Gen. Kenneth “‘Frank” McKenzie warned Iran in the boldest statement yet from the Biden administration over the attacks.
CENTCOM commander Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie (R) and Vice Adm. James J. Malloy (L) speak during the 15th Manama Dialogue in the Bahraini capital, Manama, on Nov. 23, 2019. Malloy became CENTCOM’s deputy commander in September 2020
Jared Szuba Feb 24, 2021 AL MONITOR – The top commander of US military forces in the Middle East issued a subtle but unmistakable warning to Iran today over recent projectile attacks on Iraq’s Kurdistan region and Saudi Arabia.
CENTCOM commander Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie said he considers it “very dangerous” for Iranian officials to assume that an uptick in such attacks in recent weeks “can be non-attributable in some way back to Iranian policy.”
“We believe that all of this ultimately emanates from Iran,” McKenzie said during a virtual forum hosted by the Beirut Institute.
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Mitte Februar hat die türkische Armee zum zweiten Mal binnen Jahresfrist kurdische Gebiete im Nordirak angegriffen. –
Der türkische Menschenrechtsverein macht nun sowohl die PKK als auch die türkische Regierung für den Tod der Geiseln verantwortlich. »Die PKK ist nach humanitären Maßstäben für das Leben der Menschen verantwortlich, die sie entführt hat. Ihre Verantwortung für diesen Vorfall liegt auf der Hand«, heißt es in einer schriftlichen Stellungnahme am 15. Februar – Von Sabine Küper-Büsch – jungle world „25 Febr 2021
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Bundespräsident. Gauck-Wahl: SPD nominiert Prof. Dr. Katajun Amirpur
Die Stellvertretende Direktorin der Akademie der Weltreligionen der Universität Hamburg wird von der SPD-Bürgerschaftsfraktion in die Bundesversammlung delegiert. Nachdem sie als eine der Erstunterzeichnerinnen eines Offenen Briefes in der TAZ gemeinsam mit anderen Muslimfunktionären vehement den Bundespräsidenten Christian Wulff als ihren Präsidenten bezeichnet hat, schließt sie nunmehr dessen Nachfolger ins Herz. 2 März 2012
Der Orientalist und Volkswirt Dr. Hans-Peter Raddatz über das Ehepaar Navid Kermani – Katajun Amirpur:
Ist Allahs Gewalt “schön”?
Was Obskurantismus anlangt, hat sich das deutsch-iranische Ehepaar Navid Kermani – Katajun Amirpur bereit erklärt, ein ganzes Füllhorn von Islamblüten über das Publikum auszuschütten. Innerhalb der zwei Standardsujets der modernen Radikalisierung – elitäre Esotherik und Stammtisch-Toleranz – praktiziert es auf der politreligiösen Drehbühne eine zwiespältige Rollenteilung, die sich als west-östliche Tragikomödie darstellt.
Auf das beispielhafte Wechselspiel fielen zahlreiche deutsche Dialogführer nachhaltig herein. An “Deutungsebenen” – namhafte Zeitungen inklusive -, die bei der Installation des islamischen, insonderheit iranischen Imperativs nicht fehlen wollen, herrscht kein Mangel. Der ist von eher steigender Anziehungskraft und bringt passende Kontakte und Gestalten – wie das auf seine spezifische Weise begabte Paar – hervor, aus denen sich ideologische und/oder auch sonstige Vorteile ziehen lassen.
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by Crispin Smith, Michael Knights, and Hamdi Malik – PolicyWatch 3439
February 24, 2021
Even Iran’s proxies now have proxies, but authorities can still untangle and attribute their illegal acts through expanded use of rich open-source evidence.
The February 15 rocket attack on Erbil International Airport was the second such strike on the city and the fourth major rocket attack on coalition facilities in Iraq since September 2020. Following these and other attacks, the propaganda arms of Iran-backed militias have sought to trumpet their successes against the coalition while obfuscating who carried them out. The United States and other coalition partners should therefore invest more effort in forensically linking the online “facade groups” that publicize attacks to major fasail (militias) such as Kataib Hezbollah (KH), Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), Hezbollah Harakat al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS). Even using non-classified means, it is possible to generate strong attribution evidence through careful online analysis of each group’s makeup, language, and interactions with one another.
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Thursday February 25th, 2021 by AL-ARABY AL-JADEED (London-based, pan-Arab newspaper)
In an international first, a former Syrian intelligence service member has been found guilty of crimes against humanity, writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
A German court on Wednesday convicted a former Syrian intelligence service agent for complicity in crimes against humanity, in the first court case of its kind.
Eyad al-Gharib, 44, was found guilty for helping to arrest protesters and deliver them to a detention center in Damascus in autumn 2011. It is the first-ever time an individual connected to the Syrian government has been tried for his role in state-sponsored torture in Syria.
