Ansar al-Sunnah

Iraqi Sunni insurgent group – 2003 to 2007

Ansar al-Sunnah (Supporters of Sunnah) was a Iraqi militant group that fought against US troops and their allies in the Iraq War. The group was made up of Kurdish and Arab fighters. The group has been designated a terrorist group by the UK since late 2005.[3] It was founded in 2003 by former members of Ansar al-Islam who went to Iran after the start of the Iraq War.[4] The group is named as Ansar al-Sunnah as an alias for Ansar al-Islam.[5] The group has also had its name used by small splinter groups in 2014 after the disbandment of Ansar al-Sunnah.[6]

Ansar al-Sunnah
جماعة أنصار السنة
LeadersAbu Abdullah al-Shafi'i
Abu Wayil
Dates of operationSeptember 2003 – December 2007 (Subsequently operated under name of Ansar al-Ahlu Sunnah)[1]
Active regions Iraq (2003-2011)
IdeologySunni Islamism
Sufism
Size1,000+[source?]
Allies Syria[2]
Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order
Islamic Army of Iraq
Islamic State of Iraq
1920 Revolution Brigade
Jaish al-Rashideen
Islamic Front for the Iraqi Resistance
Hamas of Iraq
Jeish Muhammad
Opponents Iraq
 United States
Mahdi Army
 Iraqi Kurdistan
Islamic State of Iraq (2006–2007)
Battles and warsIraq War
Flag
Preceded by
Ansar al-Sunnah
Succeeded by
Ansar al Ahlu Sunnah
Ansar al-Islam

References

change
  1. "Jamaat Ansar al Ahlu Sunnah". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  2. Naylor, Hugh (7 October 2007). "Syria is Said to be Strengthening Ties to Opponents of Iraq's Government". The New York Times.
  3. "Terrorism Act 2000". Schedule 2, Act No. 11 of 2000.
  4. "The Hidden Hand of Iran in the Resurgence of Ansar al-Islam". The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  5. "Ansar al-Sunnah Acknowledges Relationship with Ansar al-Islam, Reverts to Using Ansar al-Islam Name". Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  6. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. "Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna". Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Retrieved 7 November 2014.