Ashab al-Kahf (militant group)

Ashab al-Kahf (Arabic: اصحاب الکهف, lit. 'Companions of the Cave') is an Iraqi Shia militant group that has been described as a proxy formation of Iran.[2] The group first emerged in August 2019, but increased in activity following the American assassination of Qasem Soleimani.[3] It has attacked targets associated with the United States using rockets and improvised explosive devices. The group denies maintaining relationships with other Iranian-backed Shia paramilitary groups, such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.[4]

Ashab al-Kahf
اصحاب الکهف
Dates of operationAugust 2019 – present
Active regionsIraq
IdeologyShia Islamism
Anti-Americanism
Anti-Zionism
Anti-Turkism
Khomeinism
Political positionRight-wing to Far-right
AlliesState allies

Non-state allies

Opponents
Battles and wars2019-2020 Persian Gulf crisis

History

The group announced its existence on Twitter in August 2019 following several suspected Israeli airstrikes on Shia militant groups in Iraq. However, there is speculation that the group may have been active since 2017 but refrained from launching attacks against U.S. forces due to their role in the military efforts against the Islamic State.[5] After its announcement, the group threatened retaliation against future attacks, stating "Americans and the Israelis should know that bombings will be met with bombings, assassinations for assassinations, and kidnappings for kidnappings".[4]

In May 2020, the group criticized the leaders of other Iranian-backed Shia paramilitary groups through their Telegram channel, claiming some were "traitors" secretly advancing the interests of the United States and Israel, while others were morally corrupt. The group stated Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were "backstabbed" by such groups. It added cooperation with the administration of Iraqi prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi was impossible because he is a "CIA agent".[4]

On 11 August 2020, Ashab al-Kahf claimed it had bombed a US logistics convoy near the Iraqi border with Kuwait. The group stated that it had destroyed "equipment and vehicles belonging to the American enemy" and released an 11-second video showing an explosion. Iraq and Kuwait stated no such attack took place.[6]

On 27 October 2020, Ashab al-Kahf offered a reward between $20,000 and US$50,000 to Iraqis who could supply information concerning the activities of investors and economists from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.[7]

On 17 November 2020, three rockets targeted the Embassy of the United States in Baghdad's Green Zone. The Iraqi Army stated one rocket landed in a civilian area, killing a young child and injuring five civilians. Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for the attack through Telegram. American officials stated that American facilities and personnel were unharmed.[8]

The group condemned the reopening of the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, stating it was committed to the "rejection of the Saudi project in Iraq".[9]

On 10 December 2020, Ashab al-Kahf threatened to attack US bases throughout the Middle East. These include four U.S. bases in Kuwait, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Camp Arifjan, Camp Virginia, and Camp Buehring as well as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.[10][11]

On 15 February 2021, the group attacked a Turkish military base in Mosul.[12]

On 7 April 2022, a coalition resupply convoy was struck by a roadside bomb in al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria. The exclusive video footage of the destroyed vehicle was aired by Ashab al-Kahf.

In November 2022, Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for killing the US citizen, Stephen Troll, in Baghdad, Iraq in retaliation for the assassination of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The US State Department stated that the American was killed in a failed kidnapping attempt.[13]

In July 2023, following Quran burnings in Sweden, the group issued a statement saying they would "target all commercial and economic interests of Sweden in Iraq".[14]

References
  1. "Profile: Usbat al-Thaireen". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  2. "Iranian regime will not stop bankrolling terror". Arab News. 2020-04-19. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  3. "Has killing Soleimani backfired on the US?". The Strategist. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  4. "Flashpoint - Profile and Exclusive Interview with Iraqi Shiite Insurgents Ashab al-Kahf". Flashpoint. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  5. "Profile: Ashab al-Kahf". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  6. "US military investigating Iraqi Shia militia's claim it bombed the Iraq-Kuwait border". Al Arabiya English. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  7. Zidane, Salam (2020-10-31). "Demands for payment from tribes, militias stalling investment in Iraq". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  8. "Rockets apparently fired by an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia hit U.S. complex in Baghdad as tensions with Tehran rise". The New York Times. 18 November 2020.
  9. "Iraq, Saudi Arabia reopen Arar border crossing after 30 years". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  10. Trevithick, Joseph. "Message To Iran: Navy Sends Guided-Missile Submarine On Rare Trip Into The Persian Gulf (Updated)". The Drive. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  11. Team, Flashpoint Intel (2020-08-20). "Profile and Exclusive Interview with Iraqi Shiite Insurgents Ashab al-Kahf". Flashpoint. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  12. "Iraqi group launches missile attack on Turkish military base". 15 February 2021.
  13. "Armed Militia Announces Responsibility for Death of US Citizen in Iraq". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  14. "Iraq tells Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave over Quran burning".
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