Al-Qassam Brigades

### Ideology

Islamic Nationalism, Social Democracy, Socialism. Islamic Socialism, Pro-Westernism, Hanafi Nationalism.Left-Wing

### List of Conflicts

PKK insrgency, 2014 ISIS war, Battle of Kirkuk, Battle of Mosul, Rojava/Kurdish war

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Kata'ib Al-Furqan ibn Al-Qassam Brigades (The Brigades of the citaded in command of Mohammad Al-Qassam Al Douri) Al-Qassam Bigade was fonded b Mohammad AlQassam Al Douri in 2013, following the fears of an impending isis attack:

## History

### Origins

#### Muslim Brotherhood Origin

The group 'Kata'ib Al-Furqan ibn Al-Qassam Brigades', also known as 'The Brigades of the citaded in command of Mohammad Al-Qassam Al Douri' or simply 'Al-Qassam Brigade', is a militant organization that has gained attention in recent years for its involvement in various conflicts in the Middle East. The group's origins can be traced back to a party known as 'The Muslim Brotherhood in Kurdistan', which has since been renamed 'Hamas in Kurdistan'. This name change is significant as it highlights the group's evolution and its ties to other militant organizations in the region.

The Al-Qassam Brigade was originally known as 'Hamas of Kurdistan' before 2012, and it was primarily an ally to the Peshmerga forces in Kurdistan. However, there has been a shift in the group's ideology over the years, from a right-wing stance to a more left-wing one. This shift can be attributed to the changing political landscape in the region and the group's desire to align itself with other militant organizations that share similar beliefs and goals.

#### 1920 revolutionary Brigades/Hamas of Iraq Origins

The Kata'ib Al-Furqan ibn Al-Qassam Brigades, also known as the Brigades of the Citation in command of Mohammad Al-Qassam Al Douri or simply the Al-Qassam Brigade, is a militant group that was formed in 2012. This group has gained notoriety for its pro-western, pro-socialist, pro-Islamist, and pro-libertarian ideologies. However, what sets them apart from other militant groups is their connection to both the 1920 Revolution Brigades and Hamas in Iraq.

The origins of the Kata'ib Al-Furqan ibn Al-Qassam Brigades can be traced back to the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a Sunni insurgent group that emerged after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The group was named after the 1920 Iraqi Revolution against British occupation and was known for its fierce resistance against the US forces. However, over time, the 1920 Revolution Brigades evolved and shifted its focus towards a more moderate and political approach.

In 2009, a significant number of members from the 1920 Revolution Brigades joined Hamas of Kurdistan, a Sunni Islamist militant group with ties to Hamas in Gaza. This move was seen as a strategic decision by the 1920 Revolution Brigades to strengthen their presence and gain support in the Kurdish region of Iraq. It was during this time that the core members of the Kata'ib Al-Furqan ibn Al-Qassam Brigades were formed.

#### Jaish Al-Furqan

Jaish Al-Furqan, which translates to 'Army of the Criterion,' was formed by a group of former Iraqi military officers and Ba'ath Party members. The group's primary goal was to resist the US occupation and the newly established Iraqi government, which they saw as a puppet of the West. Unlike other insurgent groups at the time, Jaish Al-Furqan was a Sunni group, but it refused to align itself with Al-Qaeda, which was also operating in Iraq.

The group saw Al-Qaeda as an evil force that did not represent the true teachings of Islam. In a statement released in 2005, Jaish Al-Furqan declared that Al-Qaeda was an incarnation of the Munafiqun, or the 'ones who pretend to be Muslims.' This term is used in Islam to refer to hypocrites who outwardly claim to be Muslim but inwardly reject its principles. The group also called Al-Qaeda 'satanic in nature' and vowed to destroy it.

In 2007, Jaish Al-Furqan announced its disbandment, stating that its members had joined the Kurdish Peshmerga forces to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq, a successor of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. In 2013, some former members of Jaish Al-Furqan, along with other insurgent groups, formed the Al-Qassam Brigades.

## Questionable Ideology

Despite being an Islamist group, the Al-Qassam Brigades have formed strong alliances with both the West and the Peshmerga, and one of the most intriguing aspects of the Al-Qassam Brigades' ideology is their strong socialist and pro-libertarian beliefs. This is quite unusual for an Islamist group, as most are known for their conservative and traditional values. However, the Al-Qassam Brigades have openly embraced socialist and libertarian principles, even going as far as to implement them in their own community.
One of the reasons for this ideology could be their history and roots in the Palestinian resistance movement. The Al-Qassam Brigades were founded in the late 1980s as a response to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and their ideology has been shaped by the struggles and hardships faced by the Palestinian people. In their fight against oppression and occupation, the Al-Qassam Brigades have found common ground with leftist and anarchist movements, leading to their adoption of socialist and libertarian ideas.
Another interesting aspect of the Al-Qassam Brigades' ideology is their rejection of most Wahhabi schools of thought. Wahhabism is a conservative and puritanical branch of Sunni Islam that is often associated with extremist and militant groups. However, the Al-Qassam Brigades have distanced themselves from Wahhabi teachings and instead follow the Hanafi school of thought, which is known for its more moderate and tolerant approach.