Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #Khorasan
Most recents (24)
#ISIS-#Khorasan cell leader behind the deadly bombing of #Kabul Airport's Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021 that killed 13 US troops, +170 Afghan civilians killed by the #Taliban, State Department official confirms to @VOANews
Happening now: US Senate's Annual Worldwide Threats with:
@ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines
@CIA Dir William Burns
@DefenseIntel Dir LtGen Scott Berrier
@CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone
@FBI Dir Christopher Wray
intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/open-…
@ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines
@CIA Dir William Burns
@DefenseIntel Dir LtGen Scott Berrier
@CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone
@FBI Dir Christopher Wray
intelligence.senate.gov/hearings/open-…
"We are increasingly seeing rising competition in the technology space with authoritarian regimes that are challenging democratic norms at home & around the world," per Senate Intel Committee chair @MarkWarner
#China's communist party "is now a near-peer competitor with the United States in its economy, technology & military capabilities" per @MarkWarner
#Russia #cyber ops in the war on #Ukraine - "We continue full spectrum operations w/a series of partners to include Ukraine to provide them assistance as they battle the Russians" @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA Gen Paul Nakasone tells lawmakers
#Russia "a very capable [#cyber] adversary" per @CYBERCOM_DIRNSA "We continue to work very tightly w/our other partners within the US gvt -CISA, @FBI- to ensure our US critical infrastructure is protected, and @NATO in general"
Background:
“If the conflict continues to not go well for #Russia, there is some chance that Russia will be increasingly brazen in its cyberattacks” an NSA spox told @VOANews “...will increasingly look outside of Ukraine's territorial borders"
voanews.com/a/us-bracing-f…
“If the conflict continues to not go well for #Russia, there is some chance that Russia will be increasingly brazen in its cyberattacks” an NSA spox told @VOANews “...will increasingly look outside of Ukraine's territorial borders"
voanews.com/a/us-bracing-f…
NEW: US facing "diverse, geographically dispersed & highly unpredictable threat environment" Nat'l Counterterrorism Center Dir. Christine Abizaid tells @WashInstitute
Attack/threat "most likely to occur in the #UnitedStates from lone actors...motivated by a range of ideologies" from #ISIS #alQaida to racism & white supremacy, sometimes a combination, per NCTC's Abizaid
"The threat is unpredictable" both in US & the Western world, she says
"The threat is unpredictable" both in US & the Western world, she says
BREAKING:
Iran's Tasnim News Agency claiming there has been a "terrorist attack" at Shahcheragh shrine in Shiraz city, Fars province. 13 people have been killed and 21 others have suffered injuries. #Iran
Iran's Tasnim News Agency claiming there has been a "terrorist attack" at Shahcheragh shrine in Shiraz city, Fars province. 13 people have been killed and 21 others have suffered injuries. #Iran
UPDATE:
ISIS via Amaq now officially releases claim for the attack on the shrine in Shiraz, saying that the attack started with targeting policemen.
As per regime forces, 3 attackers were killed. #Iran
ISIS via Amaq now officially releases claim for the attack on the shrine in Shiraz, saying that the attack started with targeting policemen.
