(Center for Strategic and International Studies) Shaan Shaikh - In addition to providing missiles to Lebanese Hizbullah and Yemen's Houthi rebels, Iran is now arming its proxies in Iraq, collectively known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The PMF is composed of 75,000-145,000 fighters, split among 50-plus militias. Those that maintain strong ties to Tehran have steadily risen in size and stature. Missile acquisitions by Iran-backed groups have prompted Israel to launch at least seven airstrikes on PMF missile depots in Iraq in 2019, expanding upon the Israeli policy of targeting Iranian missile bases in Syria. The emergence of another Iranian proxy armed with missiles risks greater Iranian power projection and wider military escalation across the region.
2019-12-12 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive