MMP: 1920s Revolution Brigades

1920's Revolution Brigades

Key Statistics

2003

First Recorded Activity

2004

First Attack

2019

Profile Last Updated

Profile Contents

Overview

Narrative of the Organization's History

Overview Overview

Organization

Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Organization Organization

Strategy

Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics

Strategy Strategy

Major Attacks

First Attacks, Largest Attacks, Notable Attacks

Major Attacks Major Attacks

Interactions

Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Interactions Interactions

Maps

Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time

Maps Maps

Contact MMP

Send a message to the Mapping Militants team.

mappingmilitants@lists.stanford.edu

Download Full Profile as PDF

Last updated February 2019

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How to Cite

Mapping Militant Organizations. "1920s Revolution Brigades." Stanford University. Last modified [February 2019]. [https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/1920s-revolution-brigades]

Organizational Overview

Formed: 2003-00-00

Disbanded: Likely inactive

First Attack: October 2004: The 1920s RB set off a car-bomb outside the Baghdad offices of the Al-Arabiya television station. (19 Wounded, 7 Killed)[1]

Latest Attack: June 2014: The 1920s RB assisted ISIS in the invasion of Mosul. (Unknown Wounded, Unknown Killed)[2]

Executive Summary

Founded in 2003, the 1920s Revolution Brigades (1920s RB) was a nationalist, Sunni organization whose main goal was to free Iraq of foreign occupation, particularly from American military and political presence. Specifically, the group sought to eliminate the outside influence of the United States and Iran, as well as remove the Iraqi President conspiring with these foreign entities. Once Iraq was free of this outside influence, the 1920s RB aimed to install a true Iraqi government guided by Sunni Islamist principles. Since 2014, the 1920s RB conducted fewer operations due to the rise of ISIS but maintained an operational stronghold in former Republican Guard communities in Eastern Baqubah until 2016. As of February 2019, there had been no recent activity by the 1920s RB. The group is likely inactive, as there have been no significant attacks since 2014, and no recent publications or political activity from the group since 2017.

Group Narrative

In 2003, former members of the Iraqi military founded the 1920s Revolution Brigades (1920s RB), an Iraqi nationalist group guided by Sunni Islamist principles. The group's name comes from the 1920 Iraqi uprising against British colonial occupation.[3] Unlike other groups in the region that seek to establish an Islamic caliphate, the 1920s RB strove to purge Iraq of any foreign influence, which it saw primarily emanating from the U.S. and Iran, and to create a new state. Between 2003 and 2007, the 1920s RB focused the majority of its resources on attacking U.S. soldiers and bases. The group also conducted many successful attacks against various foreign targets, such as the explosion of a car bomb outside the Al-Arabiya television station and the kidnapping of a Sudanese interpreter working for an American company.[4] The most widely publicized attack attributed to the group in this period was the alleged capture of a U.S. Marine, Wassef Ali Hassoun, for three weeks in June 2004. However, investigators later deemed the incident a hoax in which Hassoun was complicit. The Marine was ultimately charged with desertion.[5]

In 2007, Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) assassinated several members of the 1920s RB who had denounced an AQI chlorine gas attack.[6] Shortly after, AQI operatives killed the 1920s RB’s leader, Harith al-Dari. The increasing brutality and extremism of AQI split the 1920s RB between those who wanted to openly oppose AQI and cooperate with the U.S. and those who preferred to remain focused on targeting U.S. forces and simply denounce AQI. The latter faction split from the group and founded Hamas Iraq.[7]

Further splits formed over members’ willingness to cooperate with the United States. Even as elements of the 1920s RB attacked Al Qaeda – sources do not make clear whether this was AQI or other Al Qaeda-affiliated militants – the 1920s RB’s leadership officially denied any cooperation with U.S. efforts. The group publicly declared its disapproval of the Sahwa, or awakening councils, comprised of Sunni citizens that have fought with U.S. forces against Al Qaeda.[8] In an apparent break from the leadership, significant portions of the 1920s RB shifted their focus to combatting AQI alongside the American supported Sons of Iraq (SOI). U.S. forces even dubbed these factions ‘Baquba Guardians,’ alluding to their impressive defense of the provincial capital Baquba alongside U.S. troops.[9] The members from the 1920s RB proved to be a capable and effective force both in providing reconnaissance against Al Qaeda targets and assisting with reconstruction efforts.[10]

