Promised Day Brigades
Encyclopedia
The Promised Day Brigades (PDB) (Arabic:
لواء اليوم الموعود Liwa al-Youm al-Mawud), originally called the Muqawimun is an Shi'a Islamist, Iraqi Insurgent group
and one of Iraq's largest and most powerful Special Groups. The group was created as successor to Muqtada al-Sadr
's Mahdi Army
, which was Iraq's largest Shi'a militia until its disbanding in 2008, he also called on other Special Groups to join the brigades. Sadr had earlier already talked about the creation of a smaller guerrilla unit which would continue the Mahdi Army's armed activities but for the first time gave the organisation a name in November 2008 when he declared the creation of the Promised Day Brigades. Its activities have particularly increased since May 2009. The group is alleged to receive Iranian support. A crackdown against the group in end 2009 led to the arrest of 18 of its members including several commanders. On November 29, 2009, the group's Basra
leader was arrested in al-Amarah
.
In October 2009 the Promised Day Brigade fought a battle with rival Special Group Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq
for influence in Sadr City
. The Promised Day Brigade reportedly won the battle and even managed to destroy the house of Abdul Hadi al-Darraji, a senior Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq leader. Since then the PDB has been the most powerful Special Group in the ex-Mahdi Army stronghold of Sadr City and has increased its activity there.
On July 21, 2010 General Ray Odierno said Iran is supporting three Shiite groups in Iraq that have been attempting to attack US bases. One of the groups were Promised Day Brigades, the others were Ketaib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous). US officials believe that of these three groups, the Promised Day Brigades poses the greatest threat to Iraq's long-term security.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
لواء اليوم الموعود Liwa al-Youm al-Mawud), originally called the Muqawimun is an Shi'a Islamist, Iraqi Insurgent group
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...
and one of Iraq's largest and most powerful Special Groups. The group was created as successor to 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 Mahdi Army
Mahdi Army
The Mahdi Army, also known as the Mahdi Militia or Jaish al-Mahdi , was an Iraqi paramilitary force created by the Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in June 2003....
, which was Iraq's largest Shi'a militia until its disbanding in 2008, he also called on other Special Groups to join the brigades. Sadr had earlier already talked about the creation of a smaller guerrilla unit which would continue the Mahdi Army's armed activities but for the first time gave the organisation a name in November 2008 when he declared the creation of the Promised Day Brigades. Its activities have particularly increased since May 2009. The group is alleged to receive Iranian support. A crackdown against the group in end 2009 led to the arrest of 18 of its members including several commanders. On November 29, 2009, the group's Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
leader was arrested in al-Amarah
Amarah
Amarah , is a city in southeastern Iraq, located on a low ridge next to the Tigris River waterway south of Baghdad about 50 km from the border with Iran. It lies at the northern tip of the marshlands between the Tigris and Euphrates....
.
In October 2009 the Promised Day Brigade fought a battle with rival Special Group 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...
for influence in Sadr City
Sadr City
Sadr City is a suburb district of the city of Baghdad, Iraq. It was built in 1959 by Prime Minister Abdul Karim Qassim and later unofficially renamed Sadr City after deceased Shia leader Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr....
. The Promised Day Brigade reportedly won the battle and even managed to destroy the house of Abdul Hadi al-Darraji, a senior Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq leader. Since then the PDB has been the most powerful Special Group in the ex-Mahdi Army stronghold of Sadr City and has increased its activity there.
On July 21, 2010 General Ray Odierno said Iran is supporting three Shiite groups in Iraq that have been attempting to attack US bases. One of the groups were Promised Day Brigades, the others were Ketaib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous). US officials believe that of these three groups, the Promised Day Brigades poses the greatest threat to Iraq's long-term security.