi-controlled territory from government-controlled territory; prominent AQ supporter c...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 22, 2023

Yemen: Houthis commit to national unity in negotiations; STC President gives speech highlight STC aspirations to form independent souther...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 19, 2023

Yemen: STC President Zubaidi travels to Mukalla, Hadramawt governorate; unspecified Hadrami leaders met to demand an independent Hadrami ...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, May 17, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 17, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 15, 2023

Yemen: Houthis accuse UK, US, and Saudi Arabia of preventing peace in Yemen; STC-backed forces announce successful counter-AQAP operation...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, May 10, 2023

Iraq and Syria. ISIS is expanding its support zones in the Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV) despite falling attack claims. The US mis...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update Special Edition: Protests in Pakistan, May 11, 2023

Unrest may continue in Pakistan despite efforts by the Pakistani government and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to deescalate ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 10, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update Special Edition: Protests in Pakistan, May 10, 2023

The crisis resulting from the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the eruption of violent protests against the Pakis...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update Special Edition: Protests in Pakistan, May 9, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 8, 2023

Yemen: Houthi officials promise peace while threatening war; AQAP detonates an IED targeting STC-backed forces in Abyan; STC president ap...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, May 4, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, April 27, 2023

Iran Update, April 27, 2023

The domestic Iranian information space is currently shaped such that violence against religious figures is being viewed as part of escala...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 26, 2023

Yemen: Yemeni media report Houthi-ROYG peace negotiations will resume; A Houthi official threatens Saudi Arabia with attacks if peace tal...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, April 19, 2023

The Islamic State is strengthening and expanding globally. US operations targeting senior leaders in the Islamic State’s network temporar...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, April 12, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, April 5, 2023

Ending the US Presence in Syria Could Cause a Rapid ISIS Reconstitution and Threaten Core US National Security Interests

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, March 29, 2023

Iraq and Syria. ISIS remains a viable insurgency in Syria that aspires to reestablish a territorial caliphate. The US presence in Syria e...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 27, 2023

Yemen: Houthi assassination attempt targeting Yemeni Defense Minister, Chief of Staff, Taiz governor, and Saudi coalition commander fails...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, March 22, 2023

Iran Update, March 22, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, March 16, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 10, 2023

Yemen: STC spokesperson welcomes Saudi-Iran agreement; Emirati newspapers report a one-year, UN sponsored truce in Yemen is imminent; STC...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, March 8, 2023

Somalia. The Somali Federal Government (SFG) will begin a major offensive targeting al Shabaab–controlled areas of southern Somalia in th...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 8, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 6, 2023

Yemen: US Navy 5th Fleet commander and US ambassador meet with Yemeni government officials in Mahra; PLC Deputy and NRF commander meets w...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 3, 2023

Yemen: The US and Royal Navies interdicted Iranian arms bound for the Houthis Somalia: Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti to send additional ...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, March 1, 2023

Iran-backed Shi’a militants likely massacred unarmed Sunni civilians in Diyala on February 20. ISIS has not commented on the attack. Pro-...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, February 22, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, February 15, 2023

Somalia. Several large-scale al Shabaab attacks on military bases across Somalia highlight that Somali counterterrorism efforts have not ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 13, 2023

Yemen: Houthi official reiterates conditions for continuing de-facto truce; Yemeni president meets US ambassador; Abyan Special Forces mu...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, February 8, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review- February 6, 2023

Yemen: AQAP claims two attacks in Wadi Omran, Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate; US Envoy to Yemen and US Ambassador to Yemen meet with...

