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Militia Spotlight: Profiles

The objective of this series is to provide journalists and government analysts with concise, clear profiles for each of the major Iraqi militia entities discussed in Militia Spotlight research alerts. Each profile provides basic data (name, logo, and type of activity) and summarizes the best available evidence concerning the entity’s history, alignment, and relationships with other groups. The profiles are regularly updated.

Visit the Militia Spotlight alerts hub.

Articles in this Series

Muhandis company launch event leadership attendeees
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How to Use Militia Spotlight: Profiles
The profiles are a repository of institutional memory on the various armed groups, facade groups, and social organizations associated with Iraqi militias, to be used as concise reminders of how these entities are connected.
Mar 24, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
DEHS wall poster - Our martyrs are our pride
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Directorate of Education, al-Hashd al-Shabi (DEHS)
An Iraqi militia directorate that has grown into a major state-funded educational foundation, arranging university education for students tied to the PMF and sending some to Iran on scholarships paid by Tehran.
Nov 18, 2024
◆
  • Sary Mumayiz
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Saraya al-Jihad Improved Rocket-Assisted Mortars (IRAMs).
Maps & Graphics
Articles & Testimony
Profile: Saraya al-Jihad
A low-profile Iraqi militia that is deeply linked with Iran's Qods Force and plays important roles in storing advanced conventional weapons provided by Tehran and suppressing Iraqi moderates.
Sep 18, 2024
◆
  • Sary Mumayiz
  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Saraya Talia al-Khurasani (STK) fighters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Saraya Talia al-Khurasani
A longstanding partner to Iran's Qods Force and Lebanese Hezbollah, this militia is one of Iraq's most notorious in terms of human rights abuses and rampant criminality.
Sep 6, 2024
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Sary Mumayiz
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Almustafa uni
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Al-Mustafa International University-Iraq
Far from a normal educational institution, al-Mustafa is the Iraqi branch of a U.S.-sanctioned Iranian entity that seeks to groom the next generation of Iraqi clerics, missionaries, pro-Iran political representatives, and pro-Iran militia members.
Aug 5, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
President of the Federal Supreme Court Jassim Abboud
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Iraqi Federal Supreme Court
Since 2022, the court has become a channel for Iran-backed militias and terrorist groups to secure “made to order” legal rulings that can have decisive political “lawfare” effects in their favor.
Jul 24, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Abna M
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Abna al-Muhandis
A student recruitment and indoctrination group tied to a PMF directorate, with a name that eulogizes a slain U.S.-designated terrorist.
Jul 19, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Lions of the Ougaidat Brigade leaders, Syria, 2023 cropped
Maps & Graphics
Articles & Testimony
Profile: Lions of the Ougaidat Brigade
A Syrian Arab tribal militia directly operated by Iran's IRGC and tasked with fighting the Kurdish-led SDF east of the Euphrates.
Apr 15, 2024
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Kyle Robertson
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Arab Tribal and Clan Forces, Syria 2023
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Arab Tribal and Clan Forces
A newer unit of Arab militiamen in Syria, raised by pro-Assad figure Ibrahim al-Hifl to form an unbroken corridor of Iran-backed tribal fighters between Deir al-Zour and Aleppo.
Apr 15, 2024
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Kyle Robertson
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Huquq
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: The Hoquq Movement
A parliamentary bloc controlled by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Kataib Hezbollah, with a track record of agitating for violence against American interests and Iraqi moderates.
Mar 15, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
The new IMN Board of Trustees in February 2024
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Iraqi Media Network
The Iraqi Media Network is the latest so-called independent agency to fall under the control of U.S.-designated terrorist groups and human rights abusers, adding a new line of effort to "resistance" attacks on freedom of expression.
Feb 29, 2024
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Kataib Al-Imam Ali fighters and an artillery rocket
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Kataib al-Imam Ali
A unique militia that is closer to Lebanese Hezbollah than other Iran-backed Iraqi groups, yet widely resented for prioritizing commercial success over kinetic operations.
Feb 27, 2024
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Liwa al-Tafuf logo
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Liwa al-Tafuf (13th PMF Brigade)
The brigade belongs to the state-funded Popular Mobilization Forces and is a core member of Kataib Hezbollah’s cluster of militias that facilitate anti-U.S. attacks in Iraq’s Anbar province, eastern Syria, and Jordan.
Feb 3, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Nawaf al-Bashir (right)
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Hashemite Tribes Regiment
With support from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, this regiment aims to create a more cohesive force capable of opposing the U.S.-backed SDF on the eastern banks of Syria's Euphrates River.
Jan 26, 2024
◆
  • Kyle Robertson
  • Abdullah Hayek
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
ADL and Iran flags
Maps & Graphics
Articles & Testimony
Profile: Aleppo Defenders Legion
An Aleppo-based militia umbrella group that serves as an auxiliary unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in north Syria.
Dec 21, 2023
◆
  • Ahmad Sharawi
  • Abdullah Hayek
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Haider al-Gharrawi
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (19th PMF Brigade)
One of the top Iraqi proxies for Iran's IRGC-Qods Force, this Sadrist breakaway faction has long garrisoned the Syrian border and killed Iraqi protesters to demonstrate its loyalty.
Nov 27, 2023
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Liwa Abu Fadhal al-Abbas social media flag
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Liwa Abu Fadl al-Abbas
One of the most well-established Iraqi volunteer militias to fight for Iran and the Assad regime, both in the Syrian civil war and during various anti-U.S. actions.
Nov 16, 2023
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Liwa al-Imam al-Hussein base in Syria
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Liwa al-Imam al-Hussein
One of the largest Iraqi-Syrian militias, developed by Iran's IRGC-QF to support regime and proxy objectives in and around Syria.
Nov 7, 2023
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Arab tribes in Syria
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Liwa al-Baqir
This Syrian militia based in Aleppo and Deir al-Zour has developed a uniquely close relationship with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Assad regime.
Nov 1, 2023
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Sons of Jazeera and Euphrates Movement
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: The Sons of Jazira and Euphrates Movement
This Ougaidat tribal militia has undertaken attacks on multiple Syrian Kurdish and U.S. sites, with support from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Assad regime.
Oct 31, 2023
◆
  • Abdullah Hayek
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Figure 1 Islamic Resistance taking responsibility for targeting Tanf
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq
The Telegram brand that emerged in October 2023 is not a group per se, but rather a generic name used to denote unity among Iran-backed armed groups and deemphasize their individual identities during attacks spurred by the Gaza war.
Oct 21, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Iraqi Basij logo
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Iraqi Basij
Formed by Ashab al-Kahf and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, this Persian-named violent protest movement has been used to carry out threats against the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Jul 20, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Federal Commisison of Integrity
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Federal Commission of Integrity
Iraq's Federal Commission on Integrity, taken over during a critical period by a Sudani-appointed Badr judge, has been used to block investigations of corruption undertaken by Coordination Framework factions.
Jun 19, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
PMF logo on a Muhandis General Company combine harvester
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: The Muhandis General Company
By establishing this Iraqi version of an Iranian IRGC conglomerate, militias aim to quickly dominate the country's growing economy.
May 17, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
CMC van
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Communications and Media Commission
After falling under the control of “resistance”-linked board members, this key Iraqi media institution began a widespread crackdown on freedom of expression. Its head commissioner is a member of U.S.-designated terrorist group Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
May 15, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

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