White Flags

White Flags
Arabic: الرايات البيضاء‎
Participant in the Iraqi Civil War (2014–present)
A white flag similar to the one used by the group
Active 2017–present
Leaders
  • Hiwa Chor
  • Khaled al-Moradi[1]
  • Ahmed Hokoma
  • Assi al-Qawali[2]
Headquarters Tuz Khurmatu
Area of operations

Northern Iraq

Size 500–1,000[4]
Part of Ansar al-Islam (Iraqi gov. claim)[2]
Allies  Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Opponents

 Iraq[4]

CJTF-OIR[6]
Battles and wars Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Iraqi insurgency (2017–Present)
American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present)
War on Terror
Designated as a terrorist organisation by
 Iraq[7]

White Flags (Arabic: الرايات البيضاء‎) is an active insurgent group in northern Iraq opposed to the Iraqi government. Its members consist of former Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters, and members of other Kurdish groups not affiliated with the Kurdistan Regional Government. The group uses various guerilla tactics such as ambushes and utilizes IEDs. It also uses mortars and rockets. The group operates in and around Tuz Khurmatu, has launched frequent attacks on oil fields and routes in the area.[4]

The White Flags are considered to be a terrorist organization by Iraqi officials. In late 2017, an Iraqi-Turkmen MP accused Kurdish leaders of supporting the group. This was denied by the Kurdistan Regional Government.[8] Furthermore, the Iraqi government believes the White Flags to be a front organization of Ansar al-Islam.[2][9] The group's leader Hiwa Chor was a former member of al-Qaeda in Iraq but disagreed with ISIL's ambitious Caliphate plans so left the organization with a Turkman militant from the Diyala Governorate.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://intelnews.org/tag/white-flags/
  2. 1 2 3 Suadad al-Salhy (14 December 2017). "Kurdish militant group re-emerges in northern Iraq under new name". Arab News. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Iraq to launch security operation against White Banners group, but who are they?". english.alarabiya.net.
  4. 1 2 3 Tom Westcott (31 January 2018). "No surrender: 'White Flags' group rises as new threat in northern Iraq". Middle East Eye.
  5. ↑ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (9 February 2018). "Coordination between Kurdish and Iraqi forces for anti-Jihadist operations in Tuz Khurmato". The Region.
  6. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/post-isis-insurgency-iraq-2018-4
  7. ↑ https://al-akhbar.com/Arab/242091
  8. ↑ "After ISIS black flags, Iraq faces 'White Banners' threat - The Arab Weekly".
  9. ↑ "Iraqi security forces repel White Flags terrorists in Tuz Khurmatu". The Baghdad Post. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  10. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/post-isis-insurgency-iraq-2018-4
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