Op Toxon 04 - 2026/05/23

Situation

With the Taiya Oil Refinery hostage situation resolved, intelligence recovered has identified “Al-Marakbi” as Nadir Barzani, a local facilitator assessed to have provided LRK with movement routes, access, and operational cover. Further reporting confirms Barzani maintains a compound approximately 2km south-west of Ayn Al Faras, previously cleared during OP Toxon 01. During debriefing, refinery employees corroborated Barzani’s involvement, with several reporting they had been instructed to prepare sections of the site for the handling and storage of unfamiliar chemical materials. Barzani is also believed to hold a majority share in the refinery, and current assessment suggests he enabled LRK use of the site while using the staged hostage situation to obscure his involvement.

Recovered intelligence now indicates LRK has been moving stolen convoy material through multiple tunnel networks across the region. Two separate supply groupings are currently being tracked: the first consists of the stolen chemical material, which appears to have been processed at Taiya Oil Refinery into at least one batch referred to in recovered traffic as “difluoro”; the second consists of weapons, drones, stingers, and associated equipment moved from Tall Kochak through tunnel routes toward Tall Mutlaq. The tunnel network has since been cleared, with UK forces dismantling a temporary LRK compound at the Tall Mutlaq exit and destroying the ammo and supplies found on site. The stolen Stingers, drones, and associated high-value equipment were not located, and are now assessed to have been moved onward prior to the clearance operation.

Additional material recovered at the refinery suggests elements of LRK have been paying or providing intelligence to IRGC-aligned militia forces, likely contributing to the occupation of Taiya and the subsequent attack against FSB Archer. LRK appears increasingly focused on achieving its own objectives by exploiting other armed groups where useful, rather than operating as a conventional proxy force. With the low river crossing near Misharah already secured, LRK and associated militia elements are likely attempting to use remaining bridge crossings through bribery, coercion, or direct attack; friendly forces are therefore to clear from Taiya toward Fisxabur Bridge, prevent further hostile movement across the river, and set conditions for follow-on operations toward Reya Gunde Bihar Bridge.

Acknowledgements

• Operating elements should expect irregular contact with ambushes and sudden engagements rather than defined frontline.
• Local security forces and authorities may be compromised or report our presence, limiting operational secrecy.
• Civilian presence is dense in and around towns, increasing the likelihood of militia blending into populated areas.
• Civilian sentiment may vary by area and/or city, with some populations tolerant or hostile to our presence.

Commanders intent

Intent of this operation is to target Barzani’s compound, detain him if possible, and exploit recovered intelligence to begin dismantling LRK’s movement network. Friendly forces are to secure the approaches between Taiya and the river crossings, prevent further hostile movement across the river, and locate the remaining stolen convoy supplies.

Tasking(s)

Map - Overview

Plan Ops - Preview | Viewer (Read only)

40 Commando & 47 Commando

• [OBJ Charon] Raid the compound belonging to "Al-Marakbi". SSE the site for intel on his current location.
• [OBJ Hermes] Trace the northern route out of Tall Mutlaq to determine whether LRK used it to move stolen convoy supplies.

1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment & A Squadron, King's Royal Hussars

• [OBJ Anchor Delta] Conduct a clearance patrol from Taiya to Fisxabur Bridge and secure the route.

• [OBJ Anchor Echo] Clear fortified insurgent positions east of Fisxabur Bridge and establish control of the far side crossing.

Joint Aviation Command

• [OBJ Charon] Insert and support UKCF during the raid on Barzani’s compound, providing fast-rope infil, cordon support, and extraction as required.

Markings