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, February 1, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 1, 2023

Yemen: US drone strike kills AQAP explosives expert; AQAP claims two separate attacks in Abyan Somalia: Somali national security advis...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 30, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 27, 2023

Yemen: Saudi-led coalition orders pro-STC protest organizer to remove protest camps; Tariq Saleh’s spokesperson announces Saleh-Aydarus a...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 25, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 23, 2023

Yemen: Qatari-owned media reports possible changes in the PLC; Houthis object to Saudi “buffer zone” proposal; Houthis accuse UK of “hind...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 20, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, January 18, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 18, 2023

Yemen: Omani delegation visits Sana’a for negotiations; Houthi negotiator threatens Gulf states and claims Saudi foreign minister will me...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 13, 2023

Salafi-Jihadi Movement Weekly Update, January 12, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 9, 2023

Yemen: Yemeni media issues conflicting reports on a failed IED attack in Hadramawt; AQAP detonates two separate IEDs targeting STC-backed...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 6, 2023

Yemen: AQAP denies responsibility for January 3 IED attack; AQAP detonates IED targeting STC-backed forces in Abyan; Saudi news outlet re...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 4, 2023

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 21, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 19, 2022

Yemen: The STC and its allies continue their media and protest campaign against the First Military Region; Houthi forces threaten anti-Ho...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 16, 2022

Yemen: First Military Region fires on likely STC-backed protesters in Hadramawt; Houthi official calls American interests “legitimate [Ho...

Understanding Military Units in Southern Yemen

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 14, 2022

Yemen: Houthis reiterate priorities and maximalist negotiating position; anti-STC gunmen attempt to assassinate STC official; Nihm tribes...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 12, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 9, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 7, 2022

Yemen: Yemeni president removes 1st Military Region chief of staff, causing Yemeni Army brigade closes entrances and exits of Seiyun, Had...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 5, 2022

ISIS Will Leverage Improved Attack Capabilities to Generate Forces in Syria

Turkish military activity in Syria will accelerate the strengthening of the Islamic State in Iraq and al Sham.

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 30, 2022

Yemen: US Envoy to Yemen visits Oman to discuss peace efforts in Yemen; Yemeni president meets with UN envoy to Yemen; Yemeni president a...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 16, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 14, 2022

Yemen: Houthi members meet with other Axis of Resistance factions; Houthis claim Saudis are willing to discuss salary payments; Houthi dr...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 9, 2022

Yemen: Houthis deny targeting weapons depot in Ma’rib; US Ambassador visits Hadramawt; US Secretary of State meets with Omani Foreign Min...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 7, 2022

Yemen: The Jordanian government restricts travel between Jordan and Sana’a and Aden; STC Negotiation Affairs head threatens to expel the ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 2, 2022

Yemen: Key ROYG officials meet with Iraqi officials; Houthis ban instant messaging services; STC officials in Aden sign agreement to buil...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 31, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 28, 2022

Iran Crisis Update, October 26

The ongoing, anti-regime protests in Iran expanded significantly on October 26, occurring in at least 33 cities in 23 provinces. These pr...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 26, 2022

Yemen: Houthi media frames Houthi attacks as defensive “warnings”; the Yemeni and Saudi foreign ministers discuss Houthi drone attacks in...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 24, 2022

Yemen: AQAP ambushes STC-backed unit in Abyan governorate; STC-backed forces raid an AQAP safehouse in Abyan governorate; STC-aligned off...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 21, 2022

Yemen: The Houthis target oil facilities in Yemen with two explosive drones; Houthis frame drone attack as a “warning strike”; anonymous ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 19, 2022

Yemen: Yemeni government forms new negotiating team; Houthi economic committee “allows” entry of tanker into Shabwani port; Houthi leader...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 17, 2022

Yemen: Houthis and Saudis agree to prisoner exchange from March 2022; Houthi negotiator threatens US and Europe with oil and gas attacks;...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 12, 2022

Yemen: AQAP detonates IED targeting STC forces in Abyan; AQAP detonates two IEDs targeting STC forces in Abyan in separate attack; AQAP a...

Iran Crisis Update, October 7

Regime disinformation about protester deaths may further stoke anti-regime sentiment and even revitalize anti-regime demonstrations.

Africa File: Burkina Faso Coup Signals Deepening Governance and Security Crisis in the Sahel

Burkina Faso’s latest coup on September 30 indicates that the governance and security crisis in West Africa’s Sahel region continues to d...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 5, 2022

Yemen: The UN Secretary-General says the UN is continuing negotiations to pursue a truce extension; Houthis reject Saudi-Yemeni offer to ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – October 3, 2022

Yemen: Houthis and ROYG fail to renew Yemen’s truce; Houthis threaten oil companies in Saudi Arabia in the UAE; truce negotiations create...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 30, 2022

Yemen: PLC meets with Saudi defense minister to resolve differences; Houthi president and prime minister meet with UN special envoy; UN s...

