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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.
Feb 10, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Fayhan and Qassim Solemani in Jurf as-Sakr in 2014.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
AAH Terrorist Planner Adnan Fayhan Takes Over as Babil Governor
A militia figure implicated in the 2007 murder-kidnapping of five Americans in Karbala is now the governor of an Iraqi province.
Feb 12, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Esmail Qaani with a Fatimiyoun soldier in Syria
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Explaining Apparent Muqawama De-Escalation Since January 28
Since three Americans were killed, the self-styled "resistance" has been almost inactive except for a spate of fake, foiled, and disavowed attacks, pointing to an order from Iran to calm things down.
Feb 7, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Baqr al-Saedi's car, Feb 7, 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Abu Baqr al-Saeedi: Kataib Hezbollah Terrorist, Serving PMF Official
The Kataib Hezbollah leader killed on February 7 in Baghdad was (until now) a living nexus of Kataib Hezbollah, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the facade group Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq.
Feb 7, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sabreen claims the reports of drones attack on Harir lies
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
To Resist or Not to Resist: That Is the Muqawama’s Question
After Kataib Hezbollah announced it was suspending attacks on U.S. forces, the self-styled “resistance” became a hot mess of recriminations.
Feb 2, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Secretary-General Tries to Forestall U.S. Strikes
Abu Hussein has unveiled a dramatic gambit to sidestep Washington's threatened response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers.
Jan 30, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Par2
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Badr Fall Out Over Controlling the New Parliamentary Speaker
AAH conspired with a politicized judiciary to remove the speaker but failed to coordinate the replacement with Badr.
Jan 29, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Al-Aqrab
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Can Iraq's Militias Imitate Houthi Successes at Sea?
The senior terrorist figure Abu Ala al-Walai is seemingly answering Iran's call for a maritime blockade on Israel, but is this a real threat or just a desperate effort to claim strategic influence before the Gaza war ends?
Jan 24, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
A Muhandis and Soleimani site in Baghdad
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Badr and Asaib Crack the Whip on Kataib al-Imam Ali in Basra
The group stepped on Badr's toes during a recent commemoration ceremony, giving a window into the local balance of power between Iran-backed militias.
Jan 11, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Photo of a blast wall with a drone mural at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Reveals Plans for Expanded Regional Attacks
The militia's Abu Hussein wing continues to throw shade at other "resistance" groups and is now threatening U.S. bases in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and even Saudi Arabia.
Jan 11, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Quds-2 cruise missile in Babil, Jan 3. 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iranian-Made Quds-2 Cruise Missile Photographed in Iraq
Recently used in Houthi attacks from Yemen, this missile family could give Iraqi militias the capacity to target sites in Israel if they choose to escalate their campaign of solidarity with Hamas.
Jan 5, 2024
◆
  • Alex Almeida
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
AGM-179 Baghdad Jan 4, 2024 final2
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Who Are Nujaba and Why Did the U.S. Just Strike Them?
The group's cadres are the most reckless of Iran's terrorist proxies in Iraq and have been the proximate cause of almost all recent U.S. strikes.
Jan 4, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
March 14, 2023 protest by Christian locals over the Babiliyoun militia seizure of seven NPU soldiers
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Babiliyoun Movement Hijacks All Four Christian Minority Seats
A group led by U.S.-sanctioned figure Rayan al-Kildani escaped accountability from Iraqi Christian communities by abusing the courts and buying non-Christian votes.
Jan 2, 2024
◆
  • Yaqoub Beth-Addai
◆ Militia Spotlight
HaN killed fighters covered with their flag in the coffin, Nov 2023
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Overlap Between the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the Popular Mobilization Forces
The "Islamic Resistance" brand mourned the loss of government-paid PMF personnel who were killed while preparing a terrorist attack on international advisors.
Dec 12, 2023
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Houthi threat to global shipping
Brief Analysis
Containing the Houthis in Yemen: Issues and Options for the Policy Review
During the Gaza war, Houthi militia forces have emerged as the most risk-acceptant member of Iran's "axis of resistance" and a demonstrated menace to international freedom of navigation.
Dec 5, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Funeral for KH operator, November 23, 2023
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Publicly Mocks Asaib Ahl al-Haq for Cowardice
After AAH officials sought a halt to the verbal attacks, KH doubled down with a cutting public insult.
Nov 30, 2023
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sept 26 2023 Qaraqosh fire victims
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Rayan al-Kildani Faces Election Backlash in the Months After Wedding Hall Fire
Popular anger against this self-claimed "Christian leader" has grown since the tragic September fire in the Nineveh Plains region, casting a shadow over his election hopes.
Nov 29, 2023
◆
  • Yaqoub Beth-Addai
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qais al-Khazali
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Hair-Pulling Over Who Are "The Truest Muqawama"
Amid their ceasefire in solidarity with events in Gaza, Iraqi "resistance" leaders went back to their old habits of diminishing each other and spilling their secrets, with interesting results.
Nov 26, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Alaa al-Walai and Esmail Qaani
Maps & Graphics
Articles & Testimony
OFAC Designates Iraqi Militiamen (Part 2): KSS and Abu Ala al-Walai
Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada's designation for terrorist activities is long overdue, reflecting its important ongoing role in attacks on U.S. forces in northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
Nov 17, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH facilities in Syria under attack December 2019
Maps & Graphics
Articles & Testimony
OFAC Designates Iraqi Militiamen (Part 1): Kataib Hezbollah Commanders
Washington has signaled that its patience is wearing thin with the group's pivotal role in two dozen attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in a month.
Nov 17, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Hussein Moanes
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah and the Gaza Crisis (Part 2): Israel's Incursion, Khamenei-Nasrallah Speeches, and Blinken's Visit
Hossein Moanes and Abu Fadak have carefully calibrated their threats, showing a multifaceted yet tightly controlled Kataib Hezbollah response.
Nov 7, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Amir al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Hussein, head of KH Special Operations
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah and the Gaza Crisis (Part 1): Special Ops in the Lead
The group's earliest reactions to the war were led by its Special Operations wing under Abu Hussein and two spokesmen from his camp.
Nov 7, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Akram
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Potential Escalation in Iraq (Part 2): Asaib and Nujaba
Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and their facade group partners may soon step up their attacks amid the Hamas-Israel war, albeit within limits set by Iran.
Nov 1, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Iraq escalation
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Potential Escalation in Iraq (Part 1): Khamenei and Badr
Iraqi "resistance" elements are becoming more bellicose in their rhetoric against the American presence, signaling a new level of escalation against U.S. troops as part of their efforts to support Hamas in the Gaza war.
Nov 1, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sons of Jazeera
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Anti-U.S. Attacks Linked to the Sons of Jazira and Euphrates Movement
The "Jazira" brand has begun claiming, through very transparent communiques, that it is undertaking rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Syria.
Oct 27, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight

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