Imam Hujja Regiment

Last updated

Fawj al-Imam al-Hujja
LeaderAli Muhammad Mustafa Khalil ('al-Zilzal') 
Dates of operationJanuary 2016 – December 2024
CountryFlag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg  Syria
Headquarters Aleppo
Nubl, al-Zahraa
Ideology Shiism
Part of InfoboxHez.PNG Syrian Hezbollah
AlliesFlag of Iran.svg  Iran
InfoboxHez.PNG Hezbollah
Battles and wars

Fawj al-Imam al-Hujja, or the Imam Hujja Regiment, was a Shia Islamist militia formed in January 2016 during the Syrian civil war. The group ceased to exist after the Fall of the Assad regime. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

History

Affiliated with Hezbollah, the Imam Hujja Regiment was formed in January 2016 in Nubbul and Al-Zahraa, two towns in the Aleppo Governorate which were being besieged by rebel forces at the time. [4] [5]

On 9 July of 2016, declared the death of its Commander, Ali Muhammad Mustafa Khalil (known by his nickname of al-Zilzal). [6] A detailed biography was later released, which stated that he was 34 years old and from the town of Nubl. He also had two children. He had participated in the Battle of Aleppo and eventually had received a leadership position in Fawj al-Imam al-Hujja. [6]

Group reportedly received support from Iran. [7]

The group ceased to exist after the Fall of the Assad regime. [1] [2] [3]

Areas of operation

In 2016, the militia was active in the Aleppo Governorate and took part in the siege of Nubl and al-Zahraa [6] during the Battle of Aleppo. [8]

Shiite militiamen of Fawj al-Imam al-Hujja, after the Siege of Nubl and al-Zahraa, on 3 February 2016. Breaking siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa (2).jpg
Shiite militiamen of Fawj al-Imam al-Hujja, after the Siege of Nubl and al-Zahraa, on 3 February 2016.

2024 Syrian Opposition Offensives

During the 2024 Syrian opposition offensives the group, and later on its remnants, unsuccessfully attempted to halt the Syrian Rebel advances during the Battle of Aleppo (2024) and Battle of Homs (2024) respectively. [9] [10]

References

  1. 1 2 Taban, Besmillah (15 December 2024). "The Fall of the Syrian Government and the Future of Foreign Jihadists: Supporters and Opponents of Assad". Hasht-e Subh. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Once a pro-Iran bastion, Damascus shrine district now in rebel hands". France 24. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 "How Syrian mutinies and betrayal sunk Iran's support for Assad". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  4. "Hezbollah-backed militias in Syria - Fahnen Flaggen Fahne Flagge Flaggenshop Fahnenshop kaufen bestellen". www.fahnenversand.de. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  5. "Fawj al-Imam al-Hujja" . Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (15 August 2016). "Syrian Hezbollah Militias of Nubl and Zahara'". Syria Comment.
  7. "Iran-supported militant groups and organizations". Mepa News (in Turkish). 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  8. Toumaj, Amir (9 December 2016). "Array of pro-Syrian government forces advances in Aleppo". The Long War Journal.
  9. "How Syrian mutinies and betrayal sunk Iran's support for Assad". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  10. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (22 January 2025). "The Days of Assad's Fall: Interview. A Local Defence Forces' Perspective". Middle East Forum. Retrieved 30 May 2025.