Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations
Kata'ib Ansar al-Hijja
Designation Status (as of October 6, 2026)
| US State Dept FTO | Not listed official list |
|---|---|
| US Treasury OFAC SDN (SDGT) | Not listed official list |
| UK Proscribed | Not listed official list |
| EU Terrorist Lists | Not listed official list |
| Canada Listed Entities | Not listed official list |
| Australia Listed | Not listed official list |
Profile written 2014 The profile below is the original Jihad Intel text and has not been updated. Designation status above is current.
Not yet designated terrorist by a Western country
Base of operations: Iraq
Kata'ib Ansar al-Hijja, also known as 'Liwa Ansar al-Hijja', ('The Battalions/Brigade of the Supporters/Partisans of al-Hijja', with al-Hijja being a reference to the Imam Mehdi in Shi'a Islam), is a Shi'a militia led by one Sheikh Muhammad al-Kinani. Some claimed areas of operation include Salah ad-Din and Anbar provinces. The group also includes itself as part of a larger 'Quwat al-Shaheed al-Sadr' ('Martyr Sadr Forces': in reference to Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr) movement that should not be confused with Da'wah Party Tanẓim al-Iraq's armed wing. Politically, Kata'ib Ansar al-Hijja initially seemed supportive of Hayder al-Abadi but the group's leader has met with a wide variety of actors including the leader of Iranian proxy Saraya al-Khorasani. There also appear to be some links ex-PM Nouri al-Maliki, who has sought to undermine Abadi.
