The IAO's participation in the political realm and the fact that its short-term goal was to overthrow the now defunct Baathist regime in Iraq makes it likely that it has turned away from militancy, at least for now. However, the ultimate goal of the organization is the establishment of an Islamic republic and it is therefore possible for it to return to militant action if it is unable to achieve this goal through political means.

The Islamic al-Waqqas Brigade is a terrorist organization responsible for a sole attack in June 2004, the kidnapping of Sa'idat Sa'dun, a truck driver delivering supplies to U.S. troops.  The group's name most likely refers to Sa`d ibn Ab&#299; Waqqas, an early Muslim convert and companion of the Prophet Mohammed. <P> Shortly after his abduction, Sa'dun, a Saudi national, was able to escape with the help of a sympathetic Brigade member. In a video released by the organization, Sa'dun tells fellow truck drivers not to cooperate with Americans and vows not to bring supplies to U.S. troops again.  Poorly protected contractors and truck drivers are often frequent targets of insurgents attempting to hamper reconstruction efforts in Iraq and halt the logistical support of U.S. troops.

There have been no public claims of responsibility from the Islamic al-Waqqas Brigade since June 2004. While the group may be inactive, its members are possibly still active in the Iraqi insurgency, albeit with different organizations.

1920 Revolution Brigades -- Ally (Suspected)
al-Ahwal Brigades -- Splinter Group (Suspected)
al-Qaeda Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers -- Ally
Ansar al-Sunnah Army -- Ally
Islamic Front for Iraqi Resistance - Salah-al-Din al-Ayyubi Brigades -- Ally
Mujahideen Army -- Ally (Suspected)

The Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI) is a significant Iraqi terrorist entity, which is currently in operation. The group has initiated a brutally violent campaign against foreigners within Iraq, specifically anyone believed to be cooperating with the U.S.-led coalition. IAI has been implicated in several gruesome beheading deaths. The terrorist group aims to drive all U.S. and its related coalition forces, both military and civilian, from Iraq. But IAI does not limit its attacks to just these groups; it has also murdered French journalists, Pakistani contractors, an Italian journalist, and Macedonian citizens working for a U.S. company.  <P>  Often, IAI will kidnap an individual or group of people and then make an overarching demand. Frequently, these demands are indirectly related to the kidnapping victims. For example, IAI captured Enzo Baldoni, an Italian journalist who also volunteered for the Red Cross in Iraq. IAI demanded that Italy withdraw all troops from Iraq or Enzo Baldoni, both an independent journalist and humanitarian volunteer, would be killed. Italy did not recall its troops and Baldoni was murdered. This is a common tactic of IAI. The Islamic Army in Iraq has also attacked French civilians in retaliation for France's law regarding headscarves in schools. IAI does not limit its terrorist attacks to non-Iraqis; the group has also executed Iraqi people who join Iraq's police and military services.