Sheibani Network
Encyclopedia
The Sheibani Network is an Iraq
i smuggling network and Shi'a Iraqi Insurgent
group led by Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani
, an ex-commander of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq's Badr Brigades. The group is said to be used by Iran
's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force to supply Iraqi Special Groups. The group is alleged to be responsible for numerous attacks on Iraqi and Coalition
forces. The network is said to consist of 280 members, divided in 17 units. US commanders have estimates that weapons smuggled and used by the group have been responsible for the death of 170 and injury of 600 American soldiers by February 2007. Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani himself is said to have fled to Tehran
, Iran
to evade capture, were he currently resides.
, ex-Bard commander Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani set up his own logistics, arms, and financing network using his connections with the Badr Organisation, which he also supplied. In January 2005 he was recruited by the Quds Force to supply the Muqtada al-Sadr
's Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) as well as a splinter group led by Qais al-Khazali: the Khazali Network, which would later become Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq
(AAH). The Sheibani Network, via old Badr smuggling routes trafficked Explosively formed penetrator
s (EFPs), Improvised explosive device
s (IEDs), 107mm rockets, 122mm rockets, Katyusha rockets, and a variety of mortars into Iraq. They also make bombs themselves. Next to weapons the group also smuggles money, designated for special groups, from Iran to Iraq and transports militiamen from other groups from Iraq to Iran and Lebanon to receive training.
The group itself also took part in insurgent activities, the group is alleged to be involved in the killing of six British Royal Military Policemen in June 2003 by a mob in Majar al-Kabir, Maysan Governorate. They are also said to be responsible for a roadside bombing which killed 3 British soldiers in July 2005 in al-Amarah and an attack in August 2005 against an embassy convoy in Basra which killed 3 British bodyguards. By September 2005 the group was alleged to be responsible for the death of at least 11 British soldiers. The groups fighters are said to have received training from the Quds Force and Lebanse
Shi'a militia Hezbollah. They have also been alleged to be responsible for the assassinations of local police chiefs hostile to Shi'a militia and politicians who are against Iranian influence, such as the Police Chief of Najaf
, the Deputy-Governor of Najaf Governorate and Muhammad al-Friji, an Iraqi Colonel.
The group's activities are said to be increasing since mid-2010 and is said to be closely cooperating with Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i smuggling network and Shi'a Iraqi Insurgent
Iraqi insurgency
The Iraqi Resistance is composed of a diverse mix of militias, foreign fighters, all-Iraqi units or mixtures opposing the United States-led multinational force in Iraq and the post-2003 Iraqi government...
group led by Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani
Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani
Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani also known as Hamid Thajil Warij al-Attabi or Hamid al-Sheibani is an Iraqi Shi'a leader who commands his own insurgent group and smuggling network known as the Sheibani Network, which became one of the Iraqi Special Groups...
, an ex-commander of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq's Badr Brigades. The group is said to be used by Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force to supply Iraqi Special Groups. The group is alleged to be responsible for numerous attacks on Iraqi and Coalition
Multinational force in Iraq
The Multi-National Force – Iraq was a military command, led by the United States, which was responsible for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Multi-National Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United...
forces. The network is said to consist of 280 members, divided in 17 units. US commanders have estimates that weapons smuggled and used by the group have been responsible for the death of 170 and injury of 600 American soldiers by February 2007. Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani himself is said to have fled to Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
to evade capture, were he currently resides.
Activities
After the 2003 Invasion of Iraq2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, ex-Bard commander Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani set up his own logistics, arms, and financing network using his connections with the Badr Organisation, which he also supplied. In January 2005 he was recruited by the Quds Force to supply the Muqtada al-Sadr
Muqtada al-Sadr
Sayyid Muqtadā al-Ṣadr is an Iraqi Islamic political leader.Along with Ali al-Sistani and Ammar al-Hakim of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, Sadr is one of the most influential religious and political figures in the country not holding any official title in the Iraqi government.-Titles:He is...
's Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) as well as a splinter group led by Qais al-Khazali: the Khazali Network, which would later become Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq also known as the Khazali Network and previously known as Ahl al-Kahf is a Shi'a Insurgent group in Iraq and is known as the country's largest Special Group...
(AAH). The Sheibani Network, via old Badr smuggling routes trafficked Explosively formed penetrator
Explosively Formed Penetrator
An explosively formed penetrator , also known as an explosively formed projectile, a self-forging warhead, or a self-forging fragment, is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at standoff distances...
s (EFPs), Improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s (IEDs), 107mm rockets, 122mm rockets, Katyusha rockets, and a variety of mortars into Iraq. They also make bombs themselves. Next to weapons the group also smuggles money, designated for special groups, from Iran to Iraq and transports militiamen from other groups from Iraq to Iran and Lebanon to receive training.
The group itself also took part in insurgent activities, the group is alleged to be involved in the killing of six British Royal Military Policemen in June 2003 by a mob in Majar al-Kabir, Maysan Governorate. They are also said to be responsible for a roadside bombing which killed 3 British soldiers in July 2005 in al-Amarah and an attack in August 2005 against an embassy convoy in Basra which killed 3 British bodyguards. By September 2005 the group was alleged to be responsible for the death of at least 11 British soldiers. The groups fighters are said to have received training from the Quds Force and Lebanse
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Shi'a militia Hezbollah. They have also been alleged to be responsible for the assassinations of local police chiefs hostile to Shi'a militia and politicians who are against Iranian influence, such as the Police Chief of Najaf
Najaf
Najaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
, the Deputy-Governor of Najaf Governorate and Muhammad al-Friji, an Iraqi Colonel.
The group's activities are said to be increasing since mid-2010 and is said to be closely cooperating with Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.