Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Imam Ali Fighting Division

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

The Imam Ali Fighting Division is a Shi'a militia in Iraq that identifies itself as part of the "Popular Mobilization" (Hashd Sha'abi). Sample areas of operation include the Bashir area in Kirkuk province, where the group recently claimed a fallen fighter, as well as Salah ad-Din province. As its name and imagery suggest, the militia identifies with the site of the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and the religious hawza ('seminary') in that city. Further, the group has provided support for the Al-Abbas Fighting Division- a Karbala militia officially loyal to Ayatollah Sistani- in Nukhayb and other parts of south-west Iraq.

Imam Ali Fighting Division	Imam Ali Fighting Division Emblem