Shocking assassination of U.N. representative in Iraq’s Diyala Province

February 2016

Amer al-Kaissy, an Iraqi citizen and United Nations representative in Diyala Province, was abducted by a Shiite militia group on 26 February 2015 outside a governorate office in the city of Baquba. Their first motive was ransom money from the family, demanding $40,000. Amer’s brother was taking action to come up with the money. However, as the Quds Force entered the scene and the Shiite militia group was barred from doing such a deal.

Iran’s demands from the Iraqi government

February 2016

Following the nuclear agreement sealed with the West the Iranian regime is in desperate need of international and regional support. Iran’s influence in Iraq has diminished significantly. In all their meetings with senior Iraqi officials the Iranian counterparts are seen focusing on three main issues: Iran is facing major economic problems and the lowering price of oil – led by Saudi Arabia – has placed severe repercussions on the regime’s economy. Therefore, Tehran is asking Baghdad to trek in line with Iran in their policy making decisions in OPEC. On foreign policy senior Iranian officials have time and again called on Iraqi officials to severe their relations with Saudi Arabia and downgrade their ties with the U.S. and other Arabic countries. Iraq’s positive response to two resolutions condemning Iran in the Cairo and Jeddah sessions was unexpected.

Why Shiite militias in Iraq oppose launching of Mosul operations?

February 2016

Shiite militias in Iraq, terrified of measures aimed at dissolving the Popular Mobilization Forces, are delaying operations aimed at liberating Mosul in northern Iraq.

Iran Quds Force associated Shiite militias in Iraq

Date: February 2016

Attiar al-Resali Battalions

Secretary-General: Adnin Ramidh Kharnub Abid al-Shahmani (Adnan al-Shahmani), MP

Religious Leader: Kazem al-Haeri

Foundation: June 2014

Iran’s measures to disrupt Saudi Arabia’s North Thunder military drills

 February 2016

Saudi Arabia’s announcement to carry out the North Thunder military drills for a week in the King Khalid Military City of the country’s northeastern frontier has led to major concerns for Iran. In response Iran has resorted to various measures, including deploying Iraqi Shiite militias to the Saudi border. The military drills area is located in north Saudi Arabia, neighboring the Iraqi provinces of Basra and Ziqar.

Iran sending Afghan nationals to fight in Syria

February 2016

During the past few months Iran has significantly increased its deployment of Afghan elements to Syria in support of Bashar Assad’s troops. In 2015 their numbers reached 8,000. Considering the fact that these Afghan nationals have no other motive to fight in Syria but to receive permission to live in Iran and receive their money, they are worn out and lose their fighting abilities very quickly. On the other hand, old weapons and lack of adequate training has led to an increasing number of casualties amongst these forces, having a negative impact on their spirits.

Why Iran-backed Shiite militias are hindering effort to save Mosul Dam in Iraq

February 2016

The Mosul Dam was built on the Tigris River in Iraq, standing with a height of 131 meters and width of 3,400 meters. The maximum water reserving capacity of this dam is 12 billion cubic meters and it cost $1.5 billion at the time and was inaugurated in 1985. Local and international reports have time and again in the past years warned on the possibility of the Mosul Dam crumbling. What is the truth of these warnings and why have such possibilities been raised of the dam crumbling: the first reason is the Mosul Dam was essentially constructed on unstable grounds, and is in need of constant strengthening efforts by injecting cement into its foundation to prevent a possible crumbling. The U.S. Army has described this as the most dangerous dam in the world.