Commander of 1920 Revolution Brigades Captured

The 1920 Revolution Brigades has expressed interest in the national reconciliation program

The Iraqi government appears to have made some significant intelligence gains over the past week. After announcing the arrest of Muntasir Hamoud Ileiwi al-Jubouri, a member of Ansar al-Sunnah’s military Shura (or council) just two days ago, the Iraqi government has announced the arrest of a leader of the 1920 Revolution Brigades.

The insurgent commander has not been identified, but has been said to command the 1920 Revolution Brigades’ operations in Western Baghdad. This is an area of significant insurgent activity and repeated sectarian-related attacks. Operation Together Forward targeted the western Baghdad neighborhoods of Shula, Khadra, East Monsour, Ameriyah and Ghazaliyah at the onset of the operation. The region also serves as the western gateway to Anbar province.

The 1920 Revolution Brigades is considered a ‘nationalist’ insurgent group but has an Islamist agenda as well. This is one of the more ‘moderate’ insurgent groups. The organization has declined to join al Qaeda’s Mujahideen Shura, and has expressed interest in negotiating with the Iraqi government in accepting the terms of a national reconciliation program. The arrest of a senior leader gives the Iraqi government some leverage in negotiations if the national reconciliation program can be brought back to the fore of the political debate.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Tags: Iraq