Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba explained
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (The Nujaba Movement or HHN; Arabic: حركة حزب الله النجباء|Ḥaraka Ḥizballāh an-Nujabā’|lit=Movement of the Party of God's Nobles), officially the 12th Brigade, is a radical Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary group that is especially active in Syria and Iraq. It was established in 2013 by Akram al-Kaabi to support Bashar al-Assad in Syria against Islamist rebels. The group is supported by the IRGC's Quds Force, which provides the funding, weapons, and training of its members.[22]
The militia is also supported by the Lebanese Hezbollah and acts as part of the Axis of Resistance. It is a part of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a group of Shi’ite militias that are close to Iran, until 2020 when it joined the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.[23] The Nujaba Movement adopts the ideology of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and regards Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as its supreme leader. A January 2024 report in The Hill indicates that it is still part of the PMF.[24] The group seeks to establish an Iran-aligned government in Iraq, expel U.S. and allied forces from the country, and advance Iranian interests throughout the Middle East.
HHN militia fighters in Iraq are deployed mainly in southern Iraq and in the provinces of Baghdad, Salah ad Din, Diyala, and Nineveh. The militia fighters in Syria are deployed mainly in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, where they have established positions, headquarters, training camps, and recruitment offices to recruit Syrian residents.[25]
HHN has a TV channel named Al-Nujaba TV, which is based in Baghdad, Iraq.[26]
In March 2019, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (and all its aliases and component parts) and its leader Akram al-Kaabi Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).[27] [28] The sanctions prohibits business with the militia and its leader and freezes all property in their possession.[29]
History
HHN emerged in 2013 as an offshoot of the Iraqi paramilitary Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) and is led by AAH co-founder Akram al-Kaabi. al-Kaabi said that he formed the militia after a period of inactivity in the Syrian Civil War. He denies it emerged from a "split" with AAH, but that he chose not to unify with them due to disagreements.[30]
The two groups still share close affinity, often simultaneously commemorating martyrs.[31] They have released a nasheed praising Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Suleimani. Both groups follow the Iranian government's ideology, and al-Kaabi has stated that he would overthrow the Iraqi government or fight alongside the Yemeni Houthis if ordered by Grand Ayatollah Khamenei.
HHN was one of the first Iraqi paramilitaries to send fighters to Syria, where it has been active since its formation in 2013. It has had an increasing role in Syria after a significant boost to recruitment efforts took place in 2015. It was a major participant in the 2015 South Aleppo offensive[32] and the breaking of the siege of the Shia towns Nubl and Zahraa.[33]
In December 2014, ABNA.ir published photos of Iranian-built Yasir UAV (an unlicensed copy of the American ScanEagle) claimed in use with HHN.[34]
In April 2015, al-Kaabi said HHN had suffered 126 casualties, including 38 in Syria.[6]
On 1 January 2019, al-Kaabi said that the IRGC and Lebanese Hezbollah helped the militia Shi'ite forces of the Mahdi Army that were fighting the U.S. forces in 2004. He said that in the 2004 Battle of Najaf, IRGC and Hezbollah officers were present on the ground and helped during the battle, in which 13 US servicemen were killed and over 100 wounded.[35]
In November 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched missiles on various Israel targets, including in the Red Sea city of Eilat.[36]
On 3 December 2023, five members of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba were killed in U.S. airstrikes near Kirkuk as they were preparing to launch a drone against American forces.[37] [38]
On 4 January 2024, a targeted drone strike by the U.S. military in Baghdad killed the region's deputy commander of operations, Mushtaq Talib Al-Saeedi, or Abu Taqwa. Other casualties sustained included 3 additional individuals and 6 wounded.[39] [40]
Divisions
HHN comprises four brigades:[41] [42]
- Liwa Ammar Ibn Yasir (Ammar Ibn Yasir Brigade; designated as terrorist by UAE)[43]
- Liwa al-Hamd (Praise Brigade)
- Liwa al-Imam al-Hassan al-Mujtaba (Brigade of Imam Hassan the Chosen)
- Golan Liberation Brigade[44]
See also
Notes and References
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- Web site: Harakat Hezbollah alNujaba (The Movement of the Noble of Hezbollah). 24 April 2023. fdd.org. November 2018. 19 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230719190257/http://www.fdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/HarakatNujaba.pdf. live.