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Amazon Created New ‘Hate Speech’ Policy Before Banning Bestselling Book on Transgenderism
Santi Ruiz – FEBRUARY 24, 2021 1:30 PM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
Under fire for yanking a conservative book from its online store, Amazon is invoking a new policy banning books that promote “hate speech.”
The existing content guidelines for books policy was updated in the last few months with the line, “We don’t sell certain content including content that we determine is hate speech.”
The new policy, which was first reported by Just the News, marks a shift in Amazon’s approach. The company’s content guidelines previously contained no mention of hate speech. In an apparent contradiction, Amazon’s “Seller Central” page on “offensive and controversial materials” currently exempts books from bans on other products that “promote hatred.”
The policy could seemingly be invoked to bar sales of a wide variety of books previously deemed permissible on the platform. Amazon sells between 50 and 80 percent of all physical books in the United States.
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BALANCING ACT: BIDEN MUST REDEFINE THE US-SAUDI RELATIONSHIP
by Dennis Ross and Robert Satloff – The Hill – February 25, 2021
The administration’s instinct to cancel Riyadh’s blank check is right, but engaging a flawed partner is not the same as confronting a determined adversary.
The expected release of a declassified intelligence report that will probably conclude with “moderate confidence” that Saudi crown prince Muhammad bin Salman—known as MbS—ordered the killing of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi is sure to heighten anger with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. How the Biden administration responds will have huge ramifications for its broader Middle East policy. The U.S.-Saudi relationship is a classic case in which Washington has had to reconcile concerns, needs and interests. For more than 70 years, there was a basic bargain: We provide the Saudis security, they provide a stable oil market and support against common adversaries. But with the waning of our dependence on Middle East oil and our growing fatigue with regional conflicts, this relationship has come under much greater scrutiny…
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Main events of the past week
- Syria: In the Idlib region, exchanges of artillery fire continued between the Syrian army and the forces supporting it, and the rebel forces. HTS detained a senior figure in the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hurras al-Din Organization (Guardians of the Religion Organization), as part of the struggle between the two organizations. In the desert region (Al-Badia), ISIS operatives ambushed and killed five Syrian soldiers near Sukhnah. In the Deir ez-Zor-Al-Mayadeen region, ISIS continued its terrorist activity against the Kurdish SDF fighters.
- Iraq: This week, the Iraqi security forces continued their counterterrorism activity against ISIS operatives. A number of ISIS operatives were killed in the attack, including senior figures. Several soldiers were killed in clashes with ISIS operatives in the Al-Tarmiyah region, including two commanders in the Iraqi army and the Popular Mobilization. NATO defense ministers announced that they would send an additional 3,500 troops to Iraq to train Iraqi forces to fight against ISIS.
- Africa: The intensive activity of ISIS operatives in Africa continues, with an emphasis on Nigeria. In addition, attacks were carried out in Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (where the Italian ambassador was killed; no organization has claimed responsibility but ISIS praised the operation).
- Afghanistan: ISIS claimed responsibility for an exchange of fire in Jalalabad on February 15, 2021, between fighters of an Afghan elite unit and ISIS operatives. According to ISIS, 20 fighters of the Afghan elite unit were killed or wounded in the incident.
- Tunisia: ISIS’s Al-Naba’ weekly published a report on its activity in Tunisia (which has not yet been declared an official ISIS province). The article mentions an incident in which four soldiers were killed near Jebel Mghaila, near the border with Algeria. The weekly also notes that ISIS operatives killed a “spy” who worked for the Tunisian army about two months ago.
The Syrian arena
The Idlib region
HTS detains senior Hurras al-Din operative
- HTS operatives detained Abu Abdallah al-Suri, a senior operative in the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hurras al-Din Organization (Guardians of the Religion Organization). Al-Suri is the son of Abu Firas al-Suri, the Nusra Front spokesman killed in April 2016 in an International Coalition airstrike (npasyria.com, February 20, 2021). On the same day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 10 Hurras al-Din operatives, mostly foreign fighters, had been detained by HTS (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, February 20, 2021).
Artillery fire
- During the week, exchanges of artillery fire continued between the rebel forces, headed by HTS, and the Syrian army and the forces supporting it, in the region south and southeast of the rebel enclave in Idlib (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, February 17-21, 2021).
The desert region (Al-Badia)
- In the desert region, the Syrian army and the forces supporting it operated against ISIS. On February 17, 2021, Syrian army forces with Russian Air Force support killed four ISIS operatives in moving vehicles equipped with machine guns in the desert region, in the Homs Governorate, close to the border with the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. During their activity, they also found an ISIS hiding place containing weapons, ammunition, explosives, and medications (Russia Al-Youm, February 17, 2021; Sputnik, February 17, 2021). On February 18-20, 2021, Russian fighter jets carried out over 100 airstrikes against ISIS targets. About 20 ISIS operatives were reportedly killed (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, February 18-20, 2021).
