Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn
Participant in the Iraq War
Group members with Shosei Koda (Japanese civilian beheaded on November 3, 2004). The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign Shosei Koda ( Japanese: 香田証生 Kōda Shōsei; November 29, 1979 &ndash November 3, 2004) was a Japanese For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "
Active
Leaders	Abu Musab al-Zarqawi† Abu Hamza al-Muhajir (Abu Ayyub al-Masri)
Headquarters	Formerly Fallujah, Iraq
Area of operations	Iraq, limited in the broader Middle East
Strength	850[1] – 1,000+[2]
Part of	Al-Qaeda (since 2004), Mujahideen Shura Council (2006), Islamic State of Iraq (since 2006)
Originated as	Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad
Opponents	Multinational force in Iraq, Iraq (Iraqi Security Forces, Kurdish and Shia militias, some of Iraqi Sunni militias), Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Israel, Egypt, United Nations
Battles/wars	Iraqi insurgency

Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) is a term to describe a group which is playing an active role in the Iraqi insurgency. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (أبومصعب الزرقاوي, Abu Musab from Zarqa)) (October 30 1966 – June 7 2006 born Ahmad Fadeel al-Nazal Abu Hamza al-Muhajir ( أبو حمزة المهاجر) is a Sunni Militia leader and according to a Reuters article was announced Abu Ayyub al-Masri ( أبو حمزة المهاجر أبو حمزة المهاجر) are two pseudonyms of the same person according to an FBI wanted poster and For other meanings see Fallujah (disambiguation. Fallujah (الفلوجة sometimes transliterated For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The Mujahideen Shura Council may refer to Mujahideen Shura Council (Afghanistan Mujahideen Shura Council (Iraq The Islamic State of Iraq or Dawlat al-'Iraq al-Islamiyya ( Arabic دولة العراق الإسلامية) is an Umbrella organization Jama'at al- Tawhid wal- Jihad (جماعة التوحيد والجهاد Group of Monotheism and Jihad) was a radical neo- Khawarij Takfiri Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I, is a military command, led by the United States that is fighting the Iraq War against Iraqi insurgents or resistants For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF is the Multi-National Force-Iraq umbrella name for military Paramilitary and civilian law enforcement entities that serve under the Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security The Iraqi insurgency is composed of diverse mix of militias foreign fighters all Iraqi units or mixtures using violent measures against the US-led Coalition in Iraq The Iraqi insurgency is composed of diverse mix of militias foreign fighters all Iraqi units or mixtures using violent measures against the US-led Coalition in Iraq The group was led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi until his death in 2006; it is now believed to be led by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir^[3] (aka Abu Ayyub al-Masri^[4]). Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (أبومصعب الزرقاوي, Abu Musab from Zarqa)) (October 30 1966 – June 7 2006 born Ahmad Fadeel al-Nazal Abu Hamza al-Muhajir ( أبو حمزة المهاجر) is a Sunni Militia leader and according to a Reuters article was announced Abu Ayyub al-Masri ( أبو حمزة المهاجر أبو حمزة المهاجر) are two pseudonyms of the same person according to an FBI wanted poster and

The group is a direct successor of al-Zarqawi's previous organization, Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad. Jama'at al- Tawhid wal- Jihad (جماعة التوحيد والجهاد Group of Monotheism and Jihad) was a radical neo- Khawarij Takfiri Beginning with its official statement declaring allegiance to the Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network in October 2004, the group identifies itself as Tanzim Qaidat Al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (QJBR) ("Organization of Jihad's Base in the Country of the Two Rivers"). An allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed by a subject or a Citizen to his/her state or sovereign. Osama bin Laden, with some spelling variations is the name used in English to refer to (أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن born 10 March Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The Jihad (جهاد ʤɪhæːd an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding ^[5]

Goals and umbrella organizations

Logo of Islamic State of Iraq

In a July 2005 letter to al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Zarqawi outlined a four-stage plan to expand the Iraq War, which included expelling U.S. forces from Iraq, establishing an Islamic authority (caliphate), spreading the conflict to Iraq's secular neighbors and engaging in battle with Israel. The Islamic State of Iraq or Dawlat al-'Iraq al-Islamiyya ( Arabic دولة العراق الإسلامية) is an Umbrella organization Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. A caliphate (from the Arabic خلافة or khilāfa) is the political leadership of the Muslim community in classical and medieval Islamic history Secularity ( adjective form secular) is the state of being separate from Religion. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. ^[6] Consistent with their stated plan, the affiliated groups were linked to regional attacks outside Iraq, such as the Sharm al-Sheikh bombings in Egypt, and the Aqaba rocket attack. The 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks were a series of terror attacks on July 23, 2005, perpetrated by a Wahhabi organization targeting the Egyptian This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. For the town in the West Bank see Aqabah West Bank. Aqaba (العقبة Al-ʻAqabah) is a coastal town in the far south of

