
Iraq PMF Law Risks Entrenching Iran-Backed Militias
A new law concerning Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is seen as risking the entrenchment of Iran-backed militias as a parallel force within the country.
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A new law concerning Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is seen as risking the entrenchment of Iran-backed militias as a parallel force within the country.

Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, an article explores the identity and role of the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which appears poised to renew its conflict with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly joined the United States in conducting strikes against Iran-backed militias operating within Iraq.

The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, reportedly killing at least 20 people. This action followed an Iranian rocket attack, marking a new escalation in Middle East tensions.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks on Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Yanbu and Jizan, escalating the conflict which has also seen increased activity in the Red Sea. A Greek Patriot battery reportedly intercepted a Houthi drone, while concerns grow over the widening regional tensions.
Amid US pressure, Iran-backed militias in Iraq are reportedly beginning procedures to disengage from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and potentially hand over their weapons to the government.

A new report claims Iran is employing "disposable" operatives for attacks in the West and US. The case highlights 32-year-old Iraqi national Mohammed Saad Baqer al-Saadi, whom US authorities identify as a senior commander in the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah.

Iran has tightened its control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, stating it will not fully reopen the critical waterway while a US blockade remains in effect. This stance comes amidst ongoing US-Iran tensions, with experts warning of challenging months ahead as both sides test each other.

US officials have confirmed the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Iraq, and are now working to ensure her safe departure from the country.
An Iraqi official announced the release of a U.S. journalist who had been kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia.

President Trump has publicly reiterated his threat that 'Cuba is next' for US military action while speaking at a Saudi investment conference, as US-Cuba tensions continue to rise due to restricted oil shipments, prompting Cuba to seek the Vatican's help, amidst the island's latest internal crisis.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has condemned an Iranian missile strike in northern Iraq that killed five Peshmerga fighters and wounded 19, as attacks on the Kurdistan Region intensify.

Iran-backed militias have attacked Baghdad airport and a nearby prison holding thousands of ISIS supporters, including three Swiss nationals, prompting a warning from Iraq's Ministry of Justice.

A drone strike has caused a fire and halted operations at a refinery in Irbil, Iraq, adding to regional instability.

Iraq emerges as key front in new and often clandestine confrontation after launching dozens of attacks Iran-backed militias around the Middle East are intensifying attacks against Israel, the US and…
Three drones were intercepted over Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, highlighting Baghdad's ongoing efforts to control armed groups and rein in Iran-backed militias.
The Iraqi Prime Minister is attempting to disarm Iran-backed militias, a move complicated by decades of Iranian policy aimed at cultivating armed proxies in the region.

A hidden war against Tehran-backed groups has come to light in Iraq, with Saudi forces reportedly joining the US to counter these militias in the Gulf region.

The United States and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes against Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, with reports indicating multiple casualties. This action comes amidst ongoing tensions and concerns that Iran is attempting to derail ceasefire talks.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Gulf leaders in Bahrain and Kuwait, reassuring them of the US commitment to regional security and stability amidst ongoing doubts about the Iran nuclear deal. Rubio also indicated that technical consultations between the US and Iran would resume, emphasizing that the US would not undermine Gulf security.
An Iran-backed militia leader was killed in a car bombing incident in Iraq.

An Iraqi commander linked to Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah was arrested in Turkey and transferred to the US, where he faces charges for allegedly planning attacks on American interests and Jewish sites in the Netherlands. US authorities suspect him of organizing various plots.

The US government and Pentagon have announced the abolition of mandatory flu vaccination for soldiers. This decision reverses a previous policy requiring service members to receive the influenza vaccine.

Pope Leo praised the US-Iran ceasefire, which came after he criticized a Trump threat. Senator Lindsey Graham has since called for Congress to debate the truce, while analysts examine what each side gained or lost. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the ceasefire but stressed the importance of including Lebanon for regional stability.

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad, Iraq, by an Iran-backed militia, despite having been warned of threats and turned back from the border on March 9 due to lacking a press work permit. Investigations are underway, and US authorities are working to secure her release.

US airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq are reportedly continuing, with a recent attack on a military site in Anbar killing seven soldiers and wounding 13. Iraq's Prime Minister al-Sudani has threatened confrontation and response, calling the attacks violations of Iraqi sovereignty.
An Iran-backed militia has pledged to continue its attacks on US military bases located in Iraq, signaling ongoing regional instability.
Some classes resumed on Monday in areas far from the populous cities and border regions that have come under attack in the conflict with Iran and the Iran-backed militia, Hezbollah.
Iran is also targeting Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.
Iraq is reportedly seeking stronger ties with Saudi Arabia and Syria as it faces increasing pressure to rein in Iran-backed militias within its borders. These militias have previously threatened US forces and Israel, and have been involved in attacks in northern Iraq.

Saudi Arabia has for the first time joined the United States in launching air strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq, marking a significant shift in the kingdom's regional posture after months of restraint.

Saudi Arabia has entered the conflict between the U.S. and Iran by participating in airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces militias in Iraq. This development comes amidst broader tensions, including discussions of Houthi fees for Red Sea shipping and new U.S. sanctions on Iran-linked tankers.

Yemen's foreign minister stated that Houthi rebels are attempting to replicate Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz in the Red Sea, following recent drone attacks claimed by the Houthis on Saudi Arabian oil facilities. The internationally recognized Yemeni government has declared its readiness for any escalation with the Houthis.
Iraq's new leadership is pushing for a state monopoly on weapons as part of ongoing reforms, raising questions about Baghdad's ability to control powerful Iran-backed militias.
A drone attack on the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant, reportedly originating from Iraq, has heightened regional escalation fears. Analysts suggest it was a 'warning shot' from Iran-backed militias to the Gulf states if peace talks fail.
Iraq's Prime Minister-designate is reportedly caught between US demands to exclude Iran-backed militias from his government and potential violence from those groups if he complies.
The United States has reportedly blocked Iraq's dollar shipments, aiming to exert pressure on Iran-backed militias operating within the country. This move is part of a broader strategy to curb the influence of these groups.

An American journalist, kidnapped in March in Iraq, has reportedly been released by a pro-Iranian group.
The United States has condemned a drone attack targeting the home of a Kurdish leader in Iraq, with a spokesperson accusing Iran and Iran-backed militias of being responsible for the assault.
US President Donald Trump and Israel are directly confronting Iran through 'Operation Epic Fury,' targeting military and proxy networks. Recent airstrikes in Iraq hit an Iran-backed Shiite militia headquarters and its leader, killing at least 15 combatants, as Trump claims the US has destroyed 158 Iranian warships since the conflict began.

The conflict in Iran continues to escalate, with Iran-backed militias reportedly planning an attack on a Baghdad airbase. This comes amidst Iran issuing evacuation warnings for several oil facilities across Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, indicating they will be targets, and severe disruptions to air travel in the Middle East.

Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces have been accused of attacking U.S. assets in Iraq as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government told to rein in terror proxies.

A rifle-wielding man, identified as a Lebanese immigrant who lost relatives in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, attacked a Detroit-area synagogue and was killed in a shootout. Police operations were underway following the gunfire exchange.