Shiite Militias in Iraq

Principal Shiite militias in Iraq

GROUP HISTORY LEADER POLITICAL INFLUENCE

Formed in early 1980s in Iran by military defectors Transportation Minister, 22 (out of 328) seats in parliament; part of Ex-military wing of Islamic Supreme Council for 2010-2014 former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Islamic Revolution Member of parliament Law coalition Did not oppose US occupation in 2003 Badr member Muhammad al-Ghabban served as Interior Minister until July 8, 2016 Badr Organization Split from council in 2012 Hadi al-Amiri

Formed in 2014 Firebrand son of revered s 34 (out of 328) seats in parliament under Ahrar lain cleric bloc label Reformation of Mahdi Army, which fought US in 2003-2007 Called for jihad against US coalition forces in 2004 Once close to Iran, now Sadrist militias Muqtada al-Sadr more nationalist

Founded in 2003 Deputy chairman of all PMU forces Ramped up attacks on US forces in 2007-2008, uploading videos on the internet Designated as a threat to Iraqi stability by Treasury Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization Department in 2009 by the State Department in 2009 Hezbollah Brigades Jamal al-Ibrahimi aka Abu Mahdi al Muhandis

Founded in 2006 as an offshoot of the Mahdi Army Former leader of Mahdi Allied with ex-PM Nouri al-Maliki in 2014 Army paramilitary “special legislative elections under Al-Sadiqoun slate Converted into political / social service groups” in 2006-2007 (Party leader: Adnan Fihan Moussa Cheri) organization in 2011 Detained by US, Occupies one seat (out of 328) in parliament Resumed military activities after IS victories in 2014 2007 – 2010 (representing Baghdad district). League of the Righteous Qais al-Khazali

Formed in 2014 after Ayatollah al-Sistani’s call to Member of a prominent SCIRI founded in 1982 in exile in Iran jihad against IS family of clerics 29 (out of 328) seats in parliament under Military wing of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Al-Muwatin (Citizen Alliance) label (previously SCIRI) Closest to Iran of Iraq’s three main Shiite political parties Ashura Brigades Ammar al-Hakim

Formed in 2013 after Iranian leader Ali Khamenei’s Former military command- call to assist Bashar al-Assad in Syria er in Mahdi Army before starting own group League of the Righteous splinter group Followers of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Al-Najuba Movement Akram al-Kaabi

Founded in 2008 Member of parliament Hassan al-Sari is a member of parliament Closely aligned with Ammar al-Hakim’s Islamic (Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq slate) Supreme Council of Iraq

Movement for Jihad and Development Hassan al-Sari

Founded in late 2013 to fight in Syria Founded in late 2013 to Military wing of Islamic Taleea Party Organized with help of slain IRGC Commander fight in Syria Part of former Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki’s Gen. Hamid Taghavi Organized with help of slain State of Law coalition IRGC Commander Gen. Hamid Taghavi Khorasan Brigades Ali al-Yasiri

Formed in 2013 Killed near Baghdad in 2014 Claimed responsibility for Oct. 2015 attack on Iranian dissident group MEK camp near Baghdad

Mukhtar Army Wathiq al-Battat

Formed after Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani’s Leader of Tayyar Adnan al-Shahmani is a member of parliament 2014 call to Jihad al-Rasuli party Elected under former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition; recently formed splinter “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc

Al-Risali Brigades Adnan al-Shahmani

Armed wing of the newly created Harakat al-Iraq Former Mahdi Army al-Islamiya (Movement of the Islamic Iraq) commander

Imam Ali Brigades Shebl al-Zaidi