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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
UT
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Usbat al-Thaireen
Usbat al-Thaireen is the earliest known facade group employed to veil Kataib Hezbollah's culpability in anti-coalition operations, and its eventual shutdown may provide an important case study of such a group's complete life cycle.
Apr 20, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Sabereen cartoon
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Sabereen News
Sabereen News is the main social media conglomerate supporting all "resistance" actions and factions in Iraq.
Apr 9, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
RA img
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Raba Allah
Raba Allah is the "mothership" for vigilante and counter-protester groups developed by the Kataib Hezbollah network.
Apr 9, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
KH flag
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Kataib Hezbollah
Kataib Hezbollah is the premier militia in Iraq, operating under Iran's direct command and fielding a wide range of cells responsible for kinetic, media, and social operations, some bankrolled by the Iraqi state.
Apr 1, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
WH
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq
A facade group with unique ties to Kataib Hezbollah, Alwiyat al-Waad al-Haq has been used exclusively to claim or threaten attacks against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Apr 1, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
AK img
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds (formerly known as Ashab al-Kahf)
The first and best-known of the facade groups that Iran-backed militias use to conceal their involvement in operations, Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds (formerly known as Ashab al-Kahf) has a particularly strong connection to AAH and, more recently, HaN.
Apr 1, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Sary Mumayiz
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
QJ
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Qasem al-Jabbarin
Qasem al-Jabbarin is a Kataib Hezbollah-directed facade group that specializes in roadside bombings against Iraqi supply trucks servicing the U.S. military in Iraq.
Apr 1, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

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