The assassinations by AQI, the split with Hamas Iraq, and the defection of many group members to the various awakening councils appears to have caused serious attrition for the 1920s RB. From 2009 to 2014, it is difficult to find evidence of any significant military activity. However, despite their shrinking influence, the group claimed they remained “in armed resistance and [continued] to conduct attacks against U.S. and Iraqi forces.”[11] In April 2010, representatives from the 1920s RB met with more than 200 people from 19 other Sunni insurgent groups at a conference in Istanbul “to find common ground” and “to plot a comeback” after the U.S. presence in Iraq drove some leaders into exile and forced others to help the United States.[12] At the end of the conference the groups stated that they were not in favor of using force against Iraqis; however, if the Iraqi government did not attempt to reconcile with extremist groups, they would resort to force to defend themselves.[13]

Following the American withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, the 1920s RB did not participate in the political reconstruction of the nation despite American attempts to persuade Sunni extremist groups to participate.[14] Although the 1920s RB leadership decided not to participate in reconstruction, the Iraqi minister of reconciliation alleged that 2,200 members of the 1920s RB gave up their weapons in an apparent refusal to follow the leadership and continue fighting.[15] Despite continued social media activity, it is difficult to find evidence of any significant militant activities from the 1920s RB aside from a few arrests of members during this time.[16] In 2013, the 1920s RB joined the General Military Council of Iraqi Revolutionaries (GMCIR), an umbrella group spearheaded by the Naqshbandi Army (JRTN).[17] Since this union, much of the 1920s RB’s online activity has been reposting the GMCIR’s messages, even though in 2013 there still was no significant activity from the group.[18]

In 2014, the 1920s RB, along with the GMCIR, assisted ISIS in the Fallujah offensive.[19] The 1920s RB later supported the Islamic State (IS) in the seizure of Mosul in June 2014 as part of the GMCIR and gained control of some of the surrounding territory.[20]

The group’s relationship with IS grew tense since 2014. IS’s adherence to harsh Islamic law in Mosul directly clashed with the Baathist philosophy to which the GMCIR and the 1920s RB subscribe.[21] IS allegedly asked GMCIR militants to surrender their weapons, which a 1920s RB spokesman alluded to as being a major sticking point between the organization and IS.[22] A leader of the 1920s RB stated in 2015 that the group supports neither the international coalition against IS or IS itself. However, he stated that if the Iraqi army or Shia militias were to attack Sunni areas, the 1920s RB would retaliate with force.[23]

In 2017-2018, the 1920s RB did not appear to have a significant militant presence in Iraq.[24] The 1920s RB maintained recruiting in Republican Guard communities in Eastern Baqubah.[25] Despite assistance in the 2014 offensive, subsequent actions taken by IS limited the 1920s RB organizational power.[26] Dr. Abdullah Suleiman, spokesman for the 1920s RB, stated that the organization had been “forced to leave the scene on many fronts.” However, he stated that the group plans to return and conduct attacks as soon as it is able.[27] The group maintains an active media presence, publishing magazines issuing communiques. These publications disseminate its nationalist critique of the Iraqi government, repeatedly questioning the legitimacy of the Iraqi elections process and calling for violence against them and other foreign invaders.[28]

As of February 2019, there had been no recent activity by the 1920s RB. The group is likely inactive, as there have been no significant attacks since 2014, and no recent publications or political activity from the group since 2017.

[1] "Seven Dead in Car Bomb Attack outside Al-Arabiya Baghdad Office." Agence France Presse, October 30, 2004. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.

[2] Rubin, Alissa J., and Rod Nordland. "As Sunnis Die in Iraq, a Cycle Is Restarting." New York Times, June 17, 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. nytimes.com.