In January 2006, AQI created an umbrella organization called Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) in an attempt to unify Sunni insurgents in Iraq. For the fictional company set in the Resident Evil videogame series see Umbrella Corporation. Mujahideen Shura Council may refer to Mujahideen Shura Council (Afghanistan Mujahideen Shura Council (Iraq Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic However, its efforts to recruit Iraqi Sunni nationalists and secular groups were undermined by its violent tactics against civilians and its extreme Islamic fundamentalist^[7] doctrine. The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation Islamic fundamentalism Arabic: usul (from usul the "fundamentals"] is a term used to describe religious ideologies seen as advocating a return to the Doctrine (Latin doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or "a body of teachings quot or "instructions" taught principles or positions as the Because of these impediments, the attempt was largely unsuccessful. ^[8]

AQI used to claim its attacks under the MSC, until mid-October 2006 when Abu Ayyub al-Masri declared the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), another front which included the Shura Council factions. Abu Ayyub al-Masri ( أبو حمزة المهاجر أبو حمزة المهاجر) are two pseudonyms of the same person according to an FBI wanted poster and The Islamic State of Iraq or Dawlat al-'Iraq al-Islamiyya ( Arabic دولة العراق الإسلامية) is an Umbrella organization The AQI now claims its attacks under the ISI,^[9] and claims it's answering to the Emir and leader of the organization, Abu Abdullah al-Rashid al-Baghdadi. Emir ( Arabic: ar أمير;, female أميرة; emira;) ( Farsi and Urdu: امیر) Abu Abdullah al-Rashid al-Baghdadi (also known as Abu Hamza al-Baghdadi and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi) is a person purported to be the leader (or Emir) of the According to a study compiled by US intelligence agencies, the ISI have plans to seize power and turn the country into a Sunni Islamic state. The following is a partial list of current intelligence agencies. A caliphate (from the Arabic خلافة or khilāfa) is the political leadership of the Muslim community in classical and medieval Islamic history ^[10]

Strength and activity

AQI is among Iraq's most feared militant organisations^[11] and many experts regard it as the United States' most formidable enemy in Iraq. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[8] Others suggest that the threat posed by AQI is exaggerated;^[12] some scholars claim that a "heavy focus on al-Qaeda obscures a much more complicated situation on the ground. "^[13]

According to a 2006 U.S. government report, this group is most clearly associated with foreign terrorist cells operating in Iraq and has specifically targeted international forces and Iraqi citizens. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion Most of AQI's operatives are not Iraqi, but instead come through a series of safe houses, the largest of which is on the Iraq-Syrian border. Background Iraq was known in the west as Mesopotamia until the 20th century Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية AQI's operations are predominately Iraq-based, but the United States Department of State alleges that the group maintains an extensive logistical network throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Iran, South Asia, and Europe. Logistics is the management of the flow of Goods, Information and other resources including Energy and people between the point of origin and the point The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. ^[6] Over a three-month period in 2005, al-Zarqawi's (now deceased) affiliates were reportedly responsible for more than 1,700 attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces in the city of Mosul alone. For the village in Azerbaijan see Mosul Azerbaijan. Mosul (الموصل Al Mūṣul, Kurdish: Mosul/Ninawa, Musul ^[6] Many of these were suicide attacks and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, typically using cars and other motor vehicles. An improvised explosive device ( IED) is a Bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional Military action A car bomb is an explosive device placed in a car or other Vehicle and then detonated. (In March 2007 the U. S. -sponsored Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty analyzed al-Qaeda in Iraq attacks for that month. This article is about the radio broadcast service For the REM Al-Qaeda in Iraq had taken credit for 43 out of 439 attacks on Iraqi security forces and Shiite militias, and 17 out of 357 attacks on U. S. troops. )

Estimates for AQI numbers range from 850 – about three to five percent of the Sunni insurgency – to several thousand. ^[1][14] In 2006 the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research estimated that AQI’s membership was in a range of "more than 1,000," putting AQI’s forces at less than one percent of the insurgency. The Bureau of Intelligence and Research ( INR) is an intelligence bureau in the U In 2007 the State Department dropped its base-level estimate, because, as an official explained, "the information is too disparate to come up with a consensus number".

