The Iran-backed terror group Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shiite militia, kidnapped American journalist Shelly Kittleson in downtown Baghdad on March 31. The US government had previously warned Kittleson of a threat against her and the group’s desire to kill or abduct journalists.
The Houthis launched missile and drone attacks against Israel, the first direct military action since the beginning of the US and Israeli campaign against Iran that began on February 28. The Iran-backed Yemeni terrorist group threatened to continue and expand attacks until a series of conditions it issued are met.
Unclaimed but likely American airstrikes have continued against Iran-backed Iraqi militias, with one strike reportedly killing a senior Kataib Hezbollah commander. The US and Kataib Hezbollah have subsequently agreed to a temporary, conditional pause in attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad, though other hostilities in the country continue.
President Donald Trump has identified the Iranian navy as a major target in the US campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran. US forces have struck a range of port infrastructure and key vessels to degrade its capability, destroying more than 100 vessels by March 16.
The unclaimed airstrikes, likely conducted by the United States as part of US-Israeli operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, have targeted several Tehran-allied militias in Iraq and reportedly caused significant casualties. The US has not commented on these operations, which include over 30 reported strikes on the groups, who continue to attack US forces in the region.
On March 4 and 5, the United States and Israel continued attacks against elements of the Islamic Republic’s military assets, including its missile and naval threat capacity, as well as its repression apparatus. The countries also declared air superiority over Iran and signaled the beginning of a new phase of the operation.
Iran-backed Iraqi militias claimed a series of drone and missile attacks against the “US presence” in the region on March 4 and 5, many targeting Iraqi Kurdistan, where significant American forces are located. US and Israeli forces are also likely operating against the Tehran-allied militias in Iraq, as both the militias and official government sources have reported a US presence and unidentified strikes against these groups.
Tehran’s partners and sympathizers have arranged protests across the region against the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, especially the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Some of the demonstrations have turned violent and present a danger to the local US diplomatic presence and civilians.
Houthi leader Abdulmalik al Houthi has delivered speeches in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the start of the US-Israeli military campaign, but he has not yet announced specific retaliatory military action. Instead, the Houthis have officially called for mass demonstrations and increased media activity in support of the regime. However, officials from the Iran-backed group have told media outlets that it will resume attacks against Israel and Red Sea shipping.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), a coalition of Iran-backed Shiite militias, claimed over a dozen drone attacks against “enemy bases in Iraq and the region” and issued statements of support for the Tehran regime in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The groups are also responding to unclaimed airstrikes on Iraq that have reportedly killed at least six people, including four confirmed Iraqi militiamen.
The Houthis have mobilized personnel and attacked opposition forces along important domestic frontlines in recent weeks. The Iran-backed terrorist group also appears to be preparing for an emergency, and it is uncertain if this effort is related to domestic activity or potential US strikes on Iran.
Iraq’s Shiite leadership has chosen a candidate to lead the next government, but American objections have contributed to stalling the government-formation process. The country’s leaders may turn to creative solutions to navigate the impasse, including declaring the current government an extended caretaker government.
The United Arab Emirates announced the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen after demands for their departure from Saudi and select Yemeni leaders and Saudi airstrikes targeting Yemeni separatist groups. The UAE forces previously served in a counterterrorism capacity as part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as their respective local partners, are renegotiating the balance of power in Yemen after southern separatist forces captured the country’s eastern territory.
Forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which controls much of southern Yemen and advocates for the region’s secession, advanced into key areas in Hadramawt governorate. The STC, which is part of the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG), clashed with rival government forces in the large, resource-rich Yemeni province following rising tensions with a Hadramawt tribal leader, Sheikh Amr Bin Habriesh.
Iraq is embarking on a likely months-long process of government formation after its national election. Sunni and Kurdish leaders will be elected to serve as speaker of the Council of Representatives and president of Iraq, respectively, in accordance with Iraq’s traditional sectarian power-sharing arrangements. The office of the prime minister, who is the head of government, goes to a Shiite leader and will be determined by negotiations within and between the major parties and alliances that emerge post-election.
On November 8, the Houthis announced the arrest of members of an alleged espionage network that they claim was operated by Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Israel. The Yemeni terrorist group accused these individuals of identifying and providing information on sensitive sites and residential areas in Houthi-controlled territory.
Satellite imagery shows an airstrip under construction on Zuqar Island, a strategic location in the Red Sea that is under the control of the National Resistance Forces (NRF), an anti-Houthi partner of the UAE. The UAE has reportedly been behind the development of a series of airstrips across strategic locations in and around the Red and Arabian Seas.
Yemen’s Houthis have indicated that they will stop their attacks on Israel and shipping in international waters as long as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in place. The group also announced the death of its military chief of staff and provided summary statistics of attacks conducted during the war.
Israel targeted Houthi infrastructure in Sanaa, Yemen, in response to drone attacks on Eilat, Israel. According to the Houthi-controlled health ministry, the strikes killed eight and injured 142.
On September 17, the US State Department designated four Iran-backed Iraqi militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). These groups, previously listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), have received support from the regime in Tehran and attacked US forces and interests in Iraq and across the Middle East.
The Houthis have conducted near-daily attacks on Israel throughout September, including launching a drone that struck Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport. Israel has responded with frequent strikes in Houthi territory, including one on September 10 that caused significant casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it killed 12 Houthi political leaders in an assassination strike that targeted a meeting in Sanaa on August 28. The successful attack indicates that the IDF has improved its intelligence efforts in Yemen.
Israel launched attacks against the Houthis’ military and economic infrastructure and attempted assassinations of the group’s key leaders this week. Some sources in Yemen claim that Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al Rahawi was killed, but this information is unconfirmed.
Iraqi and American officials announced that the US-led counter-Islamic State operation in Iraq began its transition to a bilateral security agreement. US forces have begun moving from Iraqi bases as part of the first phase of the shift, which will end “the coalition’s military mission” in the country.
Yemeni forces seized a shipment of weapons that originated in China and was bound for the Houthis, marking the second major weapons interception this summer. The seized shipments indicate the Yemeni terrorist group’s efforts to rearm.
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, was involved in a deadly shooting at Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture on July 27. Despite the support for Iran-backed militias from many Shiite politicians, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani announced the results of an investigation that found the militia responsible for the incident and recommended consequences.
The Houthis are forcing their ideology into schools and arresting noncompliant teachers. The Iran-backed terrorists have targeted children in the hopes they grow up fully indoctrinated and become loyal Houthi followers.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced American objections to pending Iraqi legislation concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an entity largely composed of pro-Iranian militias. Iraq is attempting to pass a law to protect and legitimize the PMF as an autonomous security organization separate from other government military or security agencies.
The Houthis resumed targeting Red Sea shipping with two attacks on commercial vessels that killed three crew members and injured two more. The Yemeni terrorist group had not targeted commercial shipping in over half a year.
In late June, the US Treasury Department sanctioned the largest group of Houthi-connected entities, individuals, and vessels so far. The action targets oil importations and sales, which are a key revenue source for the Yemeni terrorist group. It is the latest move to limit the Houthis’ finances since the Trump administration re-designated them as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on March 4.