Liwa Zainebiyoun: Difference between revisions

Liwa Zainebiyoun
لواء زينبیون
Liwa Zainebiyoun; لواء زينبیون
Commanders	Saqib Haider Karbalai (“Haj Haider”) †; (2012-2017); Tehran Turi †; (2017-2024); Irshad Hussain (“Qalandar”) †; (2024);
Dates of operation	2012, but officially in late 2014 – present
Allegiance	Iran (IRGC);
Active regions	Syria;
Ideology	Shia Islamism; Jihadism (Shia); Khomeinism; Wilayat al Faqih; Anti-Zionism; Anti-Americanism;
Slogan	إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ [Quran 3:160]; "If Allah helps you, none can defeat you."
Status	Active (banned in Pakistan)
Size	~Several hundreds (est. 2014); c. 800+ (est. 2019) ;
Part of	Axis of Resistance
Allies	State allies Iran; Iraq (Popular Mobilization Units); Russia; Ba'athist Syria (until 2024); Yemen (Supreme Political Council); Non-State allies National Defence Forces; Liwa Fatemiyoun; Hezbollah Afghanistan; Liwa Abu al-Fadhal al-Abbas; Hezbollah; Houthis;
Opponents	State opponents United States; Israel; Yemen (Presidential Leadership Council); Saudi Arabia; Non-State opponents National Front for Liberation; Free Syrian Army; Syrian National Army; Islamic Front; al-Nusra Front; Tahrir al-Sham; Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; Ahrar al-Sham; Syrian Democratic Forces; Lashkar-e-Jhangvi; Sipah-e-Sahaba; Pakistani Taliban;
Battles and wars	Syrian Civil War Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016); Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016); Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016); Siege of Deir ez-Zor; Palmyra offensive (2017); Hama offensive (March–April 2017); Battle of Khasham; Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020); ; War in Iraq (2013–2017); Yemeni Civil War; Sectarian violence in Pakistan;
Designated as a terrorist group by	Pakistan

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The Followers of Zainab Brigade (Arabic: لِوَاء الزَّيْنَبِيُون, romanized: Liwā’ az-Zaynabīyūn; Persian: لواء زينبیون or لشکر زينبیون, Liwa Zeinabiyoun or Lashkare Zeinabiyoun; Urdu: لواء زینبیون), also known as the Zainebiyoun Brigade or Zainebiyoun Division, is a Pakistani Shia Khomeinist militant group actively engaged in the Syrian Civil War.^[36]^[4] It draws recruits mainly from Shia Pakistanis living in Iran,^[4]^[37] with some also Shia Muslim communities living in various regions of Pakistan.^[3]^[38]

It was formed and trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and operates under their command.^[4] Initially tasked with defending the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque,^[5]^[6] it has since entered frontlines across Syria.^[3] Its dead are buried primarily in Iran.^[4]^[6] A minimum of 158 of their fighters had died in Syria as of March 2019 (based on publicly announced funeral services), excluding those killed in Israeli airstrikes.^[14] According to 2019 estimates, the total number of Pakistani fighters in the brigade barely exceeded 800.^[15]

Overview

Background

The core of Liwa Zainebiyoun is constituted of former members and fighters of the Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan, the former Shia Islamist armed organisation in Pakistan which fought against the Anti-Shia sectarian leadership of the banned terrorist groups Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, It had strong presence in Shia communities in Pakistan and it was headquartered in Thokar Niaz Beg the Shia majority town of Lahore, ran a "virtual state within a state" in the 1990s until its collapse in 2007 or 2010.^[39] Later around 2012 or 2013 its former members formed the Zainebiyoun Brigade as a Pakistani Shiite volunteer group after the formation of Liwa Fatemiyoun Brigade, the Afghan Shiite volunteer group under the orders of IRGC,^[40] According to news sources affiliated with the IRGC, the group was founded during Syrian civil war but officially started the armed operations late in 2014 especially in Syria to support Bashar al-Assad government against ISIL. Its fighters also were involved limitedly in War in Iraq (2013–2017) and Yemeni civil war under the support of IRGC as Brigade is the part of Iran's Axis of Resistance. The sources affiliated with the IRGC, Its official purpose is to defend the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque (the shrine of Zaynab bint Ali, sister of Imam Hussain and granddaughter of the prophet Muhammad) and other Shia holy sites in Syria and Iraq and to protect IRGC interests in Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict^[15] also in Iran–Israel proxy conflict.^[5] It operates primarily in Damascus defending holy sites. However, since 2015, it officially has engaged in intense offensives around Daraa^[4]^[41] and Aleppo, along with other foreign Shia fighters.^[3]^[42]

Recruitment and training

The Pakistani Shiite volunteers have been fighting in various conflicts since 2012 especially in Syrian civil war on pro-government side under the orders of IRGC.^[5] In addition, large numbers of Pakistani Shia fighters have fought on the pro-government side, mainly in the Zeinabiyoun Brigade, which has up to 1,000 fighters in Syria.^[2] They originally fought in the Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun, and only became numerous enough to warrant a distinct brigade in early 2015.^[3] Some of the fighters are Hazara^[37] and Baloch^[43] while others are Pashtun (mainly from Parachinar),^[15] Punjabi^[44] or Balti from Gilgit-Baltistan^[45] and Karachi^[46] including Kashmiris from the Kashmir.^[47] Like other Shiite foreign brigades in Syria, it is funded, trained, and overseen by the IRGC.^[2]^[8]

Losses of volunteer fighters

In 2019, the U.S. State Department claimed that the over 158 Pakistani national fighters of Iranian-backed Zainebiyoun Brigade were killed in Syria between January 2012 and August 2018.^[20]

On 9 April 2015, seven fighters were killed defending the Imam Hasan Mosque in Damascus and were buried in Qom, Iran.^[5] In March 2016, six fighters were killed defending the Imam Reza shrine, also buried in Qom.^[9] On 23 April, five more fighters were killed.^[10] An estimated 69 fighters were killed between November 2014 and March 2016.^[3]

In February 2018, the brigade was involved in the Battle of Khasham along with Russian Wagner Group and Interbrigades^[48]^[49]^[50] against the US special forces and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and lost many fighters.^[16]

Presence outside Syria

Iraq

The brigade fought in Iraq against ISIL during the War in Iraq (2013–17) with other foreign Shia fighters to defend and protect holy sites and Iraqi peoples from the ISIL.^[32]

Yemen

In 2019, Some media sources claim that the brigade is allegedly involved in Yemeni Civil War along with other foreign Shia fighters to fought against the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen and to support Houthis.^[15]^[33]

Pakistan

In Pakistan the Zainebiyoun brigade has actively involved in Parachinar's sectarian clashes along with local Shia militas based in Parachinar region for the Protection of Shia Muslim community and to fight against the Anti-Shia banned sectarian terrorist groups Sipah-e-Sahaba, Pakistani Taliban, Islamic State – Khorasan Province and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi for targeting Shia minority of Parachinar in sectarian attacks, however the Zainebiyoun brigade reportedly has strong presence and support base in Parachinar's Shia muslim community also have sent hundreds of fighters to Syria and Iraq from Parachinar region against ISIL under the support of IRGC.^[51]

Reaction in Pakistan

Reaction

In December 2015, a bomb killed 25 and injured over 30 in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility, and said that it was "revenge for the crimes against Syrian Muslims by Iran and Bashar al-Assad" and threatened to continue terror attacks if Parachinar citizens did not "stop sending people to take part in Syrian war".^[24]

The government of Pakistan officially denies the presence of Pakistani fighters in Syria, and has been reluctant to take back members of the brigade caught in Syria.^[45]

After the reports of presence of Pakistani fighters of Zainebiyoun brigade in Syria, The Pakistani Taliban claimed they have set up camps and sent hundreds of fighters to Syria to fight alongside Islamist jihadist groups opposed to Bashar al-Assad such as al-Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham and Ansar al-Tawhid in an effort to strengthen ties with al Qaeda against the government of Pakistan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Insurgency.^[26]^[27]^[28]

Disappearance and death of the brigade commander

The brigade's former commander Saqib Haider karbalai, Muhammad Jannati, also known by the Arabic-language nickname Haj Haider (Iranian nickname) in Syria he was a Pakistani Pashtun Shia militant from Parachinar he was well known for his Anti-America and Anti-Zionist views and speeches in his hometown, he had strong ties with Iran's Ayatollah regime and was a strong supporter of Wilayat al Faqih concept including Khomeinism ideology. The IRGC-affiliated source's claimed that the Haj Haider went Iran, Iraq and Syria multiple times for Ziyarah of Shia holy sites in 2000s where he meet many IRGC officers and had established close ties with them at the beginning of the Syrian civil war the IRGC appointed him and Afghan Shia militant Ali Reza Tavassoli as an Chief Commanders of Zainebiyoun and Fatemiyoun Brigade mainly appointed by Qasem Soleimani, the erstwhile Iranian commander of the Quds Force, as an commanders of Shia volunteer fighters from Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen with training and funding from Iran to defend the Shia holy shrines from ISIL and it's subgroups they served as the commander of brigade until their death.^[1]

In 2017, Saqib Haider Karbalai went missing while fighting alongside Syrian government forces during the Hama offensive (March–April 2017). The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported his death in 2019, claiming that the body of Haider was transferred to Tehran two years after he was killed in the Syrian city of Hama by ISIS terrorists. According to Tasnim News Agency, the identity of the commander of the Zainabiyoun Brigade was identified after a DNA test, and he was transferred to Tehran where he was to be buried. The news agency also reported that “his body has no head and no arms" and that he was killed in action in April 2017 in the Tal Turabi area in the Hama Governorate, during the offensive.^[1]

Relationship with Liwa Fatemiyoun & Hezbollah Afghanistan

According to researcher Phillip Smyth, Liwa Fatemiyoun, Liwa Zainebiyoun and Hezbollah Afghanistan were originally different groups, but showed such great overlap in ideology and membership by 2014 that they had become "incorporated". In contrast, researcher Oved Lobel continued to regard Liwa Fatemiyoun and Hezbollah Afghanistan as separate organizations in 2018, though groups were part of Iran's "regional proxy network".^[19] Other sources such as Jihad Intel and Arab News have treated the militas as the same organization.^[52] Researcher Michael Robillard called Liwa Fatemiyoun a "branch of Hezbollah Afghanistan". Iran is also known to have established branches of Hezbollah in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with several pro-Iranian groups operating in both countries by the Soviet–Afghan War.^[17]^[18]^: 175

