In recent months, Iraq’s state-owned Rafidain Bank has come under U.S. pressure for various reasons, aimed at increasing financial strain on the Iraqi government regarding the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). In the latest round of accusations, Washington claims the bank processed payments and foreign currency transfers for Yemen’s Ansarallah movement through its branch in Sana’a.

Yemen’s decision to pause its military operations reflects a strategic shift from confrontation to conditional diplomacy. By tying its halt to Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire, Yemen signals that its objectives—supporting Palestine and pressuring regional actors—have been met. Far from retreat, this marks a calculated success in its campaign.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy for West Asia, along with General Charles Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited an Israeli military base in the Gaza Strip. The visit was attended by Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, and several senior Israeli commanders. The purpose of the visit was to assess the Israeli army’s withdrawal from areas designated in the recent agreement with Hamas.

The United States Senate, in its recent session, overwhelmingly passed the draft defense budget for fiscal year 2026. According to the resolution, the U.S. government is authorized to allocate $130 million from the total defense budget to support the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast and the Free Syrian Army (Jaysh al-Suriya al-Hurra) in southern Syria.

In a bid to restore strained ties with Qatar, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho will temporarily host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots for joint training exercises.

ABC News has reported that the United States is sending 200 military personnel to Israel to establish a specialized coordination center aimed at overseeing the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The Watson Institute, a respected academic center in the United States specializing in public affairs, government management, and international relations, has revealed details of U.S. military losses in recent clashes with Yemen’s armed forces in a report titled “The Costs of War.”

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (Ahmad al-Shara), acting president of Syria, held talks in Damascus with Thomas Barrack, U.S. special envoy for Syrian affairs, and Gen. Charles Bird Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Recent developments across the region suggest that the United States and Israel are actively preparing operational infrastructure for potential scenarios targeting Iran. The deployment of U.S. aerial refueling aircraft at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, their flights over Iraq and the broader region, and the arrival of the USS Ford aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean all point to a new strategic alignment—possibly signaling a limited military confrontation or a show of force aimed at political pressure.

Recent assessments reveal that the U.S. military has enhanced Israel’s missile defense capabilities by relocating THAAD systems from the United Arab Emirates to the occupied territories. Satellite imagery shows the expansion of a U.S.-managed air defense site in occupied Palestine, with four new THAAD launchers added to the existing six.

According to a report by Russia’s Nezavisimaya Gazeta, citing unnamed sources, the U.S. military is allegedly preparing to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. The operation could involve tens of thousands of troops and may extend to surrounding provinces, including Kabul.

Following the U.S. designation of Harakat al-Nujaba as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a significant standoff occurred on Friday, September 19. A combat unit from the 12th Brigade of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), composed of Nujaba fighters, blocked an American military convoy from entering Tarmiyah, a district north of Baghdad.