Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Ansar Allah al-Awfiya

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

Background: Ansar Allah Awfiya: One of Many New Khomeinist Militias in Iraq

Ansar Allah al-Awfiya ('Loyal Supporters of God') is an Iraqi Shi'a militia first announced by Sheikh Hayder Gharawi, leader of the 'Group of Honesty and Caring in Iraq' political group based in Maysan Province in Iraq. Ideologically, the group identifies with Iran and appears to have close links with Liwa al-Hamad, a militia division of Iranian proxy Harakat al-Nujaba. There also appears to be overlap with Liwa al-Sadiqeen, another Iraqi Shi'a militia of similar orientation.

As of November 2015, the group has deployed fighters to Syria as part of a series of regime offensives backed by Russian airpower and Iranian proxy manpower support and planning.

Ansar Allah al-Awfiya Emblem	Ansar Allah al-Awfiya: al-Awfiya Broadcasting	Kata'ib al-Shaheed al-Awal: Quwat al-Buraq Martyrdom Poster