Ansar Al-Furqan
Jihadist Arab and Baloch militant organization
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ansar Al-Furqan (Arabic: انصار الفرقان, lit. 'Partisans of the Criterion')[3] is a Sunni Islamist militant organization active in the Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency, as well as Arab separatism in Khuzestan.
Jalil Qanbarzehi † (2015–2017)[1]
Muhammad Dhahir Baluch (2017–present)
| Ansar Al-Furqan | |
|---|---|
Ansar Al-Furqan uses the Black Standard | |
| Leaders | Hesham Azizi † (2013–2015)[citation needed] Jalil Qanbarzehi † (2015–2017)[1] Muhammad Dhahir Baluch (2017–present) |
| Dates of operation | 2013–present |
| Motives | Separatism |
| Headquarters | Unknown[citation needed] |
| Active regions | Sistan and Baluchestan province Khuzestan province |
| Ideology | Sunni Islamism Jihadism Anti-Khomeinism |
| Major actions | Attacks (including suicide attacks) targeting Iranian politicians, state officials, government centres, and military officers. Cross-border raids from Afghanistan and other countries against Iranian border troops. |
| Status | Active (low-level) |
| Size | Unknown |
| Allies |  Jaish ul-Adl Al-Qaeda[2] |
| Opponents |  Iran Pakistan China |
| Battles and wars | Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency Arab separatism in Khuzestan |
| Designated as terrorists by | Iran Pakistan China |
The group was established in December 2013 by a merger of Harakat al-Ansar (Arabic: حرکةالانصار) and Hizbul-Furqan (Arabic: حزبالفرقان).[4] The organization is a designated terrorist organization by Iran, Pakistan and China.
Attacks
According to Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium, the organization has ties to Al-Qaeda, Katibat al Asad Al 'Islamia, Jeish Muhammad, the Al-Nusra Front, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and Jaish-ul-Adl.[5]
On June 13, 2016, militants attempted to carry out an attack in Khash, Sistan and Baluchestan, leaving five terrorist and an officer dead in the ensuing clash.[6][7] During the 2017–18 Iranian protests, Ansar Al-Furqan claimed responsibility for bombing an oil pipeline in Ahvaz, a city located in Iran's Khuzestan province.[8][9]
They also took responsibility for 2018 Chabahar suicide bombing which killed two policemen and injured around 48 people. Days later, Iranian authorities arrested ten suspects in carrying out the attack.[10]
On January 25, 2024, they claimed that it fired small arms targeting a police station in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchistan Province.[11]