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THREAD
1)
Iraqi security force conducted an unprecedented raid, detaining #Iran-backed militias in southern Baghdad.
The tide has been changing in #Iraq & it has been a strong shift against Iran’s interests. The road ahead looks tough for Tehran. https://medium.com/@heshmatalavi2/signs-of-change-in-iraq-4a7a40f8e84b
1)
Iraqi security force conducted an unprecedented raid, detaining #Iran-backed militias in southern Baghdad.
The tide has been changing in #Iraq & it has been a strong shift against Iran’s interests. The road ahead looks tough for Tehran. https://medium.com/@heshmatalavi2/signs-of-change-in-iraq-4a7a40f8e84b
2)
U.S.-trained Iraqi special security forces raided a central command compound of Kataeb Hezbollah, detaining numerous senior commanders & members, alongside at least three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).
U.S.-trained Iraqi special security forces raided a central command compound of Kataeb Hezbollah, detaining numerous senior commanders & members, alongside at least three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).
3)
The move is being described as the most brazen measure by Iraqi forces against a militia group backed heavily by Tehran in years & specifically targeted the Kataib Hezbollah, which U.S. officials accuse of firing rockets at bases hosting U.S. troops & other facilities in Iraq.
The move is being described as the most brazen measure by Iraqi forces against a militia group backed heavily by Tehran in years & specifically targeted the Kataib Hezbollah, which U.S. officials accuse of firing rockets at bases hosting U.S. troops & other facilities in Iraq.
4)
After the operation, unidentified gunmen entered Baghdad’s Green Zone, driving vehicles towards gov buildings & a HQ of Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service, according to the military, as PMF officials demanded the release of the detained militiamen.
After the operation, unidentified gunmen entered Baghdad’s Green Zone, driving vehicles towards gov buildings & a HQ of Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service, according to the military, as PMF officials demanded the release of the detained militiamen.
5)
More footage of intimidating measures that were not fruitful at all for Iran’s regime and their Iraqi proxies.
More footage of intimidating measures that were not fruitful at all for Iran’s regime and their Iraqi proxies.
6)
Early Saturday morning local time there were reports of gunfire near the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad.
Knowledge of Tehran’s tactics say these were measures aimed at intimidating the Iraqi gov to release the detainees.
The days of such measures being of any use are over.
Early Saturday morning local time there were reports of gunfire near the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad.
Knowledge of Tehran’s tactics say these were measures aimed at intimidating the Iraqi gov to release the detainees.
The days of such measures being of any use are over.
7)
On Saturday, June 27, Iraqi media reported significant changes in the security hierarchy. Falih Fayyadh, the country’s National Security Advisor & PMF chief, was sacked from his gov post & replaced by former defense minister Khaled al-Obeidi, a member of Iraq’s Sunni minority.
On Saturday, June 27, Iraqi media reported significant changes in the security hierarchy. Falih Fayyadh, the country’s National Security Advisor & PMF chief, was sacked from his gov post & replaced by former defense minister Khaled al-Obeidi, a member of Iraq’s Sunni minority.
8)
Fayyadh has very strong ties with Iran’s regime. There are further claims that Fayyadh has also been sacked from his role as the PMF chief.
Don’t be surprised if he ends up in Iran in the coming days or weeks in fear of being apprehended by Iraqi or U.S. forces.
Fayyadh has very strong ties with Iran’s regime. There are further claims that Fayyadh has also been sacked from his role as the PMF chief.
Don’t be surprised if he ends up in Iran in the coming days or weeks in fear of being apprehended by Iraqi or U.S. forces.
9)
The raid signals that new Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi, whose gov is currently in talks w/ Washington over Iraq’s security/political/economic ties w/ the US, intends to take serious action based on pledges to rein in Iran-backed militia groups that have attacked US interests.
The raid signals that new Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi, whose gov is currently in talks w/ Washington over Iraq’s security/political/economic ties w/ the US, intends to take serious action based on pledges to rein in Iran-backed militia groups that have attacked US interests.
10)
Most importantly, this is a strong message to Iran considering the billions they have poured into Iraq.
This further indicates Iran is losing the influence & grip it enjoyed in Iraq prior to the killing of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. military on January 3 of this year.
Most importantly, this is a strong message to Iran considering the billions they have poured into Iraq.
This further indicates Iran is losing the influence & grip it enjoyed in Iraq prior to the killing of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. military on January 3 of this year.
11)
There is a strong initiative to prevent Iran from taking advantage of the strategic U.S./Iraq talks, with only months left to the U.S. election.
Regional balance of power is shifting against Iran, seen in recent anti-Tehran demos in Lebanon/Syria. https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1269885941545684994?s=20
There is a strong initiative to prevent Iran from taking advantage of the strategic U.S./Iraq talks, with only months left to the U.S. election.
Regional balance of power is shifting against Iran, seen in recent anti-Tehran demos in Lebanon/Syria. https://twitter.com/HeshmatAlavi/status/1269885941545684994?s=20
12)
Moreover, crippling sanctions are leaving Iran bankrupt, preventing the IRGC from pouring cash into its militias.
More importantly is the impact of these developments inside Iran as people realize the regime is weakened, encouraging them to launch uprisings similar Nov 2019.
Moreover, crippling sanctions are leaving Iran bankrupt, preventing the IRGC from pouring cash into its militias.
More importantly is the impact of these developments inside Iran as people realize the regime is weakened, encouraging them to launch uprisings similar Nov 2019.
13)
Developments during the past few months are further indicating the importance of Qasem Soleimani’s elimination in weakening the IRGC Quds Force and Iran’s regime.
This shows the downgraded status of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the IRGC inside Iran.
Developments during the past few months are further indicating the importance of Qasem Soleimani’s elimination in weakening the IRGC Quds Force and Iran’s regime.
This shows the downgraded status of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the IRGC inside Iran.
14)
Iran’s regional warmongering/terrorism are tools used to strengthen the regime inside the country. When Tehran’s regional influence is downgraded & weakened, the regime’s crackdown machine also suffers a major blow.
This is a nightmare scenario for the ruling mullahs.
Iran’s regional warmongering/terrorism are tools used to strengthen the regime inside the country. When Tehran’s regional influence is downgraded & weakened, the regime’s crackdown machine also suffers a major blow.
This is a nightmare scenario for the ruling mullahs.
15)
For now, the Iraqi people, such as those protesters who remain in Baghdad’s iconic Tahrir Square, are celebrating the recent turn of events.
And the Iranian people are watching very closely.
For now, the Iraqi people, such as those protesters who remain in Baghdad’s iconic Tahrir Square, are celebrating the recent turn of events.
And the Iranian people are watching very closely.