- On its part, ISIS carried out several activities against the Syrian forces[1]:
- On February 19, 2021, an IED was activated against Syrian soldiers in the Salamiyah desert region, about 30 km southeast of Hama. One soldier was killed.
- On February 16, 2021, Syrian soldiers were ambushed and targeted by machine gun fire near Al-Sukhnah, about 60 km northeast of Palmyra. Five soldiers were killed (Telegram, February 16, 2021).
The Deir ez-Zor-Al-Mayadeen region
- In the Deir ez-Zor-Al-Mayadeen region, ISIS continued its attacks, mainly against the Kurdish SDF forces. A noteworthy incident occurred on February 21, 2021: ISIS operatives activated an IED in the SDF headquarters in Shahil, about 10 km north of Al-Mayadeen. The building was completely destroyed. There were no casualties. According to local sources, the building has recently been evacuated and used as a clinic (www.jesrpress.com, February 22, 2021). Another incident occurred on February 20, 2021: four fighters belonging to an IRGC-handled militia were killed in an attack carried out by “persons unknown” (apparently, ISIS operatives) against an observation post east of Deir ez-Zor (@DeirEzzor24 Twitter account, February 20, 2021).
- Following are additional noteworthy incidents[2]:
- On February 22, 2021, an SDF intelligence operative was targeted by gunfire in Shahil, about 10 km north of Al-Mayadeen. He was killed. On the same day, an IED was activated against an SDF oil tanker in the area of the Omar oilfield, about 10 km east of Al-Mayadeen. It was put out of commission.
- On February 18, 2021, an SDF fighter was targeted by gunfire in the Sabha area, in Deir ez-Zor’s eastern rural area. He was killed. On that same day, an SDF vehicle was targeted by machine gun fire in the Shahil area. A commander was killed, several fighters were wounded, and the vehicle was put out of commission. In addition, an SDF intelligence operative was targeted by gunfire about 20 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. He was killed.
- On February 17, 2021, an SDF fighter was targeted by machine gun fire in the Hajin area, about 50 km southeast of Al-Mayadeen. He was killed.
Hama region[3]
- Two noteworthy incidents this week (February 17 and 19, 2021): IEDs were activated against Syrian army vehicles in the Salamiyah desert, about 30 km southeast of Hama. Soldiers were killed or wounded, and the vehicles were destroyed.
Al-Hasakah region
- Two noteworthy incidents this week (February 16 and 18, 2021): SDF fighters were targeted by machine gun fire in the Markada area, about 9 km south of Al-Hasakah. One fighter was killed and another was wounded.
The Iraqi arena
Provinces of Iraq (Wikipedia)
Increase in ISIS’s activity in Iraq
- Sirwan Barzani, the commander of the Kurdish Peshmerga Forces in Iraq, said in an interview that over 7,000 ISIS operatives in Iraqi had seized this period of the COVID-19 pandemic to reorganize and prepare for another wave of attacks. Barzani also noted that due to the spread of the pandemic, the Coalition forces stopped their training and Britain resumed its airstrikes against ISIS only last month, for the first time in three months (Shafaq News, February 18, 2021). Iraqi military sources reported that last week, about 100 ISIS operatives crossed the border from Syria to Iraq (RUDAW, February 20, 2021).
Strengthening Iraqi capability to fight against ISIS
- Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi, the commander of the Popular Mobilization militia, met with Iraqi President Barham Saleh. They discussed the Popular Mobilization’s recent activities to restore security in the provinces of Kirkuk and west Nineveh and on the border between Iraq and Syria. They also discussed the Popular Mobilization’s responsibility to increase the anti-terror struggle and the need to prevent ISIS infiltration through the borders (Twitter account of the Popular Mobilization’s Information Office, February 17, 2021).
- At the same time, NATO defense ministers reportedly announced that they would send an additional 3,500 troops to Iraq in order to train the Iraqi forces to fight against ISIS. If NATO indeed sends reinforcements, the number of NATO troops in Iraq will increase from 500 to 4,000 (Anatolia News Agency, February 18, 2021).
ISIS’s attacks in the various provinces in Iraq[4]
Salah al-Din Province
- The clashes in the province this week reached their peak in a confrontation between ISIS operatives and forces of the Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization in the Tarmiyah region, about 40 km north of Baghdad. ISIS operatives fired at a Popular Mobilization force and even managed to encircle the troops. The Popular Mobilization fighters called for the assistance of other Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization forces, including air support. The rescue forces were also attacked by the ISIS operatives. The exchange of fire between the sides lasted about four hours. At least five Iraqi soldiers and Popular Mobilization fighters were killed, and six were wounded. The casualties include two commanders: A Popular Mobilization foj commander (a foj is similar to a regiment) and an Iraqi army deputy foj commander. In addition, the pilot of a helicopter that landed at the site to evacuate the fighters was wounded. The ISIS operatives seized Iraqi army weapons and ammunition (Telegram, February 21, 2021).