As per regime forces, 3 attackers were killed. #Iran
Current state of the #Taliban
Taliban has consolidated control over #Afghanistan, per @UN report released on Friday
41 UN sanctioned individuals are in the cabinet & sr level positions
Taliban has consolidated control over #Afghanistan, per @UN report released on Friday
41 UN sanctioned individuals are in the cabinet & sr level positions
ICYMI: Intelligence shows "The relationship between the #Taliban & #alQaida remains close, w/the latter [alQaida] celebrating the former’s success & renewing its pledge of allegiance" per report from @UN Sanctions Monitoring Team released Friday
Intelligence from @UN members "suggest that #alQaida has a safe haven under the #Taliban & increased freedom of action" per report "[AQ leader] Ayman al-Zawahiri has issued more frequent recorded messages since August, & there is now proof of life for him as recently as Feb 2022"
#alQaida-#Taliban relationship "underscored by the presence, both in #Afghanistan & the region, of alQaida core leadership & affiliated groups, such as alQaida in the Indian Subcontinent (#AQIS)" per @UN report
NEW: @DoD_IG report on US-#Afghanistan raises questions about Washington's "over-the-horizon" #counterterrorism strategy
Need for US planes/drones to fly long distances, loss of human intelligence "has significantly reduced the DoD’s
capacity to track terrorist targets"
Need for US planes/drones to fly long distances, loss of human intelligence "has significantly reduced the DoD’s
capacity to track terrorist targets"
"As of the end of the quarter [March 31], the DoD had not conducted any strikes on terrorist targets in #Afghanistan since its withdrawal last year" per @DoD_IG acting IG Sean O'Donnell
re: #ISIS #alQaida
re: #ISIS #alQaida
#ISIS-#Khorasan estimated to have 2,000 members operating in #Afghanistan, per @DoD_IG citing @DefenseIntel
That's about half of estimates shared by the @UN in February
That's about half of estimates shared by the @UN in February
Happening now: Senate Armed Services Committee Worldwide Threats hearing...
Testimony from @ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines & @DefenseIntel Dir Lt Gen Scott Berrier
Testimony from @ODNIgov Dir Avril Haines & @DefenseIntel Dir Lt Gen Scott Berrier
SASC Chairman @SenJackReed on US intelligence sharing in #Russia-#Ukraine war:
"Intelligence officials are understandably cautious about revealing hard-won insights on adversaries, but this strategy has proven highly effective..."
"Intelligence officials are understandably cautious about revealing hard-won insights on adversaries, but this strategy has proven highly effective..."
"...This is a great example of competing effectively in the information domain, and I hope we will continue to make use of this kind of creative tradecraft" per @SenJackReed
NEW: US @DeptofDefense confirms an estimated $7.12 billion worth of military equipment provided to the Afghan security forces prior to their collapse "remains in Afghanistan in varying states of repair"
Total of $18.6 billion had been provided to Afghan forces from 2005-2021
Total of $18.6 billion had been provided to Afghan forces from 2005-2021
"It is important to remember that the $7.12 billion figure cited in the Department’s recent report to Congress corresponds to ANDSF equipment & not US military equipment used by our forces" per @DeptofDefense spox Army Major Rob Lodewick in statement
"Nearly all equipment used by US military forces in #Afghanistan was either retrograded or destroyed prior to our withdrawal" per @DeptofDefense's Maj. Lodewick in statement
HAPPENING NOW: @CENTCOM Cmdr Gen Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie & @USAfricaCommand Cmdr Gen Stephen Townsend testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee
Chairman @SenJackReed opens up talking abt #Iran missile strike in #Irbil #Iraq...
Chairman @SenJackReed opens up talking abt #Iran missile strike in #Irbil #Iraq...