Designation as a terrorist organization and ban

Liwa Zainebiyoun is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department in 2019, saying it is composed of Pakistani nationals and provides "materiel support" to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC and in 2024 the Interior Ministry of Pakistan banned the Zainebiyoun Brigade, saying it "is engaged in certain activities which are prejudicial to the peace and security" of Pakistan. It did not elaborate, A ministry official confirmed the authenticity of the March 29 order and placement of the Zaynabiyoun Brigade on a government list of 79 proscribed organizations.^[20]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "التعرف على جثة امر لواء زينبيون الايراني الذي قتل في سوريا بنيران داعش الارهابي قبل عامين" [Identification of the body of the order of the Iranian Zainabiyoun Brigade, who was killed in Syria by ISIS terrorist fire two years ago]. IraqNewspaper.net (in Arabic). 12 June 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria". The Express Tribune. 11 December 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Liwa Zainebiyoun: Syria's Pakistani Fighters". iraqeye. 11 March 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Meet the Zainebiyoun Brigade: An Iranian Backed Pakistani Shia Militia Fighting in Syria". Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Farhan Zahid (27 May 2016). "The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict". Terrorism Monitor Volume.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Funeral Service for Seven Pakistani Militants Killed in Syria; Qom, Iran, Apr 2015". Konflictcam. 20 April 2015.
^ "Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria". The Express Tribune. 11 December 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Increasing Number Of Afghans, Pakistanis Killed In Syria Buried In Iran". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 25 April 2015.
^ ^a ^b "The Zainabiyoun Brigade". پایگاه خبری تحلیلی فردا | Farda News. Farda News. 3 March 2016.
^ ^a ^b جهان|TABNAK, سایت خبری تحلیلی تابناك|اخبار ایران و. "پیکر ۵ شهید مدافع حرم در قم تشییع شد".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Alex Vatanka, Influence of iranian revolution in Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy Islamist Influence, I.B.Tauris (1989), pp. 148 & 155
^ Julius, Anthony (1 May 2015). Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-929705-4 – via Google Books.
^ Michael, Robert; Rosen, Philip (1 May 2015). Dictionary of Antisemitism from the Earliest Times to the Present. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810858688 – via Google Books.
^ ^a ^b "Foreign Shiite combat fatalities in Syria and nationality since January 19, 2012." Ali Alfoneh. Twitter. 4 March 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Wigger, Leo (26 September 2019). ""Why Pakistan holds a key in the Iranian-Saudi confrontation"". magazine.zenith.me. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Christoph Reuter. American Fury: The Truth About the Russian Deaths in Syria: Hundreds of Russian soldiers are alleged to have died in U.S. airstrikes at the beginning of February. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different. Der Spiegel, 2 March 2018.
^ ^a ^b Ari Heistein; James West (20 November 2015). "Syria's Other Foreign Fighters: Iran's Afghan and Pakistani Mercenaries". National Interest. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b Robillard, Michael (2021). "Syria". In Paul Burke; Doaa' Elnakhala; Seumas Miller (eds.). Global Jihadist Terrorism: Terrorist Groups, Zones of Armed Conflict and National Counter-Terrorism Strategies. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 167–187. ISBN 978-1-80037-129-3.
^ ^a ^b ^c Drums Of War: Israel And The "AXIS OF RESISTANCE" (PDF), International Crisis Group, 2 August 2010, archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016
^ ^a ^b ^c "Pakistan bans Iran-backed Shiite group fighting in Syria". 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
^ ^a ^b "After ISIS, Fatemiyoun Vows to Fight with "Axis of Resistance" to Destroy Israel". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
^ Will Fulton, Joseph Holliday, and Sam Wyer, Iranian Strategy in Syria Archived 2016-02-01 at the Wayback Machine, Institute for the Study of War, May 2013
^ Kajjo, Sirwan (25 August 2016). "Who are the Turkey backed Syrian Rebels?". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
^ ^a ^b Mehdi Hussain (13 December 2015). "At least 23 killed, 30 injured in Parachinar blast". The Express Tribune.
^ Ali, Imtiaz (17 May 2024). "Men held for street crime part of sectarian killing network: Karachi CTD". DAWN.COM.
^ ^a ^b Golovnina, Maria (14 July 2013). "Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
^ ^a ^b Wali, Ahmed (12 July 2013). "BBC News – Pakistan Taliban 'sets up a base in Syria'". Bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 June 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war". Al Arabiya. 14 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
^ Says, Motorhead (28 October 2016). "IRGC commander killed on eve of Aleppo battle | FDD's Long War Journal". www.longwarjournal.org.
^ "Array of pro-Syrian government forces advances in Aleppo | FDD's Long War Journal". www.longwarjournal.org. 9 December 2016.
^ Truzman, Joe (14 February 2020). "IRGC trained militias suffer losses in northwest Syria". Long War Journal. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Limited Iranian-backed Pakistani fighters in Iraq to fight against ISIL in Iraq. But this is not a sign that Tehran lacks an interest in Iraqi affairs". November 2018.
^ ^a ^b Misto, Mohamad; Emre Özcan, Ethem. "Iran boosting Yemeni Houthis with Syrian fighters: Local sources". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
^ "Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan Sunni villages on fire as shia groups revenge call amid attack on shia pilgrims". Retrieved 23 November 2024.
^ Omar, Ahmed. "The interesting timing of Pakistan's Zainebiyoun designation amid Iran-Israel standoff". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
^ "Liwa Zainebiyoun".
^ ^a ^b Rondeaux, Candance; Toumaj, Amir; Ammar, Arif (28 July 2021). "Iran's Tricky Balancing Act in Afghanistan". War on the Rocks. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022. It also established the Fatemiyoun's Pakistani sister unit, the Zeynabiyoun Brigade. Thousands of ethnic Afghan and Pakistani Hazara foreign fighters fought and died with those units to help save the Assad regime.
^ "Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
^ Ravinder Kaur (5 November 2005). Religion, Violence and Political Mobilisation in South Asia. SAGE Publications. pp. 154–. ISBN 978-0-7619-3431-8.
^ Daily Times.com Vengeance, frictions reviving LJ and Sipah-e-Muhammad. April 7th, 2015
^ "Iran Tightens Its Grip On Syria Using Syrian And Foreign Forces". MEMRI. 5 May 2015.
^ "عصر جدید شهدای فاطمیون در رسانه ملی- اخبار فرهنگ حماس - اخبار فرهنگی تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 11 August 2021.
^ "The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict". Jamestown.
^ Ahmed, Roohan (15 May 2019). "Missing men and the neighbouring country that cannot be named". Samaa News. Retrieved 29 April 2022. According to Aamir Rana, a security analyst and the director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, scores of Pakistani Shias have been to Syria. "Many were arrested from Punjab and Parachinaar after they returned to Pakistan," Rana said.
^ ^a ^b "Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
^ Ali, Imtiaz (22 June 2017). "CTD seeks ban on 25 websites spreading 'terrorism, extremism'". Dawn. Retrieved 29 April 2022. Meanwhile, SSP CTD Omer Shahid Hamid told Dawn that many people from Pakistan, including Karachi, had gone to fight in Syria belonging to both Sunni and Shia communities.
^ "Kashmir – The New Battlefield For Saudi-Iran Proxy War – Israel Media Reports". 22 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
^ ""Казак Владимир Логинов и член партии "Другая Россия" Кирилл Ананьев погибли в Сирии"" [Cossack Vladimir Loginov and member of the Other Russia party Kirill Ananyev died in Syria]. www.interfax.ru.
^ "Russians killed in clash with U.S.-led forces in Syria, say associates". Reuters. 12 February 2018.
^ "In Syria, Russian bad faith turns fatal". Washington Post. 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
^ "Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan Sunni villages on fire as shia groups revenge call amid attack on shia pilgrims". Retrieved 23 November 2024.
^ Majid Rafizadeh (9 September 2021). "Afghan chaos an opportunity for Iranian regime". Arab News. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

[IraqNewspaper.net-1] "التعرف على جثة امر لواء زينبيون الايراني الذي قتل في سوريا بنيران داعش الارهابي قبل عامين" [Identification of the body of the order of the Iranian Zainabiyoun Brigade, who was killed in Syria by ISIS terrorist fire two years ago]. IraqNewspaper.net (in Arabic). 12 June 2019.

[recruits-2] "Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria". The Express Tribune. 11 December 2015.

[iraqeye-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Liwa Zainebiyoun: Syria's Pakistani Fighters". iraqeye. 11 March 2016.

[OSINT-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Meet the Zainebiyoun Brigade: An Iranian Backed Pakistani Shia Militia Fighting in Syria". Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

[Farhan_Zahid-5] Farhan Zahid (27 May 2016). "The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict". Terrorism Monitor Volume.

[KONFLICTCAM-6] "Funeral Service for Seven Pakistani Militants Killed in Syria; Qom, Iran, Apr 2015". Konflictcam. 20 April 2015.

[7] "Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria". The Express Tribune. 11 December 2015.

[radio_free-8] "Increasing Number Of Afghans, Pakistanis Killed In Syria Buried In Iran". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 25 April 2015.

[The_Zainabiyoun_Brigade-9] "The Zainabiyoun Brigade". پایگاه خبری تحلیلی فردا | Farda News. Farda News. 3 March 2016.

[جهان|TABNAK-10] جهان|TABNAK, سایت خبری تحلیلی تابناك|اخبار ایران و. "پیکر ۵ شهید مدافع حرم در قم تشییع شد".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[11] Alex Vatanka, Influence of iranian revolution in Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy Islamist Influence, I.B.Tauris (1989), pp. 148 & 155

[12] Julius, Anthony (1 May 2015). Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-929705-4 – via Google Books.

[13] Michael, Robert; Rosen, Philip (1 May 2015). Dictionary of Antisemitism from the Earliest Times to the Present. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810858688 – via Google Books.

