Crooked Bough News Round-up

— US strike in Iraq eliminates top Islamic State leader

 

at 3/15/25 10:02am

On March 13, US Central Command carried out an airstrike that killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al Rifai, also known as Abu Khadijah. Rifai was a top leader in the Islamic State (IS) whose exact position is in dispute—likely the group’s effective second in command or caliph. His death marks another significant strike against IS after various leaders have been killed in the last three years. The post US strike in Iraq eliminates top Islamic State leader appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, centcom, Iraq, Islamic State, Syria]

— Conflict in Syria Continues

 

at 3/14/25 5:15pm

Ahmad Sharawi joins Bill for an update on Syria's ongoing conflict, including: the recent Alawite insurgency against the government led by Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, the role of jihadist groups and involvement of the Syrian National Army and Syrian Democratic Forces, Israel's position on minority protection in Syria, and the feasibility of military action in the region. The post Conflict in Syria Continues appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Feature Articles, Generation Jihad, Long War Journal, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, HTS, Syria, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian National Army]

— Israel conducts strike targeting Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus

 

at 3/14/25 9:04am

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked a building in Damascus, Syria, on Thursday, stating it was a Palestinian Islamic Jihad command and control center. The IDF said it conducted the strike due to concerns about planned attacks against Israeli territory. The Israeli military has increasingly carried out strikes in recent months against former and current Syrian regime assets and various groups, including Hamas. The post Israel conducts strike targeting Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, HTS, IDF, Israel, Israel Syria, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, PIJ, Syria]

— Houthis ramp up domestic attacks in Marib

 

at 3/13/25 9:40am

Following the Houthis’ cessation of Red Sea attacks in January 2025, the group has engaged in more military activity against Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Houthi attacks in front-line provinces have reached levels not seen since before October 2023. The post Houthis ramp up domestic attacks in Marib appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Ansar Allah, Axis of Resistance, houthis, Yemen, Yemeni Army]

— Israeli airstrikes target Hezbollah assets and personnel in south Lebanon

 

at 3/12/25 1:53pm

Israel conducted two sets of airstrikes in south Lebanon on March 11 that targeted Hezbollah operatives. The first targeted a senior Hezbollah aerial defense operative, whose fate remains unknown. The second set of strikes targeted Hezbollah members in south Lebanon. Hezbollah-affiliated media announced two of the group's fighters were killed. The post Israeli airstrikes target Hezbollah assets and personnel in south Lebanon appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, hezbollah, IDF, Israel, Israel Hezbollah, Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, lebanon]

— Analysis: Why did Syria’s Kurds sign a deal with the new regime?

 

at 3/11/25 3:20pm

On March 10, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Syrias interim government, integrating the SDF’s 100,000-strong, predominantly Kurdish force into the new Syrian military. This move is surprising, given the deep distrust Syria’s Kurds have toward the interim government led by Ahmed al Sharaa. Sharaa, formerly the leader of Hayat Tahrir al [] The post Analysis: Why did Syria’s Kurds sign a deal with the new regime? appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, HTS, pkk, SDF, Syria, Turkey]

— After SDF-Damascus deal, a spotlight on US forces in Syria

 

at 3/11/25 2:41pm

US forces in eastern Syria continue to work closely with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Free Army (SFA). However, the agreement between SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa to integrate eastern Syria into the country’s new governing institutions could affect the US role in Syria and the broader anti-Islamic State campaign. The post After SDF-Damascus deal, a spotlight on US forces in Syria appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, centcom, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, HTS, SDF, SFA, Syria]

— Iran cracks down on armed nationalist group

 

at 3/11/25 9:11am

In a rare escalation, a group of armed men with nationalistic aspirations clashed with regime security forces in the southwestern city of Izeh. Livestreamed footage captures the final moments of four surrounded men, one of whom takes his own life rather than face arrest. The post Iran cracks down on armed nationalist group appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Iran, IRGC]

— Israeli defense chief assesses military readiness along Israel’s border with Syria

 

at 3/9/25 5:29pm

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the new chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), visited Israel’s border with Syria on March 9. He traveled to IDF positions and met with commanders. It is his first visit to the border since assuming the role and part of a wider series of Israeli moves to bolster the border and warn the new government in Damascus to demilitarize southern Syria. The post Israeli defense chief assesses military readiness along Israel’s border with Syria appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, IDF, Israel, Israel Syria, Syria]

— Analysis: Lebanon’s new government, the absent “resistance” Clause, and Hezbollah’s fate

 

at 3/9/25 9:01am

A review of the new Lebanese government’s policy statement reveals some positive changes from the positions of previous governments regarding the official posture on Hezbollah and its arms. Nevertheless, the statement contains subtle but significant loopholes that Hezbollah can exploit to ensure its survival and eventual regeneration. The post Analysis: Lebanon’s new government, the absent “resistance” Clause, and Hezbollah’s fate appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, hezbollah, Israel, Israel Hezbollah, Israel Lebanon, Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, lebanon]