Intro remarks from ranking member @JimInhofe
"#Iran is the foremost threat" in the @CENTCOM region, he says
"Our partners increasingly doubt America's resolve" he adds, blaming what he calls "Pres. Biden's misguided policies"
"#Iran is the foremost threat" in the @CENTCOM region, he says
"Our partners increasingly doubt America's resolve" he adds, blaming what he calls "Pres. Biden's misguided policies"
Breaking: House Intel Committee posts @ODNIgov's 2022 Annual Threat Assessment, aka the Worldwide Threat Assessment
"#Beijing, #Moscow, #Tehran, & #Pyongyang have demonstrated the capability & intent to advance their interests at the expense of the #UnitedStates & its allies"
"#Beijing, #Moscow, #Tehran, & #Pyongyang have demonstrated the capability & intent to advance their interests at the expense of the #UnitedStates & its allies"
"#China increasingly is a near-peer competitor, challenging the #UnitedStates in multiple arenas—especially economically, militarily & technologically—& is pushing to change global norms & potentially threatening its neighbors" per @ODNIgov report
"#Russia is pushing back against #Washington where it can—locally & globally—employing techniques up to & including the use of force" per @ODNIgov report, compiled w/info available up to January
NEW: #alQaida "maintained a low profile in #Afghanistan...likely at the behest of #Taliban leaders attempting to establish legitimacy with the int'l community" per acting @DoD_IG Sean O'Donnell in new report
Per @CENTCOM, @DefenseIntel "#Taliban has not permitted al-Qaeda members to play a significant role in its so-called “interim government” & will likely
aim to prevent #alQaida attacks on the United States as it attempts to gain international legitimacy" says @DoD_IG report
aim to prevent #alQaida attacks on the United States as it attempts to gain international legitimacy" says @DoD_IG report
.@CENTCOM "said that the #Taliban very likely will allow #alQaida elements in #Afghanistan to maintain a low profile within the country to preserve legacy relationships & avoid upsetting the most militant Islamic elements within the Taliban" per @DoD_IG report
NEW: Growing concerns abt #ISIS-#Khorasan
Just releases @UN intel report finds ISIS' affiliate in #Afghanistan may have doubled in size since US left & now has close to 4,000 fighters
In August, @CENTCOM said there were at least 2,000 hardcore ISIS-K
Just releases @UN intel report finds ISIS' affiliate in #Afghanistan may have doubled in size since US left & now has close to 4,000 fighters
In August, @CENTCOM said there were at least 2,000 hardcore ISIS-K
Per @UN report, up to half of #ISIS-#Khorasan could be #foreignfighters
ISIS-K also now "controls limited territory in eastern #Afghanistan...capable of conducting high-profile & complex attacks"
ISIS-K also now "controls limited territory in eastern #Afghanistan...capable of conducting high-profile & complex attacks"
Happening NOW: @CENTCOM Cmdr Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie briefs on the investigation into the August 26, 2021 #ISIS-#Khorasan bombing at Abbey Gate, Hamid Karzai International Airport that killed 13 US servicemembers & at least 170 Afghans
"The investigation found that a single, explosive device killed at least 170 Afghan civilians & 13 U.S. servicemembers by explosively directing ball bearings through a packed crowd and into our men & women at Abbey gate" per @CENTCOM's McKenzie
"The investigation found no definitive proof that anyone was ever hit or killed by gunfire, either U.S. or Afghan" per @CENTCOM's McKenzie, citing more than 100 sworn witnesses
NEW: Latest @SIGARHQ report finds overall violence in #Afghanistan is down since US forces left BUT...
"significant violence persists, including mass-casualty attacks by the #IslamicState-#Khorasan (#ISIS-K); civilian disturbances from abusive Taliban forces and others"
"significant violence persists, including mass-casualty attacks by the #IslamicState-#Khorasan (#ISIS-K); civilian disturbances from abusive Taliban forces and others"
How The Silk Roads Began:
The Greek historian Strabo described the region of Afghanistan as a ‘land of a thousand cities’ and Kabul was known to the Chinese as a wealthy and “large kingdom” with “excellent traders”. 1/3
#Ariana #Bactria #SilkRoads #AfghanHistory #Khorasan
The Greek historian Strabo described the region of Afghanistan as a ‘land of a thousand cities’ and Kabul was known to the Chinese as a wealthy and “large kingdom” with “excellent traders”. 1/3
#Ariana #Bactria #SilkRoads #AfghanHistory #Khorasan
The Chinese Han dynasty's envoy described Afghanistan as cosmopolitan region with “shrew merchants” who work in markets where one can find “all sorts of merchandise”. More than an estimated 1 million people lived in the region at the time in “fixed abodes and walled cities". 2/3
