TOP SECRET - NOFORN
UNITED STATES ARMY
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY COMMAND, FORT BELVOIR, VA
08 MAY 2025
(U) Administrative
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Fracturing of SoAK and the Emergence of Factions
(C) Executive Summary(C) The Sons of Al-Kabouli (SoAK), once a cohesive insurgent organization operating primarily in the Al -Anbar province, in particular around the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah has undergone a significant organizational fracture. As of early May 2025, SoAK has splintered into at least five regionally distinct militia factions, each operating with semi-independent leadership and divergent strategic objectives. This fragmentation is assessed to have been driven by leadership decapitation strikes, financial disruption, and internal ideological schisms.
(C) Background
(C) SoAK (Sons of Al-Karbouli) was a newly emerged militant organization operating primarily in eastern central and western Iraq. Formed in mid-2023, the group is believed to be composed of former tribal fighters, disaffected ex-ISIS members, and foreign jihadist elements. SoAK has quickly established a reputation for high-profile ambushes, targeted assassinations, and sophisticated propaganda campaigns.
(TS//SCI) Current Assessment
(TS//SCI) Fragmentation Dynamics:
As of this report, SoAK has divided into the following key factions:
- Lions of the Tigris (LoT): Operating north of Ramadi, focused on tribal vendetta operations and weapons smuggling. Leadership alignment - unknown.
- Al-Fulisan Brigade: Centered in western Al-Anbar, primarily composed of ex-military with nationalist leanings. Retains technical IED capability.
- Swords of Tarhid: Southern Anbar-based faction with strong ideological ties to regional jihadist groups. Recently pledged nominal allegiance to remnants of ISIS.
- Guardians of Fallujah(GoJ): Urban-based cell structure remaining in eastern Fallujah; focus on sabotage and targeted assassinations of Western collaborators.
- Free Sons of Kaboul (FSK): Breakaway reformist faction denouncing religious extremism; seeking political legitimacy among Sunni tribes.
(TS//SCI) Operational Impact:
Command & Control: Decentralized; loss of unified strategy has reduced SoAK’s operational effectiveness but increased unpredictability.
Threat Profile: While overall coordination is diminished, some factions (notably Swords of Tarhid) remain highly lethal and ideologically extreme.
Foreign Influence: Iranian-backed proxies may seek to co-opt LoT and GoJ for influence in contested zones. Turkish and Gulf-linked actors appear to be courting the FSK.
(TS//SCI) Implications for Coalition Operations:
Positive Developments: Fragmentation reduces SoAK’s capacity to mount complex, large-scale operations. Increased inter-factional rivalry may further degrade capabilities.
Risks: Factional competition could result in an uptick in localized violence, including civilian reprisals and tribal infighting.
(TS//SCI) Recommendations: ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) assets should prioritize identifying emerging factional leaders. Strategic engagement with reconcilable factions (e.g., FSK) should be considered as part of stabilization efforts.
(TS//SCI) Conclusion.
The splintering of SoAK represents a pivotal shift in the insurgent landscape of north-central Iraq. While operational cohesion has decreased, the emergence of ideologically diverse militias presents both new challenges and opportunities for coalition force posture and counterinsurgency strategy. Continued pressure, combined with nuanced tribal engagement, will be key to exploiting this fragmentation.
Original Classifying Authority: 1-506th S-2 Intelligence
Classified By: SFC Lowe
Reason: 1.4(a), (c), (d)
Declassify On:
20500508
END REPORT
The entirety of this document represents fictional works of the 506th Infantry Regiment Realism Unit, S-2 Intelligence Shop, developed for use within the Arma Reforger military simulation video game, and exists purely for entertainment and educational purposes only. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
