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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-15 at 15:09
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
Description
HEADLINES
Iran Cracks Down on Protests Basij Frontline
Iraqi Militias Back Iran Crackdown at Border
Aleppo Under Assad Control Kurdish Tensions Flare
The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 10:00 AM update on developments in the Middle East and the broader security landscape that matters to an international audience. The focus remains Iran’s domestic crackdown, shifting alliances, and the ways outside powers are shaping the crisis, with Israel watching closely for security implications and the United States weighing policy steps.
In Iran, authorities have pressed a relentless campaign against nationwide demonstrations that have drawn immense domestic and international attention. Human rights groups and observers report thousands killed, with the Basij militia playing a central role in crowd control and arrests. The Basij, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, has been described as the regime’s frontline instrument in suppressing dissent, including online surveillance, rural and urban intimidation, and street-level operations that activists say amount to human rights abuses. Officials have framed the crackdown as a defense of national sovereignty and Islamic Republic principles, while critics say the measures amount to a sustained effort to crush civic expression. The regime has also moved to expand internet controls and to direct security resources toward monitoring and deterring protest activity, including near religious and cultural sites.
International responses to Iran’s actions have varied. The United States has publicly criticized Tehran for relying on proxy forces and domestic security services to quell protests, labeling the deployment of allied groups as a betrayal of the Iranian people. Washington has signaled it could adjust its posture depending on Tehran’s next steps, and some US officials have suggested the option of calibrated pressure remains on the table. In parallel, there are reports from observers inside Iran indicating that some protest hubs have seen intensified police and militia presence, heightening fears of a broader crackdown.
Across the border, reports to The Media Line and other outlets describe a notable and controversial development: Iraqi Shiite militias, including elements associated with Kataib Hezbollah, are said to be involved in supporting actions connected to Iran’s crackdown. Accounts describe recruitment at relatively modest stipends, and claims that fighters traveled from Basra toward the Shalamcheh border crossing, with some observers suggesting a pipeline of fighters moving toward Iran. Visuals circulating online, including video and social-media posts, show military transport and vehicles bearing official Iraqi markings and PMF flags, though verification of whether these forces reached Iran remains incomplete. A prominent Iraqi commander tied to Iranian-backed militias posted statements defending Iran’s leadership and condemning protests, framing the Iranian crisis within a broader regional struggle. The US State Department has publicly cautioned against the deployment of foreign fighters to Iran’s border areas or to suppress peaceful protests, describing such moves as a betrayal of the Iranian people.
In Iraq itself, border security officials reported that a surge of cross-border movement appeared to involve large convoys and specialized transport. At Najaf, authorities noted an uptick in air traffic between Najaf and Iranian destinations such as Tehran and Mashhad, with reports of flights not typically seen in the regular schedule. Emergent patterns like these have raised questions about possible coordination with Iranian interests and the effect on regional stability, even as Iraqi authorities try to manage religious and political sensitivities at home.
On the diplomatic and security front, the chief of Iran’s Qud
Iran Cracks Down on Protests Basij Frontline
Iraqi Militias Back Iran Crackdown at Border
Aleppo Under Assad Control Kurdish Tensions Flare
The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 10:00 AM update on developments in the Middle East and the broader security landscape that matters to an international audience. The focus remains Iran’s domestic crackdown, shifting alliances, and the ways outside powers are shaping the crisis, with Israel watching closely for security implications and the United States weighing policy steps.
In Iran, authorities have pressed a relentless campaign against nationwide demonstrations that have drawn immense domestic and international attention. Human rights groups and observers report thousands killed, with the Basij militia playing a central role in crowd control and arrests. The Basij, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, has been described as the regime’s frontline instrument in suppressing dissent, including online surveillance, rural and urban intimidation, and street-level operations that activists say amount to human rights abuses. Officials have framed the crackdown as a defense of national sovereignty and Islamic Republic principles, while critics say the measures amount to a sustained effort to crush civic expression. The regime has also moved to expand internet controls and to direct security resources toward monitoring and deterring protest activity, including near religious and cultural sites.
International responses to Iran’s actions have varied. The United States has publicly criticized Tehran for relying on proxy forces and domestic security services to quell protests, labeling the deployment of allied groups as a betrayal of the Iranian people. Washington has signaled it could adjust its posture depending on Tehran’s next steps, and some US officials have suggested the option of calibrated pressure remains on the table. In parallel, there are reports from observers inside Iran indicating that some protest hubs have seen intensified police and militia presence, heightening fears of a broader crackdown.
Across the border, reports to The Media Line and other outlets describe a notable and controversial development: Iraqi Shiite militias, including elements associated with Kataib Hezbollah, are said to be involved in supporting actions connected to Iran’s crackdown. Accounts describe recruitment at relatively modest stipends, and claims that fighters traveled from Basra toward the Shalamcheh border crossing, with some observers suggesting a pipeline of fighters moving toward Iran. Visuals circulating online, including video and social-media posts, show military transport and vehicles bearing official Iraqi markings and PMF flags, though verification of whether these forces reached Iran remains incomplete. A prominent Iraqi commander tied to Iranian-backed militias posted statements defending Iran’s leadership and condemning protests, framing the Iranian crisis within a broader regional struggle. The US State Department has publicly cautioned against the deployment of foreign fighters to Iran’s border areas or to suppress peaceful protests, describing such moves as a betrayal of the Iranian people.
In Iraq itself, border security officials reported that a surge of cross-border movement appeared to involve large convoys and specialized transport. At Najaf, authorities noted an uptick in air traffic between Najaf and Iranian destinations such as Tehran and Mashhad, with reports of flights not typically seen in the regular schedule. Emergent patterns like these have raised questions about possible coordination with Iranian interests and the effect on regional stability, even as Iraqi authorities try to manage religious and political sensitivities at home.
On the diplomatic and security front, the chief of Iran’s Qud