Mujahideen Shura Council (Iraq)
The Mujahideen Shura Council (Arabic: مجلس شورى المجاهدين في العراق, romanized: Majlis Shura al-Mujahideen fi al-Iraq, abbr. MSC), was an umbrella organization of at least six Sunni Islamist[5] insurgent groups[6] taking part in the Iraqi insurgency against U.S.-led Coalition and Iraqi forces. The groups included in the MSC were: Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn[7][8][9][10] (more commonly known as Al-Qaeda in Iraq),[6][7][8][11] Jaish al-Ta'ifa al-Mansurah, Katbiyan Ansar Al-Tawhid wal Sunnah, Saraya al-Jihad Group, al-Ghuraba Brigades, and al-Ahwal Brigades.[12][13][14] In mid-October 2006, a statement was released, stating that the Mujahideen Shura Council had been disbanded, and was replaced by the Islamic State of Iraq.
| Mujahideen Shura Council | |
|---|---|
| Majlis Shura al-Mujahideen fi al-Iraq | |
The logo of the Mujahideen Shura Council, consisting of three hands holding aloft the black flag of jihad. | |
| Leaders | Abu Ali al-Anbari (5 January 2006 – 16 April 2006)[1] Abu Musab al-Zarqawi † (16 April 2006 – 7 June 2006) Abu Omar al-Baghdadi[2] (7 June 2006 – 15 October 2006) |
| Dates of operation | 15 January 2006 – 15 October 2006 |
| Group(s) |
|
| Headquarters | Al Anbar Governorate |
| Active regions | Iraq |
| Ideology | Sunni Islamism Jihadism Qutbism Salafi Jihadism[3] |
| Allies | Al-Qaeda |
| Opponents | Coalition forces Republic of Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority Mahdi Army[4] |
| Battles and wars | Iraq War |
Formation and names edit
On 15 January 2006, in a statement posted to the jihadist website Hanin Net, 'al-Qaeda in Iraq' spokesman Abu Maysarah al-Iraqi announced the formation of the "Mujahideen Consultative Council" ("Majlis Shura al-Mujahideen fi al-Iraq"). It was formed to resist efforts by the American and Iraqi authorities to win over Sunni supporters of the insurgency. The stated purpose of the council was "Managing the struggle in the battle of confrontation to ward off the invading kafir (infidels) and their apostate stooges. ... Uniting the word of the mujahideen and closing their ranks...[and] determining a clear position toward developments and incidents so that people can see things clearly and the truth will not be confused with falsehood."[citation needed]
Under the banner of Mujahideen Shura Council, AQI formed a coalition with seven other insurgent groups opposed to the forces of the U.S.-led coalition.[15][16] The groups in the Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) included:
- Al-Qaeda in Iraq[6][12]
- Jama'at Jaish Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah[12][17][18][19]
- Jaish al-Ta'ifa al-Mansurah[12][14]
- Katbiyan Ansar al-Tawhid wal Sunnah[12][13]
- Saray al-Jihad Group[12]
- Al-Ghuraba Brigades[12][13]
- Al-Ahwal Brigades[12]
AQI continued to claim responsibility for attacks through the new council.[6] Other sources called the council Mujahideen Shura Council in Iraq or Mujaheddin Consultative Council.[20] Around 25 April 2006, a videotape of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was released bearing the organization's logo.[citation needed]
Structure edit
Little is known about the organizational structure of the Council, in large part due to the shadowy nature of the organization itself. Al-Qaeda in Iraq was the most powerful and visible group in the MSC.[citation needed] Because of the multiple leaders the Shura Council had, there seems to have been no disruption in the Shura Council's ability to carry out attacks, with more than 1,600 Iraqi civilians died in the month after Zarqawi's death, the largest number killed in a month to that date.[21] Elements of the Shura Council's organization from the top to the bottom remain fluid due both to the nature of its aims and methods as well as its loose confederation. It was speculated that the group was dominated by al Qaeda in Iraq and that Zarqawi's death dealt a severe blow to the unity of the Council.[20] Aside from the murky workings of the Shura Council's leadership it is known that the Council has rather smooth operations when it comes to propaganda, the Council's propaganda czar, Murasel, regularly posted updates, criticisms, and praises for the Council's own acts of violence on a semi-daily basis at blogspot.com.[citation needed]
Activities edit
MSC forms "Mutayibeen Coalition" edit
MSC, including AQI, on 12 October 2006 announced their "Mutayibeen Coalition" consisting of MSC, three smaller insurgent groups, and six 'loyal' Anbar Sunni tribes counting 300,000 members.[22]
A video on Internet showed six white-clad, masked men, representing: the Mujahideen Shura Council in Iraq;[22] Jaysh Al-Fatihin; Jund Al-Sahaba; Kataib Ansar Al-Tawhid wal-Sunna; and "many of the sheikhs of the faithful tribes [in Iraq]"; taking an Arab "oath of the scented ones" (hilf al-mutayyabin).[23]
"...to implement God's sharia, … We swear by Allah to do our utmost to free the prisoners of their shackles, and to rid Sunnis from the oppression of the rejectionists [Shi'ite Muslims] and the crusader occupiers, to assist the oppressed and restore rights even at the price of our own lives… to make Allah's word supreme in the world, and to restore the glory of Islam".