[3] Milne, Seumas, "Out of the Shadows," The Guardian, July 19, 2007, p. 4, LexisNexis Academic.

[4] "Iraqi Armed Group Kidnaps Sudanese Interpreter for US: Al-Arabiya." Agence France Presse, October 30, 2004. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.; "Seven Dead in Car Bomb Attack outside Al-Arabiya Baghdad Office." Agence France Presse, October 30, 2004. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.; "Saddam's Trial Target of Rocket Attack Plot." Deseret Morning News, December 5, 2005. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.

[5] Sink, Mindy, "Marine Who Was Missing in Iraq Is Charged With Deserting Post," New York Times, 10 December 10, 2004, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/international/middleeast/10marine.html.

[6] Roggio, Bill. "The Sunni Civil War." The Long War Journal. 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 26 June 2015.

[7] "Clans against al-Qa'ida," Mideast Mirror, April 27, 2007, LexisNexis Academic.

[8]"Q&A: Iraq's Awakening Councils." BBC News. July 18, 2010. Accessed March 03, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-10677623. Roggio, Bill. "The Sunni Civil War." The Long War Journal. 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 26 June 2015.; Roggio, Bill. "The Sunni Civil War." The Long War Journal. 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 26 June 2015.; Steele, Jonathan. "Iraqi Insurgents Regrouping, Says Sunni Resistance Leader." The Guardian, December 2, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2018. theguardian.com.

[9] Londoño, Ernesto, "Sunni Allies of US Fear Fate Under Shia," The Irish Times, October 2, 2008, p. 14, LexisNexis Academic.; "Iraq: Al-Qaeda Tactics Lead To Splits Among Insurgents," Radio Free Europe, April 17, 2007, LexisNexis Academic.; "What's in a Name? U.S. Rebrands Iraq Ex-insurgents." Reuters, August 25, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2018. reuters.com.

[10] Yon, Michael. "Al Qaeda on the Run." National Review, July 11, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.; Pitman, Todd. "Sunni Insurgents Battle Each Other in Iraq as Splits with Al-Qaida Deepen, U.S. Says." Associated Press, April 20, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.; Frayer, Lauren. "US Makes Improbable Ally of Sunni Nationalist Group during Diyala Offensive." Associated Press, June 23, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.; Gordon, Michael R. "G.I.'s Forge Sunni Tie in Bid to Squeeze Militants." New York Times, July 6, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.

[11] "Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq," Department of Defense, Report to Congress in accordance with the Department of Defense Supplemental Appropriations Act 2008 (Section 9204, Public Law 110-252), October 30, 2009, pp. 22-3.

[12] Londoño, Ernesto, "Meetings Outside Iraq Cause Concern Amid Baghdad Political Crisis," The Washington Post, June 1, 2010, p. A5, LexisNexis Academic.

[13] Londoño, Ernesto, "Meetings Outside Iraq Cause Concern Amid Baghdad Political Crisis," The Washington Post, June 1, 2010, p. A5, LexisNexis Academic.

[14] Londoño, Ernesto, "Meetings Outside Iraq Cause Concern Amid Baghdad Political Crisis," The Washington Post, June 1, 2010, p. A5, LexisNexis Academic.

[15] "Iraqi Reconciliation Minister Lauds Qatar's "pivotal" Role in Region." BBC Monitoring Middle East, October 1, 2011. Accessed June 28, 2018. LexisNexis Academic.

[16] "Nine Arrested Belonging to the "1920 Revolution Brigades" South of Kirkuk." Alsumaria, August 8, 2012. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.alsumaria.tv/news/61229/اعتقال-تسعة-ينتمون-لـكتائب-ثورة-العشرين-جنوب-كركوك/ar.; @AlKataeb20. "The 1920 Revolution Brigades." Twitter. June 2012. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://twitter.com/AlKataeb20

[17] "Dr. Abudllah Suleiman to the "East": Iraqi National Resistance Is Re-emerging with a New Field Strategy." Al-Sharq, April 24, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018.

[18] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

[19] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.; Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.; Weiss, Michael, and Hassan Hassan. Isis: Inside the Army of Terror. New York: Regan Arts, 2016.

