| Ashab al-Kahf | |
|---|---|
| أصحاب الکهف | |
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| Dates of operation | August 2019 – August 2024 (5 years) |
| Active regions | Iraq |
| Ideology | Shia Islamism Anti-Americanism Anti-Zionism Anti-LGBT Anti-Anarchism Qutbism–Khomeinism |
| Political position | Right-wing to Far-right |
| Part of | Islamic Resistance in Iraq Axis of Resistance |
| Allies | State allies
Non-state allies
|
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | 2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis 2023 American–Middle East conflict |
Ashab al-Kahf (Arabic: أصحاب الکهف, lit. 'People of the Cave') was an Iraqi Shia extremist militant group that was described as a proxy formation of Iran.[2] The group first emerged in August 2019, but increased in activity following the American assassination of Qasem Soleimani.[3] It attacked targets associated with the United States using rockets and improvised explosive devices. The group also attacked targets associated with Turkey. The group denied maintaining relationships with other Iranian-backed Shia paramilitary groups, such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.[4] On August 19 2024, the group announced that it had rebranded as Sarkhat al-Quds Brigades.[5]
- ^ "Profile: Usbat al-Thaireen". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "Iranian regime will not stop bankrolling terror". Arab News. 2020-04-19. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ "Has killing Soleimani backfired on the US?". The Strategist. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ "Flashpoint - Profile and Exclusive Interview with Iraqi Shiite Insurgents Ashab al-Kahf". Flashpoint. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ "Profile: Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds (formerly known as Ashab al-Kahf) | The Washington Institute". www.washingtoninstitute.org. Retrieved 2024-12-15.