Islamic Army of Iraq
| Islamic Army in Iraq الجيش الإسلامي في العراق |
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|---|---|
| Participant in the Iraq War | |
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| Active | 2003 – 2011 2014 – present |
| Ideology |
Sunni Islamism, Iraqi nationalism |
| Leaders |
Ishmael Jubouri, Muhammad Abid Luhaibi |
| Headquarters | Sunni Triangle |
| Area of operations | Iraq |
| Strength | 10,400 (2007) |
| Opponents |
Iraqi security forces, Badr Corps, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq |
The Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI) (Arabic: الجيش الإسلامي في العراق,al jaysh al islāmi fī'l-`irāq) is one of a number of underground Islamist militant (or mujahideen) organizations formed in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by United States and coalition military forces, and the subsequent collapse of the Baathist government headed by Saddam Hussein.
Although it carries an Islamic title, the group combines Islamism with Iraqi nationalism, and has been labelled as "resistance" by Iraq's Sunni Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi despite regular raids against Iraqi soldiers and policemen, as well as Shi'ite militias such as the Mahdi Army and the Badr Organization.
Following the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq in late 2011, the IAI demobilized and turned towards political activism, setting up the Sunni Popular Movement. The groups turn away from armed opposititon towards activism was criticised by other militant groups, including groups that the IAI had previously allied with such as Jaysh al-Mujihadeen
Since the beginning of 2014, however, the group has been active in the ongoing anti-government violence in Anbar and Northern Iraq. The group is primarily active in the Diyala and Saladin Provinces.
The precise details about the emergence of the IAI are unclear, although it is generally assumed that the group was established in the summer of 2003 to fight coalition forces.
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Wikipedia