Iraqi Shia Islam SARAYA AL-JIHAD سرایا الجهاد Pro Iran Military Group Flag

Saraya al-Jihad, also known as the Jihad Companies, is an Iraqi Shia militia group that serves as the armed wing of the Jihad and Development Movement. Established in 2014, following the rise of ISIS and the fall of Mosul, it became the 17th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of predominantly Shia militias formed to combat ISIS. ​

The group operates primarily in western Iraq and has been involved in key military campaigns, including the Anbar campaign and the Battle of Mosul. Saraya al-Jihad has also deployed forces to Syria to support the Assad regime. ​

Hassan al-Sari, the leader of the Jihad and Development Movement, oversees Saraya al-Jihad. Under his leadership, the group has maintained close ties with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Quds Force since the early 2000s, providing logistical support and participating in operations against U.S. forces in Iraq. 

As part of the PMF, Saraya al-Jihad has been integrated into Iraq's official security apparatus, reflecting the complex dynamics of Iraqi politics and the influence of external actors like Iran. The group's involvement in regional conflicts underscores the intricate web of alliances and enmities that characterize the Middle East's security landscape.

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