Last week in the Middle East, violence against civilians increased in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, and clashes with the Islamic State (IS) were reported in the same three countries. Odd explosions took place in Iran and Turkey; while they are officially under investigation, both have been claimed by groups. Meanwhile, protests increased in Lebanon and Iran.
Last week in Iraq, Iraqi forces and the global coalition continued their attacks on IS by pursuing their hideouts and prominent leaders in several different provinces across the country. The wide geographic range of attacks reflects the IS tactic of spreading far and wide to make the process of tracking them down even more difficult for security forces.
Meanwhile, the Turkish campaign in northern Iraq continued last week with armed clashes constituting the majority of fatalities between the Turkish military forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK). For more information on the conflict between Turkey and the PKK, see this recent ACLED infographic. No civilian fatalities were reported. Last week, the Iraqi military took steps towards securing areas in northern Iraq by deploying troops along the border with Turkey, to stop Turkish forces from advancing deeper into Iraqi territory (The Baghdad Post, 4 July 2020). Iraqi border guards set up five bases in the Zakho district to prevent further escalation in the clashes between Turkish forces and the PKK and to curb civilian losses (Rudaw, 2 July 2020).
In Syria, clashes continued in the Greater Idleb area between regime forces and allied militias against opposition and Islamist factions. The clashes were accompanied by shelling barrages from regime forces on areas in northwest Syria. In the central region, IS launched three more surprise attacks against regime and allied forces in the Syrian desert. Russian airstrikes were reported during these clashes against IS. Elsewhere, anti-regime protests continued in Dar’a province, demanding the release of detainees and the expulsion of Iranian and pro-Iran forces from their areas.
In Yemen, fighting between Houthi and anti-Houthi forces was mostly limited to Ad Dali governorate and the Marib-Al Bayda border. Indirect fire continued daily in Al Hodeidah governorate, but direct clashes were relatively scarce. Little to no territory was exchanged by forces in Ad Dali, Marib, Al Bayda, and Al Hodeidah governorates. However, pro-Hadi forces with the assistance of the Saudi-led coalition reportedly took territory near the Rishaha mountains in northern Sadah governorate as part of an effort to limit Houthi missiles from being fired into Saudi Arabia (Mareb Press, 29 June 2020). Furthermore, fighting between pro-Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces and pro-Hadi forces in Abyan governorate has significantly decreased following the declaration of a Saudi-mediated ceasefire on 22 June. Minor skirmishes, mortar and artillery fire, and small-scale ambushes occurred during the reporting period in lieu of pitched battles that defined the conflict before the ceasefire.
A sniper attack on Houthi forces in northern Al Bayda governorate was IS in Yemen’s first claimed attack since 2 June. Neither IS nor Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have been consistently active in 2020. AQAP’s last claimed attack was on 6 May in central Al Bayda.
In Saudi Arabia, Houthis claimed to have attacked the control tower at Najran airport and hangars at King Khalid Airbase in Asir on 3 July, while Saudis claimed to have intercepted four of the drones launched by Houthi forces the same day (Reuters, 3 July 2020). Likewise, on 28 June, Houthi forces claimed to have attacked the Jizan port. These attacks come in the context of the Saudi-led coalition’s continued airstrikes in Houthi-controlled territory. One strike killed two civilians in Sadah, while a number of other strikes were reported in Sanaa (Anadolu Agency, 2 July 2020).
In Iran, protests increased nationwide, despite an uptick in coronavirus cases. Most of the protests were related to unpaid wages. At the same time, over the last three months, a series of mysterious explosions have taken place in Iran (BBC Persian, 6 July 2020). On 2 July, fire tore through the Iranian Natanz nuclear complex, located 30 km outside the town of Natanz, causing major damage to the site. The explosion was claimed by a previously unknown group calling themselves “Cheetahs of the Homeland.” According to Iranian authorities, the incident is under investigation. There are also speculations about the incident being caused by a foreign agent’s cyber-attack, particularly Israel.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, on 3 July, a major blast followed by a series of other explosions destroyed a fireworks factory in Hendek, Sakarya, and reportedly killed at least 6 workers and injured 114 others. Media sources reported that the cause of the incident is currently under investigation, as deadly accidents have occurred in the past at the facility. However, the Children of Fire initiative claimed responsibility for the attack.
In Lebanon, nationwide protests and riots increased as the country faces its worst economic crisis in modern history. In addition to the looming threat of the coronavirus, Lebanese citizens are facing high rates of unemployment; the drop in buying power of the Lebanese pound; and electricity rationing, with some areas of Lebanon only receiving four hours of electricity a day (The 961, 2 July 2020). Last week, the Lebanese pound lost 40% of its value (Telegraph, 30 June 2020) and the price of bread increased for the first time in ten years (Al Jazeera, 2 July 2020).
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