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MECRA RESEARCH BLOG

The MECRA research blog is composed of short articles and may include outside contributions. The views expressed in these blogs and articles are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis editorial stance.

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Iran’s Soft Power Campaign in Syria’s Deir al Zur Province: Advances and Limitations

Oct 12, 2021
5 min

Iran’s Soft Power Campaign in Syria’s Deir al Zur Province: Advances and Limitations

By Omar Abu Layla When Islamists led by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power in Iran in 1979, their intention was to establish a...

Increased worries in northeast Syria following US Afghanistan withdrawal

Sep 1, 2021
7 min

Increased worries in northeast Syria following US Afghanistan withdrawal

Text and Photos By WLADIMIR VAN WILGENBURG HASAKAH PROVINCE, Syria - During an embedded Coalition patrol near oil facilities close to the...

Iran tensions in the Middle East March 2021

Mar 9, 2021
21 min

Iran tensions in the Middle East March 2021

IranThe daily updates are compiled by Seth J. Frantzman, Executive Director of MECRA. For the previous installment which covers December...

Assassinations increase in Deir Ezzor

Mar 6, 2021
9 min

Assassinations increase in Deir Ezzor

By OMAR ABU LAYLA Charts courtesy of DeirEzzor24.net The term ‘assassination’ describes an organized and deliberate murdering of a...

Coalition continues support for SDF under Biden administration amidst increased challenges

Feb 28, 2021
7 min

Coalition continues support for SDF under Biden administration amidst increased challenges

By WLADIMIR VAN WILGENBURG During an embedded trip with the US-led Coalition to northeast Syria last week, it was clear that the...

On patrol with US forces in Syria

Feb 25, 2021
1 min

On patrol with US forces in Syria

On February 20 a MECRA researcher flew to Syria to witness a patrol with US-led Coalition forces. The US has maintained several...

Al-Hol Refugees face ongoing tragedy

Feb 6, 2021
5 min

Al-Hol Refugees face ongoing tragedy

By OMAR ABU LAYLA With the departure of the ninth group of Syrians from al-Hol camp following the decision issued by the Autonomous...

Severe, wide-reaching Israeli airstrikes against Iranian militias in Syria bear a message for Iran

Jan 16, 2021
5 min

Severe, wide-reaching Israeli airstrikes against Iranian militias in Syria bear a message for Iran

By OMAR ABU LAYLA Summary: Israeli airstrikes on January 13 struck hard at Iranian militias outposts and Assad’s forces in Deir Ezzor....

Iran’s soft power project in Syria, targeting of youth in Deir Ezzor

Dec 30, 2020
7 min

Iran’s soft power project in Syria, targeting of youth in Deir Ezzor

By OMAR ABU LAYLA Introduction Since emerging as a regional power and embracing the notion of exporting the revolution adopted by the...

Iran Continues Entrenchment efforts in Deir Ezzor area

Dec 17, 2020
4 min

Iran Continues Entrenchment efforts in Deir Ezzor area

By OMAR ABU LAYLA The Iranian nuclear scientist Muhsen Fakhri Zadeh’s assassination on November 28,, 2020, dealt a severe blow to Iran....

US-Iran and Israel-Iran tensions December 2020 to March 2021

Dec 5, 2020
17 min

US-Iran and Israel-Iran tensions December 2020 to March 2021

For the previous installment of our daily Iran-US tensions blog, click here. For the next installment click here. December 1 Brodsky: Al...

As detainees are released from Al-Hol, concerns in Syria's Euphrates river valley

Oct 25, 2020
5 min

As detainees are released from Al-Hol, concerns in Syria's Euphrates river valley

By OMAR ABU LAYLA What follows Autonomous Administration’ releasing thousands of people from al-Hol camp and SDF’ prisons? On October 15,...

Iran’s efforts at consolidation in Syria’s Deir Ezzor area

Oct 16, 2020
8 min

Iran’s efforts at consolidation in Syria’s Deir Ezzor area

OMAR ABU LAYLA *The author is a Syrian expert who focuses on security and governance dynamics in northeast Syria. CEO @DeirEzzor24, which...

Syrian Democratic Forces faces protests and challenges in Deir Ezzor, Euphrates valley region

Aug 11, 2020
10 min

Syrian Democratic Forces faces protests and challenges in Deir Ezzor, Euphrates valley region

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The Euphrates river valley southeast of Deir Ezzor (دير الزور) city has become restive in the first weeks of August...

Testimony of M: A former fighter with Iraq’s pro-Iran Shia militias reveals details of war crimes

Jul 5, 2020
10 min

Testimony of M: A former fighter with Iraq’s pro-Iran Shia militias reveals details of war crimes

Joining Asaib Ahl al-Haq. Witnessing a massacre in the al-Dour area in central Iraq I can't give my name, you may put any name. I am 41...

How did Turkish UAVs outmaneuver Russia's Pantsir air defense in Libya: Lessons and ramifications

May 27, 2020
8 min

How did Turkish UAVs outmaneuver Russia's Pantsir air defense in Libya: Lessons and ramifications

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A sophisticated attack on the forces of the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar by the Turkish-backed Government...

The Fatemiyoun, Imam Ali base and recent moves by US, Russia, Israel and Iran

May 16, 2020
7 min

The Fatemiyoun, Imam Ali base and recent moves by US, Russia, Israel and Iran

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Recent moves by Iranian-backed Liwa Fatemiyoun (لواء فاطمیون) and Liwa Zainebiyoun, two units of Afghan and...

Map of recent airstrikes on Syria

May 6, 2020
1 min

Map of recent airstrikes on Syria

An increase in airstrikes in Syria comes as Israeli officials say that Iran may be reducing is presence in the country. April and May...

Mapping the US retaliation for the Camp Taji attack March 11-13

Mar 13, 2020
1 min

Mapping the US retaliation for the Camp Taji attack March 11-13

March 11 7:35pm (Baghdad time): Rockets strike Camp Taji, Iraq. 8:26pm (Baghdad time) Iraqi security forces release images of the truck...

From March 11 coronavirus updates Middle East

Mar 11, 2020
12 min

From March 11 coronavirus updates Middle East

View the previous live updates of the Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU): First installment: February 15-25 Second Installment:...