On Thursday in Baghdad, a U.S. airstrike 'smoked' a top commander of an Iran-backed militia, escalating tensions in a region already shaken by the Israel-Hamas war. The target, Mushtaq Taleb al-Saidi, or “Abu Taqwa,” was part of the Harakat al-Nujaba group within the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), a collective of militias under nominal Iraqi military control but often acting independently.
This group, crucial in fighting the Islamic State, is now at the center of a heated debate over the U.S.-led coalition's role in Iraq, especially since their shift from combat to advisory missions post-2017.
The Iraqi military slammed the airstrike as an unprovoked attack, though it is understood to be retaliation for the over 100 attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. bases since October, seen as retaliation for U.S. support of Israel against Hamas. The airstrike, which left two dead and five wounded, signifies a sharp turn in an already volatile situation, possibly intensifying demands for U.S. withdrawal.
Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, has concluded negotiations in Washington for a substantial $8.7 billion U.S. aid package to support Israel's ongoing military efforts. The package comprises $3.5 billion for essential wartime procurement, which has already been transferred to the IMoD, and $5.2 billion designated for air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and an advanced laser system.
Maj. Gen. Zamir, dispatched by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, engaged in a series of high-level meetings with U.S. government officials. At the Pentagon, he met with Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Amanda Dory, and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William (Bill) LaPlante, with additional meetings scheduled with other administration officials.
The Director General finalized the details of the comprehensive aid package with his American counterparts, securing a multifaceted agreement to ...