[20] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.; Rubin, Alissa J., and Rod Nordland. "As Sunnis Die in Iraq, a Cycle Is Restarting." New York Times, June 17, 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. nytimes.com.

[21] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.; Callimachi, Rukmini. "For Women Under ISIS, a Tyranny of Dress Code and Punishment." New York Times, December 12, 2016. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/world/middleeast/islamic-state-mosul-women-dress-code-morality.html., "Iraq Conflict: 'We Are Stronger than ISIS'." BBC, July 14, 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018., "Iraq Conflict: 'We Are Stronger than ISIS'." BBC, July 14, 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018.

[22] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.; "Dr. Abudllah Suleiman to the "East": Iraqi National Resistance Is Re-emerging with a New Field Strategy." Al-Sharq, April 24, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018.

[23] Buren, Peter. "Iraq's Sunnis Won't Fight ISIS for U.S." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 31 May 2015.

[24] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

[25] Knights, Michael, and Alexander Mello. "Losing Mosul, Regenerating in Diyala: How the Islamic State Could Exploit Iraq’s Sectarian Tinderbox." CTC Sentinel 9, no. 10 (October 2016). October 2016. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://ctc.usma.edu/losing-mosul-regenerating-in-diyala-how-the-islamic-state-could-exploit-iraqs-sectarian-tinderbox/.

[26] Ohlers, C. A. "What to Expect in Iraq After the Liberation of Mosul." Jamestown Foundation. May 5, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://jamestown.org/program/expect-iraq-liberation-mosul/.; "Dr. Abudllah Suleiman to the "East": Iraqi National Resistance Is Re-emerging with a New Field Strategy." Al-Sharq, April 24, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018.

[27] "Dr. Abudllah Suleiman to the "East": Iraqi National Resistance Is Re-emerging with a New Field Strategy." Al-Sharq, April 24, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018.

[28] Anagnostos, Emily. "WARNING UPDATE: IRAQ’S SUNNI INSURGENCY BEGINS AS ISIS LOSES GROUND IN MOSUL." Institute for the Study of War. February 7, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/warning-update-iraq’s-sunni-insurgency-begins-isis-loses-ground-mosul.; @AlKataeb20. "The 1920 Revolution Brigades." Twitter. June 2012. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://twitter.com/AlKataeb20

Organizational StructureLeadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Name Changes

There are no known name changes for the 1920s Revolution Brigades.

Size Estimates

2007: Several Thousand (Washington Post)[1]
There are no reliable public sources of information about the updated size of the 1920s Revolution Brigades, although most analysts think it is in serious decline.[2]

[1] Tyson, Ann Scott, "Sunni Fighters Find Strategic Benefits in Tentative Alliance With U.S.," The Washington Post, 9 August 2007, retrieved on April 24, 2010 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/08/AR2007080802549.html.

[2] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

Resources

Muthanna Harith Sulayman al-Dari (see leadership section) reportedly provided financial assistance to the 1920s RB.[1] The group’s other sources of funding, if any, are unknown.

[1] Roggio, Bill. "US, UN Sanction Al Qaeda in Iraq Leader." Long War Journal, March 26, 2010. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/03/us_un_sanction_al_qa.php.

Geographic Locations

Disclaimer: This is a partial list of where the militant organization has bases and where it operates. This does not include information on where the group conducts major attacks or has external influences.

1920s RB was active in the areas of Abu Ghraib, Khan Dari, Western Baghdad, and Fallujah in Iraq.[1] It was also active in the Ninwi, Diyali and Anbar provinces. As late as 2016, the 1920s RB was primarily concentrated in Republican Guard communities in Eastern Baqubah.[2] However, as of February 2019 there had been no recent activity from the group for several years and it is likely inactive.

[1] "Asia Times Online :: Middle East News, Iraq, Iran Current Affairs." Asia Times Online :: Middle East News, Iraq, Iran Current Affairs. Web. 26 June 2015.

