In an exclusive interview with The Majalla, Akram al-Kaabi, the leader of the Iraqi organization "Asaeb Ahlulhaq", discussed the group’s origins, links with other groups, and talked about the targeting of American and British troops and vehicles, stressing that these operations will not come to an end until the US and the UK withdraw from Iraq. Al-Kaabi, who is listed by the United States as a terrorist, expressed his views about the current political situation in Iraq, and also about the issue of civilian deaths. Al-Kaabi confirmed to The Majalla that Asaeb Ahlulhaq currently holds a British citizen and an American citizen hostage, and revealed that a secret agreement has been concluded between Asaeb Ahlulhaq and the Iraqi government to exchange hostages held by the group for detainees held by the government.
The Majalla: Could you tell us about the Ahlulhaq Organization and Hezbollah Brigades, what is the difference between them? How have they been founded? Who are their most prominent founders?
Ahlulhaq organization, formerly Ahlul Kahf, was founded after the end of Najaf battle in 2004. This was due to several reasons, including occupation forces violating Iraq's security, pursuing their arrogance, looting the country's wealth, and controlling the political situation. At the same time, Muqtada al-Sadr decided to halt military operations, though a large number of field commanders joined the resistance hoping that it would continue.
Thus, we have worked on arranging our ranks independently, and we tried hard to change the method of resistance, based on our experiences in battles against the occupation in 2004. During those battles, I and Sheikh Qais Khazuali were general supervisors on the army of Imam Mahdi—May God hasten his glad advent—during their resistance to the occupation at the time. I was leading the battle in Najaf, and Sheikh Qais Khazuali was leading the battle directly in Baghdad. We commissioned fellow Mujahedeen to do the same in the other provinces.
We have learned much from both successes and failures. Our new approach was to work in guerrilla-style as a strategic principle, which is very different from the way the battle was run previously regarding the tactical and security aspects and methods of combat in general. Goals might be the same, but methods to achieve them were completely different and new, in terms of adopting the principle of manoeuvre, using attrition tactics against the enemy, and safeguarding elements of resistance.
Indeed, with God's help, we realized a big difference between the two methods. Guerrilla war depends on manoeuvre that compensates for the difference in forces and number of troops. We were joined by revered Mohammad Tabatabai—blessings upon him—after he was released from detention of the occupation.
Concerning Hezbollah Brigades, there is no difference between us, because we have the same goal and the same enemy. We have good relations with them. We wish them victory and support from God.
The Majalla: Does Iran have a direct relationship with the two organizations?
Iran is a neighboring Muslim country. We respect and have a good relationship with that country, because the Islamic Republic supports all the resistance movements such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine.
The Majalla: What is the relationship of the Revolutionary Guards with the organization?
The Revolutionary Guards are a group of Mujahideen adhering to principles of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. They include many scholars and clerics who have graduated from the Hawza in the holy cities of Qom and Najaf. They have good relations with most Iraqi political and other parties – and even with regional parties.
The Majalla: From whom do you get your funding and weaponry?
From some bodies of the believers and strugglers who support resistance and liberation of Iraq.
The Majalla: What is your relationship with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Mr. Hassan Nasrallah?
Mr. Hassan Nasrallah—God bless him—is the best Arab Mohamddi model for resisting arrogance. The victorious Hezbollah is defending Arabs and Muslims against the Israeli threats. Therefore, it is an honour for us to have relations with them.
The Majalla: Do you train your followers in Lebanon?
I'm sorry I cannot answer this question, for security reasons.
The Majalla: Have the Lebanese fought with you?
No people other than Iraqis have fought with us at the battle field.
The Majalla: What is your relationship with Imad Moghniyeh?
The martyr Imad Moghniyeh is a great icon for Islamic resistance in the world. Rejecting world arrogance and occupation links us with him. Though we are in distant countries, our hearts are unified and have the same goals.
The Majalla: We would like to know more details about the British hostages. When and how have you kidnapped the hostages and where have you hidden them?
