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Trump calls for Iraq to reject Maliki as prime minister, Maliki denounces US ‘interference’
On January 28, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki stated that he rejected “blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” a day after US President Donald Trump said Maliki, who is a leading contender for the country’s next prime minister, should not retake the office. US envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya also said that Iranian-backed militias should be prevented from having power in the next government. Separately, several Iranian-backed militias threatened to support Iran in any conflict with the US or Israel and sent forces to the border with Syria amid fighting between the Syrian government and the Syrian…
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Major Shiite parties to run separately in Iraq’s November election amid disagreements
The Coordination Framework, Iraq’s ruling bloc of Shiite political parties, has announced that its members will run on separate lists in Iraq’s November 2025 election and reform the alliance following the vote. Elements of the bloc have disagreed strongly over key issues since the current government’s formation in 2022.
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Other Iraqi groups, figures join the fray warning the United States against support for Israel
Hadi al-Amiri, leader of Iraq’s Badr Organization, and Ashab al-Kahf, a newer Iranian proxy in Iraq, have also issued warnings against to the United States about intervening in Israel.
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Iranian killed at PMF base in Iraq
Both Iranian media and media linked to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces have reported different narratives surrounding the events of a purported explosion at an Iraqi base last week. However, Iranian media has confirmed at least one Iranian was killed at the base.
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Badr Organization fighters pose with US M1 Abrams tank
A Badr fighter also displays an AT4 anti-tank rocket. US equipment that has been supplied to the Iraqi military continues to fall into the hands of Iranian-backed Shiite militias.
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US support for Iranian-backed Shiite militias ‘should not alarm us,’ General Allen says
US officials and generals continue to downplay the involvement of Iranian-backed Shiite militias in offensives in Iraq, and their dominance of the Popular Mobilization Committee.
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Iranian-backed militias rampaged in central Iraq after freeing town: HRW
A Human Rights Watch report says that the militias looted, burned thousands of buildings, and abducted at least 11 people during the Amerli offensive last summer. “The widespread burning of civilian homes by the militia groups in areas under their control appeared to have had no clear military objective and to represent collective punishment against residents of local Sunni villages,” HRW stated.
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Shiite militias, Iraqi forces surround Tikrit
Shiite militias closely linked to Iran and Qods Force commander Qassem Suleimani have taken control of key towns surrounding the central Iraqi city.
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Iranian-backed Shiite militias lead Iraq’s fight to retake Tikrit
Massive columns of Shiite militas, including some groups that are listed by the US as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, have been leading the fight in Tikrit. Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani has been spotted at the front lines.
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Islamic State releases pictures from recent fighting near Samarra
The Islamic State continues to showcase the recent fighting near Samarra. Photos show the group’s capture of the Mutassim sub-district southeast of Samarra and fighters overrunning Badr Organization positions between Samarra and Tikrit.
