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2 weeks ago | 
longwarjournal.org | Seth J. Frantzman |Amir Toumaj |Caleb Weiss
US-backed Syrian Free Army secures airbase east of Damascus | The US-backed Syrian Free Army (SFA), which operates from the Tanf Garrison in southern Syria, has been working to secure and protect an airbase 45 miles east of Damascus. The Al Seen Military Airbase was previously used by the Assad regime and has been the site of “sabotage” recently, according to the SFA. The commander of the Syrian Air Force visited the facility on May 20.
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1 month ago | 
longwarjournal.org | Bridget Toomey |Joe Truzman |Amir Toumaj |Caleb Weiss
Major Shiite parties to run separately in Iraq’s November election amid disagreements | The Coordination Framework, Iraq’s ruling bloc of Shiite political parties, has announced that its members will run on separate lists in Iraq’s November 2025 election and reform the alliance following the vote. Elements of the bloc have disagreed strongly over key issues since the current government’s formation in 2022.
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Mar 6, 2025 | 
longwarjournal.org | Seth J. Frantzman |Behnam Ben Taleblu |Caleb Weiss |Amir Toumaj
After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov | On March 5, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al Araji said that Baghdad is trying to locate kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen who was abducted in March 2023. Israeli officials have blamed Kataib Hezbollah for kidnapping Tsurkov, and her case has received increased attention in the last two months since the Trump administration entered office.
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Jan 28, 2025 | 
longwarjournal.org | Seth J. Frantzman |Amir Toumaj
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq face an uncertain future | Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, collectively part of the Hashd al Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units), face increasing calls to place their arms under state control or lay them down entirely. The fall of the Assad regime, a new administration in Washington, and the Gaza ceasefire have put these groups under the spotlight in Iraqi politics.
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
longwarjournal.org | Bill Roggio |Amir Toumaj |Caleb Weiss
Tehran’s pawns in Iraq | Bill is joined by show regular Edmund Fitton-Brown to discuss Edmund’s latest analysis for FDD’s Long War Journal: The role of Iraqi Shia militias as proxies in Iran’s Axis of Resistance.
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Jan 15, 2025 | 
longwarjournal.org | Mariam Wahba |Amir Toumaj |Thomas Joscelyn
Former HTS fighter Ahmad Hammad al Mansour reportedly detained in Syria after threatening Egyptian president | Ahmad al Mansour, an Egyptian national and former member of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) in Syria, has reportedly been detained in Syria after threatening Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el Sisi. The Islamist militant is an Egyptian Naval Academy graduate with ties to the 2011 Egyptian revolution.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
longwarjournal.org | Seth J. Frantzman |Thomas Joscelyn |Amir Toumaj
IDF strikes former Syrian regime military sites | Between December 8 and 10, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck more than 300 targets in Syria aimed at eliminating military assets that might fall into the wrong hands and threaten Israel. The strikes targeted air defense systems, missile sites, and Syrian Air Force bases where abandoned warplanes were present. The IDF also eliminated the Syrian Navy fleet.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
longwarjournal.org | Seth J. Frantzman |Joe Truzman |Amir Toumaj |Thomas Joscelyn
Israel moves forces into buffer zone with Syria as Assad regime falls | On December 8, Syria’s Assad regime fell from power, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu journeyed to the Golan Heights. “This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers,” Netanyahu said.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
longwarjournal.org | Caleb Weiss |Amir Toumaj |Thomas Joscelyn |Lisa Lundquist
Analysis: AQAP praises Shabaab’s activities in East Africa | In the latest issue of its Sada al-Malahem magazine, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) heaped significant praise on recent operations conducted by Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa. The article is another data point regarding the open support between these Al Qaeda branches.
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Oct 1, 2024 | 
longwarjournal.org | Janatan Sayeh |Thomas Joscelyn |Amir Toumaj
Jaish al-Adl claims responsibility for twin attacks in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province | Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for twin attacks in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province that killed IRGC members and local law enforcement personnel. The separatist group has intensified its attacks against regime targets recently, with one previous wave occurring in three cities.
