Latest news with #Pro-Iran
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
EXPLAINER: From the fight against ISIS to US withdrawal talks
Shafaq News More than a decade after the US-led Global Coalition was formed to defeat ISIS, Iraq is entering a decisive phase. The 2022 Baghdad–Washington agreement set September 2025 as the point to begin US troop withdrawal. Today, as the deadline approaches, Iraq faces competing pressures: renewed warnings of ISIS activity, political demands for full sovereignty, and armed factions' threats against foreign troops. From Combat Operations to Training and Support -The Global Coalition against Daesh was launched in September 2014, led by the United States and joined by 87 members. -Its first task was to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIS while stabilizing liberated areas. -Coalition forces provided combat support to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and the Kurdish Peshmerga, and later aided reconstruction. -Under Operation Inherent Resolve, the mission evolved into training, advisory, intelligence, and surveillance support, including countering ISIS financing. -Iraq itself is a key member of the Coalition, with its security forces now leading operations against ISIS remnants. Rising Demands for Foreign Troop Withdrawal After ISIS's territorial defeat in 2017, calls for Coalition withdrawal grew louder. -In January 2020, a US airstrike in Baghdad killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi PMF leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, prompting Iraqi leaders to accuse Washington of violating sovereignty. -Soon after, Iraq's parliament passed a non-binding resolution demanding the removal of foreign troops and the cancellation of Baghdad's formal request for Coalition support. -In January 2024, US–Iraq negotiations began on the future of foreign troops, focusing on Iraq's military readiness and the continuing ISIS threat. A joint commission was formed to establish a timeline. -ISIS propaganda quickly seized on the talks, framing them as proof that 'America only understands the language of force.' -Today, about 2,500 US troops remain in Iraq. Renewed ISIS Activity -In July 2024, US Central Command (CENTCOM) warned that ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria were set to double compared to 2023. -The group claimed 153 attacks in the first half of 2024, surpassing the 121 attacks reported in all of 2023. -CENTCOM credited US and partner forces with 196 counter-ISIS missions during the same period, including: 137 operations, killing 30 militants, and detaining 74 in Iraq. 59 operations, killing 14 militants and detaining 92 in Syria. -US officials estimate about 1,000 ISIS fighters remain in Iraq, describing the threat as persistent but contained. -Critics in Iraq argue the warnings are overstated and used to justify prolonging the US military presence. PMF Pressure Campaign -Pro-Iran factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Ansarallah al-Nujabaa, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhadaa, all sanctioned by Washington—have been central to the campaign against US forces. -These groups targeted US bases in Iraq and Syria, especially after the Gaza war broke out in October 2023. -In January 2024, they declared a suspension of operations, and no attacks have been recorded since—even during Israel–Iran war. -Despite this pause, their leaders continue to call the US deployment 'illegal' and threaten renewed action if the withdrawal is delayed. Iraq's Internal Divide -The debate remains unresolved within Iraq's political and security circles: -Advocates of Withdrawal stress that Iraq's forces are now capable of defending the country, that foreign troops are unconstitutional, and that sovereignty requires ending external military missions. -Supporters of the Coalition argue that the US-led presence still plays a stabilizing role, pointing to ongoing ISIS activity and volatile regional conflicts involving Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, and Iran.
Nahar Net
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
US calls reported threats by pro-Iran hackers to release Trump-tied material a 'smear campaign'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 02 July 2025, 17:25 Pro-Iran hackers have threatened to release emails supposedly stolen from people connected to President Donald Trump, according to a news report, a move that federal authorities call a "calculated smear campaign." The United States has warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks following American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and the threats those could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said late Monday that the threat to expose emails about Trump is "nothing more than digital propaganda" meant to damage Trump and other federal officials. "A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit, and divide," CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post, linking to a report from Reuters about the threat. "These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice." Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online. They told the news organization that it held a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other top advisers and porn actor Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported the same day that CISA, the FBI and National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack U.S. interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defense contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defenses. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted U.S. banks, defense contractors and energy companies following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
US calls reported threats by pro-Iran hackers to release Trump-tied material a ‘smear campaign'
Pro-Iran hackers have threatened to release emails supposedly stolen from people connected to President Donald Trump, according to a news report, a move that federal authorities call a 'calculated smear campaign.' The United States has warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks following American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and the threats those could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said late Monday that the threat to expose emails about Trump is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Trump and other federal officials. 'A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit, and divide,' CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post, linking to a report from Reuters about the threat. 'These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice.' Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online. They told the news organisation that it held a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other top advisers and porn actor Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported the same day that CISA, the FBI and National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack US interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defence contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defences. Hackers backing Tehran have targeted US banks, defence contractors and energy companies following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.
Powys County Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
US slams ‘smear campaign' as pro-Iran hackers threaten to release Trump material
Pro-Iran hackers have threatened to release emails supposedly stolen from people connected to Donald Trump, according to a report, in a move federal authorities called a 'calculated smear campaign.' The US warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks after American strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities and the threats they could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the threat to expose emails about the president is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Mr Trump and other federal officials. 'A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit and divide,' CISA spokeswoman Marci McCarthy wrote in a social media post. 'These criminals will be found, and they will be brought to justice.' Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online, and they told the news organisation that they had a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other senior advisers and porn actress Stormy Daniels, to whom a hush money payment led to Mr Trump's criminal conviction. Federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Mr Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Mr Trump to Democrats and members of the media. The threat to release more hacked emails was reported on the day that CISA, the FBI and the National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack US interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defence contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies said. The bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital defences.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Secret emails of Stormy Daniels, Susie Wiles, top advisers of Donald Trump to be disclosed, threaten Pro-Iran hackers
Live Events FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Pro-Iran hackers have threatened to release emails supposedly stolen from people connected to President Donald Trump, according to a news report, a move that federal authorities call a 'calculated smear campaign", as per a report on AP. Reuters reported that it contacted the alleged hackers online. They told the news organization that it held a large cache of emails from Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, other top advisers and porn actor Stormy Daniels , to whom a hush money payment led to Trump's criminal United States has warned of continued Iranian cyberattacks following American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and the threats those could pose to services, economic systems and companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said late Monday that the threat to expose emails about Trump is 'nothing more than digital propaganda' meant to damage Trump and other federal prosecutors charged three Iranians last year on allegations of hacking into Trump's presidential campaign. Hackers also targeted the campaign of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and unsuccessfully tried to leak material supposedly taken from Trump to Democrats and members of the threat to release more hacked emails was reported the same day that CISA, the FBI and National Security Agency issued a public bulletin warning that hacking groups supportive of Tehran may attack U.S. interests despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and hackers, authorities warned, could seek to disrupt or disable critical infrastructure systems such as utilities, transportation and economic hubs. They also could target defense contractors or other American companies with ties to Israel, the agencies bulletin outlined recommendations, including the use of regular software updates and strong password management systems to shore up digital backing Tehran have targeted U.S. banks, defense contractors and energy companies following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — but so far have not caused widespread disruptions.A1. Stormy Daniels is a porn actor, to whom a hush money payment led to Trump's criminal conviction.A2. Donald Trump chief of staff is Susie Wiles.
