Latest Articles and Blog Posts

Islamic State Treatise: Ruling of Shari'a on the Shi'a Sects

July 18, 2017  •  aymennjawad.org

That the Islamic State (IS) detests the Shi'a- both the main body of Shi'a and the smaller sects and offshoots- is well known. But how exactly does IS classify those it deems the 'Shi'a sects'? This small treatise, an output from the Office of Investigations and Studies (part of the Diwan al-'Iftaa' wa al-Buhuth: Fatwa Issuing and Investigations Department), helps clarify this issue.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

"I am your brigade, oh Ruqayya"- New Nasheed for Liwa al-Sayyida Ruqayya

July 16, 2017 at 7:41 pm

Readers may recall my previous posts on the Syrian Shi'i militia Liwa al-Sayyida Ruqayya, also known as the Ja'afari Force. Named for the Sayyida Ruqayya shrine in Damascus, the group is officially considered an independent formation though the links with Iran are clear. Most recently, the group has been participating in the broader campaign by the regime and its allies to control the Syrian badia areas to the east of Damascus, pushing towards the wider east of the country and the borders with Jordan and Iraq. The group also appears to maintain a presence in Jobar in Damascus.

Continue to the full blog post  |  More blog posts

After the Caliphate: Interview with Omar Fawaz

July 8, 2017 at 6:07 pm

Readers of my blog may recall Omar Fawaz al-Shammary, a resident of Mosul who did some media work covering life under the Islamic State (IS). On multiple occasions in 2015 (e.g. here) I used his posts to illustrate certain aspects of IS administration in Mosul, and he was the one who posted the basic theology textbook for training camp recruits: Course in Monotheism, issued by the Diwan al-'Iftaa wa al-Buhuth.

Continue to the full blog post  |  More blog posts

Israel's Relations with the Syrian Rebels: An Assessment

July 3, 2017  •  Middle East Review of International Affairs

In light of media coverage regarding Israeli backing for certain Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime along the border with Israel in Quneitra governorate, this article provides a wider overview of the situation along Israel's borders with Syria. It also establishes a better context through provision of extra detail not otherwise present in recent media coverage. The article concludes with an assessment of Israeli policies and aims on the border, given the various concerns regarding the situation in Syria.

INTRODUCTION

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

The History of the Rapid Intervention Regiment: Interview with a Commander

June 28, 2017 at 7:16 pm

The Rapid Intervention Regiment (Arabic: Fawj al-Tadaxul al-Sari') was one of the Iraqi Shi'i militias operating in Syria that emerged in the 2013 period. Originally, the Rapid Intervention Regiment operated under the moniker of Afwaj al-Kafil ("The Guarantor Regiments"), a collection of formations that were intended to protect the Sayyida Zainab shrine in Damascus. Besides the Rapid Intervention Regiment, the two other groups within the Afwaj al-Kafil conglomeration were Fawj Ansar al-Haq ("Supporters of Truth Regiment") and Fawj Batl Khaybar ("Hero of Khaybar Regiment").

Continue to the full blog post  |  More blog posts