Hezbollah front group likely behind attack in northern Israel
Israeli forces killed three gunmen that infiltrated northern Israel from Lebanon on Sunday morning. The trio were claimed by an unknown group calling itself Islamic Azz Brigades.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Generation Jihad Ep. 133 — Striking Houthi targets in Yemen
Bill and Behnam unpack the details they’ve been able to gather so far surrounding the U.S. and UK-led coalition strikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen and discuss whether this will restore deterrence. Accurate preview courtesy of Behnam: “We like to say ‘freaky Fridays’ here [we do not] — it can’t get freakier than the first-ever, historic use of force since October 7 by the U.S. and UK against the Houthis.”
U.S., British militaries strike Houthi targets in Yemen in response to attacks on shipping
After nearly two months and 27 Houthi strikes against merchant vessels and U.S., British and French warships, the U.S. and United Kingdom launched a series of attacks against Houthis military sites.
Generation Jihad Ep. 132 — Joe’s trip to Israel
Joe just returned from Israel and joins Bill to share insights from his trip which included a sobering visit to Nir Oz, one of the kibbutz communities along the Gaza border that was brutally attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Houthis continue attacks in Red Sea despite warning from coalition
One week after threatening the Iranian-backed Houthis for targeting international shipping, the U.S. led coalition has failed to back up its words with deeds. Houthi attacks continue unabated.
Generation Jihad Ep. 131 — Terrorists will be terrorists
Bill and Behnam unpack this week’s headlines from the Middle East, including the assassination of Hamas deputy Saleh al-Arouri; the U.S. strike that killed Iran-backed militia commander Abu Taqwa Al-Saedi in Iraq (and subsequent drama with the Iraqi government); the U.S.-led coalition dubbed Prosperity Guardian’s “final warning” to the Houthis; and the ISIS bombings at a memorial in Kerman, Iran for slain IRGC-QF commander Qassim Suleimani.
Uprooting terror infrastructure in Gaza shaping to be long, complex process
Israel dismantles terrorist infrastructure in Gaza as the intensity of the war against Hamas shifts into a new phase. Tunnels were discovered under a Gaza hotel near the beach, and the IDF revealed they had dismantled a tunnel found in November under Shifa hospital. IDF reserve unit commanders also met at IDF Southern Command to discuss lessons learned in three months of fighting in Gaza.
Islamic State announces new global campaign to rally members and supporters
The current Islamic State spokesman announced yet another global campaign for the group’s global affiliates and supporters. Though intrinsically propagandistic, prior global campaigns had severe real world consequences.
U.S. kills commander in Iranian-backed militia in Baghdad strike
Today’s strike is the first to target a commander of the Iranian-backed militias. Abu Taqwa Al Si’adi was a commander in the Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, a U.S.-designated terror organization.
13 countries threaten Houthis with military response if attacks against shipping continue
The Houthi attacks “constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action.” The Houthis said that the attacks will continue.
Shabaab says it rejects Red Sea access deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland
Ali Mohamud Rage, Shabaab’s spokesman, says the al-Qaeda branch is willing to spill blood over the recent Red Sea access deal signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
Hamas deputy leader killed in suspected Israeli airstrike in Lebanon
Salih al-Aruri is the first major Hamas political or military leader killed since Hamas and its terrorist allies launched the Oct. 7 rampage on southern Israel.
Analysis: Despite significant losses in Gaza, Hamas has yet to unleash an ace up its sleeve
Hamas has yet to employ a game changing weapon in this current conflict and that is conflict at the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Airstrikes target Iranian militia sites in Eastern Syria
Four members of Lebanese Hezbollah, and two members of Iraqi militia groups have been killed by airstrikes in Eastern Syria.
New Jersey man arrested for attempting to join Shabaab, inspired by support of Hamas
The man reportedly traveled from Egypt to Kenya, where he planned to use Shabaab facilitators to cross into Somalia. The American citizen was motivated by his support of Hamas and desire to target the U.S. for its support of Israel.
