-
Pro-Iran militias parade for ‘Quds Day’ in Iraq
Pro-Iranian militias from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) took part in Quds Day events in Iraq. The events on March 28, part of an annual worldwide campaign backed by Iran to encourage protests against Israel, appeared to have a relatively low turnout and happened amid continuing controversy in Baghdad over parliamentary attempts to rein in or streamline the PMU.
-
After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov
On March 5, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al Araji said that Baghdad is trying to locate kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen who was abducted in March 2023. Israeli officials have blamed Kataib Hezbollah for kidnapping Tsurkov, and her case has received increased attention in the last two months since the Trump administration entered office.
-
Collecting and analyzing Shiite militia attacks against the U.S. presence in Iraq
There have been at least 43 attacks using rockets and/or mortars on U.S. positions in Iraq by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. These attacks shed light on Iranian and allied-Shiite militia intentions and strategy.
-
Hezbollah Brigades threatens retaliation after U.S. airstrikes
Following a deadly rocket attack on a U.S. base in Iraq and subsequent U.S. airstrikes in response, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Brigades threatens to further retaliate by continuing to target U.S. troops.
-
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.
-
Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces an ‘important and blessed phenomenon,’ Khamenei says
Iraqi Prime Minister Hayder al Abadi arrived in Tehran today to met with senior Iranian government officials, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is an “important and blessed phenomenon,” Khamenei said. “The reason the Americans oppose the popular forces is because they want Iraq to lose its important factor of strength,” he added.
-
Islamic State launches defensive suicide bombings around Mosul
The Islamic State claims to have carried out 12 suicide bombings south and east of Mosul during the first hours of the battle to retake the city. However, the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) claims that the suicide attackers were neutralized. The so-called caliphate has increasingly relied on its “martyrs” as it has lost ground in the past.
