Saraya Awliya al-Dam
Also known asSAD
FoundationAugust 2020[1]
Country Iraq
IdeologyAnti-Americanism[2]
Anti-Zionism[3]
Notable attacks2021 Erbil rocket attacks
Part ofPopular Mobilization Forces (alleged)
Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Allies Iran (alleged)
 North Korea
Kata'ib Hezbollah
Popular Mobilization Forces (alleged)[4]
Opponents United States
 Turkey[5]
 Iraqi Kurdistan[6]
Battles and wars

Saraya Awliya al-Dam, also referred to by the abbreviation SAD, is a Shi'ite pro-Iran militia based in Iraq. The organization is known for its counter-U.S. operations in Northern Iraq.[7]

In 2021, the group claimed responsibility for the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, which killed two civilians and injured six more, including an American soldier.[8][9]

A report by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary.[7]

History

SAD has been described as "a relatively new player" in the Iraqi conflict.[10] The first operation of Saraya Awliya al-Dam occurred on 24 August 2020, when they attacked a group of Iraqi trucks that may have been carrying U.S. goods. The organization confirmed they were responsible.[7]

On 6 January 2021, another attack was launched by SAD on another convoy of trucks.[7]

The day after the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, SAD claimed responsibility for the airstrikes.[7][8][11][12][13] It was the most serious attack on the coalition since the Biden administration began.[14] SAD proclaimed:

The American occupation will not be safe from our strikes in any inch of the homeland, even in Kurdistan, where we promise we will carry out other qualitative operations.[15]

Foreign relations

SAD officially supports Iran, and is often classified as an Iranian proxy.[16][8] Iranian officials have denied allegations by some Iraqi politicians that they have ties to the group.[17][15] SAD may also have ties to Kataib Hezbollah, which officially backs Iran.[15]

The SAD is generally considered to be at odds with Turkey, and could possibly pose a threat to Turkey–Iran relations in the future.[18] After the Erbil attacks, the SAD announced that they "only targeted American, Turkish, and Israeli occupation bases." The journalist Shelly Kittleson commented:

Though many armed groups and others in the country have, for more than a decade, demanded an end to the "American-Israeli occupation", the addition of "Turkish" is significant.[19]

Many commentators have suggested that SAD could be a front for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).[20][21]

Reports by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary,[7][22] which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States.[22]

Criticism

Many critics have described it as a terrorist group.[23][24] Other commentators have accused Iran of denying their alleged ties to the SAD.[25][23][20]

Social media

The militia has a Telegram account, which has been repeatedly noted by different news sources.[7][26]

References

  1. ↑ "Iraq's Resurgent Paramilitaries". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "Iraq's rogue militias: Who can stop them from attacking? | DW | 20.02.2021". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Staff, The New Arab (7 July 2021). "Iraqi militia claims drone attack on Erbil airport". alaraby.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  4. ↑ Tollast, Robert (16 February 2021). "Shadowy militia organisation likely backed by Iran claims fatal Iraq attack on US base". Archived from the original on 28 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "Bombs Over Erbil". Newlines Magazine. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Profile: Saraya Awliya al-Dam". The Washington Institute. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 "Pro-Iran militia claims responsibility for missile attack on Erbil airport". Middle East Monitor. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  9. ↑ "Erbil rocket victim dies a week after attack | Rudaw.net". www.rudaw.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "Nineveh Plains Transitional Justice Report: February". Persecution. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "US-led coalition: No Americans killed in Iraq rocket attack". Hindustan Times. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  12. ↑ "Why pro-Iran militias are targeting US forces in Iraq". gulfnews.com. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  13. ↑ "Iraq's Shia Militias Send a Warning to Turkey". Fair Observer. 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  14. ↑ Taib Menmy, Dana (17 February 2021). "'Wake up call': Deadly Iraq rocket attack puts pressure on US". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 "Iraqi armed group vows more attacks on 'American occupation'". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  16. ↑ "Iraq's Legal Responsibility for Militia Attacks on U.S. Forces: Paths Forward". Just Security. 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  17. ↑ "Iran denies links to group behind attack on Iraq's Erbil". Al Arabiya English. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Why the Erbil attack sent a message from Iran to Turkey". Ahval. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  19. ↑ "Bombs Over Erbil". Newlines Magazine. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  20. 1 2 "Shadowy militia organisation likely backed by Iran claims fatal Iraq attack on US base". The National. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  21. ↑ "What Is Known About Group Claiming Attack on US Base in Irbil | Voice of America – English". www.voanews.com. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  22. 1 2 "Rockets over Erbil: How to Respond to an Iraqi Militia Outrage". The Washington Institute. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  23. 1 2 "Iran's Unconvincing Denial of Ties with Erbil Attackers". POLYGRAPH.info. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  24. ↑ "Saraya Awliya al-Dam". IFMAT. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  25. ↑ News, Arab (17 May 2021). "Iraqis Living In Fear Thanks To Iran-Fueled Violence – OpEd". Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ↑ "Western powers condemn attacks in Kurdish Iraq". 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
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