[2] Knights, Michael, and Alexander Mello. "Losing Mosul, Regenerating in Diyala: How the Islamic State Could Exploit Iraq’s Sectarian Tinderbox." CTC Sentinel 9, no. 10 (October 2016). October 2016. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://ctc.usma.edu/losing-mosul-regenerating-in-diyala-how-the-islamic-state-could-exploit-iraqs-sectarian-tinderbox/.

Leadership

There is little information about the leadership of this group. Various individuals have been reported as "leaders" of the 1920s RB when killed, but it is not known how highly these individuals ranked in the organization before their death.

Hatim al-Zawbai (Unknown-2005): Al-Zawbai was reported to be commander of the 1920s Revolution Brigades by the Iraqi Defense Ministry when he was captured in January 2005. It is unclear how long he had been in command.[1]

Aswad Kamil Al-Falahi (Unknown-February 2007): A senior commander of the 1920s RB, Al-Falahi was killed by an AQI suicide attack in Habbaniyah in February 2007.[2]

Ahmed Sabah (Unknown-February 2007): A senior commander of the 1920s RB, Sabah was killed in an AQI suicide attack in Habbaniyah in February 2007.[3]

Harith al-Dari (Unknown-March 2007): al-Dari was killed by a car bomb in a mass attack on the city of Talafar in March 2007 that was attributed to AQI. He is the nephew of the notable cleric Harith al-Dari.[4]

Sheik Ahmed al-Tamer (Unknown-September 2007): Al-Tamer was killed by a suicide bomb in Diyala province in September 2007. He had been attending a peace meeting between the United Jihad Factions Council, the Madhi Army, and a Sunni coalition militia. [5]

Naim al-Dulaimi (Unknown-July 2008): A local, high-ranking leader of the 1920s RB, al-Dulaimi was killed by a female suicide bomber outside Baqubah in July 2008.[6]

Unknown (2005-2006): The Iraqi government reported the capture and arrest of a senior officer of the 1920s RB in 2006. The leader’s identity remains unknown.[7]

Muthanna Harith Sulayman al-Dari (2008-Unknown): Muthanna is a member of AQI and is on the UN sanctions list. He is the cousin of the Harith al-Dari who was leader until 2007 and the son of the notable cleric Harith al-Dari. He is the leader of a particular faction of the 1920s RB of unknown size.[8] As of February 2019, sources suggest Muthanni is still alive.

Dr. Abdullah Suleiman Omary (Unknown-Current): He is the spokesperson for the 1920s RB.[9] As of February 2019, sources suggest Omary is still alive.

[1] "National Guard arrests 217, militia commander in Al-Mahmudiyah," GlobalSecurity.org, January 2, 2005, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iraq/2005/01/imm-050103-unami.htm.

[2] Roggio, Bill, "The Amiriya Battle," The Long War Journal, March 2, 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/03/the_amiriya_battle.php.

[3] Roggio, Bill, "The Amiriya Battle," The Long War Journal, March 2, 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/03/the_amiriya_battle.php.

[4] "Truck blasts kill 50 in Iraq town," BBC News, 27 March 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6500617.stm.; Khalil, Lydia. “Leader of the 1920 Revolution Brigades Killed by al-Qaeda.” Jamestown Foundation, 10 April 2007. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.

[5] Tawfeeq, Mohammed, "24 die in Iraq peace meeting blast," CNN, September 25, 2007, retrieved on July 29, 2010 from http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/25/iraq.main/index.html.

[6] Sterling, Joe, et al., "100 female U.S. service members have died in Iraq," CNN, 24 July 2008, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/07/24/iraq.main/.

[7] Roggio, Bill, "Commander of 1920 Revolution Brigades Captured," The Long War Journal, September 24, 2006, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2006/09/commander_of_1920_re.php.

[8] Roggio, Bill. "US, UN Sanction Al Qaeda in Iraq Leader." Long War Journal, March 26, 2010. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/03/us_un_sanction_al_qa.php.

[9] "Dr. Abudllah Suleiman to the "East": Iraqi National Resistance Is Re-emerging with a New Field Strategy." Al-Sharq, April 24, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018.

