The Long War Journal (Site-Wide)

---

• Islamic State concedes its fighters ‘retreated’ from Derna, Libya
• Syrian jihadist group Sham al Islam appoints new leader
• Taliban touts Bergdahl swap as key ‘achievement’

Islamic State concedes its fighters ‘retreated’ from Derna, Libya Posted: 22 Apr 2016 11:18 AM PDT Amaq News Agency published a statement conceding that the Islamic State has "retreated" from its positions outside of Derna, Libya but claims the fighters are making progress south of the city.

Syrian jihadist group Sham al Islam appoints new leader Posted: 22 Apr 2016 06:18 AM PDT The jihadist group, founded by former Guantanamo Bay detainees, is listed by the US government as a specially designated global terrorist entity, and is known to operate a training camp in Syria.

Taliban touts Bergdahl swap as key ‘achievement’ Posted: 22 Apr 2016 04:09 AM PDT In a video released earlier this month, the Taliban trumpeted the exchange of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five top Taliban commanders who were held at Guantanamo. The Taliban says this "achievement" was the result of its extensive operations in Afghanistan's Paktika province.