Harakat Ansar Iran
Harakat Ansar Iran (Persian: حرکت انصار ایران; Movement of the Partisans of Iran)[2] was a Sunni militant organization active from 2012 to 2013 in the Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency. It is a designated terrorist organization by Iran and Japan.[3] It was one of two militant groups, along with its ally Jaish ul-Adl, which split from Jundallah after the arrest of its leader in 2010.[2]
| Harakat Ansar Iran | |
|---|---|
Harakat Ansar Iran | |
| Leaders | Mohammad Shafi † Abu Hafs al Baloochi † |
| Dates of operation | 2012–2013 |
| Active regions | Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran |
| Ideology | Salafist jihadism anti-Islamic Republic of Iran |
| Allies | Saudi Arabia[1] Al-Qaeda Jaish ul-Adl |
| Opponents | Iran |
Harakat Ansar was initially led by Mohammad Shafi who was killed in Pakistan. After his death, Hesham Azizi a.k.a. Abu Hafs al Baloochi became the leader.[4] According to Mashregh News, the group received support from Saudi Arabia and the Taliban.[5]
The group later dropped "Iran" from their name, calling themselves Harakat al-Ansar (Arabic: حرکة الانصار), which uses Arabic rather than the former Persian name. The group merged with Hizbul-Furqan and formed Ansar Al-Furqan in late 2013.[6]
References
- ^ "Pakistani Jihadis Abduct Iranian Soldiers". The Daily Beast. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Iran calls for return of abducted border guards held in Pakistan". The Telegraph. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ (in Japanese). Ministry of Justice of Japan. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "دستاوردهای یک عملیات؛ چرا عملیات علیه هسته مرکزی گروهک "انصار الفرقان" مهم بود؟" (in Persian). Mashregh News. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ "نگرانی سلفی ها از مدل اهل سنت ایران؛ قطر در جنوب شرق ایران به دنبال چیست/ گروهک انصار ایران چگونه شکل گرفت؟" (in Persian). Mashregh News. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ "Iran Sunni Baloch Insurgents: "Union With Hizbul-Furqan Strengthens Our Front Against Safavids"". EA WorldView. December 21, 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2014.