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al-Qaeda

The dominant terror group for the better part of two decades, al-Qaeda has lost ground to factions like the "Islamic State." Al-Qaeda carries on despite the 2011 death of leader Osama bin Laden at the hands of US troops.

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A Syrian with a gun standing on a roof. A Syrian flag flies above him

A Syrian with a gun standing on a roof. A Syrian flag flies above him

Can EU engage a former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria?

The EU has decided to wait and see how the Islamist rebels act in Syria before engaging with the group at any level.

A view of militants in camouflage jackets preparing a rocket attack

A view of militants in camouflage jackets preparing a rocket attack

Who's fighting who in Syria?

Syria's military says it has inflicted heavy losses on insurgents who have been advancing on Aleppo for days.

A sign for the Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons

A sign for the Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons

Afghan national arrested for plotting US election day attack

The 27-year-old man was arrested while buying weapons allegedly to carry out the attack.

Omar bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden

Omar bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden

Omar bin Laden barred from entering France

The son of the al-Qaeda founder lived in Normandy from 2016 to 2023, when he was deported.

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft performs a practice strafing run over Syria

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft performs a practice strafing run over Syria

Syria: US airstrikes kill 37 Islamist militants

The militants killed in September strikes were affiliated with the "Islamic State" group and an al-Qaida-linked group.

The suspect of a stabbing rampage in the western German city of Solingen is escorted, with his head down, by police officers on his way to the Federal Public Prosecutor in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The suspect of a stabbing rampage in the western German city of Solingen is escorted, with his head down, by police officers on his way to the Federal Public Prosecutor in Karlsruhe, Germany.

How does IS keep recruiting people — and who are they?

"Islamic State" has claimed responsibility for the Solingen attack. How does the group still recruit members?

Burkinabe Interim President Ibrahim Traore speak into a microphone

Burkinabe Interim President Ibrahim Traore speak into a microphone

Burkina Faso vows 'determined response' against terrorists

After the deadly attack in Barsalogho, Burkina Faso promises a decisive counterstrike.

In this pool photo of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the Pentagon, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused co-conspirators sit with their legal teams in the pre-trial hearing of the death penalty case.

In this pool photo of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the Pentagon, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused co-conspirators sit with their legal teams in the pre-trial hearing of the death penalty case.

9/11 suspects reach US plea deal, Pentagon says

Three suspects who were allegedly involved in the 2001, attacks on the US have reportedly agreed to plead guilty.

Somalia | Al-Shabaab stürmt Hotel in Mogadischu

Somalia | Al-Shabaab stürmt Hotel in Mogadischu

Somalia: Bomber hits Mogadishu cafe during Euro 2024 final

A police spokesman said at least five people were killed with another 20 injured.

Laptop user with their hood up.

Laptop user with their hood up.

How extremist groups like 'Islamic State' are using AI

Extremists are urging followers to use the latest digital tools to spread their extremist message and recruit.

l Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mahmoud looks on as he attends his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands on May 9, 2022.

l Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mahmoud looks on as he attends his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands on May 9, 2022.

ICC convicts al-Qaida-linked leader of war crimes in Mali

Al Hassan Mahmoud was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Islamist militants' rule in Mali.

Soldiers escort a military convoy down a road in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Soldiers escort a military convoy down a road in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso: Army accused of executing civilians, babies

Soldiers in Burkina Faso killed 223 people in a pair of villages, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.

Somali security forces patrol the streets of Mogadishu after a 2022 attack in the capital by al-Shabab insurgents

Somali security forces patrol the streets of Mogadishu after a 2022 attack in the capital by al-Shabab insurgents

Al-Shabab militants kill 1, capture 6 on UN helicopter

Al-Shabab has been fighting the Somali government since 2006 aiming to establish an Islamic state.

German police officers leave a house during a raid against people supporting the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

German police officers leave a house during a raid against people supporting the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

German intelligence warns of heightened terror risk

Germany's domestic intelligence agency says the danger is "higher than it has been for a long time."

A UN armored vehicle

A UN armored vehicle

Mali: 15 UN peacekeepers injured as rebels target convoy

This is the fourth such incident involving an IED since the convoy's departure from the UN base in Kidal on Tuesday.

Spokesperson for Indonesia's Densus 88 counter-terrorism task force Aswin Siregar (R) and Indonesian Police Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan (L) show the photos of suspected militants arrested along October 2023

Spokesperson for Indonesia's Densus 88 counter-terrorism task force Aswin Siregar (R) and Indonesian Police Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan (L) show the photos of suspected militants arrested along October 2023

Indonesia arrests 59 militants ahead of elections

Some 40 militants from IS-linked Jamaah Ansharut Daulah were planning an attack on the presidential elections.