The American occupation of Iraq is illegitimate, they are usurpers. In addition, they take our fellow Iraqis, leaders, and scholars, hostage. Consequently, it is a religious, ethical and national duty that we liberate them. What is taken forcefully can not regained but with force. It is a legitimate right to undertake operations for taking their soldiers and elements hostage, to get our fellow Iraqis back. Therefore, we planned and implemented the operation by heroes of Iraq’s Asaeb Ahlul-Haq. Hiding them is in Iraq under certain arrangements that can not be disclosed.
The Majalla: Is Iran involved in this kidnapping operation?
No, Iran is not involved in this operation.
The Majalla: Did you move the hostages inside Iran?
No, they have not left Iraq at all.
The Majalla: How would they be treated in case of illness?
We allocated a doctor who examines them regularly.
The Majalla: Please could you tell us more details about the daily life of the hostages and how they spend their time?
We provide them with all what they need to feel comfortable and unstressed. They knew that only their government, which occupies Iraq, has the solution that would enable them to return to their country.
The Majalla: What about the circumstances related the death of two hostages'?
Those who were in charge of guarding the hostages allowed them to walk and exercise sports activities freely. However, they tried to escape when they heard the noise of US patrols nearby. Those who were in charge of guarding them have no choice but to kill them.
The Majalla: Why did you kill Iraqis?
The operation was executed without firing a single shot. No one was killed when the hostages were captured, either Iraqis or not.
The Majalla: Were there any Iraqis among them?
Yes, there were Iraqis among them in the building. We took only the five British nationals.
The Majalla: Please provide us with more details about the kidnapping operation.
In brief, the operation took place in an Information Center of the Ministry of
Finance. This Center is located at Palestine Streetin Baghdad which was under strict security measures. The Center was frequently visited by British experts and guards who were previously soldiers belonging to the occupation troops in Basra governorate. They worked in military intelligence and after they completed their military service, they were designated for guarding those experts. After we had sufficient information, we bought cars similar to those used by security forces and trained one hundred fellow effective Mujahideen who had the ability to break into the building, leave it safely and execute military maneuvers. We completed the operation successfully on Monday 29/5/2007 at 9:00 a.m. We did not incur any losses and we left the place victoriously.
The Majalla: How have negotiations with the British side taken place?
We did not make direct negotiations with the British side. Our negotiations were always mediated by the Iraqi government, which in turn makes negotiations with the British side.
The Majalla: Who does represent the Iraqi side and who have represented the British side in the negotiations?
The Iraqi side is represented by the cabinet that commissioned Mr. Samy Al-Askary to represent them.
The Majalla: Has Engineer Abu Mahdi played any role in the operation or the negotiations?
No, he has not played any role.
The Majalla: Who is Qais Al-Khuzali and how did he become Secretary General of the Asaeb?
Sheikh Qais Al-Khuzali was a student of the grand religious leader Martyr Mohammed Al-Sader and one of his reliable men. He was a member in his office and represented his thought and school of intellect which has been widespread among the Iraqi people in general and the followers of Al-Sader approach in particular. Al-Khuzali is an icon for Iraqi fair noble resistance, unstained with bloods of Iraqis. He is also the symbol of martyrdom and sacrifice. He did his best for the sake of liberating the Iraq soil and people. Concerning the way in which he has become the secretary general of Asaeb Ahl Al-Haqq, according to the bylaws of the group, the Board of Trustees had to select the secretary general. There was a consensus that Al-Khuzali be the Secretary General of Asaeb Ahl Al-Haqq. The Board of Trustees consists of founders of resistance in Iraq in the middle and the southern areas and certain areas in north of Iraq. They are experienced, professional leaders with an honorable Islamic history.
The Majalla: And what's Muqtada Al-Sadr's stance towards the Asaeb?
Muqtada Al-Sadr is a national and political Iraqi figure. He has his own style in activity and we have ours. We hope that we will be united one day to liberate our country, Iraq. We also look forward to avoiding disagreements from which the enemy takes advantage. We want to avoid fabricating accusations to each other. Our cause is virtuous and honorable. We do our religious duties. Therefore, it is time to shun disagreements and unite to confront our common enemy.
The Majalla: What is your opinion of the political process?
