Shawn Snow
Early Bird Editor
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
All Stories By Shawn
Special operators will be countering violent extremists for the ‘long haul’
The commander of SOCOM said battling violent extremists groups will remain the number one priority for American commandos.
Al-Shabab warns US partner forces in Africa that America will abandon them like it did Syrian Kurds
Al-Shabab said in a message that the raid on Manda Bay should “serve as a stern warning” for African forces that “when the situation gets difficult” American troops will “abandon you" just as they did with the Syrian YPG after entangling them in an “unwinnable war.”
Iran-backed militia calls for lone wolf attacks against US troops
The message said the “door of jihad” against American troops in Iraq was open and called for “all jihadists” in or outside of Iraq to carry out attacks against U.S. forces.
What it’s like to survive a deadly rocket attack and the Iranian missile barrage in Iraq
“Second rocket, third rocket came I thought: “This is it, we are getting rocketed.” Lights went out and darkness set in as rockets continued to hail on us."
Rockets slam Baghdad’s Green Zone
The latest attack raises concerns of Iran-backed militias orchestrating attacks that could push the U.S. into a broader conflict with Iran — especially as tensions with Iran remain on edge following Tehran’s launch of 16 ballistic missiles targeting coalition troops housed at the al-Asad and Irbil Iraqi bases.
Iraqi Shia cleric whose militia killed American troops says crisis is over following Iran strike and Trump speech
Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Mahdi army led a resistance against American troops following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, also called for restraint and patience.
Iran didn’t kill anyone in missile attack, spurring hopes for de-escalation
With no casualties, the strikes may give the U.S. an opportunity to ease tensions with Iran.
No US casualties in Iran missile strike, preliminary reports say
“One [missile] apparently hit just off the airfield in Irbil and Asad is getting punished. Waves coming in five minute intervals of 4-5 missiles at the airfield."
Iran says ‘fierce attack has begun’ as rockets hit Iraq bases with American troops
The Pentagon said it was working on a battle damage assessment.
Esper doubles down on no withdrawal from Iraq, but here’s how it could unfold
Trump’s erratic Middle East policy has often left American forces scrambling to react to swift and sudden policy changes. In Syria, coalition forces destroyed equipment, blew vehicles in place and bombed parts of their own outposts.
