Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Jaysh Wilayat al-Faqih

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

Jaysh Wilayat al-Faqih ("Wilayat al-Faqih Army") is a Shi'a militia that announced itself in a video released on Youtube in March 2015, though the group had a social media presence to that video's appearance on Youtube. As the group's name and video statement show, the militia identifies with Iran and its political doctrine of absolute wilayat al-faqih. The group also appears to identify as part of a wider set of "formations of Dir' al-Wilaya" including other militias such as Liwa Muslim ibn Oqail and headed by one Farqad al-Qazwini. Indeed, Jaysh Wilayat al-Faqih featured a statement on its Facebook page from the general leadership of these formations in March 2015 denouncing the "Great Satan" (U.S.) for supposedly ordering its allies in the region to attack the Houthis in Yemen. Accordingly, the statement urged all formations to be ready to head to Yemen to intervene.

Jaysh Wilayat al-Faqih Emblem	Jaysh Wilayat al-Faqih Poster