MSC becomes part of 'Islamic State of Iraq' edit
On the 13[24] and 15 October 2006, messages on Internet purportedly in the name of MSC and the Mutayibeen Coalition declared the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) which should encompass the governorates of Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Saladin, Nineveh and parts of Babil and Wasit – a swathe of central and western Iraq where most Sunni Arabs live.[25]
Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was being announced as the self-proclaimed state's Emir.[24][26] A Mujahideen Shura Council leader said: "God willing we will set the law of Sharia here and we will fight the Americans". The Council urged on Sunni Muslim tribal leaders to join their separate Islamic state "to protect our religion and our people, to prevent strife and so that the blood and sacrifices of your martyrs are not lost".[27]
In reality, the group was not known to control any territory in Iraq yet.[28] Following the announcement, scores of gunmen took part in military parades in Ramadi and other Anbar towns to celebrate.[27][28]
References edit
- ^ . 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023.
- ^ Perkoski, Evan (2022). "5: Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State". Divided, Not Conquered: How Rebels Fracture and Splinters Behave. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA: Oxford University Press. p. 158. ISBN 9780197627075.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ (PDF). Center for Strategic & International Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "Mahdi Army | Mapping Militant Organizations". from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ . International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 17 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d . ABC News. ABC News. 30 January 2006. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ a b Pool, Jeffrey (16 December 2004). . Terrorism Monitor. 2 (24): The Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Al-Zarqawi group vows allegiance to bin Laden". NBC News. Associated Press. 18 October 2004. from the original on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
- ^ Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs (18 May 2006). "Chapter 5 -- Country Reports: Middle East and North Africa Overview". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ . Dawn. Agence France-Presse. 18 October 2004. Archived from the original on 29 December 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
- ^ Gordon Corera (16 December 2004). "Unraveling Zarqawi's al-Qaeda connection". Jamestown. Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "ست مجموعات اسلامية في العراق تعلن انشاء مجلس شوري" [Six Islamic groups in Iraq announce the establishment of a Shura Council]. 16 January 2006.
- ^ a b "أين بن لادن ومن يؤويه ولماذا لا يعثر عليه؟". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Bunzel, Cole (5 October 2013). . Jihadica. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
- ^ ["Mujahideen Shura Council" announces the establishment of an Islamic emirate in Iraq]. Al Arabiya. 15 October 2006. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021.
- ^ "'Stations' of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's Life: Translation and Analysis". 7 November 2019. from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ Orton, Kyle. "Profile of Islamic State Leaders" (PDF).
- ^ "Currently listed entities". 21 December 2018.
- ^ a b Mahan Abedin. . Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 18 April 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ . MSNBC. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ a b c . The Long War Journal. 12 October 2006. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- ^ a b . MEMRI. 17 October 2006. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- ^ a b . The Long War Journal. 16 October 2006. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ Stephen Negus: "Call for Sunni state in Iraq". Financial Times, 2006-10-15. Retrieved 15 January 2015. (Free) registration required. (Archive)
- ^ "Call for Sunni state in Iraq". www.ft.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b . Reuters. 18 October 2006. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
- ^ a b . The Washington Post. 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.