File photo of Malian militants

File photo of Malian militants

Violence intensifies in Mali as UN troops withdraw

Renewed fighting in the northern Kidal region coincides with the withdrawal of the UN mission to the country.

Wagner, whose boss was killed last month and is seen here on a flag of the group, played a major role in the campaing to take eastern Bakhmut

Wagner, whose boss was killed last month and is seen here on a flag of the group, played a major role in the campaing to take eastern Bakhmut

UK to label Russia's Wagner a terrorist group: reports

Blacklisting the Wagner Group would put it on the terror list with the likes of al-Qaida and "Islamic State."

Taliban and Taliban supporters holding guns and flags in front of the American embassy in Kabul.

Taliban and Taliban supporters holding guns and flags in front of the American embassy in Kabul.

Afghan Taliban accused of destabilizing neighboring states

Afghanistan's neighbors have reported a significantly increased threat of terrorism from Taliban-supported groups.

Iranian demonstrators burn a Swedish flag, during a protest in Tehran over the burning of a Quran in Sweden

Iranian demonstrators burn a Swedish flag, during a protest in Tehran over the burning of a Quran in Sweden

Sweden raises terror threat level after Quran burnings

Terrorists consider the Scandinavian country a "prioritized target," its domestic security service warned.

Esther, a survivor of an attack by al-Qaida on the US Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, speaks to DW 25 years later.

Esther, a survivor of an attack by al-Qaida on the US Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, speaks to DW 25 years later.

US Embassy blasts: Kenyan victims plead for help 25 years on

A Kenyan Senate committee wants to get the US to compensate Kenyan bystanders hurt in a US Embassy bombing 25 years ago.

Soldiers patroling on a truck

Soldiers patroling on a truck

Al-Qaida frees Australian doctor after seven years

The Australian doctor along with his wife were kidnapped by al-Qaida-linked extremists in northern Burkina Faso.

A Belgian policeman stands in a courtroom

A Belgian policeman stands in a courtroom

Belgium detains Iraqi accused of al-Qaeda 'war crimes'

The Iraqi national is suspected of being part of an al-Qaeda cell which carried out several bombings.

A village in northern Burkina Faso

A village in northern Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso: Dozens of civilians killed in village raid

The incident comes amid a spike in attacks by insurgents with links to al-Qaida and the so-called "Islamic State" group.

Kamala Harris and Samia Suluhu Hassan at a press conference in Dar es Salaam on March 30, 2023

Kamala Harris and Samia Suluhu Hassan at a press conference in Dar es Salaam on March 30, 2023

US Vice President Kamala Harris lauds Tanzania's leader

Harris is on a three-nation trip to Africa, the latest push by the US to deepen its engagement with the continent.

Burkina Faso suspends France 24 over interview with jihadi

The country's ruling accused the French broadcaster of "acting as a mouthpiece" for an al-Qaeda affiliated group

An undated propaganda video circulating on social media shows French journalist Olivier Dubois

An undated propaganda video circulating on social media shows French journalist Olivier Dubois

French journalist kidnapped in 2021 is freed in Mali

Olivier Dubois had been held hostage by Islamist militants in Mali for nearly two years.

An "Islamic State" flag

An "Islamic State" flag

Switzerland: Man held over 'IS' and al-Qaeda 'media agency'

A 26-year-old man has been accused of supporting terrorism and encouraging others to join the groups.

Bar La Terrasse in Bamako, Mali

Bar La Terrasse in Bamako, Mali

US indicts Mauritania national over terror attacks in Mali

Fawaz Ould Ahmed is accused of being involved in multiple deadly attacks in Mali in 2015.

Cellphone video of fighting in central Hiran province in September

Cellphone video of fighting in central Hiran province in September

Somalia forces kill at least 100 al-Shabab members

The heavy losses incurred by al-Shabab come after multiple recent car bombings in Mogadishu.

Burkinabe soldiers standing next to a military vehicle

Burkinabe soldiers standing next to a military vehicle

Burkina Faso: Militants kill 15 soldiers on supply mission

Four soldiers were wounded and 11 have also gone missing after the attack by the Islamist militants on Saturday.

01.2012 DW World Stories Sendungslogo

01.2012 DW World Stories Sendungslogo

World Stories – The week in reports

Ukraine: Optimism on front line near Kherson +++ Indonesia: From terrorist to farmer

DW met a convicted terrorist who took part in a deradicalization program and became a quail farmer.

DW met a convicted terrorist who took part in a deradicalization program and became a quail farmer.

Indonesia's deradicalization efforts

DW met a convicted terrorist who took part in a deradicalization program and became a quail farmer.

President Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, to honor and remember the victims of the September 11th terror attack.

President Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, to honor and remember the victims of the September 11th terror attack.

US: Joe Biden vows to fight terrorism on 9/11 anniversary

The US president hailed the freedoms which he said were targeted by al-Qaeda 21 years ago.

