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Militia Spotlight

Militia Spotlight uses open source monitoring to:
UNDERSTAND the objectives, structure, and activity of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria;
EXPOSE militia information operations and disinformation campaigns;
IDENTIFY linkages between groups and with Iran to increase accountability; and
DENY anonymity and deniability to Iran-backed militias.

Visit the supplementary Militia Spotlight: Profiles hub.

Articles in this Series

Brief Analysis
How to Use Militia Spotlight
Militia Spotlight provides timely, high-quality evidence, analysis and contextualization of militia activities in Iraq and Syria, both within government agencies and outside them.
Feb 10, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
A Turkish Bayraktor UAV on display at an airshow - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Muqawama's Duel with Turkey
Turkish counterstrikes may have instilled caution in militia rocketeers, suggesting more attacks may come against U.S. and Kurdish targets instead.
May 17, 2022
◆
  • Alex Almeida
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Tahira
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 2): Attributing Attacks to Militia Platforms
Sabereen News has seemingly broadened its capabilities to include simple hacking tactics like DDoS attacks, and it might quickly proceed to more complex exploits.
Apr 25, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Tahira
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 1): Chronology of Recent Attacks
Sabereen News appears to have added cyberattacks to its normal activities of spreading militia propaganda and disinformation, claiming operations against Israeli, Turkish, and Saudi targets.
Apr 25, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sabereen sistani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sabereen's Suspension (Part 2): Causes and Consequences
The network's hiatus may have been ordered in response to its recent lean toward Russia, or perhaps its role in enabling a controversial arson attack on a political office.
Apr 11, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Al-Maymun
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sabereen's Suspension (Part 1): Signs of Dissent and Noncompliance
The network was closed down almost entirely from March 28 to April 8, albeit with one apparent effort by rebellious members to refuse the suspension and blame Iran.
Apr 11, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Rocket crater, Omar oilfield in Syria, April 6, 2022
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Spring Awakening: A New Wave of Militia Strikes or Just a Blip?
Militia groups appear to be increasingly exercising their different kinetic capabilities in Iraq and Syria, but why now?
Apr 8, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Militia Russian propaganda
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
From Russia With Love? Sabereen's Ukraine Coverage
Alongside an apparent technical uplift, the militia network's coverage of the crisis has gone far beyond that of even the most pro-Russian outlets in Iraq.
Mar 24, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Nujaba clip
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Nujaba's Regime Change Threat to the Kurdistan Democratic Party
With its first Kurdish-language video, the militia has upped the stakes by hinting at regime change in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Mar 21, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Hussein in public
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Exposing Kataib Hezbollah's Royal Family? Insights from Recent Leaks
The unmasking of Abu Hussein and his brothers puts the deposed Kataib Hezbollah official on the receiving end of his favorite tactic: leaking the faces and names of rivals.
Mar 9, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH fundraising
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Behind "Grassroots" Iraqi Fundraising for Yemen
The Iran-backed militia tried to make its solo effort to boost the Houthi drone arsenal look like a widely coordinated and highly popular campaign, whereas it was anything but.
Feb 1, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qaani in Najaf
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Lionization of Esmail Qaani: Consolidation or Covering Embarrassment?
The Iranian general has never received such intense praise from the Iraqi "resistance," but it may just be his attempt to spin his recent disappointing visit.
Jan 24, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Akram and Abu Fadak, Basra, Jan 1, 2022
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muhandis Replaced by Not One Man, But Two?
Abu Fadak and Akram Kaabi seem to have inherited the PMF and "resistance" parts of the late militia leader's portfolio.
Jan 12, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Fadak
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Abu Fadak Tries to Split the Shrine Units
Recent moves by the senior PMF commander are seemingly aimed at sowing divisions among four key militias that do not answer to the so-called "resistance."
Jan 11, 2022
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Ababil
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Saraya Ababeel Claims Baghdad Drone and Rocket Attacks
A minor sub-group took credit for recent airport strikes, indicating a return to the "facade" strategy and a role for AAH in the latest escalation.
Jan 7, 2022
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Militia with 23mm driving west outside IZ, May 26, 2021
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Making Sense of Militia Attacks in Iraq and Syria in Early 2022
The process of assuaging the militia support base was carefully stage-managed in the first week of the new year, with Iran and Nujaba setting the ground rules.
Jan 6, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Nujana Syria
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Playground: Kinetic Operations Refocus on East Syria
Iran-backed groups seem to be directing their more dangerous attacks against coalition forces in Syria, not Iraq, and the trend could accelerate in early 2022.
Dec 14, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Muqawama assassination
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Militia Assassination Surge (Part 2): December Attacks
Desperate militias are now killing Shia civilians in mass-casualty bombings as they try to assassinate Iraqi investigators and intelligence personnel.
Dec 10, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Militia Assassination Surge (Part 1): Sabereen and Unit 10,000 Threaten Iraqi Forces
Both outlets are openly advocating the murder of Iraqi security forces at a time of escalated shootings and bombings.
Dec 10, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Akram speech
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Akram Kaabi's Revealing Speech
Kaabi has long been Iran's chosen man in the self-styled Iraqi "resistance," and his latest remarks seemed like an attempt to seize control of militia public messaging.
Dec 9, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
KSS recruitment numbers
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
A Fake KSS Recruitment Drive
Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada may have exaggerated its recruiting numbers, but the episode points to militias' desperation to look potent and regain leverage by threatening to destabilize Iraq in early 2022.
Nov 27, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
AK image
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Ashab al-Kahf's Takeover of the Convoy Strategy
Militia attacks on supply convoys are experiencing a (likely temporary) lull, and the sub-group Ashab al-Kahf appears to have taken the lead.
Nov 22, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Fake image of MC-12W Liberty over Baghdad concurrent with Nov 7 attack
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Technical Disinformation and the Nov. 7 Drone Attack
To deflect responsibility for the assassination attempt on Iraq’s prime minister, self-styled "resistance" groups have assembled a dodgy dossier of convincing-looking disinformation.
Nov 17, 2021
◆
  • Anwar al-Zamani
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sabereen logo
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sabereen News Criticizes Iran for Lack of Support
Elements of Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah are seemingly trying to extract domestic and Iranian support for more forceful pushback against their recent political isolation.
Nov 13, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Quadcopters in Syria and Iraq, 2019-2021
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Meltdown, Part 2: Drone Attack on the Prime Minister
Militias followed up Qais al-Khazali's threats against Kadhimi by attacking his residence, shattering the narrative of victimhood they had been building through protests.
Nov 7, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight

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