Salafi-Jihadi Areas of Operation in the Sahel

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 28, 2022

Yemen: UN envoy travels to Riyadh, Muscat, and Sana’a for negotiations; Houthis reiterate position on truce; Houthis threaten foreign com...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 26, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 23, 2022

Yemen: Taiz governor announces new airport opening; tribesmen in Sana’a demand release of sheikhs imprisoned by Houthis; AQAP targets STC...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 19, 2022

Yemen: An AQAP IED attack targets STC-backed forces in southern Yemen Somalia: SNA and Ma’awisley clear al Shabaab from multiple villa...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 16, 2022

Yemen: Houthi chief negotiator meets with Lebanese Hezbollah leader; AQAP transfers kidnapped UN workers out of Abyan; STC-backed forces ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 14, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 12, 2022

Amid Yemen’s Truce, al Qaeda Threatens to Return

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 9, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 7, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – September 2, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 31, 2022

Yemen: Major Houthi-initiated clashes in Taiz threaten last road connecting Taiz city to Aden; Houthis accuse Yemeni government of initia...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 29, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 26, 2022

Yemen: Houthi negotiating delegation travels to Amman; US ambassador confirms presence of US military in Yemen; STC-backed military leade...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 24, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 22, 2022

Yemen: The Yemeni president meets with unspecified UAE officials in Abu Dhabi; Houthis allege US military involvement in southeastern Yem...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – August 1, 2022

Iran Supports Houthi Control over Yemen Telecommunications Sector

Iran may be providing technical assistance to strengthen the Houthi movement’s ability to gather intelligence and suppress dissent. A Yem...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – July 8, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – July 6, 2022

Yemen: UN introduces new roads proposal including only secondary roads; the Houthi roads delegation claims ROYG is not serious about nego...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 13, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 6, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – June 1, 2022

Yemen: The PLC created the Military and Security Committee; the Yemeni government said negotiations with the Houthis in Jordan failed; th...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 23, 2022

Yemen: Houthi delegation travels to Amman for talks on reopening Taiz roads; Saudi deputy defense minister meets with key US officials in...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 20, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 18, 2022

Yemen: US secretary of state meets with Yemeni foreign minister; High-level Saudi delegation meets with US national security advisor; UN ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 16, 2022

Yemen: Possible Houthi gunmen assassinate military officer in Ma’rib; Houthi militants attempt to assassinate military commander in Aden ...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – May 13, 2022

Africa File: Salafi-Jihadi Groups May Exploit Local Grievances to Expand in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea

Africa File: Malian Army Abuses Will Strengthen Salafi-Jihadis in Central Mali

The Malian Army launched a campaign of collective punishment in a bid to reimpose state control in central Mali.

Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 15, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 13, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – April 4, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 30, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 16, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 11, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – March 4, 2022

Africa File: Rapid French withdrawal unravels counterterrorism posture in Mali

French forces are accelerating their withdrawal from Mali following a breakdown in French-Malian relations. The withdrawal will remove ne...

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 28, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 23, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 18, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 16, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 14, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 11, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 9, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 7, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 4, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – February 2, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 31, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 28, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 26, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 24, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 21, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 19, 2022

January 2022 Map Update: Al Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 14, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review - January 12, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 10, 2022

Gulf of Aden Security Review - January 7, 2022

[ALL YOUR CITATION CODE]

Africa File: Wagner Group deployment to Mali threatens counterterrorism efforts

Gulf of Aden Security Review – January 5, 2022

[ALL YOUR CITATION CODE]

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 17, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 15, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 13, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 10, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 8, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 6, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 3, 2021

[ALL YOUR CITATION CODE]

Gulf of Aden Security Review – December 1, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 29, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 24, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 22, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 19, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 17, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 15, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 12, 2021

[ALL YOUR CITATION CODE]

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 10, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 8, 2021

Gulf of Aden Security Review – November 5, 2021

Africa File: Mali–Wagner Group deal threatens counterterrorism gains in the Sahel