Iraqi army weapons seized by ISIS operatives (Amaq, from Telegram, February 21, 2021)
- On February 22, 2021, ISIS operatives fired machine guns at an Iraqi army camp in the Mashahida area, about 30 km north of Baghdad. One soldier was wounded, and a thermal camera was destroyed.
- On February 17, 2021, an Iraqi army compound west of Tuz Khormato, about 100 km northeast of Samarra, was targeted by machine gun fire and RPG rockets. Two soldiers were killed.
Diyala Province
- On February 19, 2021, an Iraqi policeman was targeted by machine gun fire in the Waqf area, northwest of Baqubah. He was critically wounded.
- On February 18, 2021, two RPG rockets were fired at the police building in Jalula, about 75 km northeast of Baqubah. There were no casualties, but the building was damaged.
- On February 17, 2021, Popular Mobilization fighters north of Khanaqin were targeted by machine gun fire. Three fighters were killed and five others were wounded.
Nineveh Province
- On February 18, 2021, an IED was activated against a vehicle of the oil facilities security guards south of Mosul. The vehicle was destroyed.
Counterterrorism measures in Iraq
Salah al-Din Province
- Based on preliminary intelligence about a meeting of senior ISIS operatives in the Tarmiyah area, about 40 km north of Baghdad, an Iraqi army force with Tribal Mobilization support operated at the site. Six senior ISIS operatives who planned to carry out terrorist attacks in Baghdad were killed. They included the military and administrative commander in charge of North Baghdad and ISIS’s operative in charge of media activities in the Fallujah area (Facebook page of the Baghdad Operations Command, February 20, 2021).
Bodies of ISIS operatives who planned to carry out attacks in Baghdad (Facebook page of the Baghdad Operations Command, February 20, 2021)
- On February 17, 2021, Coalition aircraft attacked and killed two ISIS operatives (Al-Araby al-Jadeed, based on Iraqi security sources, February 17, 2021).
Al-Anbar Province
- On February 20, 2021, an Iraqi police force detained three ISIS operatives (Al-Sumaria, February 20, 2021).
Kirkuk Province
- Col. Wayne Marto, spokesman for the International Coalition, reported that Coalition jets had conducted a number of airstrikes in Wadi al-Shai, in the southern part of the Kirkuk Province. According to Col. Marto, several ISIS operatives were killed and a number of caves were destroyed (RUDAW, February 22, 2021). A terrorism expert closely associated with Iraqi intelligence sources said that among the ISIS operatives killed were Abu Ali al-Tunisi, ISIS’s operative in charge of development and manufacture in the Iraq Province; an operative in charge of ISIS’s media relations; ISIS’s operative in charge of guest houses; and the commander of the Wadi al-Shai area (@fadhil_abu_ragh Twitter account, February 22, 2021).
Sinai Peninsula
FM Zarif: Iran expects compensation for $1 trillion damage inflicted by US sanctions
Iran’s top diplomat says that if the US fails to lift all sanctions, Tehran will leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and continue to boost its nuclear program. “This is not a threat,” Mohammad Javad Zarif says. “We are simply exercising the remedial measures foreseen in the JCPOA.”
By Neta Bar and ILH Staff Published on 02-22-2021 13:07 ISRAEL HAYOM
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday said that the unilateral sanctions that the United States has imposed in his country have cost the Islamic republic’s economy over $1 trillion.
Tehran expects to be fully compensated, he told Iran’s state-run PressTV.
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ANALYSE: Israel beunruhigt über Bidens Iran-Politik
Kann man der Biden-Administration vertrauen, dass sie Israels Interessen im Umgang mit dem Iran berücksichtigt? Taten sagen mehr als Worte.
- Februar 2021| Yochanan Visser ISRAEL HEUTE – Die israelische Regierung ist besorgt über die Politik der neuen US-Regierung von Präsident Joe Biden gegenüber dem Iran und seinen Verbündeten. Wie wir sehen werden, sind diese Sorgen berechtigt, da der Iran weiterhin illegale Aktivitäten und destabilisierende Aktionen im Nahen Osten durchführt.
Letzte Woche sprach Biden zu anderen Staats- und Regierungschefs, die an einer virtuellen Versammlung der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz teilnahmen. Er sprach kurz über den Iran und wiederholte seine Absicht, dass die Vereinigten Staaten zum Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) zurückkehren, dem Atomabkommen zwischen dem Iran und fünf Weltmächten (P5), darunter drei europäische, nämlich: Großbritannien, Deutschland und Frankreich.
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