Following a series of U.S. airstrikes in retaliation for the killing of three U.S. Army reservists earlier this month, Iran has intensified efforts to control militias in Iraq and Syria, directing them to reduce attacks on U.S. forces and installations. These directives come amid concerns from Tehran about escalating into open conflict with Washington. Reports indicate that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders have been training militia members in Syria to use drones against U.S. troops, while Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have signaled intentions to resume attacks on U.S. forces. Despite this, there has been a noticeable decrease in militia rocket and drone attacks on U.S. bases since the U.S. strikes on February 2, suggesting Iran's influence over these groups and the effectiveness of the U.S. response. IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani's orders in late January to halt attacks targeting U.S. forces in the region were fiercely resisted by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The situation remains tense, with the presence of U.S. troops in the region continuing to be a point of contention.
While the U.S. has sought to maintain a military presence in Iraq, arguments to keep them there do not stand up to scrutiny, writes @tgoudsouzian https://t.co/0I1yFEHhGK
NEW: Two Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated sources told the New York Times that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias “fiercely resisted” IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani’s orders in late January to halt attacks targeting US forces in the region. 🧵(1/6) https://t.co/cHpoDRLOkz
For many Iraqis the counter-ISIS coalition is like the guest who has overstayed his welcome, writes @tgoudsouzian https://t.co/0I1yFEHPwi
"For many Iraqis the counter-ISIS coalition is like the guest who has overstayed his welcome," via @tgoudsouzian https://t.co/0I1yFEHhGK
US strikes on Iran-backed militias after they killed 3 US troops achieved its main goal, reducing militia rocket/drone attacks, in particular at US forces, without sparking wider war. Almost certainly better results than the two main alternative suggestions: bomb Iran, do nothing https://t.co/osdaSfVXr9
"Tehran, wary of igniting open warfare with Washington, has told militia groups it backs to curtail assaults on targets such as military installations," @nytimes reported, citing Iranian and American officials. "Since the Feb. 2 US strikes, American officials say, there have been…
New York Times: "After U.S. Strikes, Iran’s Proxies Scale Back Attacks on American Bases" https://t.co/dv8FVf0sZf
NEW @tgoudsouzian: "Counterintuitively, the very presence of US troops strengthens the hands of the militias and creates instability, especially when the US unilaterally targets militia leaders and infringes on Iraqi territorial sovereignty to do so." https://t.co/0I1yFEHhGK
“Iran has made a concerted effort to rein in militias in Iraq and Syria after the United States retaliated with a series of airstrikes for the killing of three U.S. Army reservists this month” https://t.co/m0TJvKYuCR
Tehran, wary of igniting open warfare with Washington, has told militia groups it backs to curtail assaults on targets such as U.S. military installations, Iranian and American officials say. https://t.co/iJHvLYS5fk
Iran has made a concerted effort to rein in militias in Iraq and Syria after the United States retaliated with a series of airstrikes for the killing of three U.S. Army reservists this month. | via @nytimes https://t.co/XusqawJOyn
“The relative quiet reflects decisions by both sides and suggests that Iran does have some level of control over the militias.” https://t.co/idhsncUcgK
Iran has made a concerted effort to rein in militias in Iraq and Syria after the United States retaliated with a series of airstrikes for the killing of three U.S. Army reservists this month. https://t.co/4UIxr4bIPj
NEW: Several Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have signaled that they will resume conducting attacks targeting US forces in the Middle East. The IDF uncovered a Hamas tunnel network connecting the Central Gaza Governorate to northern Gaza. 26 FEB Iran Update w/ @criticalthreats ⬇️ https://t.co/7yOYcHfnY0
IRGC leaders are training militia members in Syria to use drones to attack US troops in the Middle East, reports @DeirEzzor24. https://t.co/qAPIyPWQNP