When the Han Chinese emperor heard about the sophisticated civilisation of Afghanistan and the surrounding regions, he immediately urged the dispatch of embassies in order to build trading relations. This is how the Silk Roads started - Afghanistan was at the centre. 3/3
#Ariana
#Ariana
NEW: "While we have significantly degraded the terrorist threat w/the last 20 years of sustained pressure, we still face a potent challenge" @DeptofDefense Deputy Asst Sec for Special Operations &Combating Terrorism Milancy Harris tells House lawmakers
"The terrorist threat to the US homeland from externally directed attacks is at its lowest since 9/11" per @DeptofDefense's Harris
"But we still face a number of terrorists groups committed to targeting US interests & personnel abroad"
"But we still face a number of terrorists groups committed to targeting US interests & personnel abroad"
Today's terror groups are agile, creative & "remain ideologically influential enough to motivate generations of new ppl to join them or to conduct attacks on their behalf" per @DeptofDefense's Harris
HAPPENING NOW: From Sept 1 - Oct 25, "The US gvt has directly facilitated the departure of 240 US citizens & 157 lawful permanent residents, as well as others who have come out on out charters" @DOD_Policy Undersecretary Colin Kahl tells Senate Armed Services Committee
"We are examining & learning from the past..." per @DOD_Policy "...reckoning w/the uncomfortable truth that despite decades & billions of dollars of US investment, the #Afghan military evaporated in the face of the #Taliban assault"
US-#Afghanistan-counterterrorism: "We are actively setting the conditions to ensure we remain situationally aware & are postured to mitigate & neutralize developing terrorist threats & streams" @thejointstaff's LtGen James Mingus tells SASC
Heads of Russian soldiers brought as a gift to the Emir of Bukhara by Vasili Vereshchaguin, 1872.
#Khorasan
#Khorasan
Some people are "losing their heads" (pun intended) over this tweet, so let me clear something: beheading your enemy was a quite widespread practice not only in Central Asia but in many other places until a century ago. Russians did the same to their enemies.
There are countless pictures of Spanish soldiers with beheaded Moroccan prisoners (not going to share their pics, just Google it). In France there is literally a museum with the heads of beheaded Algerians. So do not get ahead of yourselves, guys.
france24.com/en/20160928-fo…
france24.com/en/20160928-fo…
NEW: @DeptofDefense says US military flights back in the air, headed to #Kabul #Afghanistan
Another 1,000 US troops are expected to be there by the end of the day, bringing total to 3,500
Another 1,000 US troops are expected to be there by the end of the day, bringing total to 3,500
"It's not a perfect process" per @PentagonPresSec on planning for evacuations at #Kabul airport
"You have to adjust in real time"
"You have to adjust in real time"
@PentagonPresSec says much of the planning & recent tabletop exercises for #Kabul airport did pay off
@DeptofDefense saw it as "a distinct possibility" #Taliban could overrrun the country & Kabul, he says, but that capitulation of so many #Afghan forces was surprising
@DeptofDefense saw it as "a distinct possibility" #Taliban could overrrun the country & Kabul, he says, but that capitulation of so many #Afghan forces was surprising
NEW: Just released @UN report warns of "heightened threats emerging" from #ISIS #alQaida affiliated groups worldwide
"This is especially true in parts of West and East #Africa" per the report, based on member state intelligence
"This is especially true in parts of West and East #Africa" per the report, based on member state intelligence
Happening now: @CENTCOM Commander Gen Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, @USAfricaCommand Commander Gen Stephen Townsend & @DeptofDefense Acting UnderSec Amanda Dory testify at the House Armed Services Committee
"In #Afghanistan, our mission has been preventing terrorist groups from using the country to threaten the interests & security of the UnitedStates, our allies & partners" acting Deputy UnderSec Dory tells lawmakers "After 2 decades...we have accomplished that mission"
"We are focused on working closely w/the Afghan gvt & our @NATO allies to responsibly conclude Operation resolute Support in #Afghanistan" per @CENTCOM Commander Gen McKenzie "This is my main effort, at present"
#Kanishka I was, the greatest, and certainly the most famous, of the #Kushan kings.
He is known, from the combined testimony of the literary, epigraphic, and numismatic sources, to have ruled over an extensive dominion extending from Bihar in the east to #Khorasan
@atalbrave
He is known, from the combined testimony of the literary, epigraphic, and numismatic sources, to have ruled over an extensive dominion extending from Bihar in the east to #Khorasan
@atalbrave