[twitter.com-14] "Foreign Shiite combat fatalities in Syria and nationality since January 19, 2012." Ali Alfoneh. Twitter. 4 March 2019.

[auto-15] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Wigger, Leo (26 September 2019). ""Why Pakistan holds a key in the Iranian-Saudi confrontation"". magazine.zenith.me. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

[spiegeltruth-16] Christoph Reuter. American Fury: The Truth About the Russian Deaths in Syria: Hundreds of Russian soldiers are alleged to have died in U.S. airstrikes at the beginning of February. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different. Der Spiegel, 2 March 2018.

[National_Interest-17] Ari Heistein; James West (20 November 2015). "Syria's Other Foreign Fighters: Iran's Afghan and Pakistani Mercenaries". National Interest. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

[Robillard_2021_167–187-18] Robillard, Michael (2021). "Syria". In Paul Burke; Doaa' Elnakhala; Seumas Miller (eds.). Global Jihadist Terrorism: Terrorist Groups, Zones of Armed Conflict and National Counter-Terrorism Strategies. Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 167–187. ISBN 978-1-80037-129-3.

[auto2-19] Drums Of War: Israel And The "AXIS OF RESISTANCE" (PDF), International Crisis Group, 2 August 2010, archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016

[voanews.com-20] "Pakistan bans Iran-backed Shiite group fighting in Syria". 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.

[mei.edu-21] "After ISIS, Fatemiyoun Vows to Fight with "Axis of Resistance" to Destroy Israel". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.

[iranian-strategy-22] Will Fulton, Joseph Holliday, and Sam Wyer, Iranian Strategy in Syria Archived 2016-02-01 at the Wayback Machine, Institute for the Study of War, May 2013

[WhoAreSNA-23] Kajjo, Sirwan (25 August 2016). "Who are the Turkey backed Syrian Rebels?". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.

[blast-24] Mehdi Hussain (13 December 2015). "At least 23 killed, 30 injured in Parachinar blast". The Express Tribune.

[25] Ali, Imtiaz (17 May 2024). "Men held for street crime part of sectarian killing network: Karachi CTD". DAWN.COM.

[reuters3-26] Golovnina, Maria (14 July 2013). "Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war". Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.

[autogenerated3-27] Wali, Ahmed (12 July 2013). "BBC News – Pakistan Taliban 'sets up a base in Syria'". Bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 June 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2013.

[Al_Arabiya-28] "Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war". Al Arabiya. 14 July 2013. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.

[29] Says, Motorhead (28 October 2016). "IRGC commander killed on eve of Aleppo battle | FDD's Long War Journal". www.longwarjournal.org.

[30] "Array of pro-Syrian government forces advances in Aleppo | FDD's Long War Journal". www.longwarjournal.org. 9 December 2016.

[31] Truzman, Joe (14 February 2020). "IRGC trained militias suffer losses in northwest Syria". Long War Journal. Retrieved 26 August 2021.

[agsiw.org-32] "Limited Iranian-backed Pakistani fighters in Iraq to fight against ISIL in Iraq. But this is not a sign that Tehran lacks an interest in Iraqi affairs". November 2018.

[auto1-33] Misto, Mohamad; Emre Özcan, Ethem. "Iran boosting Yemeni Houthis with Syrian fighters: Local sources". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

[34] "Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan Sunni villages on fire as shia groups revenge call amid attack on shia pilgrims". Retrieved 23 November 2024.

[35] Omar, Ahmed. "The interesting timing of Pakistan's Zainebiyoun designation amid Iran-Israel standoff". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 25 April 2024.

[Jihad-36] "Liwa Zainebiyoun".

[WOTR-37] Rondeaux, Candance; Toumaj, Amir; Ammar, Arif (28 July 2021). "Iran's Tricky Balancing Act in Afghanistan". War on the Rocks. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022. It also established the Fatemiyoun's Pakistani sister unit, the Zeynabiyoun Brigade. Thousands of ethnic Afghan and Pakistani Hazara foreign fighters fought and died with those units to help save the Assad regime.

[HT2-38] "Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[Kaur2005-39] Ravinder Kaur (5 November 2005). Religion, Violence and Political Mobilisation in South Asia. SAGE Publications. pp. 154–. ISBN 978-0-7619-3431-8.

[40] Daily Times.com Vengeance, frictions reviving LJ and Sipah-e-Muhammad. April 7th, 2015

[41] "Iran Tightens Its Grip On Syria Using Syrian And Foreign Forces". MEMRI. 5 May 2015.

[42] "عصر جدید شهدای فاطمیون در رسانه ملی- اخبار فرهنگ حماس - اخبار فرهنگی تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 11 August 2021.

[Jamestown-43] "The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict". Jamestown.

[44] Ahmed, Roohan (15 May 2019). "Missing men and the neighbouring country that cannot be named". Samaa News. Retrieved 29 April 2022. According to Aamir Rana, a security analyst and the director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, scores of Pakistani Shias have been to Syria. "Many were arrested from Punjab and Parachinaar after they returned to Pakistan," Rana said.

[HT-45] "Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria". Hindustan Times. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[46] Ali, Imtiaz (22 June 2017). "CTD seeks ban on 25 websites spreading 'terrorism, extremism'". Dawn. Retrieved 29 April 2022. Meanwhile, SSP CTD Omer Shahid Hamid told Dawn that many people from Pakistan, including Karachi, had gone to fight in Syria belonging to both Sunni and Shia communities.

[eurasiantimes.com-47] "Kashmir – The New Battlefield For Saudi-Iran Proxy War – Israel Media Reports". 22 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2021.

[48] ""Казак Владимир Логинов и член партии "Другая Россия" Кирилл Ананьев погибли в Сирии"" [Cossack Vladimir Loginov and member of the Other Russia party Kirill Ananyev died in Syria]. www.interfax.ru.

[49] "Russians killed in clash with U.S.-led forces in Syria, say associates". Reuters. 12 February 2018.

[50] "In Syria, Russian bad faith turns fatal". Washington Post. 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.

[51] "Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan Sunni villages on fire as shia groups revenge call amid attack on shia pilgrims". Retrieved 23 November 2024.

