Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz
The Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (Arabic: حركة النضال العربي لتحرير الأحواز, romanized: Ḥarakat an-Niḍāl al-ʿArabī li-Taḥrīr al-ʿAhwāz; abbreviated ASMLA) is an Arab nationalist and separatist insurgent group which advocates the secession of an area in southern Iran including all of Khuzestan Province and Bushehr Province and parts of Ilam Province, Hormozgan Province, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province from Iran and the establishment of an Arab state, a goal which it is attempting to achieve by waging a direct and violent conflict against Iran. The claimed area is shown in the group’s logo as well.
Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz | |
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Founding leader | Ahmad Mola Nissi (KIA) |
Leaders |
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Spokesperson | Yaqoub al-Tostari |
Dates of operation | 2005 | –present
Group(s) |
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Headquarters |
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Active regions | Khuzestan Province, Iran |
Ideology |
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Size | 300 (unconfirmed estimate) |
Battles and wars | Arab separatism in Khuzestan |
Designated as a terrorist group by | Iran |
Flag |
Headquartered in Denmark and the Netherlands, the ASMLA has claimed responsibility for several assassinations, attacks against energy infrastructure and civilian soft targets, including 2005–06 Ahvaz bombings and Ahvaz military parade attack in 2018. The group is currently classified as a terrorist organization by the Iranian government.