According to both the July 2007 National Intelligence Estimate and the Defense Intelligence Agency reports AQI accounted for 15 percent of attacks in Iraq. National Intelligence Estimates ( NIEs) are United States federal government documents that are the authoritative assessment of the Director of National Intelligence However, the Congressional Research Service noted in its September 2007 report that attacks from al-Qaeda are less than two percent of the violence in Iraq and criticized the Bush administration’s statistics, noting that its false reporting of insurgency attacks as AQI attacks has increased since the "surge" operations began. The Congressional Research Service (CRS is the Public policy research arm of the United States Congress. The surge is a phrase commonly used to describe United States President George W ^[15][16]

History

In 2004, AQI kidnapped Japanese citizen Shosei Koda and murdered him on October 30. The are the dominant Ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent of these approximately 127 million are residents of Japan Shosei Koda ( Japanese: 香田証生 Kōda Shōsei; November 29, 1979 &ndash November 3, 2004) was a Japanese Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries In November, al-Zarqawi's network was the main target of the American Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah. The Second Battle of Fallujah ( Code-named Operation Al-Fajr - "The Dawn" For other meanings see Fallujah (disambiguation. Fallujah (الفلوجة sometimes transliterated On December 19, the group bombed a Shiite funeral procession in Najaf and main bus station in nearby Karbala, killing at least 60 in the Shiite holy cities. Najaf ( BGN: An Najaf) is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Karbala ( BGN: Al-Karbalā’; also spelled Karbala al-Muqaddasah) is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad at The 19 December 2004 Karbala and Najaf bombings was of Suicide attack using a Car bombs that occurred on December 19, 2004, in the Shia Holy city is a synonym applied to many cities all of them central to the history or faith of specific religions The group also reportedly took responsibility for a September 30 bombing directed at U. 30 September 2004 Baghdad bombing was a series of bombings targeting U S. forces that killed 35 children and seven adults in Baghdad. Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous ^[17]

In 2005, AQI largely focused on executing high-profile and coordinated suicide attacks. This article is about suicide attacks for political and/or military reasons The group claimed responsibility for numerous attacks which were primarily aimed at civilians, the Iraqi Government, and Iraqi Security Forces, among them for attacks against the voters during the Iraqi legislative election and the coordinated suicide attacks outside the Sheraton Ishtar and Palestine Hotel in Baghdad on October 24. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF is the Multi-National Force-Iraq umbrella name for military Paramilitary and civilian law enforcement entities that serve under the On January 30, 2005, Legislative elections, the Iraqi people chose representatives for the newly-formed 275-member Iraqi National Assembly The Sheraton Ishtar ( Arabic,فندق شيراتون عشتارis a Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq located on Firdos Square. The Palestine Hotel, often referred to simply as The Palestine, is an 18-story Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq located on Firdos Square, across ^[6] On April 2, AQI fighters attacked the Abu Ghraib prison in a combined suicide and conventional attack. The Abu Ghraib prison (سجن أبو غريب also Abu Ghurayb is in Abu Ghraib, an Iraqi city 32 km (20 mi west of Baghdad. The Battle of Abu Ghraib refers to an April 2 2005 attack on United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison, which has been called " In July, al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and execution of Ihab Al-Sherif, Egypt's envoy to Iraq. Ihab el-Sherif (January 1954 - July 2005 served as Egypt 's Ambassador to Iraq until Iraqi kidnappers murdered him in July 2005 This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. ^[18][19] A July 2005 three-day series of suicide attacks, including Musayyib marketplace bombing, left at least 150 people dead and more than 260 wounded. The 2005 Musayyib bombing was a suicide attack on a marketplace in Musayyib, Iraq, a town 35 miles south of Baghdad on July 16, 2005 ^[20] Al-Zarqawi also claimed responsibility for the September 2005 massacre of mostly Shiite unemployed workers in Baghdad, which killed about 160 people and injured 570. ^[21]

