In a mission that united the efforts of Afghanistan’s national intelligence service and military forces, Afghan troops tracked down and killed one of al-Qaida’s top commanders. The death of Husam Abd al-Rauf, also known as Abu Muhsen al-Masri, illustrates the growing ability of Afghanistan’s legitimately elected government to defend its territory from the depredations of terrorists. The Egyptian-born al-Rauf met his end in Ghazni province at the hands of Afghan special operations forces on October 24, 2020, and Afghan leaders suggested it wouldn’t be the last such operation. “Terrorist groups, especially al-Qaida and Daesh, should realize after the killing of…
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Countries confront opponents who avoid direct engagements in favor of indirect attacks UNIPATH STAFF Ukraine was embroiled in a dispute with Russia in 2016 over possession of territory near the Black Sea when the lights went out for hundreds of thousands of electricity customers. Russia’s public denial that it had tampered with the Ukrainian power grid proved hollow. The United States attributed the cascading cyber attacks to Russian-sponsored actors. Such aggression is one instrument in the toolkit of hybrid warfare. Although definitions vary, hybrid warfare includes the use of propaganda, economic disruption and proxy forces to supplement conventional fighting. Some…
Lt. Gen. Mohammad Farid Ahmadi innovates and inspires as head of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command UNIPATH STAFF The terrorist group ISIS-Khorasan has nearly been eradicated in Afghanistan, its leader ignominiously killed hiding in a mosque, his lieutenants surrendering to Afghan forces. Eighteen Taliban prisons were raided and 500 Afghan prisoners released. Taliban fighters no longer gather in large numbers for fear of becoming targets. For much of the year their leaders skulk in safe havens beyond Afghanistan’s borders lest they be killed. Much of that success is a tribute to the fighting talents of the Afghan National…
The defeat of Daesh in Iraq provides tactical knowledge applicable to future conflicts UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service Daesh’s invasion of large areas of Iraq was accompanied by a media campaign on social networking pages and satellite TV that managed to confuse public opinion and sow fear and anxiety in the hearts of the public. Among the many tales of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service’s (CTS’) bravery, the story of the Mosul Battalion stands out. This elite CTS unit fought valiantly at Camp Ghazlani and performed a full withdrawal from Mosul upon receiving orders to protect…
Omani and U.S. Troops Train to Defend Against Chemical, Biological and Radiological Weapons Threats UNIPATH STAFF | photos by Sultan’s armed forces At 11 a.m., residents of the area bordering Oman’s Muscat Industrial District heard a loud explosion. In minutes, emergency sirens filled the air, signaling a heavy deployment of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and Public Authority of Civil Defense and Ambulance (PACDA). Armored vehicles, police cars and crime scene tape cordoned off bystanders from the scene of the explosion. The drill concluded a chemical, biological and radiological weapons prevention exercise organized in Oman by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).…
Lt. Col. Hamed bin Ibrahim Al-Bouromi Trains Oman’s WMD Prevention Branch Story and photos by UNIPATH STAFF In times of asymmetric warfare, elite units become preoccupied with protecting their countries from the lethal threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In such a context, states have begun to develop their preventive capabilities in preparation for all eventualities. Unipath met with Lt. Col. Hamed bin Ibrahim Al-Bouromi, Oman’s 1st staff officer for WMD prevention, during a recent exercise with experts from U.S. Central Command: Unipath: What is your impression of this joint exercise between Oman’s Armed Forces and its American partners?…
UNIPATH STAFF The Kuwait Aviation Show drew 60,000 visitors to gawk at demonstrations by Kuwaiti, Saudi, Emirati, Qatari and U.S. military pilots in the January 2020 skies above Kuwait City. It was the second time Kuwait had held the air show, and organizers attracted 200 aerospace companies and 70 commercial and military aircraft from 37 countries. “This important event creates an opportunity for officials and experts in the field of civil and military aviation to get together and discuss ways to advance the aviation industry and to be acquainted with the latest developments in this sector,” said lead organizer Sheikh…
UNIPATH STAFF A delegation from Tajikistan led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirodjidin Mukhriddin visited Brussels in December 2019 to discuss cooperation with the European Union on topics such as border security, trade, and combating terrorism and extremism. The EU delegation commended Tajikistan’s reforms and efforts to strengthen the rule of law and build a durable democratic society. “We shared our thoughts on regional security and on the need to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, taking into account the situation in Afghanistan,” Foreign Minister Mukhriddin said. Both parties expressed support for continued cooperation within the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central…
UNIPATH STAFF Oman reiterated its commitment to open sea lanes, counterterrorism and fighting piracy by conducting a series of maritime drills with U.S., British and French partners. The Gulf of Oman was the setting for the Sharp Dagger, or Khanjar Hadd, exercise in February 2020. Patrol boats from the Royal Navy of Oman — Al Dhafirah, Al Muazzar and Al Bat’nah — combined forces with three British Royal Navy mine hunting ships, a French destroyer, and several U.S. Navy and Coast Guard patrol boats. Accompanied by a group of foreign ambassadors, Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Khamis al-Raisi, commander of Oman’s…
UNIPATH STAFF Protecting children from radical online indoctrination was a major topic at the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February 2020. More than 1,200 participants from government, academia, the media, the security sector and technology firms discussed how to make cyberspace more resilient to online threats. Attendees emphasized that growing technological progress and the global interconnectedness through cyberspace provide opportunities for economic and social growth, though these opportunities are accompanied by a significant increase in risk for individuals and organizations. The GCF promoted training to meet the demands of the technology-based global economy, raised awareness of the…