A recovery truck lifts the remains of a car destroyed by a US drone strike, eastern Baghdad, Iraq, February 7, 2024 (AP)
Videocast Special: Explaining the Conflicts Across the Middle East and Iran
Continuing its retaliation for the killing and wounding of American troops by Iran-backed militia, the US has slain a commander of the Iraqi faction Kata’ib Hezbollah.
A drone strike on a car in Baghdad killed Wissam Mohammed al-Saadi and two other militiamen late Wednesday.
A crowd gathered on a main thoroughfare in the Mashtal neighbourhood in the east of the Iraqi capital, as emergency response teams combed through wreckage. Security forces closed off the Green Zone, where diplomatic compounds are located, as militias issued calls for protesters to storm the US Embassy.
US Central Command said al-Saadi was targeted “in response to the attacks on US service members”. The commander was “responsible for directly planning and participating in” the strikes.
On January 28, a militia drone attack from eastern Syria killed three US troops and wounded 34 at an outpost in Jordan. The Islamic Republic in Iraq, a coalition which includes Kata’ib Hezbollah, claimed responsibility.
Six days later, the US hit 85 positions of Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria, targeting command and control centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles, drone storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities.
After the US attacks, Kata’ib Hezbollah said it was suspending operations against American personnel. But on February 5, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq killed at least seven US-supported Kurdish fighters and wounded 18 in a drone strike on an American base in eastern Syria.
US Central Command said on Wednesday, “The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces’ safety.”
Iraq’s pro-Iran Al-Nujaba movement pledged a “targeted retaliation”: “These crimes will not go unpunished”. It called for “a firm official position from the Iraqi Government” to stop American “violations”.
242 MPs of the current parliament running: https://www.irna.ir/news/85385275
There are still 294 appeals still outstanding. No word yet on a reformist list, but moderate conservatives are coming up with their own: https://www.irna.ir/news/85385214
Furore over poor observance of hijab on revolution anniversary: https://twitter.com/bbcpersian/status/1756667975292092744
Images of badly veiled women makes for accusations of hypocrisy levelled against the authorities for allowing this. However, the anniversary is seen as a celebration of the independence of Iran by all Iranians – not necessarily of the Islamic Republic per se – and so should be inclusive of all tastes and interpretations, regardless of the one prescribed by the state.
Reformists and moderates discussing publishing a joint list: https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6020143
At least 3 major reformist parties and 1 centrist party are considering endorsing about 240 candidates to challenge principlists in the forthcoming Majlis election.
[Editor’s Note: From the Revolutionary Guards outlet Fars….]
Reported increase in participation at Revolution anniversary rallies: https://www.farsnews.ir/news/14021122000838
“Based on the statistics collected, we had an average increase of more than 20% in the number of people attending compared to the previous year and, in some provinces, an increase of more than 50% has been reported.”
In farsi
So, in provinces had even fewer than this in previous years???
https://youtu.be/ovjqUv2p3Wo?t=210
It looks even your herd of cattle on payroll is not coming out all that much
Iranians celebrate the Revolution’s anniversary: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-anniversary-marchers-chant-death-israel-amid-regional-tensions-over-gaza-2024-02-11/
“Hundreds of thousands of people chanted “Death to Israel” in rallies across Iran to mark the Islamic Revolution’s 45th anniversary on Sunday, with some burning U.S. and Israeli flags amid the ongoing war between Israel and Tehran-backed Hamas…..State TV said millions had turned out at rallies and it showed large crowds chanting “Death to Israel, Death to America!”, a common practice during state-organised rallies on the anniversary of the 1979 revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed monarch.”
Expert Believes Current Conditions May Encourage Iran to Build Nukes
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202402093378
Around 15,000 candidates approved to run for the Majlis: https://www.irna.ir/news/85381447
>70% of the 21000 eligible candidates who registered to run have been approved subject to appeals to the Guardians Council, the highest percentage since 2000 and easily the largest tally ever. There is still a possibility more could be included before the campaign officially starts in 2 weeks. The list now includes many current and former MPs who were initially disqualified. Previously, a number of prominent reformist and moderate had been approved after the initial stage of vetting: https://www.irna.ir/news/85345725
80% of the candidates are not politicians and activists but many are lawyers, judges, lecturters, artists and doctors who are prominent in civil society. The number of women and young people has also risen substantially.
On 45th Revolution Anniversary, Iran Resembles North Korea, Not Japan
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202402080590
khamenei, rahbareh farzaneh is kicked out of instagram and facebook….about time
Khamenei’s Instagram, Facebook Accounts Removed
https://iranwire.com/en/news/125165-khameneis-instagram-facebook-accounts-removed/
Iraq have revoked the operating license of “Bank Melli” in iraq
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iraq-s-central-bank-revokes-iran-s-bank-melli-operating-licence/32811135.html