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Jihad IntelProfiles of jihadist groups, with designation status current as of October 12, 2026

Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Kata'ib al-Muqawama al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq

Designation Status (as of October 12, 2026)

US State Dept FTONot listed official list
US Treasury OFAC SDN (SDGT)Not listed official list
UK ProscribedNot listed official list
EU Terrorist ListsNot listed official list
Canada Listed EntitiesNot listed official list
Australia ListedNot listed official list

Checked against the official lists on October 12, 2026. Listing names are quoted as the list gives them. What changed since 2018

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, Syria

Kata'ib al-Muqawama al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq (Islamic Resistance Brigades in Iraq) is a Shi'a militia led by one Qasim al-Mousawi, who leads the 'Zain al-Abidin Movement' (named for the fourth Shi'i Imam) and has liaised with Da'wa Party figures such as ex-PM Nouri al-Maliki and Ali al-Adib. The most notable recent (as of August 2015) claimed area of operation has been Balad in Salah ad-Din province. Ideologically, the group is aligned with Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamene'i while attempting to appeal to notions of reverence for Ayatollah Sistani and pan-Shi'a sentiment. In summer 2015, the group announced the opening of a portfolio for recruitment to fight in Syria to defend holy sites in that country.