VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION

Michigan’s Sayf Abdulrab Debretsion Wolverine Salem al- Gebremichael: Post-Mortem Watchmen: A Hayashi: AQAP’s The Leader Mosaic of Analysis: Izzat al- Financial Conduit Behind the Boogaloo, Right- Douri and the to the Yemen- Rebellion in BRIEF Wing, and State of Iraq’s Somalia Weapons Tigray Anarchist Ba’ath Party Trade Militiamen

ABDUL SAYED PETER KIRECHU MICHAEL HORTON JACOB ZENN RAMI JAMEEL

VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12 | DECEMBER 2020

Waziristan Militant Leader Aleem remote areas bordering the country. The Khan Ustad Joins Tehreek-e- footages include video clips of both commanders' oath-taking, holding 's Abdul Sayed hands and announcing their pledges of allegiance to him. On December 15, Mufti , the emir of Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), Who is Mulawi Aleem Khan Ustad? appeared in a video released by Umar Media, the official media arm of TTP (Umar Media, Aleem Khan is from the tribal North Waziristan December 15). This video demonstrated a district, in Pakistan’s continuation of the series of mergers of province, which served as the base of al-Qaeda Pakistani jihadist groups into TTP, which started for more than a decade after 9/11, from 2004 to in July 2020. 2015 (Asia Times, November 5). Khan was deputy to Hafiz Gul Bahadur—the al-Qaeda The video contains footage of the bay’ah (oath of host and shadow governor of Waziristan allegiance) ceremonies of two jihadist (Gandhara, March 16, 2015). The Gul Bahadur organizations from Waziristan, Pakistan, group became the largest local group in including Mulawi Aleem Khan Ustad, and Waziristan between 2008 and 2014 and even Commander Umar Azzam groups. Khan is a hosted TTP in North Waziristan after the powerful jihadist commander who joined TTP organization lost its strongholds in neighboring with nine commanders and dozens of fighters South Waziristan. (Tribal News, November 28). Gul Bahadur’s decline started after the 2014 TTP announced the mergers of both groups into military operation in North Waziristan, when the its ranks on November 27 (Umar Media, jihadists escaping that military operation sought November 27). The video shows that the merger shelter in . [1] Khan disassociated ceremony apparently took place outside from Bahadur that same year and since then has Afghanistan, most probably in Waziristan's 1 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION operated independently (The News, August 20, the region. The senior leadership of al-Qaeda, 2014). particularly its Afghanistan-Pakistan chief, Mustafa Abu Yazid, tried to unify the TTP and During this period, serious differences emerged Bahadur group, but the latter did not accept it that would divide Khan and Bahadur, resulting for long [2]. Gul Bahadur’s rejection has roots in in the latter ultimately seeking leadership of the the historical tribal feuds between Mehsuds and group (The News, August 20, 2014). Bahadur tribes of Waziristan. The Wazirs considers alleged that Khan was in league with the themselves superior to Mehsuds [3]. Thus, Gul Pakistani government, and in return was Bahadur, being the strongest leader of the Wazir receiving protection for his areas and tribesmen tribes, never agreed to merge into TTP, which from military operations. As a reaction to this was led by the Mehsuds. accusation, Khan announced that he was now emir of the group, removing Bahadur, who had TTP Emir Emphasizes Unity moved to the Afghanistan side of the border to escape military operations. A major portion of the Umar Media video consists of Mufti Mehsud’s speech to a large A few months later, Aleem Khan somewhat gathering of TTP commanders, including confirmed what Bahadur had accused him of members of the newly merged groups. The when he surprisingly announced an end to the speech mainly focused on unity among the war against the Pakistani Army, and offered his jihadist groups fighting against the Pakistani group’s assistance in returning the internally state. The TTP emir presents the Middle East's displaced people (IDPs) of North Waziristan jihadist landscape as an example, which he says back to their homes. Like thousands of others collapsed despite conquering large territories in from North Waziristan, these IDPs had left their Iraq and Syria, resulting in Islamic State’s homes due to the military operations that took caliphate. According to him, jihadists lost power place in 2014. His group had taken responsibility there due to infighting and divisions. for restoring peace in North Waziristan and threatened military operations against all those Mufti Mehsud says that something similar aiming to engage in an insurgency against the happened in Pakistan. He mentions that the state (Daily Pakistan, March 16 2015). jihadist groups emerged as a massive threat to the state, but they soon lost their momentum due Thus, the merger of the Aleem Khan group into to infighting and disunity. He portrays the TTP is important from two perspectives. First, it Afghan Taliban as a role model, which, is a major blow to the Pakistani Army’s efforts to according to him, possesses thousands of coopt the anti-state militants in Waziristan for drawbacks but remains an internationally peace and the restoration of government recognized power due to unity in its ranks. He authority in the area (Gandahara, July 24 2018). specifically referenced U.S. President Donald Second, Khan’s bay’ah to TTP is the first time Trump's remarks praising the Taliban, calling that a jihadist group from North Waziristan is them brave fighters ( News, March 1). joining the organization. It is particularly Mufti Mehsud called on all Pakistani jihadist signicant that Khan’s group is a strong splinter groups to join together to reach their final goal of the Gul Bahadur organization. of implementing Sharia law.

The TTP and the Gul Bahadur group share a A Series of TTP Mergers history of rivalry rooted in the tribal politics of

2 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION The series of mergers into TTP started in early July when Hakeem Ullah Mehsud group, a TTP Conclusion splinter group, announced its dissolution and incorporation back into TTP (Umar Media, July The Aleem Khan group is the first militant 6). A few weeks later, in August, another two group of Waziri tribes from North Waziristan to powerful TTP splinters, Jumat ul-Ahrar (JuA) join TTP, following a recent series of mergers and Hizb ul-Ahrar (HuA), merged back into that started in June 2020. This implies that the TTP (Umar Media, August 17). JuA was TTP, under the leadership of Mufti Noor Wali founded by Commander Abdul Wali Mohmand, Mehusd, has grown past the days of 2013-2014, a.k.a. Umar Khalid Khurasani, in 2014. which was defined by infighting between its Khurasani is one of the founders of TTP. HuA Mehusd groups of Wali-ur-Rehman and splintered from JuA in 2017, and up to recently Hakeem Ullah. Today, the TTP has surprisingly was the most active terrorist group in Pakistan recovered from internal turmoil, and appears to (see Terrorism Monitor, December 17, 2019). be growing. The joining of a powerful splinter Similarly, the Saif Ullah Kurd faction of the faction of Bahadur´s group from North notorious Sunni sectarian group, Lashkar-e- Waziristan shows that the TTP is Jhangvi (LeJ), now headed by Khushi organizationally becoming more powerful than Muhammad, also merged into TTP on August 5 the group was during its peak years of (Umar Media, August 5). The Kurd faction of 2009-2012. LeJ has remained active in Baluchistan province, particularly in its capital Quetta, having claimed Abdul Sayed has a master’s degree in political science from responsibility for the killings of hundreds of Lund University, Sweden, and is now an independent Shias Muslims (see Terrorism Monitor, July 26, researcher focused on jihadism and the Af-Pak region. 2016). He’s on Twitter at: @abdsayedd.

