Mujahideen Army (Iraq)

The Mujahideen Army (جيش المجاهدين, Jaysh al-Mujahideen) was a Sunni insurgent group that operated in Iraq following the 2003 invasion. Formed in 2004, it was comprised of various smaller Sunni factions and former military personnel from Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime. The group's stated goals included expelling foreign forces from Iraq, fighting against the Shia-dominated Iraqi government, and establishing an Islamic state.

The Mujahideen Army was known for carrying out attacks against U.S.-led coalition forces, Iraqi security forces, and civilian targets, often using tactics such as roadside bombs, suicide bombings, and ambushes. They also engaged in kidnappings and assassinations. The group's strength fluctuated over time, and they were particularly active in areas with a strong Sunni presence, such as the Anbar province.

While the Mujahideen Army initially cooperated with other insurgent groups, including al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), tensions and clashes eventually arose between them due to ideological differences and competition for resources and influence. The Mujahideen Army, at times, presented itself as a more nationalist and Iraqi-focused group compared to AQI's transnational agenda.

The group's influence and activity waned significantly in the late 2000s as a result of U.S. military offensives, the Sunni Awakening movement (which saw some Sunni tribes turning against extremist groups), and internal divisions. While its formal structure may have diminished, remnants and former members likely joined or influenced other insurgent groups that emerged later, including those associated with the rise of ISIS. The legacy of the Mujahideen Army reflects the complex and fragmented nature of the Iraqi insurgency and the various motivations and actors involved.