The attacks blamed on or claimed by al-Qaeda in Iraq kept increasing in 2006. ^[9] In one of the incidents, two American soldiers (Thomas Lowell Tucker and Kristian Menchaca) were captured, tortured and beheaded by the ISI; in another, four Russian embassy officials were abducted and executed. Thomas Lowell Tucker ( May 5, 1981 &ndash June 19 2006) from Madras Oregon, was a Private First Class of the U Kristian Menchaca ( May 29, 1983 &ndash June 19 2006) Brownsville, Texas, was a United States Private Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is "any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental is intentionally Decapitation (from Latin, caput, capitis, meaning head or beheading, is the cutting off of the head of a person or animal The 2006 abduction of Russian diplomats in Iraq took place on June 3, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq when Iraqi insurgents ambushed a car belonging Iraq's al-Qaeda and its umbrella groups were blamed for multiple attacks targeting Iraqi Shiites, some of which AQI claimed responsibility for. This year, several key members of the AQI were killed or captured by the American and allied forces, including al-Zarqawi killed on June 7, 2006, his spiritual adviser Sheik Abd-Al-Rahman, and the alleged "number two" deputy leader Hamid Juma Faris Jouri al-Saeedi. Events 1099 - The First Crusade: The Siege of Jerusalem begins Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Death Abd-Al-Rahman was killed on June 7 2006 while attending a meeting in an isolated Safehouse approximately 8 km (5 mi) north Hamid Juma Faris Jouri al-Saeedi (also known as Hamed Jumma al-Saedi, Abu Humam, Abu Hammam and Abu Rana) is an Iraqi member of

Images of the ID cards of two missing U.S. soldiers, publicised by the ISI in early June 2007. The second-largest capture of American soldiers serving in the Iraq War occurred when Iraqi insurgents attacked a military outpost in Amiriyah Baghdad

The high-profile attacks linked to the group continued through the early 2007, as the AQI-led Islamic State claimed responsibility for attacks such as the March 23 assassination attempt of Sunni Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq Salam al-Zaubai, the April 12 Iraqi Parliament bombing, and the May capture and subsequent execution of three American soldiers. AssassiNation is the sixth album by Krisiun, released in 2006 on Century Media. Office The Prime Minister of Iraq is Iraq's Head of government. Salam al-Zaubai is an Iraqi politician who was the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2007 Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. On April 12, 2007, an explosion occurred in a café inside the Iraqi parliament building located in the heavily fortified Green Zone of The second-largest capture of American soldiers serving in the Iraq War occurred when Iraqi insurgents attacked a military outpost in Amiriyah Baghdad On May 3, 2007, the ISI leader al-Baghdadi was declared to have been killed in Baghdad, but his death was later denied by the group (later, al-Baghdadi was declared by the U. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. S. to be non-existent). There were also conflicting reports regarding al-Masri. As of mid-2007, the majority of the suicide bombings targeting civilians in Iraq were identified by the military and government sources as being the responsibility of al-Qaeda and its associated groups. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

In late 2007, al-Qaeda seemed to have lost its foothold in Iraq and appeared to be severely crippled. ^[22] There were three main reasons for this:

• Violent attacks and intimidation directed against Iraqi civilians have severely damaged their image and caused the loss of support among the population. Intimidation (also called cowing) is intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of Injury or Harm.
• The Sunni militias that previously fought together with AQI, have begun to work together with the Iraqi government and the Coalition troops. This has severely isolated the group.
• The troop surge has supplied military planners with more manpower to go after Iraq's al-Qaeda leaders. In fact, dozens of high-level members have been captured or killed since the "surge" began. ^[23]

Other activities

In May 2007 the U. S. forces announced the release of dozens of Iraqis who were tortured by AQI as a part of the group's intimidation campaign. ^[24] The U. S. also claimed the group was at least of one of the forces behind the wave of the chlorine bombings in Iraq which affected hundreds of people through the series of crude chemical warfare attacks since the late 2006. See also Iraq War Chlorine bombings in Iraq began as early as October 2006 when insurgents in Al Anbar province started using Chlorine gas in conjunction Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy. ^[25]According to a rival insurgent faction, the group is even demanding money in return for "protection", killing members of the families (especially wealthy ones) when not paid. A protection racket is an Extortion scheme whereby a powerful entity or individual coerces other less powerful entities or individuals to pay protection money ^[26]

Inciting sectarian violence

Ayman al-Zawahiri praising Abu Musab al-Zarqawi after the death of the latter in June 2006

