Hamas of Iraq

This article is about the group based in Iraq. For the Palestinian group, see Hamas.

Hamas of Iraq
حماس العراق
Foundation2007
Dates of operation18 March 2007 – 18 December 2011; still existed until 9 December 2017
Dissolved2017
Active regionsCentral Iraq
IdeologyIraqi nationalism
Sunni Islamism
Anti-Imperialism
Anti-West
Part ofPolitical Council for the Iraqi Resistance
Allies Islamic Army in Iraq
 United States (claimed by Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq)[1]
OpponentsIraq Iraqi Armed Forces
 United States
Al-Qaeda in Iraq
Islamic State of Iraq
Battles and warsIraqi insurgency (2003–2011) War in Iraq (2013-2017)
Designated as a terrorist group by Iraq[2]

Hamas of Iraq (Arabic: حماس العراق, romanized: Ḥamās al-'Irāq) was a Sunni militia group based in Iraq, which split from the 1920 Revolution Brigades on 18 March 2007.[3] The group claims to have released videos of its attack on US troops.[4] The 1920 Revolution Brigades insists that Hamas in Iraq was involved in assisting US troops in their Diyala operations against Al-Qaeda in Iraq.[5][6] former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had feared the US-armed 'concerned local citizens' were an armed Sunni opposition in the making, and has argued that such groups should be under the command of the Iraqi Army or police.[7] On October 11, 2007, the militia group joined a political council that embraced armed insurgency against American forces.[8]

  1. ^ "عصائب أهل الحق: أمريكا سلحت فصائل إرهابية متورطة بدماء العراقيين" [Asaib Ahl al-Haq: America has armed terrorist factions involved in the blood of Iraqis]. www.rudawarabia.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  2. ^ "نص الاعترافات الخطيرة لأعضاء الشبكة الارهابية والتي تدين الهاشمي و العيساوي". 20 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Iraqi Jihad Group Establishes New Political Framework called 'Hamas-Iraq'". Middle East Media Research Institute. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Twentieth Revolution Brigades and Hamas of Iraq Individually Claim Downing American Helicopters in Baghdad, Video of Bombing Troop Transporter". SITE Institute. 10 April 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  5. ^ "Iraqi Resistance Report for events of Sunday, 26 August 2007". Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  6. ^ "1920 Revolution Brigade memo denying involvement in Diyala Operations". 26 August 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  7. ^ "US buys 'concerned citizens' in Iraq, but at what price?". AFP. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008.
  8. ^ "Iraq insurgent groups form one council". Retrieved 27 June 2023.