Aside from these splinter organizations, two Notes major Pakistani al-Qaeda groups also announced their merger into TTP at the end of July (Umar [1] See for details, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, Media, July 29). Commander Muneeb, a close Inqilab-i-Mehsud, (Mehsuds Revolution) [In aide of the slain AQIS deputy chief Ustad Urdu], (Al-Shahab Publishers: Paktika, 2017). Ahmad Farooq, merged his group into TTP. Farooq was the senior leader of al-Qaeda in [2] Ustad Ahmad Farooq, "Shaikh Saeed (Mustafa Pakistan and played a leading role in establishing Abu Yazid)", Hitteen, Issue 9, pp. 117-138 and expanding its Pakistan. [4] At the same time, al-Qaeda’s Amjad Farooqi group also joined [3] Mehsud, 2017. TTP. The Amjad Farooqi group was al-Qaeda’s earliest ally in Pakistan and one of the founders [4] Ustad Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan mi jihad jari of post-9/11 jihadist terrorism in the country. rihna chaheay [In Urdu: Jihad should continue in The group carried out most of the sophisticated Pakistan], Hitteen Publications, Oct 2016. high-profile attacks in Pakistan, including multiple attacks targeting General Pervez [5] For details on Amjad Farooqi and his group, Musharraf in 2004, an attack on the Sri Lankan see, Mujahid Hussain, Punjabi Taliban: Driving cricket team, and attack on the General Extremism in Pakistan, (Pentagon Press: New Delhi, Headquarters of the Pakistani army in India, 2012). in 2009. [5]

3 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Sayf Abdulrab Salem al- Shabwah and Hadramout to illicitly purchase, trade and distribute contraband, Hayashi: AQAP’s Financial narcotics and weapons to Mukalla, Sana’a Conduit to the Yemen- and other areas in Yemen. He reportedly traveled across the country, meeting with Somalia Weapons Trade senior AQAP leaders whose finances he managed. But while much of his publicly- Peter Kirechu exposed profile was limited to Yemen, the GI- TOC report revealed extensive ties between On September 17, the Global Initiative al-Hayashi and a network of illicit arms Against Transnational Crime released a traders in both Yemen and Somalia. public report detailing the use of hawala remittance exchanges in the illicit trade in Al-Hayashi’s weapons trafficking activities small arms and light weapons between date back to 1994, when he reportedly shifted Yemen and Somalia. [1] The report operations from al-Bayda to Shabwa. He identified nearly $3.7 million in financial supposedly established a money exchange transactions executed between 2014 and business alongside two food stores identified 2020 by a network of six prominent Yemeni as “al-Khayr Supermarket” and located in and Somali weapons dealers. It also identified Azzan, in the central Shabwa governorate, Sayf Abdulrab Salem al-Hayashi, a U.S.- and in Fuwwah, in the eastern Hadramawt designated weapons trafficker linked to both governorate (U.S. Treasury Department, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) October 25, 2017). Both locations served as and Yemen’s Islamic State affiliate, as a key weapons smuggling hubs and at least one of figure in this illicit financial ecosystem. Al- them – the Hadramawt-based facility – was Hayashi reportedly appeared in raided by the UAE-funded Hadramawt Elite approximately $1.2 million worth of hawala Forces in 2016 (Yemen Voice, October 26, transactions between October 2016 and April 2017). It also seemingly provided money 2020. Those transactions revealed previously exchange services through the Cooperative & undisclosed methods and tactics used to Agricultural Credit Bank (CAC) Bank of illicitly finance and supply illegal weapons to Yemen. [2] These links to money exchange Somalia-based armed groups (GI-TOC, services appeared instrumental to the broader September 17). weapons trafficking enterprise revealed in the GI-TOC report. Al-Hayashi was first designated as an AQAP and Islamic State weapons trafficker and Al-Hayashi reportedly worked in concert financier on October 25, 2017 as part of a with a Somalia-based weapons trafficking collective sanctioning action led by the network executing approximately $1.2 United States and the Gulf-based Terrorist million in hawala transactions directly and Financial Targeting Center (TFTC) – a indirectly through a proxy financial courier sanctions targeting taskforce established by (GI-TOC, September 17). The majority of the governments of Saudi Arabia, the United his transactions involved a Somalia-based Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait and trafficker identified as Abdirahman Oman (U.S. Treasury Department, October Mohammed Omar (a.k.a. “Dhofaye”). 25, 2017). The 2017 designation described al- Dhofaye was first identified in 2017 as a Hayashi as a Yemen-based weapons dealer weapons trafficker by U.N. embargo monitors who used money exchange businesses in 4 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION in Somalia. His trafficking activities included alternate renderings of the aliases identified supplying illicit weapons to northeastern back in 2017. This revealed stark Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, vulnerabilities in the traditional transaction- where both Islamic State and al-Shabaab screening mechanism, which is easily have a fractious, competing operational deceived and potentially defeated by presence (U.N. Panel of Experts Report, moderate changes in naming and spelling 2017). U.N. investigators in 2017 found that conventions as displayed below. Dhofaye was implicated in the illicit transfers of AK-pattern rifles and PKM machine guns to the Puntland region from the seat of al- Sayf Abdulrab Sayf Abdulrab Hayashi’s smuggling operations in both Salem al-Hayashi Salem al-Hayashi (Aliases identified (Aliases identified Shawba and Hadramawt (U.N. Panel of by the U.S. Office in Somali Experts Report, 2017). of Foreign Assets Remittance Control (OFAC)) transaction Analysis of both al-Hayashi and Dhofaye’s receipts) communication and financial transaction Sayf al-Baydani Abdiraba Abdirab records confirmed direct interactions between Salim the two from 2016 and 2020. After his 2017 Sayf Husayn ‘Abd al- Abdiraba Abdirab sanctions designation, Al-Hayashi’s financial Rabb al-Baydani Salim al-Baydaani transactions with the Somalia-based network Saif al-Bhadani Abdiraba Abdirab of weapons traffickers continued, but this Salim al-Baydanni time through a proxy identified as Bashir Sayf al-Bidhani Abdiraba Abdirab Naaji Abdullahi Shujac. Some of these Salim Baydaani S a y f ‘A b d -a l - Ra b Abdirabi Abdirabi transactions were high dollar value transfers Salim Salim al-Baydani of over $10,000 in single transactions, and Sayf ‘Abd-al-wali Abdi Rabh Abdi Rabi involved at least two hawala remittance ‘Abd-al-rub Saalim Beydaaani providers, namely Amal and Iftin Express. And while Somali remittance providers are Al-Hayashi’s financial activity in the post- subject to financial due diligence sanctions era suggests that his financial requirements that mandate screening for facilitation on behalf of armed groups in suspicious transactions involving sanctioned both Yemen and Somalia is continuous and customers, al-Hayashi seemingly evaded ongoing. It also exposes substantial flaws in these controls and continued to operate (GI- the hawala remittance system and the TOC, September 17). prevailing vulnerabilities of the Somali financial system to terrorist and militant GI-TOC investigators found that al-Hayashi financing. These failures are abetted by poor used at least eight different phone numbers administrative capacity and limited and at least six different aliases to execute surveillance and control of Somalia’s financial transactions between Yemen and domestic financial sector. These flaws enable Somalia. And while the 2017 sanctions militant financiers like al-Hayashi—and designation revealed six of his aliases, he others of his ilk—to profit and exploit an appeared to simply pivot to an alternate set already-vibrant trade in illicit weapons in of identities to evade detection (GI-TOC, Yemen in order to supply armed groups in September 17). The aliases used in the Somalia. Somali remittance transactions included