[52] Majid Rafizadeh (9 September 2021). "Afghan chaos an opportunity for Iranian regime". Arab News. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Shia militia}}
+{{Short description|Pakistani Shia militia}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
 {{infobox war faction
 | name             = Liwa Zainebiyoun<br>{{small|{{nastaliq|لواء زينبیون|fa}}}}
+| other_name       =
-| other_name       = Hezbollah Pakistan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/syrias-other-foreign-fighters-irans-afghan-pakistani-14400 |title=Syria's Other Foreign Fighters: Iran's Afghan and Pakistani Mercenaries |author1=Ari Heistein |author2=James West |publisher=National Interest |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/111604 |title=DOSSIERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES INTENT ON EXPORTING AN ISLAMIC REVOLUTION |publisher=Wilson Center|date=1999 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}</ref>
 | war              =
 | image            = [[File:Liwa Zainebiyoun.jpg|200px]]
 | caption          =
+| slogan           = {{nowrap|{{lang|ar|إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ}} {{qref|3|160|b=y|s=y}}}}<br />"If Allah helps you, none can defeat you."<ref name="National Interest">{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/syrias-other-foreign-fighters-irans-afghan-pakistani-14400 |title=Syria's Other Foreign Fighters: Iran's Afghan and Pakistani Mercenaries |author1=Ari Heistein |author2=James West |publisher=National Interest |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}</ref><ref name="Robillard 2021 167–187">{{cite book|last=Robillard|first=Michael|chapter=Syria|editor1=Paul Burke|editor2=Doaa' Elnakhala|editor3=Seumas Miller|title=Global Jihadist Terrorism: Terrorist Groups, Zones of Armed Conflict and National Counter-Terrorism Strategies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FsMpEAAAQBAJ|date=2021|publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |location=Northampton |pages=167–187|isbn=978-1-80037-129-3}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{citation|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf|title=Drums Of War: Israel And The "AXIS OF RESISTANCE"|publisher=International Crisis Group|date=2 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111425/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>
-| active           = late 2014 – present<ref name=iraqeye/>
+| active           = 2012,<ref name="recruits">{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1007694/iran-recruits-pakistani-shias-for-combat-in-syria/|title=Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria|date=11 December 2015|newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref> but officially in late 2014 – present<ref name=iraqeye/>
-| ideology         = *[[Islamist Shi'ism|Shia Islamism]]
+| ideology         = *[[Shia Islamism]]
-*[[Shia]] [[Jihad]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fardanews.com/fa/news/498191/%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1-%DB%B6-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade|author= |date=3 March 2016|publisher=Farda News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/494084/%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1-%DB%B5-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=پیکر ۵ شهید مدافع حرم در قم تشییع شد|first=سایت خبری تحلیلی تابناك&#124;اخبار ایران و|last=جهان&#124;TABNAK|publisher=}}</ref>
+*[[Jihadism]] ([[Jihad#Shia|Shia]])<ref name="The Zainabiyoun Brigade">{{cite news|url=http://www.fardanews.com/fa/news/498191/%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1-%DB%B6-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade|author= |newspaper=پایگاه خبری تحلیلی فردا &#124; Farda News |date=3 March 2016|publisher=Farda News}}</ref><ref name="جهان&#124;TABNAK">{{cite web|url=http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/494084/%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1-%DB%B5-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=پیکر ۵ شهید مدافع حرم در قم تشییع شد|first=سایت خبری تحلیلی تابناك&#124;اخبار ایران و|last=جهان&#124;TABNAK|publisher=}}</ref>
-*[[Qutbism]]–[[Khomeinism]]
+*[[Khomeinism]]
 *[[Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists|Wilayat al Faqih]]<ref>[[Alex Vatanka]], '' Influence of iranian revolution in Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy Islamist Influence'', I.B.Tauris (1989), pp. 148 & 155</ref>
-*[[Antisemitism]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Julius|first=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Julius|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BGkSLxDBNTgC&pg=PA529|title=Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England|via=[[Google Books]]|date=1 May 2015|publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-929705-4 }}</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/Alfoneh/status/1102682289534849030 "Foreign Shiite combat fatalities in Syria and nationality since January 19, 2012."] Ali Alfoneh. Twitter. 4 March 2019.</ref><ref name="auto"/>
+*[[Anti-Zionism]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Julius|first=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Julius|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BGkSLxDBNTgC&pg=PA529|title=Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England|via=[[Google Books]]|date=1 May 2015|publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-929705-4 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Michael|first1=Robert|first2=Philip|last2=Rosen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d5927rY-UgoC&pg=PA231|title=Dictionary of Antisemitism from the Earliest Times to the Present|via=Google Books|date=1 May 2015|publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810858688 }}</ref><ref name="twitter.com">[https://twitter.com/Alfoneh/status/1102682289534849030 "Foreign Shiite combat fatalities in Syria and nationality since January 19, 2012."] Ali Alfoneh. Twitter. 4 March 2019.</ref><ref name="auto"/>
+* [[Anti-American sentiment in Pakistan|Anti-Americanism]]<ref name="spiegeltruth" />
-*[[Anti-Zionism]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Julius|first=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Julius|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BGkSLxDBNTgC&pg=PA529|title=Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England|via=[[Google Books]]|date=1 May 2015|publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-929705-4 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Michael|first1=Robert|first2=Philip|last2=Rosen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d5927rY-UgoC&pg=PA231|title=Dictionary of Antisemitism from the Earliest Times to the Present|via=Google Books|date=1 May 2015|publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810858688 }}</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/Alfoneh/status/1102682289534849030 "Foreign Shiite combat fatalities in Syria and nationality since January 19, 2012."] Ali Alfoneh. Twitter. 4 March 2019.</ref><ref name="auto"/>
 | founder          =
 | groups           =
 | headquarters     =
 | allegiance       = *{{flag|Iran}} ([[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|IRGC]])
-| area             = *{{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syria]]<ref name=iraqeye /><ref name="OSINT">{{cite web|url=https://theosintblog.com/2016/04/28/meet-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-an-iranian-backed-pakistani-shia-militia-fighting-in-syria/|title=Meet the Zainebiyoun Brigade: An Iranian Backed Pakistani Shia Militia Fighting in Syria|accessdate=28 April 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502213753/https://theosintblog.com/2016/04/28/meet-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-an-iranian-backed-pakistani-shia-militia-fighting-in-syria/|archivedate=2 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Farhan Zahid"/><ref name="KONFLICTCAM">{{cite web|url=http://www.konflictcam.com/photo-report/48/funeral-service-for-seven-pakistani-militants-killed-in-syria-qom-iran-apr-2015|title=Funeral Service for Seven Pakistani Militants Killed in Syria; Qom, Iran, Apr 2015|work=Konflictcam|date=20 April 2015 }}</ref><ref name="recruits">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1007694/iran-recruits-pakistani-shias-for-combat-in-syria/|title=Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria|author=|date=11 December 2015|publisher=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref name="radio free">{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/a/persian-letters-afghans-pakistanis-killed-fighting-in-syria-for-iran/26977907.html|title=Increasing Number Of Afghans, Pakistanis Killed In Syria Buried In Iran|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=25 April 2015 |publisher=}}</ref>
+| area             = *{{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syria]]<ref name=iraqeye /><ref name="OSINT">{{cite web|url=https://theosintblog.com/2016/04/28/meet-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-an-iranian-backed-pakistani-shia-militia-fighting-in-syria/|title=Meet the Zainebiyoun Brigade: An Iranian Backed Pakistani Shia Militia Fighting in Syria|accessdate=28 April 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502213753/https://theosintblog.com/2016/04/28/meet-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-an-iranian-backed-pakistani-shia-militia-fighting-in-syria/|archivedate=2 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Farhan Zahid"/><ref name="KONFLICTCAM">{{cite web|url=http://www.konflictcam.com/photo-report/48/funeral-service-for-seven-pakistani-militants-killed-in-syria-qom-iran-apr-2015|title=Funeral Service for Seven Pakistani Militants Killed in Syria; Qom, Iran, Apr 2015|work=Konflictcam|date=20 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1007694/iran-recruits-pakistani-shias-for-combat-in-syria/|title=Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria|author=|date=11 December 2015|publisher=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref name="radio free">{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/a/persian-letters-afghans-pakistanis-killed-fighting-in-syria-for-iran/26977907.html|title=Increasing Number Of Afghans, Pakistanis Killed In Syria Buried In Iran|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=25 April 2015 |publisher=}}</ref>
-*{{flagdeco|IRQ}} [[Iraq]] (Limited)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://agsiw.org/limited-iranian-losses-in-iraq-do-not-indicate-lesser-strategic-interest/| title=Limited Iranian-backed Pakistani fighters in Iraq to fight against ISIL in Iraq. But this is not a sign that Tehran lacks an interest in Iraqi affairs. | date=November 2018 }}</ref>
-*{{flag|Yemen}}<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iran-boosting-yemeni-houthis-with-syrian-fighters-local-sources/2233092|title=Iran boosting Yemeni Houthis with Syrian fighters: Local sources|first1=Mohamad|last1=Misto|first2=Ethem|last2=Emre Özcan|website=Anadolu Agency|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
 | flag             =
-| size             = Several hundreds {{small|(est. 2014)}}<ref name="auto"/><br />~800+ {{small|(est. 2017)}<ref name="auto"/> <br />{{circa}} 15,000+ (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pakistan.asia-news.com/ur/articles/cnmi_pf/features/2018/10/05/feature-02|title=ایران کی زینبیون برگیڈ نے پاکستان میں بھرتی تیز کر دی}}</ref>
+| size             = ~Several hundreds {{small|(est. 2014)}}<ref name="auto"/><br />{{circa}} 800+ {{small|(est. 2019)}}<ref name="auto"/> <br />
-| partof           = [[Axis of Resistance]]<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf|title=Drums Of War: Israel And The "AXIS OF RESISTANCE"|publisher=International Crisis Group|date=2 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111425/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel|title=After ISIS, Fatemiyoun Vows to Fight with "Axis of Resistance" to Destroy Israel|website=Middle East Institute|access-date=2020-07-23|archive-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716012136/https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel|url-status=live}}</ref>
