Pakistan’s Bold Move: Designates Iran-backed Zainebiyoun Brigade as Terrorist Group

As a part of the Iran-backed ‘Axis of Resistance, ’ the Zainebiyoun Brigade can emerge as an active threat to Israel and pro-Israel countries, including the United States, analyst says Pakistan formally classified the Zainebiyoun Brigade, a Shiite militant group purportedly backed by Iran, as a terrorist organization. The shift is a major step in the direction of Pakistani officials in addressing concerns about illegal activities within its borders. A version of the warning seen by The Media Line indicates that the Zainebiyoun Brigade is engaged in activities that are deemed to be harmful to the country’s peace and security. Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs released a public warning on April 11. The Zainebiyoun Brigade’s designation as a terrorist organization is further supported by this discovery and underscores the severity of the danger posed by the business. The warning added that the Federal Ministry had taken this action in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 by including the name of the Zainebiyoun Brigade in Schedule One, which lists prohibited companies under the same rules. The US Treasury Department added the organization to its financial blacklist in January 2019, stating that it is made up of Pakistanis and provides “materiel support ” to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC). The Zainebiyoun Brigade, which is primarily made up of the Muslim Islamist community, has largely operated in Syria, where it has supported President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and actively fought ISIS. International observers have been critical of the organization’s routines because they believe it has the potential to exacerbate religious tensions and instability there. The Zainebiyoun Brigade was established by the IRGC after the Syrian civil war broke out, according to the Iranian news site Iran International, and it has since mobilized Pakistani Shiite insurgents who were then sent to battle makes opposing Bashar al-Assad, a close alliance of Iran and Russia. According to the Pakistan Armed Forces ‘ media division, law enforcement organizations have previously confirmed that many Zainebiyoun Brigade militants have been properly captured. They declined to respond when The Media Line inquired about further post due to the delicate nature of the situation. However, a secret top official with knowledge of the situation confirmed that Islamabad believes that the potential profit of these combatants may lead to further spiritual turmoil in some rebel-held areas of the nation. They advocate for steps to limit this group’s actions in light of this issue. According to the official, Pakistani and British intelligence agencies have worked closely together to combat this risk and protect regional peace and security. The Zainebiyoun Brigade’s designation as a criminal organization highlights Pakistan’s commitment to tackling terrorism in all its forms, he continued. The brand ‘Zainebiyoun’ is derived from Syeda Zainab, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Zainab is well-regarded by Shia Muslims, and the title ‘Zainebiyoun’ signifies an organization with her. The Zainebiyoun Brigade’s formal purpose was to defend the shrine of Syeda Zainab and other Shia sacred sites in Syria. Muslim Shiites have actively participated in Syria’s issue since 2013. Among the soldiers are people from different backgrounds, including marginalized Hazara and Baloch areas, Tamils from Parachinar in the Kurram District, and Baltis from Gilgit-Baltistan. Similar to another Islamist foreign regiments operating in Syria, the Zainebiyoun Brigade is financed, trained, and controlled by the IRGC. More than 500 regiment soldiers have been killed therefore much as a result of Jewish strikes and the conflict with ISIS, according to unverified reports. The majority of the dying youth hailed from Kurram and Gilgit-Baltistan, two Shiite-majority areas in Pakistan. The Egyptian holy city of Qum, where a meeting is likewise held annually in their honor, has the dead been interred there. The selection of Muslim fighters by Iran adds yet another aspect to Syria’s civil war. It has exacerbated religious divisions in the Arab world and drawn in the majority of regional and global capabilities. Lately, it was reported that some people of Bangladeshi descent were apprehended in foreign waters. In January 2024, the US Central Command Naval causes, including the Navy SEALs, intercepted an un-flagged fleet in the Gulf of Aden. While searching the vehicle, US forces seized Iranian-made superior standard weaponry, including essential parts for medium-range nuclear missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, a weapon, and engine and guidance components. The team members are currently being tried in the US. Lately, IRGC published an article about a man named Haider, who was identified through a DNA exam. He was the primary manager for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Parachinar region. Parachania and the larger Kurram District have come to be major recruiting hotspots for Zainebiyoun Brigade members. These areas are primarily Shia, and the majority of them share some religious and religious ties with the Zainebiyoun Brigade. Both towns are close to the Afghan border, making it simple for employers to find possible fighters. The region’s close proximity to Afghan conflict zones makes it easier for people to recruit and add violent groups. The Muslim Shiite community’s participation in the Zainebiyoun Brigade actions in Syria is not known to law enforcement agencies in Pakistan. &# 13; NEXT FROM&# 13; Top Stories &# 13; &# 13; MORE FROM &# 13; &# 13; Top Stories &# 13; Nevertheless, an undetermined number of participants ‘ participation is thought to be possible, which is based on estimates. Syed Qandil Abbas, an Islamabad-based political analyst and professor at the School of Political and International Relations ( SPIR ) at Quaid-i-Azam University, told The Media Line: “The Zainebiyoun Brigade remained on the watch list of Pakistani security agencies during the last decade. ”“This team has never been found involved in any anti-state action in Pakistan, but as per a recent warning, it is engaged in certain activities which are discriminatory to the peace and security of the land, ” he claimed. According to Abbas, according to Abbas, “the current decision to ban the Zainebiyoun Brigade may be attributed to two primary factors, given its philosophical orientation. First, the brigade’s main duty was to prevent the Shrine of Syeda Zainab in Syria. The risks to this temple have drastically decreased since ISIS’ fight in Syria. Thus, Pakistani security companies are concerned about the potential gain of Zainebiyoun fighters. ”“Secondly, the Zainebiyoun Brigade is part of the Iran-backed ‘Axis of Resistance, ’ which includes groups like Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Fatemiyoun of Afghanistan, the Haideriyon of Iraq, and the Hussainiyoun of Azerbaijan, among others, ” he added. According to Abbas, “These teams share an anti-Israeli position, aligning with Iran’s local objectives. By increasing strain between Iran and Israel, it is expected that these groups, including the Zainebiyoun Brigade, may come as an active threat to Israel and pro-Israel states, including the United States. ” “Moreover, ” he continued, “imposing a ban on the Zainebiyoun Brigade can be in line with US regional interests, as the Zainebiyoun Brigade along with Fatimiyon was already put under US sanctions in 2019. Abbas also asserted that Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority has now added four more organizations to its enjoy listing. However, the presence of a number of splinter groups from deposed extremist groups, including the Tehreek electronic Taliban Pakistan, even poses significant risks for Pakistan’s stability and the region as a whole. ” Adeeb Uz Zaman Safvi, a Karachi-based top security and geopolitical researcher, retired Bangladeshi Navy captain, and a student of the US Naval War College, told The Media Line that “mostly non-state actors are involved in recruiting, funding, and operating companies such as the Zainebiyoun Brigade. Safvi claims that Pakistan’s Foreign Office must collaborate attentively with intelligence organizations and other state organizations to maintain an even complexion in the relations. For the sake of regional security, long-lasting harmony, and primarily for our attention, we cannot afford to own strained relationships with Iran. Safvi noted that Pakistan’s angry knowledge organizations are eager to start a conversation about misunderstandings. He urged Pakistan’s Foreign Office to work closely with brains organizations and different state organizations to maintain a level of cooperation with Iran. “Maintaining firm and respectful ties with Iran is essential for regional security, enduring peace, and, ultimately, for Pakistan’s interests. ”