5 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Al-Hayashi’s use of the hawala remittance risks, see: The Role of hawala and Other system reveals substantial flaws in ongoing Similar Service Providers in Money efforts to disrupt illicit financial flows to Laundering and Terrorist Financing, militant groups in Yemen and Somalia. Both Financial Action Task Force (FATF), October conflicts involve a variety of competing 2013, https://www.fatf-gafi.org/media/fatf/ militant and terrorist groups, each seeking to documents/reports/Role-of-hawala-and- finance militant operations and illicit similar-in-ml-tf.pdf weapons purchases through the financial ecosystem exploited by Al-Hayashi. And [2] See CAC Bank Electronic Service while hawala systems provide essential L o c a t i o n s , # 1 0 0 : h t t p s : / / financial services to vulnerable citizens in www.cacbank.com.ye/ar-YE/Contents/ both countries, they remain vulnerable to SubPage/CAC-POS criminal and terror-related infiltration. The full scale of Al-Hayashi’s illicit financial activities is difficult to discern. But the vulnerabilities he exploited exist elsewhere in the hawala industry more broadly. These flaws are likely exploited by other terror financiers and are an essential – though sometimes underappreciated – component of the terror financing ecosystem that currently sustains both al-Qaeda and Islamic State in Yemen and Somalia.

Peter Kirechu is the former program director of the Conflict Finance and Irregular Threats Program at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS). He is a specialist in illicit transnational networks in the Middle East and Africa.

