Is the Gulf facing a hidden Saudi-UAE Cold War?
They’ve long competed behind the scenes, but on December 30, 2025, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) erupted into direct military confrontation. Saudi warplanes targeted the Yemeni port city of Mukalla, striking a shipment of weapons reportedly destined for the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which aims to establish a separate state […]
U.S. and Iraqi forces eliminate top ISIS Leader Abu Khadijah
United States security forces collaborating with Iraqi intelligence and security services killed a key leader of the Islamic State (IS) in an airstrike in western Iraq, according to officials from Washington and Baghdad. Militant leader Abu Khadijah, also known as Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, and deputy caliph of the militant outfit and one of the […]
U.S.-Saudi defense chiefs reinforce counterterrorism Cooperation
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud on February 24, 2025 for bilateral talks at the Pentagon. The session highlighted the enduring strategic cooperation between the two countries, with a particular emphasis on regional security, stability, and fighting terrorism across the region. As […]
U.S. reimposes ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’ designation on Houthis
The United States Department reimposed the “foreign terrorist organisation” designation for the Yemen-based Houthi group. The redesignation fulfilled an order announced by President Donald Trump shortly after he assumed office. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the department had reinstated the designation. It carries with it sanctions and punishments for anyone providing “material support” […]
Qatar reaffirms commitment to counter-terrorism through prevention
The State of Qatar reaffirms that its approach in countering terrorism is based on prevention and the solution of causes with a balance between security procedures and development policies, and supporting international cooperation as well as respect for the rule of law and human rights, explaining that these principals are compatible with the “Pact for […]
Iraqi counter-terrorism forces destroyed 18 ISIS hideouts
The Iraqi defence troops said it had obliterated 25 camps of IS militants in a mountainous region of northern Iraq. In a release by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service conducted an operation in the region of Makhmour. The region is some 100 km southeast of the capital city of Nineveh province, […]
Iraqi Security Forces Strikes killed 2 ISIS leaders in Kirkuk
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), on February 10, conducted precision airstrikes in the Kirkuk region of Iraq and killed two ISIS operators. The operation was supported by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Similarly, on January 31, 2025, ISF strikes in Kirkuk killed five ISIS operators. ISF has carried out several raids against ISIS in the last […]
Iraqi counter-terrorism forces capture three ISIS militants in Saladin
Iraqi intelligence forces recently arrested three ISIS militants in the Saladin province. This operation is part of the continuous operations by Iraqi security forces to rout out the persistent presence of ISIS in different parts of the country, especially in rural areas like Saladin, Diyala, and Kirkuk. ISIS continued to exist in the regions even […]
Trump redesignates Yemen’s Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization
The White House has recently announced that US President Donald Trump redesignated Yemen’s Houthi movement as a “foreign terrorist organisation.” According to experts, the move will cause more brutal economic damages than Joe Biden’s government had imposed on the Iran-aligned group. The group is involved in attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and […]
Iraq arrested four suspects for terrorism and drug trafficking
Iraqi security forces have arrested four wanted for terrorism and drug and antiquities trafficking in Muthanna and Babylon. Iraq’s General Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DGIS) of the Ministry of Defense reported the arrests. According to the statement, “under the guidance and supervision of the Minister of Defense, Thabet al-Abbasi, and within the continuation of […]