StrategyIdeology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets and Tactics

Ideology and Goals

The 1920s RB was a nationalist, Sunni organization whose main goal was to free Iraq of foreign occupation, particularly from American military and political presence.[1] Once free of outside influence, the 1920s RB aimed to install an Iraqi state guided by Sunni Islamist principles.[2] The 1920s RB condoned targeting Iraqi civilians that support or are complicit with occupying forces.[3] Further, the 1920s RB harshly criticized the U.S., Iran, and the Iraqi government for being interfering foreign powers.[4]

[1] Raban, B. "Kidnappings Keep Iraq Pot Boiling." Asia Times Online :: Middle East News, Iraq, Iran Current Affairs. Web. 26 June 2015.

[2] "Iraqi National Islamic Resistance." GlobalSecurity.org, April 27, 2005, retrieved on April 24, 2010 from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/iraqi_natl_islamic_resist.htm.

[3] "THE LAST WORD: SHEIK HARITH AL-DHARI." Newsweek, December 10, 2006. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.newsweek.com/g00/last-word-sheik-harith-al-dhari-105693?i10c.encReferrer=&i10c.ua=1&i10c.dv=14.

[4] @AlKataeb20. "The 1920 Revolution Brigades." Twitter. June 2012. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://twitter.com/AlKataeb20

Political Activities

Despite American attempts to persuade Sunni extremist groups to participate in the political reconstruction in Iraq from 2009-2011, the 1920s RB was not politically active in Iraq.[1]

[1] Londoño, Ernesto, "Meetings Outside Iraq Cause Concern Amid Baghdad Political Crisis," The Washington Post, June 1, 2010, p. A5, LexisNexis Academic.

Targets and Tactics

The 1920s RB focused its attacks on American forces and other foreign influences in Iraq. However, in 2007, the group cooperated with U.S. forces in fighting AQI.[1] The group used roadside bombs, mortar attacks, and rocket-propelled grenades, but avoided suicide bombings.[2] The 1920s RB condoned targeting Iraqi civilians that are in alignment with occupying forces.[3]

[2] Beehner, Lionel. "Al-Qaeda in Iraq: Resurging or Splintering?" Council on Foreign Relations, July 16, 2007, retrieved on July 22, 2010 from http://www.cfr.org/publication/13007/alqaeda_in_iraq.html

Major Attacks

Disclaimer: These are some selected major attacks in the militant organization's history. It is not a comprehensive listing, but captures some of the most famous attacks or turning points during the campaign.

June 2004: The 1920s Revolution Brigade kidnapped and held U.S. Marine Wassef Ali Hassoun for three weeks in June 2004. The organization threatened to kill Hassoun in a video shown on Al Arabiya television. It is unclear if Hassoun worked with the group to stage the kidnapping to avoid desertion charges. He was found at the Beirut embassy on July 7, 2004 and was charged for desertion by the U.S. Navy. Dr. Abdullah Suleiman Omary claims that he was released after he swore on the Koran that he would no longer help the U.S. (0 wounded, 0 killed)[1]

June 2007: The 1920s RB, as part of the Anbar Salvation Council, fought AQI in the Anbar Provence. (unknown wounded, unknown killed)[2]

June 2007: The group fought AQI in the Diyala province in their first attack following the split from Hamas Iraq. The city of Buhriz in Diyala was a stronghold of AQI’s power, but the 1920s RB successfully drove the group of out of the city in this attack. (unknown wounded, unknown killed)[3]

August 2008: The 1920s RB took down an American drone in Kirkuk. (0 wounded, 0 killed)[4]

June 2009: The 1920s RB claimed responsibility for bombing an American military vehicle in northern Iraq. (unknown wounded, unknown killed)[5]December 2009: The 1920s RB bombed an American military vehicle in Western Baghdad. (unknown wounded, unknown killed)[6]

January 2014: The 1920s RB helped IS take control of the city of Fallujah. (unknown wounded, unknown killed)[7]

June 2014: The 1920s RB helped IS take control of the city of Mosul. (unknown wounded, unknown killed)[8]

[1] Sink, Mindy, "Marine Who Was Missing in Iraq Is Charged With Deserting Post," New York Times, 10 December 10, 2004, retrieved on July 12, 2010.; Milne, Seumas. "Out of the Shadows." Guardian, July 19, 2007. Accessed June 29, 2018.