Notes

[1] The hawala money transfer system is an informal remittance service that often operates outside of, or in parallel to, traditional banking systems. The hawala system is a trust-based service that allows participants to access, receive, and transfer money without the physical movement of cash. Participants send money, sometimes across borders, by paying a small transaction fee to a network of providers that receives deposits and facilitates equivalent withdrawals by the receiving party. For additional details on the hawala system and its money laundering and terrorism financing 6 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Debretsion Gebremichael: who was Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s point man on intelligence and internal The Leader Behind the security until a fellow military officer murdered Rebellion in Tigray him in May 2001 (Sudan Tribune, August 6, 2007). While working as an aide to Michael Horton Gebremedhin, Gebremichael finished a graduate degree in electrical engineering. Gebremedhin, Before the conflict in Tigray began on before his death in 2001, was the second most November 4, not many people outside of the influential, and likely feared, man in Zenawi’s region had heard of Debretsion Gebremichael. government. Rather than liberalize freedom of The 57-year-old leader of the Tigrayan People’s the press and freedom of speech more generally, Liberation Front (TPLF) prefers it that way. the Zenawi government, dominated by the Before his rise to prominence on the national TPLF, modeled many of the tactics used by the front in Ethiopia, Gebremichael was a patient Derg. Press freedom was restricted and the and dedicated leader within the TPLF during its communications of government officials, 20-year battle against the regime of Mengistu dissidents, and those suspected of being Haile Mariam. Gebremichael interrupted his dissidents were all subject to monitoring. studies for an engineering degree to join the TPLF and its fight against Mengistu’s oppressive It is all but certain that Gebremichael played a Marxist Derg government. significant role in developing and deploying what would become a pervasive surveillance network As a fighter within the TPLF, Gebremichael’s in Ethiopia. In 2005, after years in the shadow of specialty was communications. He set up a other TPLF officials, Gebremichael was clandestine radio station called Dimitsi Woyane appointed director of Ethiopia’s Information Tigray (Voice of the Revolution in Tigray) that and Communications Development Agency broadcasted news of the TPLF’s fight against the (EICDA). There, he oversaw the buildout of Derg. The radio station used mobile transmitters Ethiopia’s telecommunication networks. At the that could be disassembled and moved to caves same time, Gebremichael maintained close ties to avoid detection. At the same time, with Ethiopia’s primary intelligence service, the Gebremichael led and trained teams of radio National Intelligence and Security Service operators charged with listening in on and (NISS). By 2012, he was influential enough to be decrypting the communications of Mengistu’s appointed Minister of Communications and troops. The communications intercept teams Information Technology. operated within and near enemy lines where, if detected, they would most often be summarily As Ethiopians’ access to the internet and mobile executed. In the early years of his career as a communications increased, the government rebel in charge of communications, enhanced its ability to monitor those Gebremichael often conducted in the field communications. As the man charged with training with radio operators deployed behind overseeing Ethiopia’s telecommunications enemy lines. [1] networks, Gebremichael played a pivotal role in enhancing the government’s ability to monitor Patient Rise to Power communications. “He more than any of the intelligence officials was the keeper of the After the TPLF, with the help of allied rebel nation’s secrets,” a former member of the groups, overthrew Mengistu’s regime in 1991, Ethiopian military said. “That brings with it a lot Gebremichael worked with Kinife Gebremedhin, 7 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION of power. But for most of his time in office, he Ahmed as chairman of the EPRDF and then was quiet with that power.” [2] Ethiopian prime minister, Gebremichael turned his attention to regional politics in Tigray. He While overseeing the rapid buildout and likely saw that the TPLF’s time as kingmaker in expansion of Ethiopia’s telecommunication national politics was over. As Abiy moved ahead networks, Gebremichael was also charged with with reforms aimed at shifting Ethiopia away overseeing key aspects of the construction of from ethno-federalism, Gebremichael and the Ethiopia’s hydropower facilities. As chairman of TPLF were determined to defend regional the state-run Ethiopian Electric Power authority, at least in the Tigray region. This Corporation, he spearheaded negotiations with culminated in the TPLF’s decision to hold investors and backers of Ethiopia’s largest regional elections in September 2020, in defiance hydroelectric project, the Grand Ethiopian of Abiy’s government (Ethiopia Insight, Renaissance Dam (GERD). September 9). The Abiy government had delayed elections due to the COVID-19 Gebremichael’s impressive portfolio and his outbreak. The Ethiopian government declared reputation for securing funding from the elections in Tigray null and void; the TPLF international investors should have guaranteed called the government’s postponement of the his continued rise in government. However, the elections unconstitutional. reserved Gebremichael was no match for Abiy Ahmed, who soundly beat him in a vote for the On November 4, troops from the Ethiopian chairmanship of what was Ethiopia’s ruling National Defense Force (ENDF) clashed with coalition party, the Ethiopian People’s TPLF forces in the regional capital of Mekelle Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in (TRT World, November 6). Following skirmishes March 2018 (Nazret, March 27, 2018). Abiy between the two forces, the ENDF seized the Ahmed went on to become Ethiopia’s prime primary road leading in and out of Mekelle. On minister in April 2018. With a rapidity that November 28, Abiy’s government announced surprised most Ethiopia watchers, Abiy that it had captured Mekelle (Nazret, November embraced a full slate of political reforms. In his 28). The TPLF, which had at least a 100,000 first year in office, thousands of political men and women fighters, seems to have carried prisoners were released, a border dispute with out a strategic retreat from Tigray’s major towns, Eritrea was resolved, and some reforms of the including Mekelle. security sector were enacted (Africa News, January 23, 2019; Africa News, April 15, 2018). Given his nearly twenty-year career as a rebel and guerrilla fighter, Gebremichael understood In November 2019, Abiy announced the the advantages of withdrawing to Tigray’s voluntary dissolution of the EPRDF, which had mountainous terrain. Many of Ethiopia’s most long governed Ethiopia, and its replacement experienced military and intelligence officers with the Prosperity Party (Nazret, December 8). serve in the ranks of the TPLF. Besides its The TPLF refused to join the new coalition. This human resources, the TPLF possesses caches of refusal marked Gebremichael’s and the TPLF’s heavy and medium weapons that were likely retreat to Tigray. repositioned and hidden well-ahead of the outbreak of hostilities. A Return to War? Debretsion Gebremichael now tops an Ethiopian Gebremichael was elected chairman of the government list of 64 TPLF officials wanted for TPLF in 2017. Following the election of Abiy arrest (Ethiopia Monitor, November 12). This 8 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION follows reports of ethnic-based crackdowns on Michigan’s Wolverine Tigrayan officials and business owners in other parts of Ethiopia. This does not bode well for a Watchmen: A Mosaic of negotiated solution to the conflict in Tigray. Boogaloo, Right-Wing, and Gebremichael and the TPLF are skilled guerrilla fighters who enjoy considerable local support. If Anarchist Militiamen Gebremichael and those advising him choose to Jacob Zenn fight a protracted guerrilla war in Tigray, they have the experience and means to do so. This Since a wave of protests spread across the United does not mean they will be victorious, but such a States after George Floyd’s death in May 2020, war will be costly in both human and economic one armed movement that has attracted terms. significant attention is the Boogaloo Bois. A Michael Horton is a Fellow for Arabian affairs at the Google Trends search of “Boogaloo” indicates Jamestown Foundation. the name was virtually unknown until its mentions skyrocketed on May 31. [1] On one Notes end, the movement’s name, which mimics “Big Luau” or “Big Igloo,” is distinctly Americana: [1] Author interview with Ethiopian historian, nowhere in the world but the U.S. would a group December 2020. employ such references. The funny sounding name, moreover, makes the movement easy to [2] Author interview with ex-Ethiopian military remember: Boogaloo. Movement members’ official, November 2020. Hawaiian-style “uniforms” equally makes them stand out.

Beyond the movement’s name, clothing and memes, however, is an unequivocal anti-police and anti-government ideology. At least six of 13 Michigan Wolverine Watchmen militiamen charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer are also Boogaloo adherents. Like Boogaloo, this Michigan militia cannot be easily pigeon-holed ideologically. The Michigan militia is not particularly right-wing or left-wing, but rather anti-government and anti- police. That being said, the militiamen’s idiosyncratic beliefs, including opposition to vaccines, COVID-19 lockdown measures, and gun restrictions, tend to align with right-wing views. Nevertheless, some of their anarchist and pro-Black Lives Matter leanings are generally associated with the Left.

