Middle East(Page 3)

Latest in Middle East

Wreckage of a GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), has appeared in Yemen. The weapon, which was only recently confirmed as being used in combat, offers some notably advanced capabilities, especially over the GBU-39/B SDB I, and the technological risk of the remains of the still relatively intact weapon falling into an adversary’s hands are not insignificant.
Yemen

StormBreaker Advanced Glide Bomb Lands In Yemen Largely Intact

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 25, 2025

What actually are the Houthis' air defense capabilities? That's a clear question with at best a murky answer, but here is what we know.
Red Sea

What Air Defenses Do The Houthis In Yemen Actually Have?

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 2025

J-10C Egypt
Egypt

China Deploys J-10 Fighters To Egypt

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 21, 2025

Imagery has emerged of a very rarely seen EA-18G Growler loadout involving four examples of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), during ongoing operations against Houthi targets in Yemen. While we know very little about Houthi air defenses, and their associated radars and sensors, the imagery underscores the continued threat that these present.
Yemen

EA-18G Bristles With Rare Four Anti-Radiation Missile Loadout On Yemen Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 21, 2025

U.S. Soldiers from the 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1/163rd Combined Arms Battalion, , make an M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles operationally ready in northeast Syria on Feb. 1, 2022. The BFVs provide increased force protection for Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and their partner forces as they continue to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Gore)
Syria

U.S. Troop Drawdown In Syria Officially Announced By Pentagon

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 18, 2025

Post strike image of US attack on Houthi fuel port.
Israel

Destruction From U.S. Attack On Houthi Port Shown In Satellite Imagery

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 18, 2025

The U.S. military says it has destroyed the Houthi-controlled port of Ras Isa in Yemen, ostensibly to prevent the group from benefiting from the movement of various kinds of fuel through its facilities.
Yemen

American Forces Destroy Key Houthi-Controlled Fuel Port In Yemen

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 17, 2025

U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bombers have not dropped any GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs on Yemen's Houthis since the Trump administration launched a renewed aerial campaign against them, two U.S. officials have told TWZ.
Iran

B-2s Have Not Dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrators On Yemen During Diego Garcia Missions: Officials

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 17, 2025

The U.S. will reduce by half its 2,000-troop presence in Syria.
Israel

U.S. Cutting Forces In Syria By Half, Possible Ripple Effects In Region

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2025

When the U.S. wanted to shift a Patriot battery from the Pacific to the Middle East, it took 73 C-17 flights to do so, highlighting sustainment concerns.
Yemen

It Took 73 C-17 Loads To Move Patriot Battalion From Pacific To Middle East

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 10, 2025

General Atomics has officially unveiled the new Bullseye standoff precision-guided missile that it’s now working with alongside Israeli defense contractor Rafael. The new weapon leverages Rafael’s existing Ice Breaker missile and is being offered to the U.S. military — and allies — at a time when the Pentagon, in particular, is increasingly focused on procuring affordable standoff weapons that can be rapidly produced en masse, for future contingencies, especially in the Indo-Pacific theater,
Israel

Bullseye Standoff Weapon Based On Israeli Cruise Missile Unveiled By General Atomics

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2025

B-2 Spirits in Diego garcia.
Yemen

B-2 Stealth Bombers Deployed To Diego Garcia Have Been Striking Targets In Yemen

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 4, 2025

B-2 spirits possibly set to strike Iran
Iran

Is The U.S. About To Go To War With Iran?

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

Israel cratered the T4 air base in Syria to keep Turkey from using it.
Israel

Israel Craters Runway To Keep Turkey From Taking Over Syrian Airfield

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has used B-2 Spirit stealth bombers against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iran

B-2 Spirits Amassed On Diego Garcia Underscore Hardened Aircraft Shelter Debate

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

Tensions between Israel and Turkey around mounting over air bases in Syria.
Israel

Israel-Turkey Tensions Mounting Over Air Bases In Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 28, 2025

The use of Signal to communicate details about a looming airstrike against the Houthis raised questions about why officials didn't use goverment systems.
Yemen

Signal For Secure Comms: Convenience Over Security Without The Record-Keeping

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 28, 2025

Turkey has begun using tablet computers in the cockpits of its F-16s to enable rapid integration of new locally developed weapons. The development has interesting parallels with Ukraine’s use of such devices to allow its Soviet-era jets to employ Western air-to-ground weapons.
Turkey

Turkish F-16s Are Using Tablets To Control Locally Made Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 27, 2025

Iran showed off its latest underground missile city.
Iran

Iran Shows Off Underground ‘Missile City’

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 25, 2025

A significant force of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers looks to be currently wending its way to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
Iran

