Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations
Kata'ib Dir' al-Wilaya
Designation Status (as of October 12, 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 2015 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 Dir' al-Wilaya (The Wilaya Shield Battalions) is a Shi'a militia operating in Iraq. The 'Wilaya' most likely refers to the doctrine of absolute Wilayat al-Faqih ('Guardianship of the Jurist') espoused by Ayatollah Khomeini and implemented in Iran's system of governance. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the group features and promotes Iran's current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in its social media, and in July 2015 held joint al-Quds Day celebrations in Najaf with other Iranian proxies in Iraq such as Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and the Badr Organization. It should also be noted that the Secretary General for Kata'ib Dir' al-Wilaya- Ra'ed al-Haydari- has been involved with the al-Mojtaba Institute that is affiliated with the cultural council of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. Evidence from the Baiji operations in which Kata'ib Dir' al-Wilaya is participating suggests close operational links with Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.
