Kata'ib al-Imam Ali
| Kata'ib al-Imam Ali | |
|---|---|
| كتائب الإمام علي | |
| Active | June 2014–present[1] |
| Ideology |
Shia Islamism[1] Wilayat al Faqih Anti-Americanism[1] |
| Allegiance | Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah[1] |
| Groups | Spirit of God Jesus Son of Mary Battalions[2] |
| Leaders |
|
| Area of operations |
Iraq Syria |
| Part of | Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) |
| Allies |
Peshmerga Nineveh Plain Protection Units |
| Opponents |
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |
| Battles and wars | |
The Imam Ali Battalions (Arabic: كتائب الإمام علي, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali) are the armed wing of the Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah (Movement of the Islamic Iraq) party, believed to be a Iranian proxy group.[1] Part of the Shiite militia umbrella organization "Popular Mobilization Forces", Kata'ib al-Imam Ali is prominently involved in the Iraqi Civil War against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[7]
History
Kata'ib al-Imam Ali came into existence in June 2014 as the armed wing of the Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah (Movement of the Islamic Iraq) party. While its emergence was linked to the the large-scale Shia mobilization after the escalation of Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency into a full-out civil war, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali is closely linked to older Iraqi Shia Islamist organizations, parties and militias, as well as to the Iranian Quds Force. The group's secretary general Shibl al-Zaydi, is affiliated with the Sadrist Movement, and was at one point member of the anti-American Mahdi Army. Kata'ib al-Imam Ali also appears to enjoy the favour of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces, who has at times even personally led the group into battle. Thanks to these links, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali is well-equipped and can rely on veteran militants, allowing its "meteoric growth".[3][1]
Notably, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali has also attempted to rally Syriac Christians to its cause since its formation, based on a puported affinity between Shia Islam and Christians and the supposed betrayal of the Iraqi Christians by Iraqi Kurdistan in course of the Fall of Mosul. The group has also formed its own, though minor, Christian unit, the "Spirit of God Jesus Son of Mary Battalions".[2]
In late 2014, one of the group’s commanders, Abu Azrael, gained prominence after appearing in the media armed with axes, swords and machine guns.[8][9]
In 2015, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali began to send its fighters to Syria, allegedly to protect the Sayyidah Zaynab Shrine,[3] and participated in the Second Battle of Tikrit.[4] In early 2016, its fighters were involved in the Syrian government offensive to reconquer Palmyra and Tadmur from ISIL,[6] and later that year, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali took part in the Battle of Mosul.[5]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Kataib al-Imam Ali: Portrait of an Iraqi Shiite Militant Group Fighting ISIS". Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- 1 2 Aymenn Al-Tamimi (31 December 2014). "Sample Concepts of a Christian-Shi'a Alliance in Iraq". Syria Comment. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Kata'ib al-Imam Ali". Jihad Intel. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- 1 2 "Iranian-backed Shiite militias lead Iraq's fight to retake Tikrit". The Long War Journal. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- 1 2 Amir Toumaj (4 November 2016). "Iraqi PMF attempts to cut off Islamic State in Mosul". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- 1 2 Leith Fadel (14 March 2016). "Tiger Forces liberate Hill 800 in west Palmyra". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ↑ "Iraqi Popular Forces Warn to Disclose Coalition's Support for ISIL". Islamic Invitation Turkey. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ 'The Archangel of Death' fighting Islamic State "BBC News" "March 17, 2015"
- ↑ "The university lecturer who became an axe-wielding Iraqi soldier known as the 'Angel of Death': Fearsome warrior has become a living legend among those fighting ISIS" Tom Wyke, Mail Online, 13 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