Signs U.S. Massing B-2 Spirit Bombers In Diego Garcia (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 25, 2025

We may have just gotten our first evidence of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, also known as the Small Diameter Bomber II (SDB II), being used in combat. The first operational use of the StormBreaker by the service would be a big deal, with this weapon bringing some significant advances over its predecessor, the GBU-39/B SDB I, especially the ability to hit moving targets.
Red Sea

F/A-18 Super Hornets Now Carrying Stormbreaker Glide Bombs On Combat Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time
Red Sea

Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 19, 2025

250316-N-WO287-1011 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (March 15, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, a part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTSCG), conducts flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)
Israel

U.S. Air Campaign Against Houthis Continues Into Third Day

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

Israel has confirmed that its F-35 stealth fighters have flown airstrikes using external ordnance. The F-35’s so-called ‘beast mode,’ featuring heavier loads on underwing pylons, is well known by now, but as far as is known, has not been called upon operationally by any other countries. Meanwhile, Israel’s unique F-35I fleet — locally known as the “Adir” (Hebrew for mighty) — which features various local modifications, has frequently been at the forefront of demonstrating new capabilities.
Israel

Israeli F-35s First To Use ‘Beast Mode’ In Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

SOCOM wants Green Berets to have FPV drones to operate in caves.
Middle East

Green Berets Looking For FPV Drones To Help Them Clear Hostile Cave Complexes

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 12, 2025

Russia's airbase is Syria has been flooded with people trying to escape violence between warring factions.
Syria

Russia’s Air Base In Syria Has Become Refuge From Fierce Sectarian Violence

By Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 10, 2025

Battles take place between the new Syrian government's Defense Ministry forces and the forces loyal to Bashar Assad on March 7, 2025, in outskirts of Jableh, Latakia countryside, Syria.
Syria

Worst Fighting In Syria Since Fall Of Assad Regime

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 8, 2025

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Israeli Spike Missiles Now Flying in Iraq
Israel

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Israeli Spike Missiles Now Flying in Iraq

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2025

The U.S. does not know how many weapons the Houthis posses, but praise their innovative abilities.
Iran

Houthi Weapons Arsenal Remains A Mystery To The U.S.

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 6, 2025

AGM114R9X seen in action for the first time
Syria

Bladed ‘Ginsu’ Hellfire Missile Seen In Action For First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 1, 2025

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is back at sea conducting routine operations after a week in port in Greece for repairs.
Middle East

Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Back At Sea After Collision Repairs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery
Iran

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral
Israel

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 23, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 11, 2025. As a highly maneuverable and agile platform with a proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack, the Fighting Falcon is well-equipped to engage with threats to regional security and deter further aggression in the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)
Red Sea

F-16s With Larger Laser-Guided Rocket Loads, Drone Kill Marking Emerge Over Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

An E/A-18G Growler. (U.S. Navy)
Red Sea

How The EA-18G Growler’s Next-Generation Jamming Pod Went To War On Its First Cruise

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Feb 11, 2025

Syrian forces prevented a large heavily armed Russian convoy from entering the port of Tartus.
Syria

Russian Military Convoy Blocked From Entering Port Of Tartus In Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

Members of Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron-234, (VMGR-234) provide aerial refueling to French Mirage 2000 Fighters from a K C-130J over Djibouti, May 24, 2021. VMGR-234 supports Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) with aerial refueling operations, extending the reach of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Red Sea

French Fighters Downed “Nearly A Dozen Drones” In Red Sea Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

Beirut bunker buster CCTV on hezbollah bunker
Israel

Unprecedented New View Of BLU-109 Bunker Buster Strike That Killed Hezbollah’s Leadership

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

Iran has finally shown a drone taking off and landing on – in the latter case with the help of arresting gear – the deck of the country's unusual new 'drone carrier,' the Shahid Bagheri. Newly emerged imagery also shows various drones and crewed helicopters on the flight deck, which has a ski jump at the bow end, including the appearance of 'drones' styled after the infamous Qaher 313.
Iran

Iran’s Wacky Aircraft Carrier Has Entered Service

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave U.S. President Donald Trump a golden pager commemorating last September's Israeli attack on Hezbollah using thousands of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.
Israel

Trump Receives Golden Pager Gift From Netanyahu

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

An F-35C LIGHTNING II takes off from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during training with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Jan. 22, 2022. Operating as part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, units assigned to Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups, America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, alongside JMSDF, are conducting training to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Faller)
Red Sea

