Saraya Awliya al-Dam

Saraya Awliya al-Dam
Other nameSAD
Leader
Abu Mahdi al-Ja'afari[1]
FoundedAugust 2020[2]
Country Iraq
IdeologyShia Islam[3]
Anti-Zionism[4]
Part of Popular Mobilization Forces
Wars

Saraya Awliya al-Dam (Arabic: سرايا أولياء الدم), also referred to by the abbreviation SAD, is a Shi'ite pro-Iran militia based in Iraq. The organization is known for its counter-U.S. operations in northern Iraq, specifically in the Kurdistan Region.[5]

In 2021, the group claimed responsibility for the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, which killed two civilians and injured six more, including an American soldier.[6][7]

History

SAD has been described as "a relatively new player" in the Iraqi conflict.[8] The first operation of Saraya Awliya al-Dam occurred on 24 August 2020, when they attacked a group of Iraqi trucks that may have been carrying U.S. goods. The organization confirmed they were responsible.[5]

On 6 January 2021, another attack was launched by SAD on another convoy of trucks.[5]

The day after the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, SAD claimed responsibility for the airstrikes.[5][6][9][10][11] It was the most serious attack on the coalition since the Biden administration began.[12] SAD proclaimed:

The American occupation will not be safe from our strikes in any inch of the homeland, even in Kurdistan, where we promise we will carry out other qualitative operations.[13]

The group claimed two attacks in March 2026, following the outbreak of the 2026 Iran war; one attack, on 2 March, took place near Baghdad International Airport, while another attack took place the previous day at a US base in northern Iraq.[14]

On 17 March 2026, the group published a footage of a reconnaissance drone flying above the US embassy compound in Baghdad. According to an observer the footage is consistent with the footage obtained from a Fiber optic drone suggesting that the group had acquired such advanced technology.[15] A few weeks later, on 5 April, the group claimed responsibility for drone strikes against the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, and Qasrak Base in Syria, all of which were used by U.S. forces.[16]

Foreign relations

SAD officially supports Iran, and is often classified as an Iranian proxy.[17][6] Iranian officials have denied allegations by some Iraqi politicians that they have ties to the group.[18][13] SAD may also have ties to Kataib Hezbollah, which officially backs Iran.[16] The Washington Institute for Near East Policy profile states that Kurdish intelligence later extracted confessions from accused perpetrators of the February 2021 Erbil attack who claimed to belong to Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.[19]

The SAD is generally considered to be at odds with Turkey, and could possibly pose a threat to Turkey–Iran relations in the future.[20] After the Erbil attacks, the SAD announced that they "only targeted American, Turkish, and Israeli occupation bases." The journalist Shelly Kittleson commented:

Though many armed groups and others in the country have, for more than a decade, demanded an end to the "American-Israeli occupation", the addition of "Turkish" is significant.[21]

Many commentators have suggested that SAD could be a front for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).[22][23]

Reports by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary,[5][24] which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States.[24]

Criticism

Many critics have described it as a terrorist group.[25][26] Other commentators have accused Iran of denying their alleged ties to the SAD.[27][25][22]

Social media

The militia has a Telegram account, which has been repeatedly noted by different news sources.[5][28]

References

  1. ↑ "Iran war updates: Uncertainty over talks, Trump says deal to come 'quickly'". Al Jazeera. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Iraq's Resurgent Paramilitaries". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "Iraq's rogue militias: Who can stop them from attacking? | DW | 20.02.2021". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  4. ↑ "Iraqi militia claims drone attack on Erbil airport". alaraby. 7 July 2021. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Profile: Saraya Awliya al-Dam". The Washington Institute. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "Pro-Iran militia claims responsibility for missile attack on Erbil airport". Middle East Monitor. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "Erbil rocket victim dies a week after attack | Rudaw.net". www.rudaw.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Nineveh Plains Transitional Justice Report: February". Persecution. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  9. ↑ "US-led coalition: No Americans killed in Iraq rocket attack". Hindustan Times. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "Why pro-Iran militias are targeting US forces in Iraq". gulfnews.com. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Iraq's Shia Militias Send a Warning to Turkey". Fair Observer. 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  12. ↑ Taib Menmy, Dana (17 February 2021). "'Wake up call': Deadly Iraq rocket attack puts pressure on US". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Iraqi armed group vows more attacks on 'American occupation'". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "War in the Mideast widens as Trump says strikes on Iran could last several weeks". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ "Iran Update Special Report, March 17, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 18 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ↑ "ISHM: April 2 – 9, 2026". Enabling Peace in Iraq Center. 9 April 2026.
  17. ↑ "Iraq's Legal Responsibility for Militia Attacks on U.S. Forces: Paths Forward". Just Security. 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Iran denies links to group behind attack on Iraq's Erbil". Al Arabiya English. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  19. ↑ Smith, Crispin; Malik, Hamdi; Knights, Michael (29 March 2021). "Profile: Saraya Awliya al-Dam". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Why the Erbil attack sent a message from Iran to Turkey". Ahval. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  21. ↑ "Bombs Over Erbil". Newlines Magazine. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  22. 1 2 "Shadowy militia organisation likely backed by Iran claims fatal Iraq attack on US base". The National. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "What Is Known About Group Claiming Attack on US Base in Irbil". Voice of America. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  24. 1 2 "Rockets over Erbil: How to Respond to an Iraqi Militia Outrage". The Washington Institute. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  25. 1 2 "Iran's Unconvincing Denial of Ties with Erbil Attackers". POLYGRAPH.info. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  26. ↑ "Saraya Awliya al-Dam". IFMAT. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  27. ↑ Al-Aqidi, Dalia (17 May 2021). "Iraqis Living In Fear Thanks To Iran-Fueled Violence – OpEd". Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  28. ↑ "Western powers condemn attacks in Kurdish Iraq". 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
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