Militia Spotlight https://militiaspotlight.com Open-source intelligence tracking Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. en-us Militia Spotlight Relaunches as an Independent Intelligence Platform https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2026-07-12-militia-spotlight-relaunches-as-an-independent-intelligence/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2026-07-12-militia-spotlight-relaunches-as-an-independent-intelligence/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT After five years at The Washington Institute, Militia Spotlight continues its open-source monitoring mission on an independent platform — same standards, same focus, new home. Brief Analysis Kataib Hezbollah Leader Meets With Coordination Framework, Refuses Government Authority to Censure https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-08-18-kataib-hezbollah-leader-meets-coordination-framework/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-08-18-kataib-hezbollah-leader-meets-coordination-framework/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT KH's secretary-general signaled that his terrorist organization would not face negative consequences for killing an Iraqi policeman. Thus far, he's right. Brief Analysis Threatened Militia Escalation Related to the PMF Draft Laws https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-08-05-threatened-militia-escalation-pmf-draft-laws/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-08-05-threatened-militia-escalation-pmf-draft-laws/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT Iran-backed terrorist militias are upping their threats against the United States and Iraqi minorities in the event the PMF is not made into a permanent institution. Brief Analysis Kataib Hezbollah Kills an Iraqi Policeman and Civilian in Baghdad https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-29-kataib-hezbollah-kills-iraqi-policeman-baghdad/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-29-kataib-hezbollah-kills-iraqi-policeman-baghdad/ Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT The clash occurred when a KH-protected official was removed from a lucrative position that has given the terrorist group access to massive tracts of fertile farming land in southern Baghdad. Brief Analysis Militias Strain Credibility by Denying Involvement in Kurdistan Drone Attacks https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-25-militias-deny-kurdistan-drone-attacks/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-25-militias-deny-kurdistan-drone-attacks/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq are improbably trying to distance themselves from drone strikes in northern Iraq, including multiple attacks on U.S. oil investors. Brief Analysis Profile: Uli al-Baas https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-21-profile-uli-al-baas/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-21-profile-uli-al-baas/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT An Iran-linked propaganda and paramilitary formation with stated ambitions to form a new anti-government insurgent and political structure in Syria. Profile Game On: Sadr and the Iraqi "Resistance" Clash Over State Control of Arms https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-17-sadr-resistance-clash-state-control-arms/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-17-sadr-resistance-clash-state-control-arms/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT A prevalent theme in this year's election could be the need to bring militia arms under control, and the latest back-and-forth on the issue nearly led to major fighting in Baghdad. Brief Analysis Israeli Strike Kills Head of Security for Iraqi Militia KSS https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-09-israeli-strike-kills-kss-security-head/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-07-09-israeli-strike-kills-kss-security-head/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT Haider al-Musawi may have been (unsuccessfully) securing the move of a senior Lebanese Hezbollah operative through Iraq into Iran. Brief Analysis Qais al-Khazali Tries, Fails to Tone Down Militant Bluster https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-06-26-khazali-tries-fails-tone-down-bluster/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-06-26-khazali-tries-fails-tone-down-bluster/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:00:00 GMT Khazali finally reacted to the Iran-Israel conflict to avoid further embarrassing his militant base, underlining the difficulties of being a surface politician and a closet terrorist. Brief Analysis Iraqi Militias Show Cohesion and Restraint During Iran-Israel War https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-06-19-iraqi-militias-cohesion-restraint-iran-israel-war/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-06-19-iraqi-militias-cohesion-restraint-iran-israel-war/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:00:00 GMT The self-styled 'resistance' is probably being held in reserve in case the United States joins the war, with militias noticeably restraining themselves so far. Brief Analysis New Evidence of Real-World Attacks by Uli al-Baas https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-06-10-new-evidence-attacks-uli-al-baas/ https://militiaspotlight.com/analysis/2025-06-10-new-evidence-attacks-uli-al-baas/ Tue, 10 Jun 2025 09:00:00 GMT The group's name has been making the rounds for months, but videos and other actual evidence of its claimed attacks against Israel are only now beginning to emerge. Brief Analysis