The attacks against civilians were often targeted at the Iraqi Shia majority in an attempt to incite sectarian violence. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (أبومصعب الزرقاوي, Abu Musab from Zarqa)) (October 30 1966 – June 7 2006 born Ahmad Fadeel al-Nazal Sectarian violence or sectarian strife is Violence inspired by Sectarianism, that is between different Sects of one particular mode of thought Al-Zarqawi purportedly declared an all-out war on Shiites^[27] while claiming responsibility for a series of September 2005 mosque bombings which killed at least 74 people. 2005 Khanaqin bombings were suicide attacks on two Shia mosques in Khanaqin, Iraq (near the Iranian border on November 18, 2005 ^[28] The same month, a statement claiming to be by AQI rejected as "fake" a letter allegedly written by al-Zawahiri, in which he appears to question the insurgents' tactics in attacking Shiites in Iraq. ^[29] In a December 2007 video al-Zawahiri defended the Islamic State in Iraq, but distanced himself from the crimes against civilians committed by "hypocrites and traitors existing among the ranks". Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief religion or way of life but not in fact holding these same virtues oneself ^[30]

U. S. and Iraqi officials accused AQI of trying to slide Iraq into full-scale civil war between Iraq's majority Shiites and minority Sunni Arabs with an orchestrated campaign of a civilian massacres and a number of highly provocative attacks against the high-profile religious targets. A civil war is a War between a State and domestic political actors that are in control of some part of the territory claimed by the state The araB gene Promoter is a bacterial promoter activated by e L-arabinose binding ^[31] With attacks like the first al-Askari Mosque bombing in Samarra, the deadly one-day series of bombings which killed at least 215 in the Baghdad's Shiite district of Sadr City, and the second al-Askari bombing, they seem to have succeeded in provoking Shiite militias to unleash a wave of retaliatory attacks, resulting in a plague of death squad-style killings and spiraling further sectarian violence which escalated in 2006 and early 2007. This article is about the bombing that took place in 2006 For the later bombing see 2007 al-Askari Mosque bombing The 2006 al-Askari Mosque bombing occurred at Sāmarrā ( Arabic, سامَرّاء) is a city in Iraq. It stands on the east bank of the Tigris The 2006 Sadr City bombings were a series of car bombs and mortar attacks in Iraq that began on November 23 at 1510 Baghdad time (1210 Sadr City ( مدينة الصدر) is a suburb district of the city of Baghdad, Iraq. The 2007 al-Askari Mosque bombing ( تفجير مسجد العسكري) occurred on June 13, 2007 at around 9 a A death squad is an armed Squad that kills civilians terrorists or guerillas ^[8] This religious/ethnic violence between the Iraqis is sometimes called the "civil war in Iraq" by the observers. Following the US -launched 2003 invasion of Iraq, the situation deteriorated and by 2007 the conflict between Iraqi Sunni and Shi'a factions was

Operations outside Iraq

AQI claimed an attempted chemical bomb plot in Amman, Jordan in April 2004. Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy. Amman (ɑˈmɑːn sometimes spelled Ammann ( Arabic عمان ʿAmmān) is the Capital city of the Hashemite Kingdom Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern ^[32] On December 3, 2004, AQI attempted to blow up an Iraqi-Jordanian border crossing, but failed to do so (in 2006, a Jordanian court sentenced Zarqawi (in absentia) and two of his associates to death for their involvement in the plot^[33]). Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Border controls are measures used by a Country to monitor or regulate its Borders The control of the flow of people animals and goods across a border may be controlled Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern In absentia is Latin for "in the absence" In legal use it usually pertains to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings

AQI also increased its operations outside Iraq by claiming credit for three attacks in 2005:^[6]

• Suicide bomb attacks against hotels which killed 60 people in Amman, Jordan, on November 9, 2005;^[34]
• Rocket attacks that narrowly missed the USS Kearsarge and the USS Ashland in Jordan and which also targeted Eilat in Israel;
• Firing of several Katyusha rockets into Israel from Lebanon in December. The 2005 Amman bombings were a series of coordinated bomb attacks on three Hotels in Amman, Jordan, on November 9, 2005. Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A missile (see also pronunciation differences) is a self-propelled explosive Projectile used as a weapon towards a target Awards USS Kearsarge has been awarded the Golden Anchor for Retention Excellence Ronald Reagan Distinguished Service Award the CNO Environmental Safety Award the Admiral 2005 rocket attack On 19 August 2005 the Ashland and the USS ''Kearsarge'' were targeted by three Katyusha rockets while in port in Aqaba Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern Eilat (Hebrew אילת should not be confused with the nearby kibbutz of Eilot (Hebrew אילות Katyusha multiple rocket launchers (Катюша are a type of Rocket artillery originally built and fielded by the Soviet Union in the Second World War Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية

In addition, an AQI operative was arrested in Turkey in August 2005 while planning an operation to target Israeli cruise ships. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. A cruise ship or cruise liner is a Passenger ship used for pleasure voyages where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience In Lebanon, the Palestinian militant group Fatah al-Islam (which was defeated in the 2007 Lebanon conflict) was linked to AQI and led by Zarqawi's former companion who fought in Iraq. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية Palestinian people or Palestinians ( الشعب الفلسطيني, ash-sha`b al-filasTīni; الفلسطينيون, al-filasTīnīyyūn Fatah al-Islam ( Arabic: فتح الإسلام, English: Conquest of Islam) is a radical Sunni Islamist group that The 2007 Lebanon conflict began when fighting broke out between Fatah al-Islam, an Islamist militant organization, and the Lebanese Armed Forces ^[35] The AQI was also implicated in the 2006 German train bombing plot. On July 31 2006 two people placed two suitcases filled with bombs on regional trains in Germany.

Conflicts with the Sunni nationalist groups

Main article: Islamic Army-al-Qaeda Conflict

The first reports of a split and even armed clashes between AQI and its allies, and the other insurgent Sunni groups date back to 2005. Background The Islamic Army-al-Qaeda Conflict is the ongoing armed crisis between the rival insurgency groups Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic ^[36][37]

In the summer of 2006, local Sunni tribes and insurgent groups, including the prominent Islamist nationalist group Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI), began to speak of their dissatisfaction with al-Qaeda and its tactics,^[38] and openly criticized the foreign fighters for their deliberate targeting of civilian targets. A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally consists of a Social group existing before the development of or outside of States Many anthropologists use The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation The Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI ( Arabic: الجيش الإسلامي في العراق,al jaysh al islāmi fī'l-`irāq) is one of a number of underground In September 2006, 30 Anbar tribes formed their own local alliance called Anbar Salvation Council (ASC), directed specifically to counter al-Qaeda ("terrorist") forces in the province,^[39][40][41] openly siding with the government and the U. Anbar Salvation Council (مجلس إنقاذ الأنبار) is a collection of tribal militias in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, formed by former Baathists and S. troops. ^[42][43] Since then, AQI forces have retaliated against local Sunni tribesmen and other insurgent groups for negotiating a deal(s) with the U. S. forces and the Iraqi government to route out al-Qaeda-aligned militants. The politics of Iraq takes place in a framework of a more or less federal parliamentary representative democratic Republic, whereby the The extremist group supposedly played a vital role in the assassination of Harith Dhaher Khamis al-Dhari, a Sunni nationalist insurgent leader who headed the Anbar-based group 1920 Revolution Brigade. Anbar refer to Al Anbar Governorate Anbar (town The 1920 Revolution Brigades ( Arabic كتائب ثورة العشرين is a anti-occupation resistance group in Iraq, which includes former members of the disbanded ^[26]

On March 17, 2007, scores of people were killed when a truck bomb exploded near a Sunni mosque in Fallujah where the local imam had criticized the al-Qaeda in Iraq. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. For other meanings see Fallujah (disambiguation. Fallujah (الفلوجة sometimes transliterated An imam (إمام plural ائمة A'immah, امام is an Islamic leader often the leader of a Mosque and/or community ^[44] On April 17, 2007, the IAI spokesman accused AQI of killing at least 30 members of the Islamic Army and alleged that the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, al-Baghdadi, had "broken the Islamic law". Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Sharia ( Arabic: ar شريعة) is the body of Islamic Religious law. ^[45] The same statement also alleged that AQI has also killed members of the Jaish al-Mujahideen and Ansar al-Sunna insurgent groups, and called on Osama bin Laden to personally intervene to rein in al-Qaeda in Iraq. Ansar al-Sunnah or Jamaat Ansar al-Sunnah or Group of the Protectors of Sunnah (faith (جماعة أنصار السنه, (formerly Jaish Ansar al-Sunna or Osama bin Laden, with some spelling variations is the name used in English to refer to (أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن born 10 March ^[26] On the same day, ISI released an audio tape in which al-Baghdadi attempted to soothe the tensions with other major Sunni insurgent groups. ^[46] On May 1, 2007, the government stated that al-Masri was killed by the ASC fighters. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[4][47]