— January attack, recent arrests of Islamic State sympathizers highlight persistent threats to US

 

at 3/7/25 12:22pm

The Islamic State radicalized Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who killed 14 people in New Orleans on January 1. Subsequent investigations and arrests of additional alleged terrorism plotters by US authorities point to jihadist groups’ continuing propaganda efforts and the threat of attacks on US soil. The post January attack, recent arrests of Islamic State sympathizers highlight persistent threats to US appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Domestic attacks, Islamic State, New Orleans attack, Shabaab]

— Analysis: A comparison of IDF and LAF activities in Lebanon post-November 27 ceasefire

 

at 3/7/25 8:37am

A comparison of actions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in Lebanon after the ceasefire on November 27, 2024, demonstrates that the Lebanese have not taken significant action against Hezbollah. The post Analysis: A comparison of IDF and LAF activities in Lebanon post-November 27 ceasefire appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, IDF, Israel, Israel Hezbollah, Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, lebanon]

— Fierce clashes erupt between Assad loyalists and government forces in western Syria

 

at 3/7/25 7:38am

On March 6, Syria witnessed the most intense and bloodiest clashes between the new Syrian government and Bashar al Assad loyalists since Assad's downfall on December 8. The post Fierce clashes erupt between Assad loyalists and government forces in western Syria appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, General Security Service, Syria, The Military Council for the Liberation of Syria]

— After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov

 

at 3/6/25 2:02pm

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. The post After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, hezbollah, Iraq, Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units, Israel, Kataib Hezbollah]

— US re-designates Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization, sanctions leaders

 

at 3/6/25 1:06pm

The Trump Administration returned the Houthis to the FTO list after President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting the group on the second day of his term. The US Treasury followed the FTO designation with a round of sanctions against senior Houthi operatives involved in financing, weapons procurement, and cooperation with the terrorist group’s partners. The post US re-designates Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization, sanctions leaders appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Ansar Allah, china, FTO, houthis, russia, SDGT]

— Analysis: What the suspension of US aid means for Ukrainian forces

 

at 3/5/25 3:57pm

A permanent cutoff of all aid likely would not cause a Ukrainian collapse, but it would result in more Ukrainian lives and land lost and more infrastructure destroyed. Challenges would build over time and could exacerbate Kyiv's manpower shortage, boosting Russian efforts to grind down Ukrainian forces and granting Moscow greater leverage in negotiations. The post Analysis: What the suspension of US aid means for Ukrainian forces appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, russia, Russia vs Ukraine, ukraine]

— Analysis: How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call?

 

at 3/5/25 3:31pm

On February 27, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan called for his group to disarm and end its conflict with Turkey. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in eastern Syria have welcomed this statement, which may provide an opportunity for Turkey to change its policy in Syria, affect US policy, and impact SDF relations with the new government in Damascus. The post Analysis: How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call? appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, pkk, SDF, Syria, Turkey, ypg, YPJ]

— Analysis: Iran’s loss is Turkey’s gain

 

at 3/5/25 8:09am

Tehran’s recent setbacks have paved the way for Ankara’s ascent. The Ankara-backed Azerbaijan’s triumph over Tehran-backed Armenia, Turkish-supported militias outmaneuvering Iran’s influence in Syria, and now, the unraveling of the Iran-backed PKK further tilts the balance in Turkey’s favor. The post Analysis: Iran’s loss is Turkey’s gain appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, armenia, azerbaijan, Iran, pkk, Syria, Turkey]

— Israel assassinates commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force’s seaborne forces

 

at 3/4/25 2:28pm

Israel assassinated Khodr Hashem, the commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force’s seaborn forces, in south Lebanon. Hashem was involved in armed activities and maritime weapons smuggling to Hezbollah before and after the November 27, 2024, Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement, activities which constituted a violation of the deal. The post Israel assassinates commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force’s seaborne forces appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, hezbollah, IDF, Israel, Israel Hezbollah, Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, lebanon, Radwan Force]

— Anti-Taliban groups conclude fifth Vienna Conference

 

at 3/4/25 12:57pm

Over 90 former leaders of the previous Afghan government, civil society representatives, and anti-Taliban resistance leaders attended the conference at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs and called for help forming a transitional government. The post Anti-Taliban groups conclude fifth Vienna Conference appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Afghanistan, Afghanistan Freedom Front, Afghanistan United Front, National Resistance Front, Taliban]

— Nascent Syrian armed group emerges to confront Israeli forces

 

at 3/3/25 3:20pm

An armed group called the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria recently formed with a stated goal of countering Israel’s military presence in the Golan Heights. The post Nascent Syrian armed group emerges to confront Israeli forces appeared first on FDDs Long War Journal.

[Category: Long War Journal, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, IDF, Islamic Resistance Front in Syria, Israel, Israel Syria, Syria]

As of 3/16/25 9:23am. Last new 3/15/25 11:05am.