Militia

Condemnations grow after attack on Kurdistan Regional President

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Defense Ministry claimed it had unearthed rockets appearing to be Iranian-made 107 mm types that were ready to be fired at the Kurdistan Region.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Supporters of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition Party celebrate, after election results were announced in Baghdad in November 2025.
AN IRANIAN ballistic missile on display in Tehran.

Iran struggles to assert control in Iraq amid strikes, militia attacks, tensions - analysis

The Kurdish leadership of the autonomous region is outraged, and Iran has appeared to walk back the attack. However, in other areas, it continues to try to assert itself.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A funeral ceremony is held at Al-Hussein Al-Askari Hospital for members of Popular Mobilization Forces who were killed in an attack in Al Anbar Province near the Syria border in Baghdadi Iraq on March 16, 2026.

Iranian-backed militias claim 30 killed, wounded in US airstrikes on base

Up to 30 fighters from Iran-backed PMF were reportedly killed or wounded in US airstrikes on their base in Anbar province, Iraq, including operations commander Saad Dawai.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Kurdistan Regional Government Peshmerga at a mountain outpost. September 19, 2019.

Iran-backed militias strike Kurdistan, killing Peshmerga in northern Iraq

Iran and its militias struck northern Iraq, killing six Peshmerga and wounding 19, as attacks on the Kurdistan Region escalate amid the wider Middle East conflict.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Failed rocket attack targets US forces in Syria

The US military said the 107 mm rocket failed to impact anything inside the Rumalyn Landing Zone compound in northeast Syria.

OCTOBER 9, 2022ByREUTERS
American soldiers stand near military trucks, at al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019.

Iran mobilizes proxies to fight growing protests

BEHIND THE LINES: Protesters accuse regime of using Arab militiamen to suppress mounting demonstrations.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022ByJONATHAN SPYER
IRANIANS COMMEMORATE Arbaeen in Tehran, earlier this month.

Airstrikes target pro-Iranian militias in eastern Syria - report

A number of casualties among pro-Iranian militias were reported by local media outlets.

MAY 7, 2022ByTZVI JOFFRE
Smoke rises after airstrikes on a rebel-held part of the southern city of Deraa, Syria, June 15, 2017 (illustrative).

West Darfur fighting spreads to capital city El Geneina - residents

The latest fighting began with an altercation on Thursday between members of different tribes, according to rights groups active in the area.

APRIL 25, 2022ByREUTERS
A landscape view of El Geneina town, the capital of West Darfur. The town is known for having plenty of greenery, a strategic geographical location and overarching unity among the local communities, which has led to the development of a vibrant economy and social cohesion.

Five times Iran used Iraqi militias to conduct drone attacks - analysis

Iran has recently established even closer ties with Iraqi militias and is now using them to attack Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other states.  

FEBRUARY 4, 2022BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
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.

What will happen to Iraq when the US withdraws? - opinion

An ISIS resurgence is just one scenario out of four.

JANUARY 6, 2022BySARDAR SATTAR
SUPPORTERS OF Muqtada Al-Sadr’s movement celebrate after Iraq’s Supreme Court ratified the results of the parliamentary election last month.

US, UK, Israel should help form an Arab NATO - opinion

The US and UK helped Islamic militias flourish in the MENA region; they can help defeat them now.

JANUARY 3, 2022ByHASAN ISMAIK
US PRESIDENT Joe Biden gestures as he delivers remarks at the White House in July on the administration’s drawdown efforts in Afghanistan.

Is Iran behind the drone attack against Iraqi PM? - analysis

The attack on Iraq’s Prime Minister is another step in drone warfare and is a message by pro-Iran groups in Iraq that the prime minister is not safe.

NOVEMBER 7, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Supporters of Iraqi Shiite armed groups burn portraits of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi and Iraq security officials during a protest against the election results near the one of the fortified Green Zone entrances in Baghdad, Iraq, November 6, 2021.

Low turnout a tragedy for Iraq elections

Iraq's elections turnout is steadily sinking with 40% on Sunday compared 60% in 2014.

OCTOBER 11, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A voter hands a ballot paper to a poll worker at a polling station, as Iraqis go to the polls to vote in the parliamentary election, in Mosul, Iraq October 10, 2021.

Will pro-Iranian militias in Iraq work more with Palestinians?

Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq may want to transfer weapons and threats closer to the border with Israel.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
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