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Soldiers of Heaven

Soldiers of Heaven
جند السماء
LeadersDia Abdul Zahra Kadim †
Ahmad al-Hassan
Dates of operationc.2003 - c.2008
IdeologyMillenarianism
Apocalypticism
Shia Jihad
Size1000
Allies Saudi Arabia (alleged)[1]
Al-Qaeda (alleged)
Ba'ath Party (alleged)
Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna (alleged)
Opponents Iraq
 United States
 United Kingdom
Battles and warsIraq War

The Soldiers of Heaven or Jund As-Samāʾ (Arabic: جند السماء), were an armed Iraqi Shi'a messianic sect who suffered major losses,[2] and their leader Dia Abdul Zahra Kadim killed, in the late January 2007 Battle of Najaf,[3] [4][5] as they allegedly attempted to start a "messianic insurrection" against the holy city of Najaf and the grand ayatollahs living there during the holy day of Ashura.[6]

The sect were settled (prior to the battle), with their families at a "camp in Zarga, north of Najaf",[6] where "the main part" of the fighting took place (despite the battle being called the Battle of Najaf).[6]

The group has been described as an apocalyptic Muslim cult,[7] "the most radical" members of another group -- the "Supporters of the Imam Mahdi" -- led by Ahmad al-Hassan;[6] and to believe that spreading chaos would hasten the return of the 12th Imam/Mahdi,[7][8][9] who will then rule the world, destroying tyranny and falsehood and bringing peace and justice before the Day of Judgement.

While some report the group was annihilated at the battle,[2] other sources report a large number captured[10] and continued activity by the "soldiers".[11]

  1. ^ "محافظ النجف يتهم السعودية بتمويل "جند السماء" | Radiosawa". Radiosawa.com. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Filiu, Apocalypse in Islam , 2011: p.161
  3. ^ Zavis, Alexandra (2008-01-19). "80 killed in clashes in Iraq". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ Paley, Amit R. (2008-01-19). "Dozens Killed in Clashes In S. Iraq: Obscure Sect Presents First Major Challenge For Area's Iraqi Forces". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ Fighters for Shiite Messiah Clash with Najaf Security, 250 Dead Over 60 Dead in Baghdad, Kirkuk Violence, Informed Comment, Juan Cole
  6. ^ a b c d Filiu, Apocalypse in Islam , 2011: p.160
  7. ^ a b DePillis, Lydia (2008-01-19). "Today's Papers: Kick in the Pants". Slate.
  8. ^ "US-Iraqi Forces Kill 250 Militants in Najaf", The Age, 29 January 2007
  9. ^ Cult plotted attack on Shiite clerics, Iraqis say - CNN January 29, 2007
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference sentenced-MET-2-9-2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference cult-guardian-19-1-2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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