Iranian-backed groups tout operations in Iraq
The so-called ‘Islamic Resistance in Iraq,’ a grouping of newly created militias and front groups of Iran, celebrated one year of operations against U.S.-led forces.
Tag Archives: IRGC
U.S. to designate Yemen’s Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization
Additionally, the U.S. State Department will also designate three of the Houthis’ top leaders as global terrorists.
Israel stepping up airstrikes against Syrian troops in recent weeks
In Israel’s attempts to thwart the establishment of Iranian-led proxies in southern Syria, it has also targeted Syrian troops in recent weeks.
U.S. designates Iraqi PMF chairman for human rights violations
Falih al-Fayyadh, the Chairman of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces and the former National Security Advisor to the Iraq’s Prime Minister, was identified as a member of an “Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force Qods Force supported crisis cell” that supported attacks on protesters in 2019.
Ep. 37 – How Hezbollah Profits from Black Cocaine
FDD senior fellow Emanuele Ottolenghi joins hosts Tom Joscelyn and Bill Roggio to discuss the history of Iran’s and Hezbollah’s illicit activities across Central and South America, including the trafficking of “black cocaine.”
State Department designates Iranian-backed Bahraini militia
Saraya al Mokhtar is now the second Bahraini militia to be designated as terrorists for ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Ep. 35 – The Shadow War Inside Iran
FDD senior fellow Behnam Ben Taleblu joins the podcast to discuss recent assassinations inside Iran and the state of the Iranian regime’s various proxy wars.
Parsing Iranian Responses to the Killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi
Analyzing the outpouring of commentary after Fakhrizadeh’s death from Iranian politicians, military personnel, and media outlets can help shed light on Tehran’s immediate political concerns, security imperatives, as well as prospects for retaliation and escalation.
IRGC says Intelligence deputy dies of COVID-19
On 31 October, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that intelligence veteran Hamid Mirza’i died of COVID-19. He was the Foreign Intelligence Directorate chief of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, according to an expose of last year.
Analysis: The IRGC runs for high office in Tehran
63-year-old IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan is eying the Iranian presidency. If his candidacy is approved and he is elected in 2021, Dehghan will be the Islamic Republic’s first military president, a development with significant implications for Iranian domestic politics and foreign policy.
Bulgarian court convicts two Hezbollah-linked men with 2012 Burgas bus bombing
Two dual Lebanese nationals with ties to Hezbollah have been convicted of being involved in the 2012 Burgas bombing that killed six, including five Israelis.
Iranian front groups claim responsibility for recent attacks against Coalition targets in Iraq
Four newly-formed front groups for Iran have claimed several recent attacks across Iraq. American officials have attempted to downplay the events.
Analysis: Iranian-backed group in Bahrain creates sub-unit to target Israeli interests
In the first official Bahraini militant statement since the announcement of a peace deal between Bahrain and Israel, Saraya Wa’ad Allah says it is opening its doors for recruitment for a new sub-unit dedicated to attacking Israelis on the island.
IRGC-led Afghan group holds first ‘international conference’ in Iran
The IRGC-led Afghan Fatemiyoun Division held its first “international conference” in Iran, a heavily publicized event featuring speakers from other IRGC-led paramilitary groups, as well as, for the first time, an appearance – sort of – by the Fatemiyoun’s chief commander.
Zulfiqar Forces claim attack on U.S. Embassy in Iraq
This is the first time that the Zulfiiqar Forces, a group that formed in June 2020, has claimed a physical attack on US personnel.
IRGC-controlled Afghan group loses fighter to COVID-19
An Afghan Fatemiyoun fighter has died of COVID-19 in Syria, raising questions about the virus’s spread among the ranks. Meanwhile, the Fatemiyoun buried two fighters who had died under uncertain circumstances.
Iranian-backed front group claims to target American supply convoy in Iraq
People of the Cave, a newly formed outfit, has claimed various bombings on American supply convoys across Iraq. However, it is unclear how many of these claims are accurate.
IRGC-led Afghan group releases Syria training camp video
Afghan fighters of the IRGC-led Fatemiyoun Division showcased their light infantry and snipers in a Syria training camp video released to commemorate an important Shiite holiday.
Iranian proxy in Iraq targets US bases
The Iranian proxy group League of the Revolutionaries has reemerged to claim further rocket barrages on US bases in Iraq.
Analysis: Iran’s propaganda game inside Iraq
Several groups have recently emerged inside Iraq that have claimed strikes against US troops. However, they all appear to be part of a calculated propaganda campaign propagated by Iran and its allies against the United States inside Iraq.
Iranian-founded Afghan Shia militia celebrates 7th anniversary in Aleppo
Since its founding in 2013, the Iranian-led Afghan Shia militia has been at the forefront of most major battles in the defense of the Assad regime.
Collecting and analyzing Shiite militia attacks against the U.S. presence in Iraq
There have been at least 43 attacks using rockets and/or mortars on U.S. positions in Iraq by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. These attacks shed light on Iranian and allied-Shiite militia intentions and strategy.
Israel steps up military campaign against Iran’s military entrenchment in Syria
Iran continues its support for its proxy militias in Syria, as the Israeli military attempts to counter it.
U.S. offers $10 million reward for Hezbollah’s commander in Iraq
Hezbollah operates closely in Iraq alongside Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to prop up and support Shia militias hostile to the U.S. and the West. Muhammad Kawtharani has played a key role in Hezbollah’s operations.
State designates Iran-backed League of the Righteous as Foreign Terrorist Organization
Additionally, the group’s leader, Qais al Khazali, and his brother, Laith al Khazali, have been listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Both Qais and Laith were in U.S. custody up until the withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011.
New ‘League of the Revolutionaries’ warns U.S. troops in Iraq
A spokesman of the group warns US troops in Iraq, while also threatening Israel in a speech that alludes to Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Purported new Iraqi Shia group claims attacks on Camp Taji
The group is likely a front for other Iranian proxies inside Iraq.
Turkey’s Operation “Spring Shield” delivers blow to Hezbollah
Recently, Hezbollah has suffered losses it has not seen in years of fighting in Syria.
IRGC-led militant leader threatens attacks against US in Iraq soon
On 14 February, Akram al-Kabi, the leader of the Iraqi Harakat al Nujaba (HAN) paramilitary group, warned during an address in Tehran that the “resistance” would “certainly” give a “military response” to the US over the deaths of commanders Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Kabi said the responses would be “corrosive and unexpected” with […]
IRGC trained militias suffer losses in northwest Syria
Iranian-backed militias are taking part in the battle for northwestern Syria.