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Iraq pressured by regional countries to rein in Iran-backed militias as new data on extent of attacks released
Iraq faces mounting pressure to rein in the militias while balancing tensions with neighboring countries, the US, and Iran. The Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq has come under nearly 1,000 drone and missile attacks by Iran and its proxies since late February, underscoring the growing threat posed by Tehran’s network of militias.
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Iran’s war against regional states: UAE bore the brunt, Iraqi Kurdistan still under fire
The ceasefire between the US and Iran has largely held since April 8, and large-scale Iranian barrages targeting predominantly Arab states have ended. However, some attacks, particularly against Iraqi Kurdistan, have continued.
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Kuwait and UAE report disrupting domestic Hezbollah cells
Kuwaiti and UAE authorities stated that they discovered and arrested terror cells linked to Hezbollah operating in their countries. The Lebanese group denied the allegations, insisting that it does not have operatives in the Gulf states.
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Iran continues striking civilian infrastructure and US bases in the Gulf (March 7–8 updates)
Between March 7 and 8, Iran continued launching drones and missiles across the Persian Gulf, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, government buildings, and urban areas in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Analysis: Don’t over-concentrate US forces in the Middle East
US military bases in the Persian Gulf confront two challenges, one military and the other political. FDD’s Ryan Brobst, Bradley Bowman, and Behnam Ben Taleblu survey the two challenges and propose a way to address them.
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Analysis: Gulf governments sponsored anti-Semitic hate preachers during Ramadan 2019
Hate preachers were hosted by Gulf governments at multiple events during Ramadan 2019. The Government of Qatar continued to be the worst offender in this regard.
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Analysis: America’s Gulf allies still sponsor hate preachers
America’s Gulf allies — Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — still sponsor hate preachers during Ramadan.
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Al Qaeda’s alleged ‘representative in Syria’ previously freed from US Custody in Afghanistan
The US Treasury Department designated Muhammad Hadi al-‘Anizi as an al Qaeda terrorist earlier this month. He was detained in Afghanistan in late 2001 at the age of 15. Al-‘Anizi was freed and thanked Kuwait’s leadership for his repatriation. He is now based in Kuwait.
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Treasury sanctions Kuwait-based al Qaeda facilitator
The US Treasury Department announced today that Muhammad Hadi al-`Anizi, a Kuwait-based “facilitator and financier” for al Qaeda and its Syrian branch, has been designated as a terrorist. Al Qaeda’s senior leadership appointed Al-`Anizi as al Qaeda’s “representative in Syria” sometime in 2014. His brother was previously designated by Treasury, which has repeatedly targeted al Qaeda’s support network in Kuwait.
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Jihadists and other rebels launch new offensive in Aleppo
Al Qaeda’s rebranded guerrilla army in Syria is fighting alongside other jihadists, Islamists and Free Syrian Army-branded rebels in an offensive intended to break the Assad regime’s siege of Aleppo. Most of the participating groups belong to two coalitions: Jaysh al Fath (“Army of Conquest”) and Fatah Halab (“Aleppo Conquest”). These same two alliances tried and failed to break the siege earlier this year.
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Analysis: State Department identifies Gulf shortcomings on counterterrorism efforts
The State Department’s newly released Country Reports on Terrorism for 2015 suggests that several Gulf States still have a lot of work to do when it comes to terrorist fundraising.
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Treasury sanctions al Qaeda, Islamic State ‘financiers and facilitators’
The US Treasury Department has designated 5 members of al Qaeda’s international “facilitation and fundraising” network, as well as one of the Islamic State’s “critical facilitators” in North Africa. One of the newly designated jihadists, known as Abu Sulayman al Muhajir, was as an extremist preacher in Australia before relocating to Syria and joining Al Nusrah Front.
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US questioned Kuwait’s ability to deal with Guantanamo detainee for good reason
A Guantanamo detainee who was transferred to Kuwait in 2006 had quickly returned to the battlefield. He killed 13 Iraqi soldiers in a suicide truck bomb at a combat outpost in Mosul, Iraq in 2008.
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‘High risk’ Guantanamo detainee transferred to Kuwait
On at least three separate occasions in the past, US officials, including President Obama’s own Guantanamo Review Task Force, recommended that Fayez al Kandari remain in US custody. Kandari also lost his petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Joint Task Force – Guantanamo deemed him a “high risk” to the US, its interests and allies.
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Terrorists strike in France, Kuwait, and Tunisia, killing dozens
Three terrorists attacks in France, Kuwait and Tunisia have killed dozens. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing on a Shiite mosque in Kuwait.
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Kuwait
Islamists slam Kuwaiti lawmaker for call to allow dancing, alcohol
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Iraq
Obama Envoy John Allen: No ‘Short-Term Solutions’ for Stopping Islamic State
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Afghanistan
US Stockpiling Fighting Vehicles Near Iraq Ahead of Anti-ISIS Offensive
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Islamic State
US backed talks between jihadi clerics and ISIS in effort to save hostage’s life
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Afghanistan
US Adds Planes to Bolster Drive to Wipe Out ISIS
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Bahrain
Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain end rift with Qatar, return ambassadors
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France
US, France propose UN sanctions on 15 foreign Islamist fighters
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France
Who’s who in coalition to defeat Islamic State
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Al Nusrah Front
Islamic State’s war chest is growing daily
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Islamic State
Arab Nations Vow Help to Fight ISIS ‘as Appropriate’
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Islamic State
Islamic State cleric was director of private Muslim primary school in Birmingham UK
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Qatar
Gulf meeting ends without clear end to Qatar spat
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Islamic State
Gulf Monarchies Resolve Spat with Qatar, Say Ready to Help Counter Jihadists
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Islamic State
Islamic State: Arab leaders reluctant to heed US call for ‘allies against Isis’
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Treasury designates 2 ‘key’ al Qaeda financiers
The Long War Journal first exposed one of the two, a jihadist known as Sanafi al Nasr, as a senior al Qaeda operative in March. Al Nasr is a senior al Qaeda leader who relocated from Pakistan to Syria last year. Treasury reveals that he previously served as the head of al Qaeda’s Iran-based network.
