Key Takeaways:
- POLITICS: Washington Targets Another Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia With Terrorism Designation; Militias Threaten To Resume Anti-U.S. Operations – On June 17, the Department of State said it designated Iraqi militia group Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA) and its leader, Haydar Muzhir Ma’lak al-Sa’idi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The department held HAAA and other Iran-backed militias organized under the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” responsible for multiple attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, including “the January drone attack that killed three U.S. service members at Tower 22 in Jordan.” The State Department mentions that “HAAA has also terrorized the Iraqi people,” in reference to attacks on protesters and activists. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said the designation reaffirms Washington’s “commitment to confronting Iran’s malicious influence in Iraq” and the threat of militias loyal to Iran. On June 19, the so-called “Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee” said that it held an “extraordinary meeting” to discuss recent events and decided to “continue to strive for the country’s sovereignty.” A statement by the group argued that U.S. “enemy” ignored the opportunity the militias had offered to the government four months ago to set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, and continued to “occupy our land, violate our skies, and control security and economic decisions.” The statement appears to be referring to the late January decision by Kataib Hezbollah to suspend hostilities against U.S. forces. The statement included an implied threat to resume attacks on U.S. forces. It states that: “the Iraqi people, and its noble resistance…are capable and determined to resolve and close this issue by using all available means to restore security and stability and achieve full sovereignty.” more…
- SECURITY: Militias Claim New Cruise Missile Attacks On Israel; Explosion Destroys Weapons Depot Near The Syrian Border – On June 14 – 15, the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a front group for Iran-backed Iraqi militias, claimed that it conducted new attacks against targets in the Israeli port of Haifa using explosive drones and an “improved” cruise missile. Iran-backed Iraqi militias have used Arqub-type Iranian-made cruise missiles in several attacks on Israel since May. On June 20, security sources in Ninewa province said that a large explosion struck a munitions depot belonging to the Iraqi border guards forces near the Syrian border within al-Baaj district. The explosion injured at least two border guards, and authorities are investigating the causes of the explosion. Footage circulating on social media appeared to show thick plumes of dark smoke rising high above the explosion site. In other developments, between June 15 – 17, an IED explosion Salah ad-Din and an explosion of a boobytrapped house in Tarmiyah killed one PMF fighter and wounded six civilians. more…
- ECONOMY & CLIMATE: Iraq Outlines Plan To Boost Oil Refining Capacity – On June 17, a senior Iraqi oil official provided new details about the contents of a memorandum of understanding signed with Honeywell during PM Mohammed al-Sudani’s visit to the U.S. in April. The memorandum, according to Deputy Oil Minister for Refining, Hamid al-Zobaie, deals with creating plans for new refinery projects to increase Iraq’s petroleum refining capacity to the equivalent of 40% of the country’s crude oil production capacity. The vision behind the memorandum is to maximize revenue by producing and exporting higher value petroleum products, Zobaie added. The deputy minister explained that Iraq and Honeywell have discussed seven refining projects, each with a capacity of 70,000 bpd. The projects, which include both new facilities and upgrades to existing ones, would be located in Maysan, Dhi-Qar, Muthanna, Najaf, Baghdad (Dora), Anbar (Haditha), and Ninewa (Qayyara). In other developments, on June 14, Iraq’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Tunisian government has issued a new order that allows citizens of Iraq to travel to Tunisia without the need to obtain an entry visa in advance. more…
For more background on most of the institutions, key actors, political parties, and locations mentioned in our takeaways or in the stories that follow, see the ISHM Reference Guide.