Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (Arabic: حركة أنصار الله الأوفياء, lit. 'Loyal Supporters of Allah Movement') or just simply Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (Arabic: أنصار الله الأوفياء, lit. 'Loyal supporters of Allah') is an Iraqi-based and Iranian funded Shia militant group that is a part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq that was designated as terrorists by the United States Department of State on June 17, 2024, for attacking U.S. soldiers stationed in Jordan and Syria and its association and alliance with many already designated terrorist groups based in Iraq.[1]
| Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya | |
|---|---|
| حركة أنصار الله الأوفياء | |
 | |
| Leader | Haydar Muzhir Ma’lak al-Sa’idi |
| Dates of operation | 2013-Present |
| Allegiance |  Islamic Resistance in Iraq |
| Ideology | Shia Islamism Khomeinism Anti-Zionism |
| Status | Active |
| Allies |  Iran Russia Kata'ib Hezbollah Harakat al-NujabaKata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada  Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force |
| Opponents |  United States Israel Syrian Democratic Forces Islamic State |
| Battles and wars | |
| Designated as a terrorist group by | United States |
History
editThe group was created in 2013 as a political group in Maysan Governorate calling themselves Kayan al-Sadiq wa al-Ataa before becoming a brigade of the Iraqi-state sponsored Popular Mobilization Forces under the name of the 19th PMF Brigade in 2014.[2] The group still remain active politically, separate from its militant actions, under the named Harakat al-Sadiq wa al-Ataa. The group targeted many bases and soldiers of the U.S. military and the Syrian Democratic Forces.[3] The group has also attacked The Global Coalition in order to attack Islamic State forces in both Syria and Iraq.[4][5] The group has also been described as an ally of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps by doing attacks on their behalf.[6][7]
The group allegedly had links to many kidnappings and murders of protesters during the 2019 Tishreen movement including the kidnapping of prominent leaders like Sajad al-Iraqi and Ali Jasb.[8][9] The group has publicly threatened to terrorize Iraqi civilians who support the United States as a way to undermine what it calls "American interests in Iraq".[10] The United States has claimed that the group had involvement in the Tower 22 drone attack against a U.S. base in Jordan in which 3 U.S. soldiers were killed and 34 were injured.[11][12]
On June 17, 2024, the United States Department of State designated the group as a terrorist organization and the leader of the group, Haydar Muzhir Ma'lak al-Sa'idi, as a specially designated terrorist for their targeting of U.S. bases in the Middle East and the involvement of strikes against Israel during the Israel–Hamas war with many of the strikes coming from south Baghdad.[13][14] In response to the terrorist designation, the leader of the group mocked the United States by stating that the designation was a "badge of honor".[15]
References
edit- ^ Frantzman, Seth J. (2024-06-18). "Why US terror designation for Iraqi-based terror group matters". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Honored, Not Contained: The Future of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Profile: Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (19th PMF Brigade) | The Washington Institute". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "'Iraqi militias will be more involved in the regional conflict in upcoming months,' experts say". The Jerusalem Post. 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "واشنطن تضع "أنصار الله الأوفياء" العراقية على قوائم الإرهاب" [Washington puts Iraq's "Loyal Supporters of Allah" on terrorist list]. Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "صنفتها واشنطن إرهابية.. ما هي حركة "أنصار الله الأوفياء" العراقية؟" [Washington classified it as a terrorist organization... What is the Iraqi “Loyal Supporters of Allah” movement?]. Alhurra (in Arabic). 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "وضعت على قوائم الإرهاب.. من هي حركة «أنصار الله الأوفياء» العراقية؟" [Placed on terrorist list.. Who is the Iraqi “Loyal Supporters of Allah” movement?]. Al-Watan (in Arabic). 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Prominent activist in Dhi Qar governorate disappeared since September 19, 2020". MENA Rights Group. 2020-09-19. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ Kullab, Samya (2020-10-02). "In Iraq a father faces militia power as he seeks missing son". Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "ما هي حركة "أنصار الله الأوفياء" العراقية التي صنفتها واشنطن إرهابية؟" [What is the Iraqi "Loyal Supporters of Allah" movement that Washington has classified as terrorist?]. Al Arabiya (in Arabic). 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Iraqi militia calls US terrorist designation 'a badge of honor'". Rudaw Media Network. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "US designation of Ansar Allah al-Awfiya: Strong message to Iran". Shafaq News. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Terrorist Designation of Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya". United States Department of State. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ Greyman-Kennard, Danielle (2024-06-18). "US State Department designates Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya as terror group". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Ansar Allah Al-Awfiya Movement Mocks U.S. Terror Designation As 'Badge Of Honor,' Secretary General: 'Plot As You Please And Save No Effort'". Middle East Media Research Institute. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-07-09.