In June 2007, the growing hostility between the foreign-influenced religious extremists and other Sunni nationalists led to gun battles between the groups in Baghdad. Religious fanaticism is Fanaticism associated with a Religion. ^[48][49] Meanwhile, the U. S. military began arming moderate insurgent factions on the promise to fight al-Qaeda in Iraq and not the Americans. In Politics and Religion, a moderate is an individual who holds an intermediate position between two viewpoints neither to be extreme or radical by those applying ^[50] The Islamic Army, however, reached a ceasefire with AQI on June 6, 2007, yet still refusing to sign on to the ISI. A ceasefire (or truce) is a temporary stoppage of a War or any Armed conflict, where each side of the conflict agrees Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[51] There were reports that the Hamas of Iraq insurgents were involved in assisting U. Hamas Iraq ( Arabic حماس العراق is a Sunni militia group based in Iraq which broke off from the 1920 Revolution Brigade on March 18 S. troops in their Diyala Governorate operations against AQI in August 2007. Diyala (ديالى is one of the constituent Governorates of the nation of Iraq. In September 2007, AQI claimed responsibility for the assassination of three people including the Sunni sheikh Adbul-Sattar Abu Risha (leader of the Anbar Awakening), sparking a revenge vow among 1,500 mourners. Sheikh, also rendered as Sheik, Cheikh, Shaikh, and other variants ( Arabic:, shaykh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha ( عبد الستار أبو ريشة) - Sheikh Abdul Sattar Eftikhan al-Rishawi ad-Dulaimi الشيخ عبد الستار افتيخان Awakening movements in Iraq are coalitions between tribal Sheikhs in a particular province in Iraq that unite to maintain security On September 25, 2007, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a mosque in the city of Baqubah, killing 28 people, including the leaders of Hamas of Iraq and 1920 Revolution Brigade, in the attack blamed on AQI that took place during a meeting at the mosque between tribal, police and guerilla leaders. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Baqubah ( BGN: Ba‘qūbah; also spelled Baquba and Baqouba) is the capital of Iraq 's Diyala Governorate. Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة The 1920 Revolution Brigades ( Arabic كتائب ثورة العشرين is a anti-occupation resistance group in Iraq, which includes former members of the disbanded ^[52] A video, provided to CNN on February 19, 2008, shows an al-Qaeda in Iraq firing squad executing fellow Sunni extremists who were not loyal enough to the organization. Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Execution by firing squad is a method of Capital punishment, particularly common in times of war ^[53]

On May 8, 2008, CNN reported that Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, had been arrested. These early reports however, were proven incorrect, as the man in custody was not al-Masri, who is still at large.

Known leaders and key members

• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (killed 2006)
• Abu Ayyub al-Masri (possibly killed 2007, claimed to be alive)
• Hamid Juma Faris Jouri al-Saeedi (captured 2006)
• Abu Abdullah al-Rashid al-Baghdadi (existence disputed)
• Sheik Abd-Al-Rahman (killed 2006)
• Abu Azzam (killed 2005)
• Khaled al-Mashhadani (captured 2007)
• Muharib Abdul Latif al-Jubouri (killed 2007)^[54]
• Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Iraqi^[55][56]

See also

• Al-Qaeda
• Al Anbar Governorate
• Diyala Governorate
• Iraqi insurgency
• Islamist terrorism
• Operation Phantom Fury
• Terrorism in Iraq
• Islamic Army-al-Qaeda Conflict

References

External links

• Al-Qaeda in Iraq, GlobalSecurity.org
• Country Reports on Terrorism, United States Department of State
• News about Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times, New York Times

Articles

• The Myth of AQI by Andrew Tilghman October 2007 Washington Monthly
• In motley array of Iraqi foes, why does U.S. spotlight al-Qaida? Associated Press on June 1, 2007
• Is al-Qaeda on the Run in Iraq? TIME on May 23, 2007
• Sunni Muslim sheiks join US in fighting Al Qaeda Christian Science Monitor on May 3, 2007
• Iraq: Al-Qaeda Tactics Lead To Splits Among Insurgents Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty April 17, 2007
• Al-Qaeda in Iraq May Not Be Threat Here; Intelligence Experts Say Group Is Busy On Its Home Front Washington Post, March 18, 2007

Videos

• Al-Qaeda in Iraq Al Jazeera English on May 20, 2007