 | This article is missing information about the group from after 2014. (January 2018) |
| Islamic Army in Iraq الجيش الإسلامي في العراق | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leaders | Ishmael Jubouri Muhammad Abid Luhaibi Ahmed al-Dabash |
| Dates of operation | 2003–2014 |
| Active regions | Sunni Triangle Baghdad Belts |
| Ideology | Sunni Islamism Iraqi nationalism Anti-Imperialism Anti-Zionism |
| Size | 10,400 (2007)[1] |
| Allies |  Iraqi Ba'ath Party Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order Free Iraqi Army Hamas of Iraq 1920 Revolution Brigades Jaysh al-Mujahideen Ansar al-Sunnah Al-Qaeda in Iraq (2005) Iraqi Islamic Resistance Army |
| Opponents |  Iraq United States Iran - backed militias in Iraq Islamic State of Iraq Al-Qaeda in Iraq (2007) Israel |
| Battles and wars | Iraq War Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013) War in Iraq (2013-17) |
| Flag |  |
The Islamic Army in Iraq (Arabic: الجيش الإسلامي في العراق, romanized: al-Jaysh al-Islāmi fī'l-`irāq, abbr. IAI) was an underground Islamist militant organization formed in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by U.S.-led Coalition forces, and the subsequent collapse of the Ba'athist regime headed by Saddam Hussein. IAI was regarded as one of the largest, sophisticated and most influential Sunni insurgent groups in Iraq that led an asymmetrical military insurgency against Coalition forces.[2] The group became known for its grisly videos of kidnappings and attacks on U.S. and Iraqi troops.[3][4]
Although it carries an Islamic title, the group combines Sunni Islamism with Iraqi nationalism, and has been labelled as "resistance" by Iraq's Sunni Vice president Tariq al-Hashimi (who was sentenced to death in 2012) despite al-Hashimi's close relations with the U.S. government.
Following the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq in late 2011, the IAI largely demobilized and turned towards political activism, setting up the Sunni Popular Movement.[5] The group’s turn away from armed opposition towards activism was criticised by other militant groups, including groups that the IAI had previously allied with such as the Mujahideen Army.[5]
In the beginning of 2014, however, the group returned to armed militancy and was active anti-government violence in Anbar and Northern Iraq during the first phases of the War in Iraq (2013-17). The group was primarily active in the Diyala and Saladin Governorates.[5] Most of its fighters have renounced fighting against the Iraqi state, although some have joined ISIS. Islamic Army in Iraq has not claimed any attacks since late 2014.
On the 9th of April, 2024, the group has published a video titled "Come to Jihad" (حي على الجهاد). This hour long video shows the history of activities the group was involved in and testifies that the group will come back. Furthermore, the group reannounces their opposition towards the Iranian government and ISIS. They also call for the Sunni Iraqis to join the group.[6]
- ^ Daniel Cassman. "Islamic Army in Iraq | Mapping Militant Organizations". Stanford.edu. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
- ^ Acun, Can (July 2014). "The Map of Insurgency in Iraq: The Armed Groups" (PDF). SETA (Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research).
- ^ Abdel-Hamid, Hoda (2006-11-20). "Inside the Islamic Army of Iraq". Al Jazeera.
- ^ Musharbash, Yassin (25 October 2006). "Terror-Propaganda im Irak: Der Sniper mit der Strichliste". Der Spiegel (in German).
- ^ a b c al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (1 July 2014). "Iraq crisis: Key players in Sunni rebellion". BBC News.
- ^ الجيش الاسلامي في العراق (2024-04-09), حي على الجهاد, retrieved 2024-04-17