How Life Aboard A Navy Aircraft Carrier Changed When High-Speed Internet Arrived

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 31, 2025

Dozens Of Israeli Patriot Missiles Sent To Ukraine
Israel

Dozens Of Israeli Patriot Missiles Sent To Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers have been using 70mm laser-guided rockets to down Houthi drones during operations in and around the Red Sea in the past year.
Red Sea

F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

DDG missile firing. (U.S. Navy)
Red Sea

What Red Sea Battles Have Taught The Navy About A Future China Fight

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

Satellite imagery shows clear indications that Russia's increasingly anticipated withdrawal of forces from its Tartus naval base in Syria has finally started.
Syria

Russian Withdrawal From Prized Syrian Naval Base Now Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

The kit used by Air Force EOD techs was on displace in a recent photo staged during a controlled detonation.
Middle East

This Shot Of USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Techs In The Middle East Goes Hard

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

Houthi Pledge To Curtail Ship Attacks Sparks New Security Assessment
Israel

Houthi Pledge To Curtail Ship Attacks Sparks New Security Assessment

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 20, 2025

Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles
Red Sea

Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 23, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) fires an SM-2 missile during a live-fire exercise. Spruance, assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, is currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting advanced tactical training that increases warfighting capability and tactical proficiency across all domains. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign John Rosenberg)
Red Sea

Navy Warships Have To Leave Red Sea Fight For Weeks To Reload Their Missiles

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Jan 17, 2025

Navy MH-60 drone kill in the Red Sea.
Red Sea

Navy MH-60 Seahawk Helicopter Has Shot Down Its First Drone

By Hope Hodge Seck

Updated on Jan 16, 2025

Iran has developed a reputation for launching some unconventional naval vessels, some of them downright bizarre — at least when compared with their equivalents elsewhere in the world. Its latest offering, the Zagros, is very much in keeping with this trend: a surveillance ship based on a corvette hull, an unorthodox approach for a type of vessel that’s normally converted from a commercial hull.
Iran

Iran Unveils New Spy Ship Based On Corvette Hull

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 16, 2025

Members of Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, arrive in a vehicle at a street in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. Thousands of Gazans celebrated on January 15 as news spread that a ceasefire and hostage release deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in the Palestinian territory.
Israel

Gaza Ceasefire Agreed To, Final Israeli Approval Pending (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 15, 2025

How many weapons US Navy ships launched in the Red Sea.
Iran

Navy Just Revealed Tally Of Surface-To-Air Missiles Fired In Ongoing Red Sea Fight

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Jan 14, 2025

231014-N-GF955-1031 EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 14, 2023) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), man their watch stations in the combat information center (CIC) during a general quarters drill, October 14, 2023. Carney is currently a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. The strike group is on a scheduled deployment conducting routine operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)
Red Sea

Red Sea Attacks Are Testing Combat Information Centers Aboard U.S. Navy Warships Like Never Before

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 6, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reportedly acquired a version of the 6.8x51mm M250 light machine gun that Sig Sauer developed for the U.S. Army, but chambered to fire the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round.
Israel

Israel Buys 7.62x51mm Version Of U.S. Army’s New Sig Sauer M250 Light Machine Gun: Report

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

IDF raid on Iran underground missile base in Syria
Iran

Inside Israel’s Commando Raid On Iran’s Underground Missile Factory In Syria

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

The U.S. is reportedly building a new base in Kobani, northern Syria.
Syria

U.S. Reportedly Setting Up New Base In Northern Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 2, 2025

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow
Syria

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 30, 2024

THAAD deployment Israel
Israel

U.S. Army’s First Combat Use Of THAAD Missile Defense System Just Occurred In Israel (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

A Russian cargo ship claimed to be heading to Syria, to take part in the Kremlin’s military withdrawal from that country, has sunk in the Mediterranean. The Ursa Major went down overnight between Spain and Algeria, with 14 crew members rescued and another two still unaccounted for. The incident comes amid uncertainty over the fate of the Russian naval base at Tartous on the Syrian coast, which provides Moscow with a vital foothold on the Mediterranean.
Syria

What We Know About The Russian Cargo Ship That Sank In Mediterranean

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier
Red Sea

F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

Gold Apollo pager
Israel

Ex-Mossad Agents Reveal Details Of How They Turned Hezbollah’s Communications Devices Into Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was conducting a refueling mission over the Red Sea when it was downed in a friendly fire incident this past weekend.
Red Sea

F/A-18F Shot Down By Friendly Cruiser Was In The Middle Of A Refueling Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Geoff Ziezulewicz, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

In the face of post-Cold War drawdowns, the U.S. Air Force pushed ahead with buying the famously expensive F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in part because of a perhaps unexpected reason: concerns about Syrian air defenses.
Syria

Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024