Kata'ib al-Imam Ali
| Kata'ib al-Imam Ali | |
|---|---|
| كتائب الإمام علي | |
| Active | June 2014–present |
| Ideology |
Shia Islamism Wilayat al Faqih Anti-Americanism |
| Allegiance | Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah |
| Groups | Spirit of God Jesus Son of Mary Battalions |
| Leaders |
|
| Area of operations |
Iraq Syria |
| Part of | Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) |
| Allies |
Peshmerga Nineveh Plain Protection Units |
| Opponents |
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
|
| Battles and wars | |
Iraqi Civil War (2014–present)
The Imam Ali Battalions (Arabic: كتائب الإمام علي, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali) are the armed wing of the Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah (Movement of the Islamic Iraq) party, believed to be an Iranian proxy group. Part of the Shiite militia umbrella organization "Popular Mobilization Forces", Kata'ib al-Imam Ali is prominently involved in the Iraqi Civil War against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Kata'ib al-Imam Ali came into existence in June 2014 as the armed wing of the Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiyah (Movement of the Islamic Iraq) party. While its emergence was linked to the large-scale Shia mobilization after the escalation of Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency into a full-out civil war, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali is closely connected to older Iraqi Shia Islamist organizations, parties and militias, as well as to the Iranian Quds Force. The group's secretary general Shibl al-Zaydi is affiliated with the Sadrist Movement, and was at one point member of the anti-American Mahdi Army. Kata'ib al-Imam Ali also appears to enjoy the favour of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces, who has at times even personally led the group into battle. Thanks to these links, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali is well-equipped and has been able to recruit veteran militants, allowing a "meteoric growth".
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