Militia

Israel monitoring efforts to disarm Iraqi pro-Iranian Shi'ite militias, concerned they may attack

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is seeking to preserve its strategic alliance with the militias, as well as with the Houthis and Hezbollah.

Mourners attend the funeral of Haider al-Moussawi, head of the security unit in the Shi'ite armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and senior Hezbollah figure Abu Ali Khalil, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 22, 2025.
Supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement, brandish their weapons as they rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, in Sanaa on April 8, 2026, following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East war.

How the Houthis went from a small mountain militia in Yemen to a major regional threat - explainer

An abandoned improvised mortar system is seen on the side of a road in Sinjar, Iraq, with a Kurdish flag flying in the background, January 26, 2016

Yazidi fighters disarm in Iraq's Sinjar after a decade of division - what comes next? - analysis

A satellite image shows the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline, located across the Arabian Peninsula, after a strike that hit it on September 11, 2026, in Saudi Arabia, September 13, 2026.

Sweeping strikes under the rug: Will Iraq face consequences for Saudi pipeline attack? - analysis


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.

Beware misinformation on Ethiopia's Fano militias and situation in Amhara - opinion

Let’s be clear: there is no existential threat posed by the Federal Government of Ethiopia against the Amhara people, writes the author.

 Amhara is one of the nine ethnic divisions (kililoch) of Ethiopia, containing the homeland of the Amhara people. Previously known as Region 3, its capital is Bahir Dar.

How Iraqi militias siphoned billions from Visa and Mastercard for Iran - WSJ

US and Iraqi authorities revealed a complex scheme involving prepaid cards that funneled illicit funds to Iranian-backed terror militias.

 Members of the Iran-backed Iraqi militias al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah appear in Baghdad on December 4, 2023.

Authorities declare state of emergency in Tripoli, Libya after powerful militia leader assassinated

Clashes erupted between the 444th Brigade and the Stability Support Apparatus, two of the most powerful Tripoli militias.

 Members of Libya's influential militia, the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), pictured in 2022; illustrative.

Yemen gov't announces new PM as most of the country remains out of their control

Yemen's former Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak steps down and will be replaced by former Finance Minister, Salem Saleh Bin Braik

Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, hold weapons to mark the annual al-Quds Day on the last Friday of Ramadan, in Sana'a, Yemen, March 28, 2025

Chaos ahead of elections among Iran-backed factions in Iraq - analysis

Iraq is having elections in November, and even though the day is far off, chaos is unfolding in the discussion about the lists ahead of the vote.

 Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a press conference, in Baghdad, Iraq April 22, 2024.

High stakes game: Is Iran sending missiles to militias in Iraq? - analysis

Iran is messaging that it is prepared to keep its arms while also pretending it might comply with demands to rein in its power in Iraq.

 An Iranian drone and missile are displayed during an anti-Israeli march in Tehran, Iran, January 10, 2025

Israel involved in conspiracy to divide parts of Syria, Iraqi militia leader claims

Khazali claims the goal of the ‘David Corridor’ is to “reach the Kurdish lands in Iraq and Syria, considering the ongoing cooperation [between Israel and the Kurds]."

 Qais al-Khazali, head of the "Asaib Ahl al-Haq", one of the member factions of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces) paramilitaries, speaks during an event commemorating the 21st anniversary of their creation, at a hotel in Baghdad on May 3, 2024.