This article presents a profile of 13 Michigan Wolverine Watchmen militiamen and

9 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION demonstrates that the group’s ideology is closer told the journalists about the “Boogaloo to that of the Boogaloo Bois than anything else. movement” and his fellow rally-goers belonging to Boogaloo. At the same time, Bellar indicated A Boogaloo Trio he “might get in trouble” for saying that, which suggests he was attempting to keep his Boogaloo Among the 13 Michigan Wolverine Watchmen affiliation under wraps (wtvr.com, October 12). militiamen, three of them – Paul Bellar, Eric This also may be why Bellar’s father did not Molitor and Joseph Morrison - were explicitly know he was a Boogaloo member. Boogaloo. Bellar was a U.S. Army veteran and won the Barry County, Michigan Sheriff Posse’s Typical of Boogaloo members, Bellar used an annual gun raffle in 2019 (bcsheriffposse.com, encrypted online chat program to communicate 2019). He was charged, among other things, with with fellow members. He told the Swedish providing materials to support terrorist acts and journalists that his online chats included women, felony firearms possession (mlive.com, October veterans, and others from all age groups and 10). Although he usually resides in Michigan, backgrounds, which reflects Boogaloo’s non- where he had been a firefighter cadet several identitarian beliefs. Although Bellar stated he years earlier while in high school, he was arrested had no intention to “burn anything,” he said he in South Carolina, where his father lives believed “American civilization” was under (police1.com, October 11). threat and there was a need to “protect our country” (wtvr.com, October 12). Bellar’s father was surprised his son held anti- government views. In this respect, Bellar Eric Molitor, meanwhile, made references to resembled another Wolverine Watchman, Kaleb Boogaloo on Facebook, such as: “Fuc* this Franks, whose friends had neither heard him government…this is why the boog is coming. We express strong opinions on politics nor knew he gotta stand against this shi*.” Molitor also was acquainted with any of the Wolverine asserted on social media that “old combat Watchmen. Franks was also more reluctant than hardened vets” would make Kyle Rittenhouse’s other Wolverine Watchmen to kidnap Governor actions, including the killing of two Black Lives Whitmer. He even stated during training that he Matter supporters who were chasing him in was “not cool with offensive kidnapping” and Kenosha, Wisconsin last August 25, seem like a was “just there for training” (freep.com, October “daydream.” This vague statement, however, did 11). not mean Molitor supported Rittenhouse, whose pro-police orientation runs contrary to Boogaloo Bellar, however, may have been able to keep his ideology. Like Bellar, who took part in a political father in the dark about his activities because he rally, Molitor’s engagement in political activism became increasingly radicalized only after involved attending a Wexford County, Michigan Governor Whitmer imposed COVID-19 meeting and advocating a resolution to make lockdown restrictions in Michigan. Bellar, for Wexler a gun “sanctuary county,” which later example, attended a June 21 anti-lockdown passed (freep.com, October 11). “Judgement Day” rally in Lansing, Michigan, to protest Whitmer’s stay-at-home order Like Bellar and Molitor, Joseph Morrison was (wxyz.com, May 14). After that rally, Bellar was also involved in Boogaloo. His nickname was interviewed by the Swedish newspaper Expressen “Boogaloo Bunyan.” Similar to Bellar, Morrison and explained to its journalists that he “had joined the Marines, but was discharged. Born enough of the tyrannical government.” He also with fetal alcohol syndrome, Morrison studied at

10 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Western Michigan University, but dropped out militia, whose emblems he displayed on his due to alcoholism and later lost custody of his clothing and social media accounts. He attended child as a result of drunk driving. Like Bellar and a meeting in Ohio with Adam Fox to discuss Molitor, Morrison also engaged in political “creating a society” that followed the U.S. Bill of activism, including attending an April 30, 2020 Rights and was self-sufficient. This indicated “American Patriot” rally in front of Michigan’s Croft and Fox were influenced by Sovereign Capitol building in Lansing carrying an assault Citizens, who consider themselves free from legal rifle. The Wolverine Watchmen held training constraints imposed by the U.S. government sessions at Morrison’s ranch in Jackson County, (whyy.org, October 13). Michigan, which flaunted Confederate and Betsy Ross flags and was purchased with an Consistent with Boogaloo, Croft sought to attack inheritance (deadlinedetroit.com, October 9). police facilities and Adam Fox brought him into the Wolverine Watchmen to make explosives. Militiamen, ‘Patriots’ and More Croft and Fox attended a Wisconsin militia Boogaloo training session before Fox told Croft about the plan to kidnap Governor Whitmer (whyy.org, Joseph Morrison’s Americana and Confederate October 13). Croft’s tweets last Memorial Day paraphernalia is not uncommon among also indicated his anti-government animus, Wolverine Watchmen. For example, Shawn Fix, derived from his belief that “every government who was accused of hosting Wolverine official is responsible for the invasion of America Watchmen meetings and training sessions, also by an estimated 35 million illegal foreign people” had an American flag and a “Don’t Tread on (delawareonline.com, October 9). Me” flag on his front door when his home was raided (freep.com, October 12). Fix, who is from Fox, for his part, lived in the basement of a Belleville, Michigan, near Detroit, also surveilled vacuum cleaner repair shop in Grand Rapids, Governor Whitmer’s vacation home, along with Michigan, which was raided by the FBI. Like Eric Molitor and the twins, Michael and William Croft, he posted the Three Percenters emblem, Null (conandaily.com, October 11). A trucker alongside the phrase “Liberty or Death,” on with a record of drunk driving and assault, Fix social media (clickondetroit.com, October 9). was also a Donald Trump supporter, as The repair shop owner said he had known Fox evidenced by “Truckers 4 Trump” and “Honk 4 since childhood and that Fox was in a militia, but Trump” signs on his front lawn (freep.com, he did not recall Fox being a white supremacist October 12). or seriously anti-government. However, he did say that Fox discussed Boogaloo, wore Boogaloo Like Morrison and Fix, Barry Croft wore a Hawaiian shirts, and told him that a battle would colonial-style tricorn hat and posted on social occur if the government ever took away gun media a photograph of 18th-century armed rights (woodtv.com, October 8). Fox, who was an men, writing “Armed Citizens: The Original alcoholic and opposed wearing a COVID-19 Homeland Security Since 1776” (freep.com, mask, ultimately became motivated to kidnap October 11). Croft is a self-employed trucker Governor Whitmer not because of gun rights who was arrested for theft several times in the restrictions, but because he considered Whitmer 1990s, for which he was pardoned in Delaware a “tyrant bitc*” whose COVID-19 restrictions in 2019. He is the only non-Michigander among m e a n t “ w e n e e d t o d o the Wolverine Watchmen. However, he was something” (detroitnews.com, October 8; involved with the national Three Percenter freep.com, October 11).

