Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Kata'ib Ansar al-Madhhab

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

Kata'ib Ansar al-Madhhab ("Supporters of the Madhhab Battalions"), previously known as "Harakat Ansar al-Madhhab lil-Muqawama al-Islamiya" ("Supporters of the Madhhab Movement for the Islamic Resistance"), is an Iraqi Shi'a militia. Ideologically, the militia pays homage to a variety of influences, including Iran, Sadrist religious figure Qasim al-Ta'i, Ayatollah Sistani and Ayatollah Muhammad Muhammad Sadeq al-Sadr. Led by one Sheikh Wissam al-Khaz'ali, the group identifies itself as part of the "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya" (Islamic Resistance Movement) and most notably has a presence in Diyala province as well as a Baghdad office.

Kata'ib Ansar al-Madhhab also promotes anti-American discourse, referring in one Facebook post to the U.S. as "The Great Satan." In September 2015, the group advertised recruitment to fight in Syria under a contingent called the Sayyida Ruqayya Battalion (cf. here on the Sayyida Ruqayya shrine and its use as a rallying cause to fight in Syria).

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