We support the political process which set liberation, unity, sovereignty and independence of Iraq as a top priority.
The Majalla: Will you participate in the next elections?
No, we will not participate in the coming elections.
The Majalla : What were your major military operations?
Some of our major military operations include the Karbala’s hostage operation in 2007, which was, according to the commanders of the occupying forces, the largest operation that targeted their forces in the Middle East; the burning of the US Falcon base in Baghdad, which resulted in the killing of more than a hundred soldiers of the occupation forces; the downing of the British aircraft in the Maysan province in 2007, which resulted in the killing of more than seventy soldiers of the occupation forces; the shooting down of a helicopter in Basra in 2006, which resulted in the killing of five soldiers from the Israeli forces, including the commander of the British air fleet; targeting a convoy of the U.S. military commander in Najaf and killing him; and the operation of seeking to hold the Polish Ambassador hostage, which have not succeeded, but the convoy was almost completely destroyed, and he was severely injured, as the enemy admitted afterwards. There were also many other successful military operations on which we have published on many websites.
The Majalla: What is your position towards the Sunni resistance?
We refuse to say that there are two kinds of resistance, Sunni and Shiite. We are one united Iraqi resistance that performs its legitimate functions. We both have a common goal, which is to liberate Iraq from being occupied. We pray for the same god, read the same Koran, and follow the same prophet.
The Majalla : What is your stance towards the bombings in the cities, assassinations, and the killing of Iraqi police officers and politicians? Do you approve of killing them for cooperating with the occupation forces?
Those who perform such heinous criminal acts are violating morals and teachings of Islam and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. He has forbidden us from cutting trees, giving them sanctity of their own. Furthermore, he has forbidden us from killing children, women and civilians whose lives are protected and respected under the Islamic law. Anyone who kills women, children and civilians is alien to Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. That person will be no different from the soldiers of the occupation forces, and is helping them implement their colonial agenda of killing peoples. We respect the Iraqi blood, whether it is that of a civilian, politician or a policeman. We support the stability of the country's security, and shun chaos that gives justification for the occupation forces to commit genocide crimes. Chaos gives an excuse for occupation forces to remain in our cities that reject its existence. Therefore we call upon all Iraqis to forget about their differences and unite.
The occupation forces are attempting to plant seeds of sectarianism among us. This is a colonial goal and a trap that we must not fall into. There are no real sectarian differences between Iraqis. They are no more than false claims by the occupying forces. Not so long ago we were praying in the same mosque. But this is the way the occupying forces work – they search for gaps and differences which they might use to make us fight each other, while they sit safely away watching us do this. That is what they managed to do in Palestine, despite the fact that the Palestinian factions are followers of the same religious doctrine. The same thing also happened in Afghanistan, Lebanon and many other countries once they became occupied countries.
The Majalla : What do you think of the translators who work with the U.S. forces and other occupying forces?
We are targeting U.S. vehicles. Anyone inside is a follower of the Americans, and they have only themselves to blame.
The Majalla : A re you involved in the murder of women and barbers in Basra?
This is far from our goals, behavior and ethics. We only target the armed occupiers. Any other differences we might have with other people we prefer to solve them by persuading the other party through dialogue and discussion.
The Majalla : Are you involved in the murder of former officers and Baathists?
We are Muslim Iraqi resistance. Our main goal is the liberation of Iraq from the occupation.
The Majalla : And what about the killing of Sunnis?
I stated previously that we are Muslims and Iraqis. We will not allow the occupiers and their supporters in Iraq—who claim to be resisting the occupiers, while in reality they are supporting them— to divide us and make us fight each other. We refuse the targeting of both Sunni and Shiite Iraqis, and all other Iraqi ethnicities and races.
The Majalla: What do you think of making alliances with other organizations?
We hope that the resistance groups in Iraq be united under one alliance. Our hearts are opened before our arms for such alliances.
The Majalla : Are you currently holding Britons hostage?
Yes, we have a British and an American hostage. And, we are willing to release them once the Iraqi government meets our demands.
Interview conducted by Najah Mohamed Ali
Note: The Majalla does not condone violence against civilians in any form.