In this Friday Aug. 9, 2019 frame grab from video, Southern Transitional Council separatist fighters line up to storm the presidential palace in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen.

In this Friday Aug. 9, 2019 frame grab from video, Southern Transitional Council separatist fighters line up to storm the presidential palace in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen.

Fatal clashes between Yemen separatists, al-Qaida

According to media reports, 21 southern Yemeni separatists and 6 al-Qaida fighters were killed.

Three Russian mercenaries (right) in northern Mali.

Three Russian mercenaries (right) in northern Mali.

Mali jihadists claim to have killed four Russian mercenaries

Al Qaeda's affiliate in Mali claimed it had killed four mercenaries from Russia's private military Wagner group.

Malian soldiers parading in January, 2020

Malian soldiers parading in January, 2020

Mali in mourning after attacks kill dozens

It's the second three-day mourning period of 2022 as the country struggles to deal with years of extremist insurgency.

Slain al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri

Slain al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri

What was slain al-Qaida head doing living in downtown Kabul?

The killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul contradicts the Taliban's claim that they have no link to al-Qaida.

A screenshot from 2012 showing a video message by Ayman al-Zawahri, who is gesturing at the camera

A screenshot from 2012 showing a video message by Ayman al-Zawahri, who is gesturing at the camera

Al-Qaida chief al-Zawahiri killed in US strike

US President Joe Biden confirmed the death of one of the suspected masterminds of the 9/11 attacks.

Malian soldiers are cheered by the population as they enter a military camp in Kati, Mali

Malian soldiers are cheered by the population as they enter a military camp in Kati, Mali

Mali: 15 soldiers, 3 others killed in Islamist attacks

The unstable Sahel state has long been a target of militants who have repeatedly raided bases across the country.

Malian soldiers are cheered by the population as they enter a military camp in Kati

Malian soldiers are cheered by the population as they enter a military camp in Kati

Al-Qaeda affiliate claims attack on Mali military base

The militants claim the attack was in response to Mali's collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

Police officers drive on a vehicle during a protest against the security situation on July 3

Police officers drive on a vehicle during a protest against the security situation on July 3

Burkina Faso: Dozens killed in militant violence

Multiple violent attacks attributed to Islamist militants have claimed over 30 lives in the West African country.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting deputy prime minister of the Afghan Taliban's caretaker government, center, and other Taliban officials attend a ceremony

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting deputy prime minister of the Afghan Taliban's caretaker government, center, and other Taliban officials attend a ceremony

Taliban faces threats from 'Islamic State', UN says

Militant groups in Afghanistan are unlikely to launch attacks outside the country this year.

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narvaez (second from left) flanked by police in bulletproof vests upon her arrival at El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narvaez (second from left) flanked by police in bulletproof vests upon her arrival at El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia

Pope Francis authorized €1 million to free kidnapped nun

Cardinal on trial for corruption says pope approved payment to UK firm to free Colombian nun held by jihadists in Mali

Mali soldiers sit in the back of a military pickup truck

Mali soldiers sit in the back of a military pickup truck

Mali withdraws from military pacts with France

Mali has pulled the plug on agreements it signed with France in 2014, as French soldiers gradually depart the country.

French soldier watching over the Menaka camp in Mali

French soldier watching over the Menaka camp in Mali

Mali accuses France of spying

Mali's military junta accused France of spying, after the French released a video of a mass grave in northern Mali.

Two, armed MINUSMA peacekeepers in Timbuktu, Mali

Two, armed MINUSMA peacekeepers in Timbuktu, Mali

French troops kill al-Qaeda leader in Mali

France has said its forces killed a senior al-Qaeda leader in Mali, as Islamic fighters attacked UN peacekeepers.

Official UN security measurements in Taiz, Yemen

Official UN security measurements in Taiz, Yemen

Yemen: 5 UN staff abducted by suspected militants

Armed men, suspected to be al-Qaeda militants, abducted UN staff in Yemen. Talks for the workers' release are ongoing.

The raid targeted a two-story building, seen in this image with torn window frames, charred ceilings and a partially collapsed roof

The raid targeted a two-story building, seen in this image with torn window frames, charred ceilings and a partially collapsed roof

IS leader dies during US raid in Syria

The US said the leader of the so-called "Islamic State" was "taken off the battlefield" in a raid in northwestern Syria.

Destroyed vehicles near the site of the car bombing in the tourist area in Kuta, near Denpasar, on the island of Bali, 14 October 2002.

Destroyed vehicles near the site of the car bombing in the tourist area in Kuta, near Denpasar, on the island of Bali, 14 October 2002.

Bali bombings militant sentenced to 15 years in jail

After 18 years on the run, Zulkarnaen, was arrested in December 2020 and found guilty of "committing terrorism."