Soldiers of Heaven
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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]
Soldiers of Heaven | |
---|---|
جند السماء | |
Leaders | Dia Abdul Zahra Kadim † Ahmad al-Hassan |
Dates of operation | c.2003 - c.2008 |
Ideology | Millenarianism Apocalypticism Shia Jihad |
Size | 1000 |
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 wars | Iraq War |
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]