+| partof           = [[Axis of Resistance]]<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="mei.edu">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel|title=After ISIS, Fatemiyoun Vows to Fight with "Axis of Resistance" to Destroy Israel|website=Middle East Institute|access-date=2020-07-23|archive-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716012136/https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | predecessor      =
-| leader1_title    = Commander
+| leader1_title    = Commanders
-| leader1_name     = Saqib Haider Karbalai (also known as Haj Haider from 2014 to 2017 unknown after the Haj Haider since 2017){{KIA}}<ref>{{cite news |title=التعرف على جثة امر لواء زينبيون الايراني الذي قتل في سوريا بنيران داعش الارهابي قبل عامين |trans-title=Identification of the body of the order of the Iranian Zainabiyoun Brigade, who was killed in Syria by ISIS terrorist fire two years ago |language=ar |work=IraqNewspaper.net |date=12 June 2019 |url=https://iraqnewspaper.net/ar/التعرف-جثة-امر-لواء-زينبيون-الايرا/}}</ref>
+| leader1_name     = Saqib Haider Karbalai (“Haj Haider”){{KIA}}<br /><small>(2012-2017)</small><ref name="IraqNewspaper.net">{{cite news |title=التعرف على جثة امر لواء زينبيون الايراني الذي قتل في سوريا بنيران داعش الارهابي قبل عامين |trans-title=Identification of the body of the order of the Iranian Zainabiyoun Brigade, who was killed in Syria by ISIS terrorist fire two years ago |language=ar |work=IraqNewspaper.net |date=12 June 2019 |url=https://iraqnewspaper.net/ar/التعرف-جثة-امر-لواء-زينبيون-الايرا/}}</ref><br>Tehran Turi{{KIA}}<br /><small>(2017-2024)</small><br>Irshad Hussain (“Qalandar”){{KIA}}<br /><small>(2024)</small><br>
 | successor        =
-| allies           = '''State allies'''<br/>
+| allies           = '''State allies'''
-*{{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syria]]
+*{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]]
+*{{flagdeco|IRQ}} [[Iraq]] ([[Popular Mobilization Units]])<ref name="mei.edu"/>
-*{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]]
-*{{flagdeco|IRQ}} [[Iraq]] ([[Popular Mobilization Units]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel|title=After ISIS, Fatemiyoun Vows to Fight with "Axis of Resistance" to Destroy Israel|website=Middle East Institute|access-date=2020-07-23|archive-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716012136/https://www.mei.edu/publications/after-isis-fatemiyoun-vows-fight-axis-resistance-destroy-israel|url-status=live}}</ref>
-*{{flag|Yemen}} ([[Supreme Political Council]])
 *{{flag|Russia}}<ref name="spiegeltruth">Christoph Reuter. [http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/american-fury-the-truth-about-the-russian-deaths-in-syria-a-1196074.html American Fury: The Truth About the Russian Deaths in Syria: Hundreds of Russian soldiers are alleged to have died in U.S. airstrikes at the beginning of February. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different.] ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', 2 March 2018.</ref>
+*{{flagicon|Syria|1980}} [[Ba'athist Syria]] (until 2024)
-'''Non-State allies'''<br>
+*{{flag|Yemen}} ([[Supreme Political Council]])
+'''Non-State allies'''
 *{{flagicon|Syria}} [[National Defence Forces]]<ref name="iranian-strategy">Will Fulton, Joseph Holliday, and Sam Wyer, [http://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria ''Iranian Strategy in Syria''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201135117/http://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria |date=2016-02-01 }}, [[Institute for the Study of War]], May 2013</ref>
 *[[Liwa Fatemiyoun]]
@@ Line 41: / Line 40: @@
 *{{flag|Hezbollah|size=22px}}
 *{{flagicon image|Houthis Logo.png}} [[Houthis]]
-| opponents        = '''State opponents'''<br/>
+| opponents        = '''State opponents'''
 *{{flag|United States}}<ref name="spiegeltruth"/>
 *{{ISR}}<ref name="auto"/>
-*{{flag|Yemen}} ([[Rashad al-Alimi|Alimi government]])
+*{{flag|Yemen}} ([[Presidential Leadership Council]])
 *{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://magazine.zenith.me/en/politics/pakistan-iran-and-saudi-arabia|title="Why Pakistan holds a key in the Iranian-Saudi confrontation"|last=Wigger|first=Leo|date=2019-09-26|website=magazine.zenith.me|language=en|access-date=2019-10-01}}</ref>
-'''Non-State opponents'''<br/>
+'''Non-State opponents'''
-* {{flagicon image|WataniaTahrirFlag.png}} [[National Front for Liberation]]
+* {{flagicon image|WataniaTahrirFlag.svg}} [[National Front for Liberation]]
 *{{flagicon image|Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg}} [[Free Syrian Army]]
 *{{flagicon image|Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg}} [[Syrian National Army]]<ref name="WhoAreSNA">{{cite web|first=Sirwan|last=Kajjo|publisher=[[Voice of America]]|title=Who are the Turkey backed Syrian Rebels?|url=http://www.voanews.com/a/backed-turkey-syrian-rebels-take-fight-islamic-state-kurds/3481582.html|date=25 August 2016|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219172433/http://www.voanews.com/a/backed-turkey-syrian-rebels-take-fight-islamic-state-kurds/3481582.html|archive-date=19 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 *{{flagicon image|Flag of the Islamic Front (Syria).svg}} [[Islamic Front (Syria)|Islamic Front]]
 *{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg}} [[al-Nusra Front]]
-*{{flagicon image|Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg}} [[Tahrir al-Sham]]
+*{{flagicon image|}} [[Tahrir al-Sham]]
 *{{flagicon image|AQMI_Flag.svg}} [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]
 *[[File:Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg|25px]] [[Ahrar al-Sham]]
 *{{flagicon image|Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg}} [[Syrian Democratic Forces]]
 *{{flagicon image|Flag_of_Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.svg}} [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]]<ref name="blast">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1009233/four-dead-several-wounded-in-parachinar-blast|title=At least 23 killed, 30 injured in Parachinar blast|author=Mehdi Hussain|date=13 December 2015|work=The Express Tribune}}</ref>
+* {{flagicon image|Flag of Sipah-e-Sahaba.jpg}} [[Sipah-e-Sahaba]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1833949|title=Men held for street crime part of sectarian killing network: Karachi CTD|first=Imtiaz|last=Ali|date=17 May 2024|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>
-| status           = Active
+* {{flagicon image|Variant flag of the Islamic State.svg}} [[Pakistani Taliban]]<ref name="reuters3">{{cite news |last=Golovnina |first=Maria |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-syria-taliban-idUSBRE96D02V20130714 |title=Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war |publisher=Reuters |access-date=2013-07-14 |date=14 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714220351/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/14/us-pakistan-syria-taliban-idUSBRE96D02V20130714 |archive-date=14 July 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news |last=Wali |first=Ahmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23285245 |title=BBC News – Pakistan Taliban 'sets up a base in Syria' |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=2013-07-14 |date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603073314/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23285245 |archive-date=3 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Al Arabiya">{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/07/14/Pakistan-Taliban-set-up-camps-in-Syria-join-anti-Assad-war.html|title=Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war|work=[[Al Arabiya]]|date=14 July 2013|access-date=14 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718102054/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/07/14/Pakistan-Taliban-set-up-camps-in-Syria-join-anti-Assad-war.html|archive-date=18 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
-| battles          = [[Syrian civil war]]<br />[[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://agsiw.org/limited-iranian-losses-in-iraq-do-not-indicate-lesser-strategic-interest/| title=Limited Iranian-backed Pakistani fighters in Iraq to fight against ISIL in Iraq. But this is not a sign that Tehran lacks an interest in Iraqi affairs. | date=November 2018 }}</ref><br />[[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|Yemeni Civil War]]<ref name="auto1"/><br />[[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 July 2019|title=Kashmir – The New Battlefield For Saudi-Iran Proxy War – Israel Media Reports|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/kashmir-the-new-battlefield-for-saudi-iran-proxy-war-israel-media-reports/|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref>
+| status           = Active (banned in Pakistan)<ref name="voanews.com">{{Cite web|title=Pakistan bans Iran-backed Shiite group fighting in Syria|date=11 April 2024 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-bans-iran-backed-shiite-group-fighting-in-syria-/7566593.html|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>
+| designated_as_terror_group_by = {{flag|Pakistan}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Omar |first1=Ahmed |title=The interesting timing of Pakistan's Zainebiyoun designation amid Iran-Israel standoff |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240425-the-interesting-timing-of-pakistans-zainebiyoun-designation-amid-iran-israel-standoff/amp/ |publisher=Middle East Monitor |access-date=2024-04-25}}</ref>
-*[[Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)]]
+| battles          = {{tree list}}
-*[[Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/irgc-commander-killed-on-eve-of-aleppo-battle.php|title=IRGC commander killed on eve of Aleppo battle &#124; FDD's Long War Journal|first=Motorhead|last=Says|date=28 October 2016|website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref>
+* [[Syrian Civil War]]
-*[[Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/12/array-of-pro-syrian-government-forces-advance-in-aleppo.php|title=Array of pro-Syrian government forces advances in Aleppo &#124; FDD's Long War Journal|date=9 December 2016|website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref>
+** [[Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)]]
-*[[Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017)|Siege of Deir ez-Zor]]
+** [[Aleppo offensive (October–November 2016)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/irgc-commander-killed-on-eve-of-aleppo-battle.php|title=IRGC commander killed on eve of Aleppo battle &#124; FDD's Long War Journal|first=Motorhead|last=Says|date=28 October 2016|website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref>
-*[[Palmyra offensive (2017)]]
+** [[Aleppo offensive (November–December 2016)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/12/array-of-pro-syrian-government-forces-advance-in-aleppo.php|title=Array of pro-Syrian government forces advances in Aleppo &#124; FDD's Long War Journal|date=9 December 2016|website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref>
-*[[Hama offensive (March–April 2017)]]
+** [[Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017)|Siege of Deir ez-Zor]]
-*[[Battle of Khasham]]<ref name="spiegeltruth"/>
+** [[Palmyra offensive (2017)]]
-*[[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/02/irgc-trained-militias-suffer-losses-in-northwest-syria.php |title=IRGC trained militias suffer losses in northwest Syria |work=Long War Journal |first=Joe |last=Truzman |date=14 February 2020 |accessdate=26 August 2021 }}</ref>
+** [[Hama offensive (March–April 2017)]]
+** [[Battle of Khasham]]<ref name="spiegeltruth"/>
+** [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2020/02/irgc-trained-militias-suffer-losses-in-northwest-syria.php |title=IRGC trained militias suffer losses in northwest Syria |work=Long War Journal |first=Joe |last=Truzman |date=14 February 2020 |accessdate=26 August 2021 }}</ref>
+* [[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]]<ref name="agsiw.org">{{cite web | url=https://agsiw.org/limited-iranian-losses-in-iraq-do-not-indicate-lesser-strategic-interest/| title=Limited Iranian-backed Pakistani fighters in Iraq to fight against ISIL in Iraq. But this is not a sign that Tehran lacks an interest in Iraqi affairs. | date=November 2018 }}</ref>
