Saraya Awliya al-Dam | |
---|---|
Also known as | SAD |
Foundation | August 2020 [1] |
Country | ![]() |
Ideology | Anti-Americanism [2] Anti-Zionism [3] |
Notable attacks | 2021 Erbil rocket attacks |
Part of | Popular Mobilization Forces Islamic Resistance in Iraq |
Allies | ![]() ![]() Kata'ib Hezbollah Popular Mobilization Forces (alleged) [4] |
Opponents | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Battles and wars |
Saraya Awliya al-Dam, also referred to by the abbreviation SAD, is a Shi'ite pro-Iran militia based in Iraq. The organization is known for its counter-U.S. operations in Northern Iraq. [7]
In 2021, the group claimed responsibility for the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, which killed two civilians and injured six more, including an American soldier. [8] [9]
A report by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary. [7]
SAD has been described as "a relatively new player" in the Iraqi conflict. [10] The first operation of Saraya Awliya al-Dam occurred on 24 August 2020, when they attacked a group of Iraqi trucks that may have been carrying U.S. goods. The organization confirmed they were responsible. [7]
On 6 January 2021, another attack was launched by SAD on another convoy of trucks. [7]
The day after the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, SAD claimed responsibility for the airstrikes. [7] [8] [11] [12] [13] It was the most serious attack on the coalition since the Biden administration began. [14] SAD proclaimed:
The American occupation will not be safe from our strikes in any inch of the homeland, even in Kurdistan, where we promise we will carry out other qualitative operations. [15]
SAD officially supports Iran, and is often classified as an Iranian proxy. [16] [8] Iranian officials have denied allegations by some Iraqi politicians that they have ties to the group. [17] [15] SAD may also have ties to Kataib Hezbollah, which officially backs Iran. [15]
The SAD is generally considered to be at odds with Turkey, and could possibly pose a threat to Turkey–Iran relations in the future. [18] After the Erbil attacks, the SAD announced that they "only targeted American, Turkish, and Israeli occupation bases." The journalist Shelly Kittleson commented:
Though many armed groups and others in the country have, for more than a decade, demanded an end to the "American-Israeli occupation", the addition of "Turkish" is significant. [19]
Many commentators have suggested that SAD could be a front for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). [20] [21]
Reports by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary, [7] [22] which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States. [22]
Many critics have described it as a terrorist group. [23] [24] Other commentators have accused Iran of denying their alleged ties to the SAD. [25] [23] [20]
The militia has a Telegram account, which has been repeatedly noted by different news sources. [7] [26]