- Web site: خلاطي: حركة النجباء جزء من مؤسسة الحشد الشعبي الرسمية. حركة النجباء. 6 August 2018. 22 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171122103908/http://alnujaba.com/10226--.html. dead.
- Web site: Interview with the leader of Harakat al-Nujaba: Translation and Analysis. Aymenn Jawad. Al-Tamimi. 28 April 2015. 8 June 2016. 9 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190609232231/http://www.aymennjawad.org/2015/04/interview-with-the-leader-of-harakat-al-nujaba. live.
- Web site: The Nujaba Movement, an Iraqi Shiite militia handled by Iran, also operates in the Gaza Strip. 25 May 2020. 8 May 2021. 8 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210508205417/https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/nujaba-movement-iraqi-shiite-militia-handled-iran-also-operates-gaza-strip/. live.
- Web site: عمليات حركة النجباء في سوريا - الغوطة الشرقية. قناة النجباء الفضائية. 10 October 2015. 8 June 2016. YouTube. 3 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200103105515/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69c8rRTb7KA. live.
- Web site: Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba: Operation in Latakia (2015). Stahlgewitter Syrien 2. 11 November 2015. 8 June 2016. YouTube. 22 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160322155934/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh8L5bVfUsg. live.
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- Web site: Iraqi Shiite militia leader says he would overthrow government if ordered by Iran's supreme leader - The Long War Journal. 8 June 2016. 30 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190330160457/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/11/us-designated-terrorist-of-iraqi-militia-reportedly-in-aleppo.php. live.
- Web site: Harakat al-Nujaba': Interview. Aymenn Jawad. Al-Tamimi. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. 5 September 2018. 30 October 2018. 13 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190513111931/http://www.aymennjawad.org/2018/09/harakat-al-nujaba-interview. live.
- Web site: الحشد الشعبي: التشكيل.. التدريب .. النشوء ومراحل تصنيع السلاح. oneiraqnews.com. 23 March 2019. 30 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220330062729/http://oneiraqnews.com/?aa=news&id22=2307. live.
- Web site: Archived copy . www.washingtoninstitute.org . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142041/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PF138Appendices/PF138_Appendix_2.pdf . 2 April 2015 . dead.
- Web site: After ISIS, Fatemiyoun Vows to Fight with "Axis of Resistance" to Destroy Israel. Middle East Institute. 23 March 2019. 16 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716012136/https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel. live.
- Web site: The Local Defence Forces: Regime Auxiliary Forces in Aleppo. Aymenn Jawad. Al-Tamimi. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. 29 July 2018. 30 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180930173906/http://www.aymennjawad.org/18859/the-local-defence-forces-regime-auxiliary-forces. live.
- Web site: مليشيا "الحشد الشعبي" تقدم دليلا جديدا لدعمها الحوثيين. بوابة العين الإخبارية. 26 April 2018. 28 June 2018. 28 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180628153309/https://al-ain.com/article/iran-houthi-terrorism. live.
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- Web site: Why Iran is shielding the PKK in Iraq. Why Iran is shielding the PKK in Iraq. 18 February 2021. 16 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210216230615/https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/why-iran-is-shielding-the-pkk-in-iraq-44221. live.
- Web site: US continues airstrikes in Tikrit despite involvement of Iranian-backed Shiite militias. The Long War Journal. 28 March 2015. Bill Roggio. 8 June 2016. 10 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190610150432/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/03/us-continues-airstrikes-in-tikrit-despite-involvement-of-iranian-backed-shiite-militias.php. live.
- Web site: 'الفتح' يستنكر ادراج العصائب والنجباء في لائحة الارهاب الاميركية. ارنا. 23 March 2019. 16 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231016050755/https://www.irna.ir/ar/News/82933205/. live.
- Web site: 31 December 2017 . The Movement of the Noble Ones (Harakat al-Nujaba) . Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center . 17 January 2023 . 17 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117183211/https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/movement-noble-ones-harakat-al-nujaba-portrait-iraqi-shiite-militia-operated-iraq-syria-iran-intended-future-strategic-missions/ . live .
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- Web site: 5 March 2019 . State Department Terrorist Designation of Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN) and Akram 'Abbas al-Kabi . U.S. Department of State . 28 November 2023 . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204004728/https://2017-2021.state.gov/state-department-terrorist-designation-of-harakat-al-nujaba-han-and-akram-abbas-al-kabi/ . live .
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