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TWI English
TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

Militia Spotlight

Militia Spotlight uses open source monitoring to:
UNDERSTAND the objectives, structure, and activity of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria;
EXPOSE militia information operations and disinformation campaigns;
IDENTIFY linkages between groups and with Iran to increase accountability; and
DENY anonymity and deniability to Iran-backed militias.

Visit the supplementary Militia Spotlight: Profiles hub.

Articles in this Series

Brief Analysis
How to Use Militia Spotlight
Militia Spotlight provides timely, high-quality evidence, analysis and contextualization of militia activities in Iraq and Syria, both within government agencies and outside them.
۱۰ فوریهٔ ۲۰۲۱
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qais
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Long Will Qais al-Khazali Hide in Iran?
The leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq has been abroad for weeks, and his movements (and those of his deputies back home) are worth watching closely.
۲۴ دسامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
CMC head
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraq's Militia-Led Communications Commission Clamps Down on Press Coverage of Security Issues
The CMC's latest restrictions on press freedoms indicate that Iran-backed groups fear they could be ousted from power much like Bashar al-Assad next door.
۱۶ دسامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Security forces the Iraqi-Syrian border, after it has been reopened for trade and travel, in Al Qaim, Iraq in 2019 - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Nujaba Projects Paranoia Over Domestic Security
Nujaba's immediate allergic reaction to regime change in Syria is a bellwether of how vulnerable Coordination Framework militias feel as pro-Iran hierarchies come tumbling down.
۱۶ دسامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
HH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hashem al-Haidari Calls for Preemptive Actions Against U.S. Embassy
One of Iran's most trusted lieutenants in the Iraqi militia scene is loudly rattling his saber against the U.S. presence in the Middle East.
۱۶ دسامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Muqawama under threat
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Downscaling Their Anti-Israel Actions
Iran-backed groups were already powering down for weeks before Israel delivered a stark warning on November 18, after which attacks dropped off almost entirely.
۲۶ نوامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Faces shown on Nov 6 IRI claim video of drone strike on Jordan Valley
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia List of U.S. “Greatest Hits” Gives Insight Into Attack Cell Structure
A poster of thirty-six militia “martyrs” provides useful data about who was killed by U.S. forces at specific times and places.
۲۶ نوامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Boat from SAD Nov 19, 2024 drone launch vs Israel
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Unveil SAD Aircraft Carrier
Saraya Awliya al-Dam launched a Shahed drone from a small boat in an apparent effort to draw attention by demonstrating a rudimentary new capability.
۱۹ نوامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
MIBH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Anti-Israel Attacks by Iraq-Based Group with Implied Saudi Membership
A group with a Saudi-linked name has claimed six attacks on Israel, but they were probably launched from Iraq using Kataib Hezbollah and/or Houthi drone teams.
۱۹ نوامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH drones
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Try to Obfuscate Their Role in Anti-U.S. Attacks
Members of the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" are using facades and unclaimed attacks to distance themselves from the recent uptick in operations against American targets.
۲۹ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Protestors carrying Iraqi, Lebanon, and KH flags
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Mob Attacks Saudi MBC Channel in Baghdad
Provocative Gulf coverage of terrorist leader deaths spurred Kataib Hezbollah to unleash mob violence against the network's Baghdad offices.
۲۸ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
SaD Shahed-101 with serials Oct 12, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Tripling of Iraqi Militia Claimed Attacks on Israel in October
The self-styled Islamic Resistance in Iraq has greatly increased its attack claims and is starting to cause fatalities in Israel, inviting a military response.
۱۵ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Energy war
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Deciphering Iraqi Militia Threats of an Energy War
Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah have warned they will attack energy facilities in the Gulf and elsewhere, but how serious are these threats?
۱۵ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qasef-2k drone in Iraq, photograph made public on August 23, 2022
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Tracking Anti-U.S. and Anti-Israel Strikes From Iraq and Syria During the Gaza Crisis
Militia Spotlight presents a regularly updated tracker with the best-known information about drone, rocket, and missile attacks against U.S. and allied targets, which have intensified since the Gaza war broke out.
۱۴ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Friday Prayers
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Qais in Tehran, Prominently Seated Behind Khamenei
At a recent event in Iran, the leader of the key Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq was strategically positioned in a place of honor directly behind the Supreme Leader.
۷ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
KM
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
What Basrawi Politican Is Behind Kataib al-Mustafa?
The strange little militia Kataib al-Mustafa announced itself to great fanfare in Basra, and judging by its media reception, it has an important mystery backer.
۱ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Qais al-Khazali
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
New Exposé on Sudani PMO Eavesdropping Is Suppressed, But Archived Online
A second major report on the political surveillance scandal was quickly muted, in part because it was highly critical of Iranian Qods Force commander Esmail Qaani.
۲۵ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah in the Caucasus: One to Watch
Unconfirmed but detailed reporting on potential Iraqi terrorist cells in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan should be a wake-up call to monitor Kataib Hezbollah's external operations more closely.
۲۴ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
PMF Human Rights
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Human Rights Abusers Set Up PMF Department of Human Rights
UN officials should not be holding events hosted by Iraqi militia figures responsible for the deaths of protesters and other gruesome offenses, yet that is precisely what is happening under a new militia "human rights" bureau.
۱۷ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the first regular session of the Council of Ministers in Baghdad in November 2022 - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraq’s Watergate and the Fallout for U.S. Relations
The politicized corruption of the country’s best intelligence agency has exploded into a major eavesdropping scandal directed from the prime minister’s office, and Washington should adjust bilateral intelligence sharing accordingly.
۵ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Diyala governor Adnan al-Jaber with U.S.-designated terrorist Qais al-Khazali.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Diyala Governorship Shows Badr Leaning on Maliki to Remain Competitive
As Militia Spotlight previewed, the tussle in Diyala shows that Badr's slow political descent is encouraging various militias and tribal elements to scramble for power.
۱۹ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Asad attack
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militias Signal De-Escalation with the U.S., Return to Cosmetic Israel Strikes
The self-styled Iraqi "resistance" has hinted at a desire to end the tit-for-tat sequence of strikes with the United States and return to cost-free counter-Israel operations.
۱۸ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Iraqi cabinet meeting, August 6, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Extent of Terrorist and Militia Fuel Oil Diversion Exposed in Iraq
A mechanism for diverting Iraqi government oil to militias through non-operational factories was recently exposed, creating a panic shutdown of asphalt plants run by Iran-backed terrorists.
۷ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Houthi colonel Hussein Abdullah Mastour, killed by the US in Iraq on July 30, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Houthi Missile Forces Colonel Killed at Iraqi Government Base in Jurf al-Sakhar
A senior missile specialist from Yemen was killed alongside Iraqi members of Kataib Hezbollah, underlining the government's cooperation with domestic and foreign terrorist groups.
۶ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Rocket truck used to attack US forces at Al-Asad, Iraq, Aug 5, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
What to Make of Recent Attacks on Coalition Bases in Iraq and Syria?
The strikes are not yet numerous enough to form a definitive pattern, but they probably reflect deep militia divisions over whether to renew anti-coalition attacks in earnest amid the Gaza war.
۵ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight

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