No claims of responsibility have been issued by the group since its attack in September 2005. Given the continued presence of U.S. troops and the companies that supply them as well as the ongoing insurgency, the Group for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice is likely to remain active.

The Holders of the Black Banners is a militant organization operating in Iraq.  All information of the group is gleamed from their only claimed attack (a kidnapping in July 2004), as well as the incident's accompanying negotiations.  In fact, information is not known regarding the group's membership numbers, possible affiliations with other extremist organizations, or even the chance that the group is simply a front for other extremists operating in Iraq.  However, an analysis of the group's kidnapping incident does reveal certain facts of this terrorist entity's motivations.  <P> The Holders of the Black Banners  aimed to secure money for the return of seven employees of a Kuwait-based company that transported materials for United States operations in Iraq.  The group also demanded that the Kuwait-based company and the three countries related to the hostages' citizenships (Kenya, India, and Egypt) cease all operations and pull out any affiliated individuals from Iraq.   The Holders of the Black Banners expanded their demands to include additional money as "compensation" for civilian casualties during the US actions against Falluja.  Finally, the terrorist group demanded the release of Iraqis held in Kuwaiti and American prisons.  In essence, the group's overall objective was stated by the terrorists themselves: "We have warned all the countries, companies, businessmen and truck drivers that those who deal with American cowboy occupiers will be targeted by the fires of the Mujahideen.  Here you are once again transporting goods, weapons and military equipment that backs the U.S. Army." <P><br />The Holders of the Black Banners' expansive demands were eventually pared down to the sole demand for money in exchange for the seven hostages.  After eleven days, all hostages were released unharmed.