American Forces Battle Iraqi Cult

Jan. 29, 2007 — -- Iraqi and American forces last weekend engaged in a lengthy and fierce battle with a violent Iraqi cult that was planning to conduct a large-scale attack that would coincide with the Shiite holy period of Ashura, Iraqi sources told ABC News.

The leader of the cult considered himself to be the Mahdi. Both Shiite and Sunni Muslims believe in the return of Mahdi, and that his return will be an indication of the world's imminent end. Sunnis believe this is a prophet, a reincarnation of the prophet Jesus Christ, while Shiites believe he is one of the 12 holy Shiite imams.

Ali al-Debag, a spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister's office, told ABC News that Samer Dhiya al-Din (Abu Qamar), the leader of this cult, known as "Soldiers of Heaven," was killed in a battle in Najaf that began Sunday morning and lasted for almost 24 hours.

According to Najaf officials, the group involved in the battle was made up of both Shiites and Sunnis, as well as some foreign fighters. The cult also included women and children, who were involved in the battle.

There are instances of similar cults, inspired by the concept of a Mahdi, in Islamic history. Some Shiite Muslims believe that the Mahdi is already among the living and when he makes himself known to the public he will bring about the end of the world. The cult leader killed today may have declared himself the Mahdi among the people, responsible for the ultimate destruction of the world.

Din is thought to have been influenced by Shiite cleric Ahmad Bin al-Hassan al-Basri. Baghdad University political science professor Khalil Lufta, who specializes in Islamic affairs, says, "We never heard about this [Soldiers of Heaven] before yesterday, but the leader of this trend [Basri] use to have different views concerning the role of the Shiite ... in issues concerning the community."

In an interview with an Iraqi television channel, the Najaf Gov. Assad Sultan Abu Kilel says that he received information that this group was planning to kill all the clerics in the city and destroy the city's holy shrine. Such an effort is thought to have been an attempt by the cult leader to destroy the religious leadership and fulfill the prophecy that the world was indeed coming to an end.