+* [[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)|Yemeni Civil War]]<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iran-boosting-yemeni-houthis-with-syrian-fighters-local-sources/2233092|title=Iran boosting Yemeni Houthis with Syrian fighters: Local sources|first1=Mohamad|last1=Misto|first2=Ethem|last2=Emre Özcan|website=Anadolu Agency|access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>
+* [[Sectarian violence in Pakistan]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan Sunni villages on fire as shia groups revenge call amid attack on shia pilgrims|url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20241123-dozens-killed-in-sectarian-clashes-between-shiite-sunni-muslims-in-northwestern-pakistan|access-date=23 November 2024}}</ref>
+{{tree list/end}}
 }}
-The '''Followers of Zainab Brigade''' ({{lang-ar|لِوَاء الزَّيْنَبِيُون|Liwā’ az-Zaynabīyūn}}, [[Persian language|Persian]]/[[Dari Persian|Dari]]: {{lang|fa|لواء زينبیون}} or {{lang|fa|لشکر زينبیون}}, ''Liwa Zeinabiyoun'' or ''Lashkare Zeinabiyoun'', {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|لواء زینبیون}}}}), literally '''Zainebiyoun Brigade''', also known as '''Zainebiyoun Division''', is a [[Shia Islam in Pakistan|Pakistani Shia Islamist]] armed militia actively engaged in [[Syrian civil war]].<ref name="Jihad">{{cite web|url=http://jihadintel.meforum.org/group/184/liwa-zainebiyoun|title=Liwa Zainebiyoun|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="OSINT" /> It draws recruits mainly from Shia [[Pakistanis in Iran|Pakistanis living in Iran]],<ref name="OSINT"/> ethnic [[Hazaras]],<ref name="WOTR"/> [[Balti people|Baltis]], [[Turi (Pashtun tribe)|Turis]]<ref name="HT"/> in Pakistan and native Shia of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref name=iraqeye />
+The '''Followers of Zainab Brigade''' ({{langx|ar|لِوَاء الزَّيْنَبِيُون|Liwā’ az-Zaynabīyūn}}; [[Persian language|Persian]]: {{lang|fa|لواء زينبیون}} or {{lang|fa|لشکر زينبیون}}, ''Liwa Zeinabiyoun'' or ''Lashkare Zeinabiyoun''; {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|لواء زینبیون}}}}), also known as the '''Zainebiyoun Brigade''' or '''Zainebiyoun Division''', is a Pakistani [[Shi'ism|Shia]] [[Khomeinism|Khomeinist]] militant group actively engaged in the [[Syrian Civil War]].<ref name="Jihad">{{cite web|url=http://jihadintel.meforum.org/group/184/liwa-zainebiyoun|title=Liwa Zainebiyoun|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="OSINT" /> It draws recruits mainly from Shia [[Pakistanis in Iran|Pakistanis living in Iran]],<ref name="OSINT"/><ref name="WOTR"/> with some also Shia Muslim communities living in various regions of Pakistan.<ref name=iraqeye /><ref name="HT2">{{cite news |date=30 July 2021 |title=Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-reluctant-to-take-back-fighters-captured-in-syria-101627637531141.html |accessdate=29 April 2022}}</ref>
-It was formed and trained by the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|Iranian Revolutionary Guards]] and operates under their command.<ref name="OSINT"/> Initially tasked with defending the [[Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque]],<ref name="Farhan Zahid"/><ref name="KONFLICTCAM"/> it has since entered frontlines across Syria.<ref name=iraqeye /> Its dead are buried primarily in Iran.<ref name="OSINT" /><ref name="KONFLICTCAM" /> Approximately 158 of their fighters have died in Syria as of March 2019, excluding those killed in [[Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian Civil War|Israeli airstrikes.]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/Alfoneh/status/1102682289534849030 "Foreign Shiite combat fatalities in Syria and nationality since January 19, 2012."] Ali Alfoneh. Twitter. 4 March 2019.</ref> According to 2019 estimates, the total number of Pakistani fighters in the brigade barely exceeded 800.<ref name="auto"/>
+It was formed and trained by the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|Iranian Revolutionary Guards]] and operates under their command.<ref name="OSINT"/> Initially tasked with defending the [[Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque]],<ref name="Farhan Zahid"/><ref name="KONFLICTCAM"/> it has since entered frontlines across Syria.<ref name=iraqeye /> Its dead are buried primarily in Iran.<ref name="OSINT" /><ref name="KONFLICTCAM" /> A minimum of 158 of their fighters had died in Syria as of March 2019 (based on publicly announced funeral services), excluding those killed in [[Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line incidents during the Syrian Civil War|Israeli airstrikes.]]<ref name="twitter.com"/> According to 2019 estimates, the total number of Pakistani fighters in the brigade barely exceeded 800.<ref name="auto"/>
-==History==
+==Overview==
+=== Background ===
-Pakistanis have been fighting in Syria since 2013.<ref name="Farhan Zahid"/> They originally fought in the Afghan [[Liwa Fatemiyoun]], and only became numerous enough to warrant a distinct brigade in early 2015.<ref name=iraqeye>{{cite web|url=https://iraqeye.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/liwa-zainebiyoun-syrias-pakistani-fighters/|title=Liwa Zainebiyoun: Syria's Pakistani Fighters|work=iraqeye|date=11 March 2016 }}</ref> Some of the fighters are [[Hazaras|Hazara]]<ref name="WOTR">{{cite news|url=https://warontherocks.com/2021/07/irans-tricky-balancing-act-in-afghanistan/|title=Iran's Tricky Balancing Act in Afghanistan|work=War on the Rocks|date=28 July 2021|accessdate=29 April 2022|first1=Candance|last1=Rondeaux|first2=Amir|last2=Toumaj|first3=Arif|last3=Ammar|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322050754/https://warontherocks.com/2021/07/irans-tricky-balancing-act-in-afghanistan/|archivedate=22 March 2022|url-status=live|quote=It also established the Fatemiyoun's Pakistani sister unit, the Zeynabiyoun Brigade. Thousands of ethnic Afghan and Pakistani Hazara foreign fighters fought and died with those units to help save the Assad regime.}}</ref> and [[Baloch people|Baloch]]<ref name="Jamestown">{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-zainabiyoun-brigade-a-pakistani-shiite-militia-amid-the-syrian-conflict/|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict|website=Jamestown}}</ref> while others are [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] (mainly from [[Parachinar]]),<ref name="auto"/> [[Punjabis|Punjabi]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/latest-news/2019/05/missing-men-and-the-neighbouring-country-that-cannot-be-named/|title=Missing men and the neighbouring country that cannot be named|work=Samaa News|date=15 May 2019|accessdate=29 April 2022|first=Roohan|last=Ahmed|quote=According to Aamir Rana, a security analyst and the director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, scores of Pakistani Shias have been to Syria. “Many were arrested from Punjab and Parachinaar after they returned to Pakistan,” Rana said.}}</ref> or [[Balti people|Balti]] from [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]<ref name="HT">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-reluctant-to-take-back-fighters-captured-in-syria-101627637531141.html|title=Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria|work=Hindustan Times|date=30 July 2021|accessdate=29 April 2022}}</ref> and [[Karachi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1341033|title=CTD seeks ban on 25 websites spreading 'terrorism, extremism'|work=Dawn|date=22 June 2017|accessdate=29 April 2022|first=Imtiaz|last=Ali|quote=Meanwhile, SSP CTD Omer Shahid Hamid told Dawn that many people from Pakistan, including Karachi, had gone to fight in Syria belonging to both Sunni and Shia communities.}}</ref> Like other Shia foreign brigades in Syria, it is funded, trained, and overseen by the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps]].<ref name="recruits"/><ref name="radio free"/>
+{{main|Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan}} {{further|Sectarian violence in Pakistan}}
+The core of Liwa Zainebiyoun is constituted of former members and fighters of the [[Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan]], the former [[Islamist Shi'ism|Shia Islamist]] armed organisation in [[Pakistan]] which fought against the [[Anti-Shi'ism|Anti-Shia]] sectarian leadership of the banned terrorist groups [[Sipah-e-Sahaba]] and [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]], It had strong presence in Shia communities in [[Pakistan]] and it was headquartered in [[Thokar Niaz Beg]] the Shia majority town of [[Lahore]], ran a "virtual state within a state" in the 1990s until its collapse in 2007 or 2010.<ref name="Kaur2005">{{cite book|author=Ravinder Kaur|title=Religion, Violence and Political Mobilisation in South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iEMwF7pAm-cC&pg=PA154|date=5 November 2005|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-0-7619-3431-8|pages=154–}}</ref> Later around 2012 or 2013 its former members formed the Zainebiyoun Brigade as a [[Pakistani Shia|Pakistani Shiite]] volunteer group after the formation of [[Liwa Fatemiyoun]] Brigade, the Afghan Shiite volunteer group under the orders of [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|IRGC]],<ref>Daily Times.com [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_7-4-2004_pg7_28 Vengeance, frictions reviving LJ and Sipah-e-Muhammad]. April 7th, 2015</ref> According to news sources affiliated with the IRGC, the group was founded during [[Syrian civil war]] but officially started the armed operations late in 2014 especially in [[Syria]] to support [[Bashar al-Assad]] government against [[ISIL]]. Its fighters also were involved limitedly in [[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]] and [[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemeni civil war]] under the support of [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|IRGC]] as Brigade is the part of Iran's [[Axis of Resistance]]. The sources affiliated with the IRGC,  Its official purpose is to defend the [[Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque]] (the shrine of [[Zaynab bint Ali]], sister of [[Imam Hussain]] and granddaughter of the prophet [[Muhammad]]) and other Shia holy sites in Syria and Iraq and to protect IRGC interests in [[Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://magazine.zenith.me/en/politics/pakistan-iran-and-saudi-arabia|title="Why Pakistan holds a key in the Iranian-Saudi confrontation"|last=Wigger|first=Leo|date=2019-09-26|website=magazine.zenith.me|language=en|access-date=2019-10-01}}</ref> also in [[Iran–Israel proxy conflict]].<ref name="Farhan Zahid">{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/tm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=45479&cHash=b1fd0cdae422cab2030811f564ed606a#.V6nKM1t961t|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict|author= Farhan Zahid|date=27 May 2016|work=Terrorism Monitor Volume}}</ref> It operates primarily in [[Damascus]] defending holy sites. However, since 2015, it officially has engaged in intense offensives around [[Daraa]]<ref name="OSINT"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/print8549.htm|title=Iran Tightens Its Grip On Syria Using Syrian And Foreign Forces|author=|date=5 May 2015|work=MEMRI}}</ref> and [[Aleppo]], along with other foreign Shia fighters.<ref name=iraqeye/><ref>{{Cite web|title=عصر جدید شهدای فاطمیون در رسانه ملی- اخبار فرهنگ حماس - اخبار فرهنگی تسنیم {{!}} Tasnim|url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1398/03/28/2034292/%D8%B9%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C|access-date=2021-08-11|website=خبرگزاری تسنیم {{!}} Tasnim|language=fa}}</ref>
+=== Recruitment and training ===
