Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar

Not yet designated terrorist by a Western country
Base of operations: Syria, Iraq

Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar is an Iraqi Shi'a militia that first emerged in Syria in 2013 under the pretext of defending the Sayyida Zainab shrine, primarily operating in the Damascus area. A participant in an Assad regime offensive on al-Mleha in East Ghouta coordinated with other Shi'a militias and other irregular forces alongside the Syrian army, Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar had many of its members deploy to Iraq in the face of the rise of the Islamic State. Indeed, Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar's Secretary General, Abu Shahad al-Juburi, visited the front lines in the besieged Shi'a town of Amerli in 2014. By mid to late fall 2014, the group re-emerged as a player in Syrian engagements, and has since that time fought in a variety of battles including in Jobar and Latakia. Ideologically the group appears to identify itself with Muqtada al-Sadr and his family.

As part of an integration into the Syrian state apparatus, Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar commander Hayder al-Juburi also serves as the leader of Quwat Dir' al-Watan (Homeland Shield Forces), which like other pro-Assad militias is affiliated with Rami Makhlouf's al-Bustan Association.

Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar Armpatch	Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar Banner	Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar Emblem	Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar Emblem
Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar: Dir' al-Watan