[2] Roggio, Bill, "1920s Revolution Brigades turns on al Qaeda in Diyala," The Long War Journal, June 12, 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/06/1920s_revolution_bri.php.

[3] Roggio, Bill, "1920s Revolution Brigades turns on al Qaeda in Diyala," The Long War Journal, June 12, 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/06/1920s_revolution_bri.php.

[4] "1920 brigades claims credit for downing US drone in Kirkuk," Al-Jazeera TV, August 16, 2008, LexisNexis Academic.

[5] "Iraqi Insurgent Group Claims Attack on US Military Vehicle," Al Jazeera via BBC Monitoring Middle East, December 22, 2009, LexisNexis Academic.

[6] "Iraqi Insurgent Group Claims Attack on US Military Vehicle," Al Jazeera via BBC Monitoring Middle East, December 22, 2009, LexisNexis Academic.

[7] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

[8] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

InteractionsForeign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Designated/Listed

The 1920s Revolutionary Brigades is not a designated as terrorist organization by the United States.[1]

[1] "Foreign Terrorist Organizations." U.S. Department of State. Accessed June 29, 2018. https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm.

Community Relations

The 1920s RB was reportedly able to sustain recruitment efforts in Eastern Baqubah in Republican Guard communities. Additionally, according to the Counterterrorism Center at West Point, the high rates of poverty in the region and the presence of harvesting cycles – which imply that a large portion of the work force rotates in and out of work seasonally and strangers come and go – further facilitated the 1920s RB’s presence in the community.[1]

[1] Knights, Michael, and Alexander Mello. "Losing Mosul, Regenerating in Diyala: How the Islamic State Could Exploit Iraq’s Sectarian Tinderbox." CTC Sentinel 9, no. 10 (October 2016). October 2016. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://ctc.usma.edu/losing-mosul-regenerating-in-diyala-how-the-islamic-state-could-exploit-iraqs-sectarian-tinderbox/.

Relationships with Other Groups

In 2007, members of the 1920s RB splintered to form Hamas Iraq because of disagreements over ideology, cooperation with American troops, and opposition to AQI. The groups had little interaction since the split, except for an incident in 2007 during the anti-AQI Diyala campaign. An American military official stated that the American government cooperated with the 1920s RB, but the 1920s RB countered that this was a “very big lie” and that Hamas Iraq was actually the organization that cooperated with the American troops.[1]

Later in 2007, the 1920s RB joined with Mohammed al-Fatih Brigades and six other groups to form the umbrella group, the Reform and Jihad Front. The goal of this coalition was to preemptively diffuse a power vacuum should the U.S. withdraw and the Iraqi government collapse.[2]

In April 2010, members from the 1920s RB met with representatives from 19 other Iraqi groups in Turkey, including the al-Rashideen Army, to plan a comeback following the U.S. withdrawal.[3] The groups agreed that they were not in favor of using force against Iraqis, but if the Iraqi government did not attempt to reconcile with extremist groups, they would resort to force to defend themselves.[4]

Members of the 1920s RB comprised the majority of both the general body and the leadership of the Anbar Salvation Council, which was a group of 25 Sunni tribes formed in 2006 that sought to fight with the Iraqi government against Al Qaeda forces.[5] The 1920s RB helped the Council eradicate AQI from the Anbar Provence in 2007.[6] In June 2007, former members of the 1920s RB drove AQI out of the city of Buhriz in their first independent military conflict against the organization.[7] Elements from the 1920s RB also fought alongside Iraqi government forces against AQI and openly denounced AQI for terrorizing civilians in Salahadin, Diyala, and Babil in late 2007.[8]