11 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION the city’s sheriff and rally-goers wearing military From Boogaloo to Black Lives Matter and fatigues and holding pro-police flags (wwmt.com, Beyond May 19). According to the sheriff, William brought bottled water to the Grand Rapids rally Although Boogaloo and the Wolverine and distributed it to Black Lives Matters Watchmen have been described as “white supporters. Like Morrison and Shawn Fix, supremacist,” they both are generally non- William’s house also flaunted a “Don’t Tread on identitarian and primarily anti-government and Me” flag. He also, like Croft, flew a Three anti-police (Washington Post, October 8). One of Percenter flag (wwmt.com, October 9). the Wolverine Watchmen, Daniel Harris, even attended a Black Lives Matter rally in Lake William and his twin brother Michael were also Orion near Detroit last June and was interviewed recorded by Australian Broadcasting by Oakland County Times. “It is a shame what Corporation (ABC) for its documentary, “Life happened with George Floyd and instances and Liberty,” and the two invited the ABC where law enforcement officers murder an journalists to a shooting range. [2] The unarmed man or woman who isn’t resisting journalists previously met the Nulls at the April arrest,” Harris told the newspaper. Further, he 30 rally and again at a June rally at the Michigan said that “riot police” were beating “protesters Capitol building called “A Well-Regulated when they are there peacefully” and causing Militia,” which had an “anti-tyrant theme.” The protesters to “lose their eyes” because of pepper journalists saw that the Null twins were members spray (oaklandcountytimes115.com, June 7). of the Michigan Liberty Militia—an organization that disavows racism and anti- Harris, like Paul Bellar and Joseph Morrison, Semitism and was formed after the 2014 Nevada served in the U.S. Marines. His service lasted “Bundy Standoff ” incident—and learned that from June 2015 to June 2019, and included a the Null twins opposed the destruction occurring deployment to Japan. He joined the Wolverine at Black Lives Matter protests (The New Yorker, Watchmen shortly after that. In one Wolverine August 17). However, the Null twins calmed Watchmen encrypted chat, Harris wrote: “Have tensions with Black Lives Matter protesters when one person go to [Governor Whitmer’s] house. the latter came near militiamen at the June rally Knock on the door and when she answers it just (abc.net.au, October 11). cap her...at this point. Fuc* it” (freep.com, October 11). Another member of the Wolverine Watchmen, Pete Musico, condemned “racism…because no Another Wolverine Watchman who engaged one’s better than another.” Musico said the Black Lives Matter was William Null, who “enemies” were politicians who “rob us” and the worked with its demonstrators in Grand Rapids government, which “overreaches,” including by “to help keep the protest peaceful.” William, fining drivers who do not wear seatbelts along with his twin brother, Michael Null, and (Twitter.com/robbystarbuck, October 9). Musico Adam Fox, conducted nighttime surveillance of also warned about “Bill Gates’ vaccines” and Governor Whitmer’s vacation home. William said it would become mandatory to wear Gates’ also attended the same April 30 rally as Joseph “bracelets.” He also said he believed Donald Morrison at the Michigan Capitol building in Trump wanted the “middle class that built this Lansing and another rally in Grand Rapids last country…to succeed” (deadlinedetroit, October May 18. During the latter, William, despite 9; Daily Mail, October 9). Boogaloo’s anti-police ideology, stood alongside

12 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Musico and Morrison were considered Meanwhile, Caserta’s activity on social media Wolverine Watchmen founding members and involved posting videos from his home, where an required other members to train at Musico’s anarchist flag could be seen on a wall in the Jackson County, Michigan property (wwmt.com, background. He also stated police were “order November 13). They also attended the June followers” who are “not here to protect Michigan Capitol building rally along with the you” (Twitter/robbystarbuck, October 9). He Null twins, Paul Bellar, Daniel Harris and Ty further represented the synthesis of Boogaloo Garbin. The latter was an airline mechanic who and anarchism by wearing Hawaiian shirts, but used his boat to scout Governor Whitmer’s praising the Declaration of Independence as an vacation home at night and plotted to blow up a “anarchist document” (Dailymail, October 9). bridge to slow down a police rescue (freep.com, Caserta was also among the Wolverine October 16). Watchmen seen in video footage released by the U.S. attorney’s office and originally taken by an Musico, who was charged in the 1990s with FBI informant who infiltrated the militia. sexual assault and felony forgery, stated at a Caserta promised that “if this shi* goes down, tactical training session last March that he once I’m taking out as many mother fuc*ers” as I planned to throw a Molotov cocktail at the home can,” because “I am sick of being robbed by the of a police officer who pulled him over and gave state” (tmz.com, October 17). him a ticket, but backed out at the last minute upon arriving at the officer’s home (wwmt.com, Conclusion November 13). Although Musico wore a ‘Trump 2020’ hat in a social media video post, he also In planning to kidnap a state governor, the said he was “tired of hearing this stuff about Wolverine Watchmen envisioned a dramatic Trump…I’m sick of hearing about Donald operation unlike any other in modern U.S. Trump…why can’t the government do what history. Although the militiamen scouted they’re supposed to…see that hat [shows a Governor Whitmer’s vacation home, trained and ‘Trump 2020’ hat], it’ll trigger a whole lot of were armed, it remains unknown whether - and people” (Twitter/atrupar, October 19). probably unlikely that - they would have been able to pull it off, let alone even attempt to carry Pete Musico, along with Brendan Caserta— it out. At the very least, they were LARPing (Live another Wolverine Watchmen member, who was Action Role-Playing) their grand plans to revolt more anarchist-oriented than anyone else in the against the United States and Michigan state group—appear to have been the two Wolverine government. Nevertheless, their active social Watchmen most active on social media. Musico media presence, public roles at rallies throughout participated in a private Facebook group called Michigan, wide web of journalist and militia “Boojahideen.” This term mixes Boogaloo with contacts, and loud mouths made it fairly easy for “mujahideen” and indicates the former’s social the U.S. government to monitor and infiltrate meme culture and sympathy for jihadists’ combat their militia. Their anti-government ideology against the U.S. government (wwmt.com, was also well-known, and amid a pandemic and November 13). In another sign of Boogaloo lockdown and with significant arms at their adherents’ sympathies towards jihadists, a disposal, they took some serious steps toward Boogaloo cell collaborated with an FBI actually conducting an attack. The U.S. informant who claimed to be a member of government took no risks, defended itself, and Hamas (justice.gov, September 4). the Wolverine Watchmen are now all facing long prison sentences.

