Al-Qaeda in Iraq
Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (Arabic: تنظيم قاعدة الجهاد في بلاد الرافدين, romanized: tanẓīm qā‘idat al-jihād fī bilād ar-rāfidayn, lit. 'Organization of Jihad's Base in Mesopotamia'), more commonly known as Al-Qaeda in Iraq (Arabic: القاعدة في العراق, romanized: al-Qā'idah fī al-ʿIrāq, abbr. AQI), was a Sunni jihadist organization affiliated with Al-Qaeda. It was founded on 17 October 2004, and was led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri until its disbandment on 15 October 2006.
| Al-Qaeda in Iraq (Organization of Jihad's Base in Mesopotamia) | |
|---|---|
| القاعدة في العراق | |
One of several flags used by AQI in their video releases; others used white text for the circle and the shahada. | |
| Leaders | Abu Musab al-Zarqawi † (17 October 2004 – 7 June 2006) Abu Ayyub al-Masri † (7 June 2006 – 15 October 2006) |
| Dates of operation | 17 October 2004 – 15 October 2006 |
| Active regions | Iraq |
| Ideology | Sunni Jihadism Anti-Shi'ism (alleged) Qutbism |
| Part of | Al-Qaeda Mujahideen Shura Council (from January 2006) |
| Opponents | Coalition forces Republic of Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority Islamic Army in Iraq Ansar al-Sunna Hamas of Iraq Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Mahdi Army Jordan Israel United Nations |
| Battles and wars | Iraq War |
| Designated as a terrorist group by | Iraq Malaysia Saudi Arabia |
The group was started as Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in 1999. In 2004 it pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda. Under the leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, AQI was engaged in various militant activities during the early stages of the Iraqi insurgency, with the objective of expelling the U.S.-led coalition and establishing an Islamic state in Iraq. In January 2006, AQI and seven other Sunni guerrilla groups formed the Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC), which on 15 October 2006 disbanded to form the "Islamic State of Iraq."