The 1920s RB helped form the General Military Council of Iraqi Revolutionaries (GMCIR) in 2013.[9] This coalition consisted of roughly 75,000 fighters in 2014. The components making up this force could broadly be reduced into two categories: tribal units and neo-Baathists. (The 1920s RB falls into the latter category.)[10]

The 1920s RB played a significant role in the attack on Mosul under the GCMIR banner, and it also joined a military council with IS to control territory in Fallujah.[11] IS soon started to ask the GMCIR to give up its weapons, but the GMCIR refused. The last known activity of the GMCIR occurred in 2016.[12] The 1920s RB displayed wariness of the Islamic State’s attempts to exert power of the group and carefully distanced themselves while simultaneously avoiding direct opposition with IS. The 1920s RB remained opposed to the Islamic State’s violent actions against Iraqi citizens, such as the massacre of the Yazidis or its imposition of Sharia law.[13] However, the 1920s RB also opposed the participation of Arab States in the coalition against IS because the coalition conducted air strikes on the Sunni areas of Iraq in 2014.[14]

[1] "Offensives Elsewhere, but Baghdad Remains Deadliest for U.S. Troops." Mcclatchydc. Web. 14 July 2015.

[2] Janabi, Ahmed, "Iraq's armed groups form alliance," Al Jazeera, October 1, 2007, retrieved on April 24, 2010 from http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2007/10/20085251837562291.html.

[3] Londoño, Ernesto, "Meetings Outside Iraq Cause Concern Amid Baghdad Political Crisis," The Washington Post, June 1, 2010, p. A5, LexisNexis.

[4] Londoño, Ernesto, "Meetings Outside Iraq Cause Concern Amid Baghdad Political Crisis," The Washington Post, June 1, 2010, p. A5, LexisNexis.

[5] Wong, Edward. "An Iraqi Tribal Chief Opposes the Jihadists, and Prays." The New York Times. March 03, 2007. Accessed March 04, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/world/middleeast/03sheik.html.

[6] Roggio, Bill, "1920s Revolution Brigades turns on al Qaeda in Diyala," The Long War Journal, June 12, 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/06/1920s_revolution_bri.php

[7] Roggio, Bill, "1920s Revolution Brigades turns on al Qaeda in Diyala," The Long War Journal, June 12, 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/06/1920s_revolution_bri.php

[8] Roggio, Bill, "Al Douri forms nationalist Sunni coalition; 1920s Revolution Brigades denounces al Qaeda," The Long War Journal, October 2007, retrieved on July 12, 2010 from http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/10/al_douri_forms_natio.php.

[9] "Dr. Abudllah Suleiman to the "East": Iraqi National Resistance Is Re-emerging with a New Field Strategy." Al-Sharq, April 24, 2017. Accessed June 28, 2018.

[10] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.; Heras, Nicholas A. "The Tribal Component of Iraq’s Sunni Rebellion: The General Military Council for Iraqi Revolutionaries." Jamestown Foundation. June 26, 2014. Accessed June 29, 2018.

[11] Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

[12] Anagnostos, Emily, Jessica Lewis McFate, Jennifer Cafarella, and Alexandra Gutowski. "Anticipating Iraq's Next Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War. November 30, 2016. Accessed March 04, 2019. http://iswresearch.blogspot.com/2016/11/anticipating-iraqs-next-sunni-insurgency.html.

[13] Fishman, Brian, "Dysfunction and Decline: Lessons Learned from Inside al Qa'ida in Iraq," Combatting Terrorism Center, March 16, 2009, p. 19.; Adnan, Sinan, and Aaron Reese. "Beyond the Islamic State: Iraq’s Sunni Insurgency." Institute for the Study of War, October 2014. Accessed June 28, 2018. http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Sunni Insurgency in Iraq.pdf.

[14] Buren, Peter. "Iraq's Sunnis Won't Fight ISIS for U.S." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 31 May 2015.

State Sponsors and External Influences

There is no evidence of outside influence on the group.

MapsThe project develops a series of interactive diagrams that "map" relationships among groups and show how those relationships change over time. The user can change map settings to display different features (e.g., leadership changes), adjust the time scale, and trace individual groups.