Category Archives: Long War Journal



SFA and US troops at Tanf

American troops train Syrian Free Army at Tanf Garrison as US weighs next moves in Syria

US troops stationed at Tanf Garrison in southern Syria continue to train and support the Syrian Free Army (SFA). As reports emerge that US forces could redeploy from parts of Syria while the Syrian government expands its control, the future of the Tanf Garrison is unclear. The US-backed SFA works with the new Syrian authorities and conducts de-mining and other security operations.


Jordan GID members

Jordan foils Muslim Brotherhood terrorist plot

On April 15, the Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate (GID) announced that it “foiled plans aimed at targeting national security, sowing chaos, and sabotage within Jordan.” The GID detained 16 suspects, stating it had monitored the activity since 2021.


Syrian MOD officials at Tishrin Dam

Syrian government, SDF, and other factions move to end tensions over strategic dam

The transitional Syrian government and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have come to an agreement regarding the strategic Tishrin Dam in central Syria. The dam has been the site of almost four months of clashes between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and the SDF. Under the new agreement, the Syrian government will take control of the site, and the SDF will withdraw to positions further east.






Iraqi nasheed on Sharaa

Analysis: Why do Iraqi Shiites hate the new Syria and its leader?

Many Iraqi Shiites have showcased a deep hatred of Syrian interim President Ahmad al Sharaa and his new government following the fall of dictator Bashar al Assad. Sharaa’s unpopularity can be explained by his history as a jihadist, as well as the Iran-led Axis of Resistance’s defeat in Syria.


IDF troops in Gaza

IDF slowly moves forward to consolidate control in southern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued establishing operational control of southern Gaza, sending more forces, including infantry and armor, into the territory during the first week and a half of April. The IDF announced that it eliminated the commander of Hamas’s Sheijaiya Battalion on April 10. Israeli media reported that only 25 percent of Hamas tunnels have been destroyed, and the group’s battalions continue to operate in Khan Younis and Rafah.


Port of Beirut

Iran reportedly smuggling weapons to Hezbollah via Beirut port

A “Western security source” told Al Arabiya that Hezbollah is using the Port of Beirut to smuggle weapons into Lebanon from Iran. In early March, Israel assassinated a Hezbollah commander in charge of maritime weapons smuggling, saying his activities had continued after the November 27 Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.


Iraqi PMF member

Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah militia denies report it will disarm

Kataib Hezbollah issued a statement on April 8 rejecting a Reuters report that said it was considering disarmament. Iraq has been under pressure to rein in Iranian-backed militias that are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), of which Kataib Hezbollah is a key member. A member of Iraq’s parliament said the PMF is essential for defending Iraq, and the organization’s units conducted several operations across the country, showcasing their presence.


IRGC missiles

Iran braces for possible US attack amid proxy setbacks

Amid mounting proxy losses and a major US military buildup across the Middle East, Iran has placed its armed forces on high alert and warned neighboring states against facilitating a potential American strike. Tehran is suffering setbacks in Iraq and Yemen while ramping up deterrence through inflammatory propaganda.


Looking at the Sunni side of the aisle

Bill and Caleb discuss updates from “the Sunni side of the aisle,” including Washington’s policy pivot on the Haqqani Network, the U.S. military’s airstrike strategy in Somalia, the Turkestan Islamic Party’s rebranding attempt, the recent death of a key Islamic State leader, and Shabaab’s current operations.


Israel assassinates Hamas official in Lebanese city of Sidon

Israel assassinated senior Hamas official Hassan Ahmad Farhat in Sidon on Friday. The Israel Defense Forces said Farhat was responsible for attacks on Israel during the recent war, including the February 14, 2024, strike on Tzfat and continued planning attacks against Israel in recent months. Farhat’s son Hamzah, also a Hamas operative, and his daughter, Jinan, were killed alongside him.


Hezbollah vs Israel flag

Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: March 31–April 6

Israel continued operations in Lebanon between March 31 and April 6, 2025, though there was a noticeable drop in number and intensity. However, Israel conducted two targeted killings in Lebanon: one in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood killed a Hezbollah commander and operative, and another in Sidon killed a Hamas commander and operative.



Houthi missiles

Iranian personnel leave Yemen as US strikes intensify

Iran has reportedly ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen amidst the growing US bombing campaign. The move reflects a broader pattern of the Islamic Republic recalibrating its regional strategy in response to the Trump administration’s moves to curtail Tehran’s influence in the Middle East and threats to potentially strike Iran’s nuclear sites.



Protests in Gaza

Palestinians protest against Hamas and the war in Gaza

In a rare show of dissent, some Palestinians have protested Hamas’s rule in the Gaza Strip despite the dangers of publicly criticizing the terrorist group. While the demonstrations and other signs of dissent are notable, it’s unclear if they will mark a significant change in the territory’s political situation.



Zamir in Gaza

Israel takes over new area dubbed ‘Morag Corridor’ in Gaza

On April 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was shifting gears in Gaza and taking over more areas. “We are also doing something else: We are seizing the Morag Corridor. This will be […] an additional Philadelphi Corridor,” Netanyahu said. The Morag Corridor separates Khan Younis from Rafah in southern Gaza. The IDF also called on Gazans to evacuate Rafah in south Gaza and Shejaiya in northern Gaza.



Iraq Parliament and PMF Leaders

Iraq wrestles with US pressure over Iran-backed militias

Iraqi political and militia leaders are reportedly responding to pressure from the US to disband Iran-backed militias in Iraq. However, the progress of government efforts and the ultimate status of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), primarily supported by Iran, remain uncertain.


Death notices Hezbollah

Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills Hezbollah commander, operative

The Israel Defense Forces conducted an airstrike in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut, the second in two weeks and since the November 27 ceasefire, that killed Hezbollah commander Hassan Badeer, his son (another Hezbollah member), and two others. Israel said Badeer was helping Hamas plan an imminent attack against Israeli civilians.


Map of Sudan

Sudanese Armed Forces retake Khartoum from Rapid Support Forces

The Sudanese Armed Forces announced the recapture of Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after nearly two years of civil war. The RSF is now on the defensive after losing access to key supply lines, and the US-designated militia is seeking to consolidate control of other areas in an effort to regroup.



Quds Day poster

Pro-Iran militias parade for ‘Quds Day’ in Iraq

Pro-Iranian militias from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) took part in Quds Day events in Iraq. The events on March 28, part of an annual worldwide campaign backed by Iran to encourage protests against Israel, appeared to have a relatively low turnout and happened amid continuing controversy in Baghdad over parliamentary attempts to rein in or streamline the PMU.