Generation Jihad Ep. 130 — Million dollar missiles shooting down thousand dollar drones
Bill and Behnam are back for what has been dubbed by Behnam as the first and last Freaky Friday of 2023 to discuss news of an alleged Israeli assassination of an IRGC general, context of U.S.-launched strikes against the Hezbollah Brigades after the group targeted U.S. forces at an airbase in Erbil, the latest string of Houthi maritime attacks (remember Operation Prosperity Guardian… yeah…), and the painful irony of a million dollar missile shooting down a thousand-dollar drone, AKA Iran’s asymmetrical warfare strategy.
Network of Iraqi militias claim responsibility for attack in Israel
A network of Iraqi militias backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for attacking Israeli territory.
Iraqi government ‘condemns’ retaliatory U.S. airstrikes on Hezbollah Brigades
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani also denounced militia attacks on U.S. forces, however he is powerless to stop them. The Iranian-backed militias report to Sudani, but do not follow his orders. They are loyal to Iran.
Jihadis continue to target civilians in western Uganda
At least 62 people have been killed by the Islamic State’s local arm in western Uganda since June.
Israeli airstrike eliminates key Iranian general in Syria
Iran has described Razi Mousavi as “a veteran advisor of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps” and a one of “the companions of the assassinated general Qassem Soleimani.”
U.S. military strikes Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq after soldiers wounded in drone strike
The U.S. hit three Hezbollah Brigades facilities after three U.S. soldiers were wounded, including one critically, in a drone strike at a U.S. airbase in Erbil. the handful of U.S. strikes has not deterred the militias or their Iranian masters.
Hezbollah targets Israeli aircraft with missiles
IDF Chief of Staff meets with Israeli reservists on northern border as Hezbollah threats continue. Hezbollah used drones to attempt attacks on Israel on December 19. The IDF found a rocket launcher in Gaza and Israel provided updates on how it had defeated Hamas air defenses.
Generation Jihad Ep. 128 — Operation Prosperity Guardian, the Houthis, and CDR Salamander
Bill is joined by CDR Salamander to discuss the coalition announced today by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during his trip to the Middle East. The coalition — made up of the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain in partnership with the US — was formed with the objective of “ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea” following the recent uptick in Houthi aggression and attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden area.
U.S. forms coalition to counter Houthi threat on international shipping; Houthis appear undeterred
The U.S. announces the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian as Houthi attacks have ground international shipping transiting the Red Sea through the Suez Canal to a halt as multiple shippers are now bypassing the dangerous waterway. It is unclear if the operation will be offensive or defensive in nature.
Gaza war: Palestinian terrorist groups dispatch suicide bombers against Israeli troops
Palestinian terrorist organizations and the Israel Defense Forces say suicide bombers have been used in the current Gaza war.
Al Qaeda-aligned Jaysh al-Ummah says it is fighting Israeli troops in Gaza
Jaysh al-Ummah published a statement on Dec. 8 saying its fighters have attacked Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops operating in the Gaza Strip.
Generation Jihad Ep. 127 — Israel at War: December 18, 2023
Bill and Joe discuss the latest issues emanating from Israel’s defensive war in Gaza, including the tragic death of the three Israeli hostages mistakenly shot by IDF soldiers, the massive labyrinth of tunnels continuing to be discovered by the IDF and controversy surrounding the decision to flood them, and use by Hamas of suicide bombers — Joe explains why one case is different.
Generation Jihad Ep. 126 — “They don’t pass out candy in war.”
Bill is back with FDD Senior Fellow and Iran expert Behnam Ben Taleblu (now also a Generation Jihad co-host, you heard it here first) to unpack and contextualize this week’s headlines stemming from the Middle East.
They discuss the politics of diplomacy and analyze recent trips and statements made by key players like Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and President Biden himself; whether U.S. support for Israel is at a crossroads, and what message this could send to U.S. partners and allies (and enemies) around the world; an apparent U.S. intelligence leak estimating that 45% of Israeli munition used in Gaza has not been precision-guided; and more.
Israel troops accidentally kill three Israeli hostages in ‘unbearable tragedy’
Israeli soldiers opened fire on and killed three people on Friday who were later identified as Israeli hostages.
IDF faces tough battles in Gaza City neighborhoods
IDF infantry faces tough battles in Gaza’s Shujaiya neighborhood. In Khan Yunis, terrorists fired at IDF soldiers from a school. Hezbollah launched rockets at Rosh HaNikra in Israel’s nort,h and Israeli President Isaac Hezog said the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have crossed a “red line” in attacks on ships.