Mar 23, 2015

The fight between the Iraqi government and the Shiite paramilitary forces on one side, and the forces of the Islamic State (IS) on the other, has entered a new phase in the past three months: a transitory balance of power. Paramilitary Shiite forces and the Iraqi army, with the direct support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have managed to drive back the forces of IS in areas bordering Iran as well as areas to the south, east and north of Baghdad. Overconfident after their recent victories, the Shiite forces, under the supervision of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, launched a vast military operation with 30,000 soldiers to reclaim Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein.

The operation to reclaim Tikrit started with active logistic support from the IRGC. Paramilitary Shiite forces, led by Quds Force Cmdr. Soleimani, ​Badr Brigade Cmdr. Hadi al-Ameri, Imam Ali Brigade Cmdrs. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Shabal al-Zaidi, and the support of Iraqi air forces, managed to liberate areas around Tikrit. However, the Iraqi army command announced that they are halting the operation in Tikrit to avoid more casualties.

In reality, both Tehran and Baghdad will lose more than they will gain if they conquer the central areas of Tikrit. Tikrit is a Sunni city with a long tradition of pro-Arab and pro-Baathist attitudes. A member of the Badr Brigade who wishes to remain anonymous told Al-Monitor, “We don’t want to make the same mistake that the Americans made during the Fallujah operation. The public opinion among the Sunnis is clouded thanks to IS propaganda. Tikrit is a sensitive place and a symbol of Iraq’s Sunni Arab identity. We have IS forces under complete siege in the center of Tikrit, so we have already achieved our military objectives.”

During the Tikrit operation, the Imam Ali Brigade played a more active role alongside the Iraqi army and the Badr Brigade, compared to other paramilitary groups. The Imam Ali Brigade announced its formation in July 2014, during a military operation in the city of Amirli near the Iranian border. Among the unique characteristics of this group are their black uniforms and their modern, Western equipment.

Members of this group, unlike other paramilitary groups, use M4 weaponry. Most members of the Imam Ali Brigade are trained and, in a way, considered special paramilitary forces. Their commander, Shabal al-Zaidi, was a former member of Iraq's Mahdi Army, led by Muqtada al-Sadr. Their flag is also interesting, featuring a map of Iraq and the motto "Harakat al-Iraq al-Islamiya" (Iraq Islamic Movement). On each side of the green map is a zulfiqar, the legendary sword of the first Shiite Imam Ali, and in its center is a graphic depiction of Imam Ali's Shrine covering all areas of Iraq, including its Sunni regions.