Militia

Spreading Kurdish militant attacks pressure Iran as it navigates fragile US diplomacy - analysis

The clashes appear to have taken place in several towns and cities in western Iran’s Kurdish region.

Members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) participate in a military drill in an outpost near Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq on January 15, 2026.
Members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) participate in a military drill in an outpost near Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq on January 15, 2026.

Will Iraq finally help protect Kurdistan's oil fields from drone attacks? - analysis

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi speaks during a parliamentary session to vote in a new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 14, 2026.

Iraq in transition: Baghdad pushes weapons monopoly amid reforms - analysis

Qais al-Khazali, head of the Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia in Iraq, speaks during a rally last year in Baghdad to present the Sadiqoon Movement ahead of parliamentary elections.

The illusion of change in Iraq: Baghdad's militia shake-up masks a deeper Iranian strategy


'No stopping a civil war against Hamas,' Gaza militia chief Abu Shabab tells KAN

This follows an earlier interview with Army Radio, where Abu Shabab denied working with Israel but added that he hadn't ruled out cooperating with the IDF on aid distribution in the future.

 Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab with the backdrop of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas: Militia leader Abu Shabab must surrender or face trial for treason, insurrection - report

The ultimatum stated that Abu Shabab is accused of "treason, collaborating with hostile entities, forming an armed gang, and insurrection."

 Image of militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab.

Did Iran order rocket, drone strikes on an Iraqi airport in Kirkuk? - analysis

A rare rocket attack targeted Kirkuk in northern Iraq, injuring one. Officials suspect militias or ISIS amid growing regional tensions.

 Missiles are launched during a joint exercise called the 'Great Prophet 17', in the southwest of Iran, December 24, 2021. Picture taken December 24, 2021.

Killed Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah's former bodyguard killed in Israeli strikes in Tehran

A source said Abu Ali Khalil, who served as a bodyguard for Hezbollah’s slain chief, had been on a religious pilgrimage when he met up with a member of the Kataeb Sayyed Al-Shuhada group.

 A person walks past a banner with a picture of Hassan Nasrallah, during preparations ahead of his public funeral ceremony, in Beirut, Lebanon. February 22, 2025.

Iran tensions spotlight militias in Iraq's role in regional conflict - analysis

Iraqs militias serve Iran's interests and control parts of Iraq. Thus, during tensions between Iran and the US, they are used to enforce Iran’s policies.

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim men from the Iranian-backed group Kataib Hezbollah wave the party's flags as they walk along a street painted in the colours of the Israeli flag during a parade marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Baghdad

China-backed militia secures control of new rare earth mines in Myanmar

Beijing is heavily reliant on Myanmar for the rare earth metals and oxides needed to power critical goods like wind turbines, medical devices and electric vehicles.

 United Wa State Army (UWSA) soldiers seen in tin mine factory at Man Maw at ethnic Wa territory in northeast Myanmar October 5, 2016. Picture taken on October 5, 2016.

Gaza militia leader denies involvement in aid killings, discusses PA, GHF collaboration

Yasser Abu Shabab confirmed cooperation with certain PA officials and hinted at possible alignment with a broader national framework.

 members of the Abu Shabab Popular Forces militia in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: Haven't ruled out coordination with IDF on aid

"Our weapons are not from Israel - they are simple weapons that we collected from the local population," Abu Shabab said.

 Image of militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab.

Repeating old mistakes: Arming our enemies' enemy is never a long term fix - editorial

The decision to arm the Rafah-centered militia may have been procedurally flawed, and reflects a long-standing Israeli doctrine.

A Palestinian Hamas terrorist displays guns on the day of the handover of hostages,  in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025.

Will arming Gazan militias against Hamas harm Israel in the long run? - analysis

Relying on a tribal militia or clan in Gaza may work in the short term. However, in the long term it is unlikely to achieve success.

 Armed men attend the funeral of Rawhi Mushtaha, a senior Hamas official and Sami Odeh, Hamas' general security service commander, who were killed in an Israeli strike during the war, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City January 24, 2025.