Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds
| Kataib Sarkhat Al-Quds | |
|---|---|
| كتائب صرخة القدس | |
| Dates of operation | August 19, 2024 - present |
| Active regions | Iraq |
| Ideology | Shia Islamism Anti-Americanism Anti-Zionism Anti-LGBT Qutbism–Khomeinism |
| Political position | Right-wing to Far-right |
| Part of | Axis of Resistance[1] Islamic Resistance in Iraq |
| Allies | State allies
Non-state allies |
| Opponents | Israel United States Palestinian Authority Syria |
Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds (Arabic: كتائب صرخة القدس, lit. 'Jerusalem Cry Brigades') is the successor organization to Ashab al-Kahf, a Iraqi Shia paramilitary group part of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI).
History
On 19 August 2024, Ashab al-Kahf announced that it had reformed as "Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds", claiming that the group was "confirming the truth that we affirmed in this battle since its inception in that our goals are not limited to the borders of Sykes-Picot, which were imposed by the colonizers on our Islamic world."[2] Analysists claim that the group's refoundation was "an indication that Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds is trying to expand its operations beyond Iraq."[2]
On 27 August 2024, the group threatened to attack the Israeli Soreq Nuclear Research Center.[3]
On 16 September 2024, Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds threatened to attack an Israeli military industrial site near Tel Aviv.[3]
On 20 September 2024, the group announced it had "prepared to send hundreds or even thousands of militants to Lebanon to support Hezbollah against Israel,[4][5]" and had threatened to attack the Israel Institute for Biological Research.[6]
On 13 October 2024, Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds released a video threatening to attack several electric power transmission systems within the Middle East, including the Port of Jebel Ali, Port of Mina Salman, Jordan River Crossing, two unspecified gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, and an Aramco gas facility.[7]
On 15 March 2025, the group released a statement directed at Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, condemning the March 2025 United States attacks in Yemen, and declaring "full readiness to "respond to these crimes by targeting American interests in the region wherever they exist and using appropriate means to make them pay for their crimes against our people".[8][9]
In a video clip featuring the image of the former leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah group Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah,[10] Abbas Shield Martyrdom Forces, Ya Ali Popular Formations and the Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds have threatened to take action in Syria and against the United States[11]
References
- ^ https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Red-Sea-Conflict-Yemen-strikes-raise-fears-in-Iraq
- ^ a b "Profile: Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds (formerly known as Ashab al-Kahf) | The Washington Institute". www.washingtoninstitute.org. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ a b War, Institute for the Study of. "Iran Update, September 18, 2024". Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "Iraqi Kataib Sarkhat Al-Quds announces the start of a new stage of operation aganist Israel Baghdad, Baghdad Governorate". Palestine and Israel news today on map - Jerusalem today - Israel News today - Palestine News today - israelpalestine.liveuamap.com. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ Sun, Melanie (September 23, 2024). "Hezbollah, Israel exchange fire as concerns grow over widening conflict". Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "Deciphering Iraqi Militia Threats of an Energy War | The Washington Institute". www.washingtoninstitute.org. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "New Iraqi armed factions vow "jihad" against US". Shafaq News. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "Iraq's Iran-backed militias on edge as US hits Houthis in Yemen". The Arab Weekly. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "New Iraqi Armed Factions Threaten Attacks Upon US And Syria". Musings on Iraq. March 19, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.