13 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Post-Mortem Analysis: Izzat Jacob Zenn is an adjunct assistant professor on African Armed Movements and Violent Non-State Actors in al-Douri and the State of World Politics at the Georgetown University Security Iraq’s Ba’ath Party Studies Program (SSP) and editor of Terrorism Monitor and senior fellow on African and Eurasian Affairs for The Jamestown Foundation in Washington Rami Jameel DC. On October 25, the Iraqi Ba’ath party of the Notes former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein announced the death of its leader, Izzat Ibrahim [1] See https://trends.google.com/trends/ al-Douri. Almost no details were given about the explore?q=Boogaloo&geo=US circumstances surrounding the death of al- Douri, who was 78, but the announcement [2] See https://iview.abc.net.au/video/ implied that he died of natural causes (Al Quds, NC2026H024S00 October 26).

Al-Douri was the leader of the banned Iraqi Ba’ath party and a coalition of insurgent groups affiliated with it. His whereabouts had been unknown since he went into hiding after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and he became a wanted man by coalition forces and later the post-Hussein Iraqi governments. The United States placed a $10 million bounty on his head. He was the king of clubs in the infamous deck of cards that the U.S. forces issued at the time of the invasion for the most wanted figures in the Saddam Hussein government (, October 26).

The Man Who Died Too Many Times

Al-Douri was born in the town of al-Dawr in the predominately Sunni province of Salaheddin in 1942, not far from where his former leader Saddam Hussein was born five years earlier. He was the deputy chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council and deputy commander of the Iraqi armed forces.

Since the fall of the Ba’ath government in 2003, several false reports on the death of al-Douri have emerged. That so many of these announcements were ultimately false was astonishing to many, as Hussein’s number two 14 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION was believed to be the most vulnerable senior Faith and Jihad member of the toppled government, and was not expected to survive in hiding for as long as he did Al-Douri was the central figure to the issue of (Arabi21, October 21). relations between the Ba’ath party and jihadist groups in post-2003 Iraq. Analyzing his life Al-Douri was ill and reportedly had leukemia, before and after the invasion clearly shows the needing blood transfer operations regularly. He difference between his idea of political violence also had a recognizable voice and accent along —which belongs to the postcolonial struggle with red hair, which should have made it difficult embraced by nationalist movements and for him to hide (El Watan News, April 18, 2015). governments in the Muslim world—and that of global jihadists. The latter believe in fully-fledged Therefore, it was surprising for many that he religious wars against non-Muslim powers, evaded the destiny of most of the wanted leaders particularly the United States. Despite his of the Ba’ath government, who were captured or emphasis on jihadism during his insurgency killed during and after the invasion. Many even years, and even before 2003, his ideology rested suspected that he was dead, considering the on both pan-Arab and Iraqi nationalism. The immense pressure that his banned party came jihad he waged against the U.S.-led coalition is under. One of the frequent occurrences in different than that waged by the fundamentalist post-2003 Iraq were new reports and Sunni group Islamic State (IS). His aim was to announcements of al-Douri’s death. Some of restore a nation-state that was ruled by his party those announcements were issued by Iraqi while IS intended to establish an ever-expanding officials. But none of them were proven. One Islamic state that considered all existing leaders Arab publication counted 15 reports of al- in the Middle East, including al-Douri and his Douri’s death (Al Araby, October 26). Ba’ath party, to be apostates.

Al-Douri was alive and in recent years he even He tried to influence IS and other insurgent appeared in video messages filmed from his groups to his cause. He notably even hailed IS hiding places. Some analysts suggested that he when it took over Mosul and other parts of Iraq was living outside Iraq, hosted by an Arab in 2014 (Al-Sharq, July 13, 2014). That move, government. Others contended that he was with however, should be read in the context of the his old enemies the Kurds in the autonomous desperate situation al-Douri had been in since region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, but that 2003. He was under pressure from superior was denied by the Kurdish regional government. powers, especially the United States and Iran, [1] who both supported the Iraqi Shia-led government. No other Sunni insurgent group The Iraqi government, and the U.S. forces when managed to achieve anything close to IS’ they were in Iraq, came under pressure due to advances in 2014. He seemed to be trying to the fact that they were seemingly unable to exploit the group’s early success. But, he soon capture such a high-profile figure from the saw that IS was never going to coexist with any Hussein regime. His survival always left the door other group, let alone his secular Ba’ath party. IS open for certain groups to exaggerate the Ba’ath executed senior members of the Ba’ath in party’s role in the insurgency and engage in occupied areas and al-Douri eventually misguided speculation about an alliance or even condemned them. Al-Douri ultimately described merger between the Ba’ath and jihadists groups. IS as being as bad as his other enemies—the Iranian and Iraqi Shia parties—describing both

15 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION sides as conspirators meaning harm to Islam and become the leader of the party (Al-Watan Voice, Arabs (Independent Arabia, October 20(. June 22, 2017).