-Its official purpose is to defend the [[Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque]] (the shrine of [[Zaynab bint Ali]], sister of [[Imam Hussain]] and granddaughter of the prophet [[Muhammad]]) and other Shia holy sites in Syria.<ref name="Farhan Zahid">{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/tm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=45479&cHash=b1fd0cdae422cab2030811f564ed606a#.V6nKM1t961t|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict|author= Farhan Zahid|date=27 May 2016|work=Terrorism Monitor Volume}}</ref> It operates primarily in [[Damascus]] defending these holy sites. However, since 2015, it has also engaged in offensive action around [[Daraa]]<ref name="OSINT"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/print8549.htm|title=Iran Tightens Its Grip On Syria Using Syrian And Foreign Forces|author=|date=5 May 2015|work=MEMRI}}</ref> and [[Aleppo]], along with other foreign Shia fighters.<ref name=iraqeye/>
+{{Main|Foreign fighters in the Syrian civil war}}
+The [[Pakistani Shia|Pakistani Shiite]] volunteers have been fighting in various conflicts since 2012 especially in [[Syrian civil war]] on pro-government side under the orders of [[Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps|IRGC]].<ref name="Farhan Zahid"/> In addition, large numbers of Pakistani Shia fighters have fought on the pro-government side, mainly in the [[Zeinabiyoun Brigade]], which has up to 1,000 fighters in Syria.<ref name="recruits">{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1007694/iran-recruits-pakistani-shias-for-combat-in-syria/|title=Iran recruits Pakistani Shias for combat in Syria|date=11 December 2015|newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref> They originally fought in the Afghan [[Liwa Fatemiyoun]], and only became numerous enough to warrant a distinct brigade in early 2015.<ref name=iraqeye>{{cite web|url=https://iraqeye.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/liwa-zainebiyoun-syrias-pakistani-fighters/|title=Liwa Zainebiyoun: Syria's Pakistani Fighters|work=iraqeye|date=11 March 2016 }}</ref> Some of the fighters are [[Hazaras|Hazara]]<ref name="WOTR">{{cite news|url=https://warontherocks.com/2021/07/irans-tricky-balancing-act-in-afghanistan/|title=Iran's Tricky Balancing Act in Afghanistan|work=War on the Rocks|date=28 July 2021|accessdate=29 April 2022|first1=Candance|last1=Rondeaux|first2=Amir|last2=Toumaj|first3=Arif|last3=Ammar|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322050754/https://warontherocks.com/2021/07/irans-tricky-balancing-act-in-afghanistan/|archivedate=22 March 2022|url-status=live|quote=It also established the Fatemiyoun's Pakistani sister unit, the Zeynabiyoun Brigade. Thousands of ethnic Afghan and Pakistani Hazara foreign fighters fought and died with those units to help save the Assad regime.}}</ref> and [[Baloch people|Baloch]]<ref name="Jamestown">{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-zainabiyoun-brigade-a-pakistani-shiite-militia-amid-the-syrian-conflict/|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict|website=Jamestown}}</ref> while others are [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] (mainly from [[Parachinar]]),<ref name="auto"/> [[Punjabis|Punjabi]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/latest-news/2019/05/missing-men-and-the-neighbouring-country-that-cannot-be-named/|title=Missing men and the neighbouring country that cannot be named|work=Samaa News|date=15 May 2019|accessdate=29 April 2022|first=Roohan|last=Ahmed|quote=According to Aamir Rana, a security analyst and the director of the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, scores of Pakistani Shias have been to Syria. “Many were arrested from Punjab and Parachinaar after they returned to Pakistan,” Rana said.}}</ref> or [[Balti people|Balti]] from [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]<ref name="HT">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-reluctant-to-take-back-fighters-captured-in-syria-101627637531141.html|title=Pakistan reluctant to take back fighters captured in Syria|work=Hindustan Times|date=30 July 2021|accessdate=29 April 2022}}</ref> and [[Karachi]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1341033|title=CTD seeks ban on 25 websites spreading 'terrorism, extremism'|work=Dawn|date=22 June 2017|accessdate=29 April 2022|first=Imtiaz|last=Ali|quote=Meanwhile, SSP CTD Omer Shahid Hamid told Dawn that many people from Pakistan, including Karachi, had gone to fight in Syria belonging to both Sunni and Shia communities.}}</ref> including [[Kashmiris]] from the [[Kashmir]].<ref name="eurasiantimes.com">{{Cite web |date=22 July 2019|title=Kashmir – The New Battlefield For Saudi-Iran Proxy War – Israel Media Reports|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/kashmir-the-new-battlefield-for-saudi-iran-proxy-war-israel-media-reports/|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref>
+Like other Shiite foreign brigades in Syria, it is funded, trained, and overseen by the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|IRGC]].<ref name="recruits"/><ref name="radio free"/>
+=== Losses of volunteer fighters ===
-On 9 April 2015, seven fighters were killed defending the Imam Hasan Mosque in Damascus and were buried in [[Qom]], Iran.<ref name="Farhan Zahid"/> In March 2016, six fighters were killed defending the [[Imam Reza shrine]], also buried in Qom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fardanews.com/fa/news/498191/%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1-%DB%B6-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade|author= |date=3 March 2016|publisher=Farda News}}</ref> On 23 April, five more fighters were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/494084/%D9%BE%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%B1-%DB%B5-%D8%B4%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%B4%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=پیکر ۵ شهید مدافع حرم در قم تشییع شد|first=سایت خبری تحلیلی تابناك&#124;اخبار ایران و|last=جهان&#124;TABNAK|publisher=}}</ref> An estimated 69 fighters were killed between November 2014 and March 2016.<ref name=iraqeye />
+{{Main|Belligerents in the Syrian civil war}}
+In 2019, the [[U.S. State Department]] claimed that the over 158 Pakistani national fighters of Iranian-backed Zainebiyoun Brigade were killed in Syria between January 2012 and August 2018.<ref name="voanews.com"/>
+On 9 April 2015, seven fighters were killed defending the Imam Hasan Mosque in Damascus and were buried in [[Qom]], Iran.<ref name="Farhan Zahid"/> In March 2016, six fighters were killed defending the [[Imam Reza shrine]], also buried in Qom.<ref name="The Zainabiyoun Brigade"/> On 23 April, five more fighters were killed.<ref name="جهان&#124;TABNAK"/> An estimated 69 fighters were killed between November 2014 and March 2016.<ref name=iraqeye />
+In February 2018, the brigade was involved in the [[Battle of Khasham]] along with Russian [[Wagner Group]] and [[Interbrigades]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfax.ru/world/599662 |title="Казак Владимир Логинов и член партии "Другая Россия" Кирилл Ананьев погибли в Сирии" |trans-title=Cossack Vladimir Loginov and member of the Other Russia party Kirill Ananyev died in Syria |work=www.interfax.ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia/russians-killed-in-clash-with-u-s-led-forces-in-syria-say-associates-idUSKBN1FW2DC |title=Russians killed in clash with U.S.-led forces in Syria, say associates |work=Reuters|date=12 February 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Post|title=In Syria, Russian bad faith turns fatal|date=9 February 2018|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2018/02/09/in-syria-russian-bad-faith-turns-fatal/|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010130615/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2018/02/09/in-syria-russian-bad-faith-turns-fatal/|url-status=live}}</ref> against the US special forces and the US-backed [[Syrian Democratic Forces]] and lost many fighters.<ref name="spiegeltruth"/>
-In early 2018 the group was involved in the [[Battle of Khasham]] against US special forces and the US-backed [[Syrian Democratic Forces]].<ref name="spiegeltruth"/>
+== Presence outside Syria ==
+===Iraq===
+{{Main|War in Iraq (2013–2017)}}
+The brigade fought in [[Iraq]] against [[ISIL]] during the [[War in Iraq (2013–2017)|War in Iraq (2013–17)]] with other foreign Shia fighters to defend and protect holy sites and Iraqi peoples from the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]].<ref name="agsiw.org"/>
+===Yemen===
+{{Main|Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)}}
+In 2019, Some media sources claim that the brigade is allegedly involved in [[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)|Yemeni Civil War]] along with other foreign Shia fighters to fought against the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]] and to support [[Houthis]].<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>
+===Pakistan ===
+{{main|Sectarian violence in Pakistan}}
+In [[Pakistan]] the Zainebiyoun brigade has actively involved in [[Sectarian violence in Pakistan|Parachinar's sectarian clashes]] along with local Shia militas based in Parachinar region for the Protection of Shia Muslim community and to fight against the [[Anti-Shi'ism|Anti-Shia]] banned sectarian terrorist groups [[Sipah-e-Sahaba]], [[Pakistani Taliban]], [[Islamic State – Khorasan Province]] and [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]] for targeting Shia minority of Parachinar in sectarian attacks, however the Zainebiyoun brigade reportedly has strong presence and support base in [[Parachinar|Parachinar's Shia muslim community]] also have sent hundreds of fighters to [[Syria]] and [[Iraq]] from Parachinar region against [[ISIL]] under the support of IRGC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan Sunni villages on fire as shia groups revenge call amid attack on shia pilgrims|url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20241123-dozens-killed-in-sectarian-clashes-between-shiite-sunni-muslims-in-northwestern-pakistan|access-date=23 November 2024}}</ref>
 ==Reaction in Pakistan==
+{{main|Sectarian violence in Pakistan}}
-In December 2015, a [[2015 Parachinar bombing|bomb killed 25 and injured over 30]] in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Terrorist group [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]] claimed responsibility, and said that it was "revenge for the crimes against Syrian Muslims by Iran and Bashar al-Assad" and threatened to continue terror attacks if Parachinar citizens did not "stop sending people to take part in Syrian war". The [[Parachinar]] has the large majority of [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]], Afterward the [[2007 Kurram Agency conflict]] [[Parachinar]] considered as the stronghold of Liwa Zainebiyoun and other local Shia militias, The Shia majority [[Pashtun]] tribes of [[Parachinar]] named [[Turi (Pashtun tribe)|Turi]] and [[Bangash]] tribes are famously known for defending their territories from the onslaught of terrorists of [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]], [[Pakistani Taliban]] and [[Islamic State - Khorasan Province]] including. They are the main protectors of their areas and borders alongside [[Pakistan Army]]. [[Parachinar]] is the only major city in the tribal belt of Pakistan where the personnel of Pakistan Army were never attacked as the area is loyal to the security forces operating near the [[Afghanistan–Pakistan border skirmishes|Afghan-Pakistan border]].<ref name="blast"/>
+===Reaction===
+In December 2015, a [[2015 Parachinar bombing|bomb killed 25 and injured over 30]] in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Terrorist group [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]] claimed responsibility, and said that it was "revenge for the crimes against Syrian Muslims by Iran and Bashar al-Assad" and threatened to continue terror attacks if Parachinar citizens did not "stop sending people to take part in Syrian war".<ref name="blast"/>
 The [[government of Pakistan]] officially denies the presence of Pakistani fighters in Syria, and has been reluctant to take back members of the brigade caught in Syria.<ref name="HT"/>