Al-Douri went further in 2017, rejecting any Shortly after his promotion, he formed the Jaish notion that Ba’athist military officers were Rijal al-Tariqa al-Naqshabandia (Army of the fighting for IS and considered such insinuations Men of the Naqshabandia—JRTN). He also an insult to his party and the former Iraqi Army formed a supposedly large coalition of insurgent (Arabi21, May 16, 2017). Al-Douri’s claim that groups called Jabhat al-Jihad wa al-Tahreer (The officers from the former Iraqi Army did not fight Jihad and Liberation Front—JLF), but only the with IS was not accurate. IS included officers JRTN proved to have a noticeable impact and from the former army, especially when Iraqis presence on the ground in the following years (Al dominated its leadership after Abu Bakr al- Quds, October 6, 2007). Baghdadi became leader in 2010. However, none of those officers were prominent figures before The ideology of JRTN and JLF was a clear 2003 and none of the them were truly Ba’athist. reflection of that of al-Douri’s himself—a Those who were members of the Ba’ath party combination of Islamism, pan-Arabism, and had to condemn their former party’s secular Iraqi nationalism. The insurgency was pan-Arab ideology and embraced the Salafi- ineffective, but its continued survival, and that of jihadism of IS. [2] its leader al-Douri, has always been significant. Several Iraqi Islamist insurgent groups, which Notably, IS and its predecessor al-Qaeda in Iraq were more powerful than the Ba’ath party after condemned al-Douri, his leader Saddam 2003, have seen their appeal and power fading Hussein, and their Ba’ath party as kafir (non- for several reasons, but the JRTN has remained believers) because of their Ba’ath party’s secular active. ideology. Al-Douri’s praise for IS was part of his attempt to create a bigger space for his party to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which became the Islamic operate in, but that was doomed to fail as IS State after expanding to Syria, eventually grew would never allow any other rival group to to dominate the local Sunni insurgency. It operate under its rule. eclipsed all other Sunni groups. One of the main features of the decline of the other Sunni Leading an Insurgency insurgent groups was their lack of known and popular leadership. Despite its weakness Al-Douri was a well-known Sufi. When the compared to IS, the Ba’ath and its JRTN and Ba’ath party was in power, he provided support JLF remained under the firm control of al- to various Sufi orders. That network of relations Douri. [3] he had built might explain how he amazingly survived the hostile environment Iraq had Addresses and Policies become for him and his party. Al-Douri’s faith provided him with more than the refuge and the The withdrawal of the U.S. forces left al-Douri ability to operate underground effectively, it was with new opportunities. As local Sunni also the base of the main Ba’ath affiliated resentments were increasing against the Shia-led insurgent group. On December 30, 2006 government in Baghdad, he started to release Saddam Hussein was executed and al-Douri was video messages on certain occasions that were promptly announced to have been elevated to observed during the party’s long rule. Some of those included only traditional Ba’athist rhetoric,

16 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION but others showed some attempts to adapt to blanket condemnation of Ba’ath rule and new realties and ceasing on new trends. During emphasizing its effectiveness in providing the upheaval that struck several Arab countries security, public order, and a safety net for the in the Middle East and North Africa, al-Douri poor (Erem News, April 11, 2016). appealed to Iraqi people. When Saudi Arabia took a clear anti-Iran position under the The problem with al-Douri was not his past leadership of crown prince Mohammed bin affiliation with the Saddam Hussein government, Salman, al-Douri also tried to join the but his inability to rebrand the party. He could bandwagon, declaring that he supported the new not polish the old brand and make it appealing policy (Raialyoum, April 7, 2018). for a new generation. But he succeeded in maintaining a distinct presence for the party in More recently, he made his most striking spite of immense pressure against its activities. statement when he apologized to Kuwait and the The Ba’ath were banned and its members Kuwaiti people for the Iraqi invasion and persecuted by both the Iraqi government and IS. annexation of the country in 1990-1991 Al-Douri also survived challenges from within (Ammon News, April 14, 2019). the ranks of the party. The main challenge to his leadership came when General Muhammad His statements attempted to reclaim the position Younis al-Ahmad attempted to become the Iraq assumed during the 1980s as the main force leader of the party and formed a new leadership confronting Iran in defense of other Arab Gulf body (Al-Watan Voice, January 23, 2007). countries. These attempts were desperate, but many in the Arab world miss Iraq’s geopolitical Al-Ahmad was a member of the supreme Ba’ath role, which ended when it invaded Kuwait in leadership before 2003 and enjoyed something 1990. al-Douri could not secure—the support of a regional government. The Syrian regime Conclusion provided support and refuge for al-Ahmad’s group, but after years of rivalry, al-Douri proved Since rising to lead the Ba’ath Party, al-Douri to clearly have more clout and a better claim to used a modest tone in his rhetoric and showed leadership of the Ba’ath (Al Jazeera, November willingness to work with other parties. He made 27, 2010). his first video appearance in 2012, where he tried to appeal to ongoing public protests in the The story of al-Douri was not a story of Sunni areas of western Iraq. But those were effectiveness, but survival. It was under the most eventually crushed by the Shia-led government challenging circumstances that he managed to and IS advances followed. He also tried to stay alive. The Iraqi government is supported by appeal to the more recent street protests, which the United States and the regional power, Iran. broke out in Baghdad and the predominantly However, talk shows and social media Shia areas of southern Iraq in October 2019. conversations increasingly suggest that the Neither of his attempts were successful, but the possibility of a fall of the whole system of political space he was trying to exploit is government in Iraq is not to be ruled out noteworthy. The Sunni community in Iraq (Baghdad Today, December 23). suffered dearly after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s secular, but Sunni-led government. In recent Only weeks before his death, a senior Iraqi Shia years, however, there has been an increasing politician warned of an imminent coup led by al- trend—even in the Shia areas—of rejecting the Douri (Al Quds, October 4). The Ba’ath and al-

17 VOLUME XI, ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2020 THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION Douri have been used frequently as a source of fearmongering by the government since 2003, Militant Leadership Monitor is a publication of The Jamestown and the Iraqi ruling class’s worst nightmare is a Foundation. It is designed to be read by policymakers and other specialists, yet also be accessible to the general public. In order to scenario of a return of the Ba’ath party to purchase a subscription, please visit https://jamestown.org/ power. Al-Douri had been a symbol of that product-category/militant-leadership-monitor/mlm-subscription/. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of this or any nightmare. His lack of charisma and wit made Jamestown publication is strictly prohibited by law. him unsuitable for such a dramatic takeover, but his ability to survive and keep the Ba’athist dream alive was notable. New leadership might be more suitable for such an audacious maneuver, though it remains unlikely due to the Iraqi government’s continued support from the United States and Iran.

Rami Jameel is a researcher specializes in militant groups in the Middle East and North Africa. He focuses on the political and military conflicts in the region and its impact on global security.

Notes

[1] After the 2003 invasion, the Kurds showed significantly more tolerance toward the elderly leaders of the Ba’ath government and gave them asylum. Yet that was mostly provided to those who needed protection and were not officially accused of crimes. All of those who went to Kurdistan avoided public appearances and involvement in politics. But Shia parties frequently accused the exiled Ba’athists of conspiring and coordinating acts of violence against Iraqi forces in the Arab part of Iraq.

[2] For a good treatment of the claim that Ba’athists fought for IS see Fawaz Gerges, “Baathists and ISIS Jihadists: Who converted whom?” In “ISIS a History” pp.144,169. Princeton University Press. 2016.

[3] See the JRTN ecology of al-Douri on the groups website published on October 25. https://alnakshabandia.net/army/statements- and-declarations/army-statements/4736/

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