+After the reports of presence of Pakistani fighters of Zainebiyoun brigade in [[Syria]], The [[Pakistani Taliban]] claimed they have set up camps and sent hundreds of fighters to [[Syria]] to fight alongside Islamist jihadist groups opposed to [[Bashar al-Assad]] such as [[al-Nusra Front]], [[Ahrar al-Sham]] and [[Ansar al-Tawhid (Syria)|Ansar al-Tawhid]] in an effort to strengthen ties with [[al Qaeda]] against the government of Pakistan in the [[Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Insurgency]].<ref name="reuters3">{{cite news |last=Golovnina |first=Maria |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-syria-taliban-idUSBRE96D02V20130714 |title=Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war |publisher=Reuters |access-date=2013-07-14 |date=14 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714220351/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/14/us-pakistan-syria-taliban-idUSBRE96D02V20130714 |archive-date=14 July 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news |last=Wali |first=Ahmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23285245 |title=BBC News – Pakistan Taliban 'sets up a base in Syria' |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=2013-07-14 |date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603073314/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23285245 |archive-date=3 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Al Arabiya">{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/07/14/Pakistan-Taliban-set-up-camps-in-Syria-join-anti-Assad-war.html|title=Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war|work=[[Al Arabiya]]|date=14 July 2013|access-date=14 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718102054/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/07/14/Pakistan-Taliban-set-up-camps-in-Syria-join-anti-Assad-war.html|archive-date=18 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
-==Brigade Commander Haj Haider activities and his death==
+==Disappearance and death of the brigade commander==
-The Saqib Haider Karbalai, Muhammad Jannati also known as Haj Haider was a [[Pakistani]] [[Pashtun]] Shia militant belongs from the [[Parachinar]], He was the commander of the Zainabiyoun Brigade, which includes Pakistani fighters trained by the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|Quds Force in the Revolutionary Guards]] to fight in [[Syria]] and [[Iraq]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://agsiw.org/limited-iranian-losses-in-iraq-do-not-indicate-lesser-strategic-interest/| title=Limited Iranian-backed Pakistani fighters in Iraq to fight against ISIL in Iraq. But this is not a sign that Tehran lacks an interest in Iraqi affairs. | date=November 2018 }}</ref> The group's officially designated purpose, according to the Iranian government and affiliated news sources, is the defense of the [[Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque|shrine]] of [[Zaynab bint Ali]], the granddaughter of [[Muhammad|Prophet of Islam]], and to fight "''[[takfiri]] terrorists''" in Syria, which would come to include the [[Islamic State]] (IS).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2019-05-12|title=لشکر فاطمیون چگونه تأسیس شد؟|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/958316/لشکر-فاطمیون-چگونه-تأسیس-شد|access-date=2021-08-29|website=مشرق نیوز|language=fa}}</ref> The Haj Haider was mostly actively command the operations in Battles of [[Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)|Aleppo]], [[Siege of Deir ez-Zor (2014–2017)|Deir ez-Zor]], [[Palmyra offensive (2017)|Palmyra]] against [[Islamic State]] and other [[takfiri]] terrorists. In 2017 the commander of the Zainabiyoun Brigade Haj Haider gone missing during fighting in [[Hama offensive (March–April 2017)]] against [[Islamic State]] The Iranian authorities confirmed his death in 2019 authorities reported that the body of the Zainabiyoun Brigade commander was transferred to Tehran two years after he was killed in the Syrian city of Hama. He was beheaded by the terrorists of [[Islamic State|ISIS]] According to the authorities, the identity of the commander of the Zainabiyoun Brigade was recently identified after a DNA test, and he was transferred to [[Tehran]] to be buried on Thursday authorities also indicated that “his body is without a head and without an arm and he was killed in April 2017 in the Tal Turabi area in [[Hama governorate]] during [[Hama offensive (March–April 2017)|offensive]], [[Qassem Soleimani]] said about him: “He was one of the best around me.”, according to Pakistani authorities The Saqib Haider Karbalai  killed many [[Pakistani Taliban]] and [[Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan|Sipah e Sahaba]], [[Lashkar-e-Jhangvi]] based Anti-Shia Takfiri extremists during [[2007 Kurram Agency conflict]] According to the authorities he helped [[Pakistan Army]] against terrorists in which he also got [[Wounded in action|wonded]].The afterward [[Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan|Sipah e Sahaba]] accused Saqib Haider Karbalai as a member of [[Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan]] but failed to prove, unknown commander after the death of Haj Haider since 2017,<ref>{{cite news |title=التعرف على جثة امر لواء زينبيون الايراني الذي قتل في سوريا بنيران داعش الارهابي قبل عامين |trans-title=Identification of the body of the order of the Iranian Zainabiyoun Brigade, who was killed in Syria by ISIS terrorist fire two years ago |language=ar |work=IraqNewspaper.net |date=12 June 2019 |url=https://iraqnewspaper.net/ar/التعرف-جثة-امر-لواء-زينبيون-الايرا/}}</ref> however the Brigade still active performing operations against [[Islamic State]] in [[Syria]], In early 2018 the group was involved in the [[Battle of Khasham]] against US special forces and the US-backed [[Syrian Democratic Forces]].<ref name="spiegeltruth"/>
+The brigade's former commander Saqib Haider karbalai, Muhammad Jannati, also known by the [[Arabic]]-language nickname Haj Haider (Iranian nickname) in Syria he was a [[Pakistani]] [[Pashtun]] Shia militant from [[Parachinar]] he was well known for his [[Anti-Americanism|Anti-America]] and [[Anti-Zionism|Anti-Zionist]] views and speeches in his hometown, he had strong ties with Iran's Ayatollah regime and was a strong supporter of [[Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist|Wilayat al Faqih]] concept including [[Khomeinism]] ideology. The IRGC-affiliated source's claimed that the Haj Haider went Iran, Iraq and Syria multiple times for [[Ziyarat|Ziyarah]] of Shia holy sites in 2000s where he meet many [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|IRGC]] officers and had established close ties with them at the beginning of the [[Syrian civil war]] the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps|IRGC]] appointed him and Afghan Shia militant [[Ali Reza Tavassoli]] as an Chief Commanders of Zainebiyoun and
+[[Liwa Fatemiyoun|Fatemiyoun Brigade]] mainly appointed by [[Qasem Soleimani]], the erstwhile Iranian commander of the [[Quds Force]], as an commanders of Shia volunteer fighters from [[Afghanistan]], [[Iraq]], [[Pakistan]], [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], and [[Yemen]] with training and funding from [[Iran]]  to defend the [[Holy Shrine Defender|Shia holy shrines]] from [[ISIL]] and it's subgroups they served as the commander of brigade until their death.<ref name="IraqNewspaper.net"/>
+In 2017, Saqib Haider Karbalai went missing while fighting alongside Syrian government forces during the [[Hama offensive (March–April 2017)]]. The IRGC-affiliated [[Tasnim News Agency]] reported his death in 2019, claiming that the body of Haider was transferred to Tehran two years after he was killed in the Syrian city of Hama by [[Islamic State|ISIS]] terrorists. According to Tasnim News Agency, the identity of the commander of the Zainabiyoun Brigade was identified after a DNA test, and he was transferred to [[Tehran]] where he was to be buried. The news agency also reported that “his body has no head and no arms" and that he was killed in action in April 2017 in the Tal Turabi area in the [[Hama Governorate]], during the [[Hama offensive (March–April 2017)|offensive]].<ref name="IraqNewspaper.net"/>
 == Relationship with Liwa Fatemiyoun & Hezbollah Afghanistan ==
-{{further|Hezbollah Afghanistan}}
+{{main|Axis of Resistance}} {{further|Hezbollah Afghanistan}}
-According to researcher Phillip Smyth, [[Liwa Fatemiyoun]], Liwa Zainebiyoun and [[Hezbollah Afghanistan]] were originally different groups, but showed such great overlap in ideology and membership by 2014 that they had become "incorporated". In contrast, researcher Oved Lobel continued to regard Liwa Fatemiyoun and Hezbollah Afghanistan as separate organizations in 2018, though groups were part of Iran's "regional proxy network".<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf|title=Drums Of War: Israel And The "AXIS OF RESISTANCE"|publisher=International Crisis Group|date=2 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111425/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> Other sources such as ''Jihad Intel'' and ''Arab News'' have treated the militas as the same organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1925981 |title=Afghan chaos an opportunity for Iranian regime |author=Majid Rafizadeh |publisher=Arab News |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}</ref> Researcher Michael Robillard called Liwa Fatemiyoun a "branch of Hezbollah Afghanistan".The Iran is also known to have established branches of [[Hezbollah]] in [[Hezbollah Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] and Pakistan, with several pro-Iranian groups operating in both countries by the [[Soviet–Afghan War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/syrias-other-foreign-fighters-irans-afghan-pakistani-14400 |title=Syria's Other Foreign Fighters: Iran's Afghan and Pakistani Mercenaries |author1=Ari Heistein |author2=James West |publisher=National Interest |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}</ref>{{sfn|Robillard|2021|p=175}}
+According to researcher Phillip Smyth, [[Liwa Fatemiyoun]], Liwa Zainebiyoun and [[Hezbollah Afghanistan]] were originally different groups, but showed such great overlap in ideology and membership by 2014 that they had become "incorporated". In contrast, researcher Oved Lobel continued to regard Liwa Fatemiyoun and Hezbollah Afghanistan as separate organizations in 2018, though groups were part of Iran's "regional proxy network".<ref name="auto2"/> Other sources such as ''Jihad Intel'' and ''Arab News'' have treated the militas as the same organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1925981 |title=Afghan chaos an opportunity for Iranian regime |author=Majid Rafizadeh |publisher=Arab News |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}</ref> Researcher Michael Robillard called Liwa Fatemiyoun a "branch of Hezbollah Afghanistan". Iran is also known to have established branches of [[Hezbollah]] in [[Hezbollah Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] and Pakistan, with several pro-Iranian groups operating in both countries by the [[Soviet–Afghan War]].<ref name="National Interest"/><ref name="Robillard 2021 167–187"/>{{rp|175}}
+==Designation as a terrorist organization and ban==
+Liwa Zainebiyoun is designated as a terrorist organization by the [[U.S. State Department]] in 2019, saying it is composed of Pakistani nationals and provides "materiel support" to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC and in 2024 the Interior Ministry of Pakistan banned the Zainebiyoun Brigade, saying it "is engaged in certain activities which are prejudicial to the peace and security" of Pakistan. It did not elaborate, A ministry official confirmed the authenticity of the March 29 order and placement of the Zaynabiyoun Brigade on a government list of 79 proscribed organizations.<ref name="voanews.com"/>
 ==See also==
 *[[Foreign fighters in the Syrian civil war]]
-{{Portal|Shia Islam|Asia|War}}
+{{Portal|Shia Islam|Asia}}
 *[[Liwa Fatemiyoun]]
 *[[List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War]]
@@ Line 110: / Line 147: @@
 [[Category:Axis of Resistance]]
+[[Category:Anti-Americanism]]
+[[Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Asia]]
 [[Category:Entities related to Iran Sanctions]]
 [[Category:Iran–Pakistan relations]]
@@ Line 118: / Line 157: @@
 [[Category:Shia Islam in Pakistan]]
 [[Category:Khomeinist groups]]
+[[Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by Pakistan]]