Islamic Front in the Heart Africa

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The black flag variant used by AFITHA

Islamic Front in the Heart Africa, or AFITHA, is an Islamist militant organization which aims to overthrow the secular governments throughout eastern Africa and institute Islamic states. To that end, it is currently engaged in an anti-government campaign. Formerly known as the Armed Faction in the Heart Africa, AFITHA is an affiliate of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM) and aligns its movement with AQIM’s broader goals to institute shariah (Islamic law) in all its areas of operation, although its operations in the region have been more practical than its northern component. Its operations in Amari, Ziwa, and northern Kujenga appear to be more focused on ridding the region of "Western impurities" than solely religious ideology. It has operated training sites in both Amari and Nyumba.

AFITHA fighters in a propaganda video, filmed in the Nyumba desert.

AFITHA perceives all non-Islamist governments as illegitimate and, accordingly, seeks to replace the various governments in the countries in which it operates. The group declared its intention to attack European, Amari, Ziwan, and American interests in the region. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations, Australia, Canada, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Membership is mostly drawn from Islamic communities throughout the region. The group's leadership is mainly Amari. AFITHA has also been suspected of having links with the Nyumba-based militant group (to be name al-Shabaab surrogate).

AFITHA has focused on kidnapping for ransom as a means of raising funds and is estimated to have raised more than $50 million in the last decade.

History

AFITHA militant in northwestern Amari, December 2012.

On 5 November, 2015, a UK newspaper reported that there had been an outbreak of Ebola at an AFITHA training camp in the mountains of western Nyumba. According to reports, at least sixty AFITHA members died from the disease. The surviving members from the training camp reportedly fled to other areas of Nyumba and Amari hoping to escape infection. The Kujengan Times alleged that the incident was not related to bubonic plague, but was an accident involving either a biological or chemical agent.

The Islamic Front in the Heart Africa is one of the region's wealthiest, best-armed militant groups due to the payment of ransom demands by humanitarian organizations and Western governments. It is reported that more than 85 per cent of AFITHA resources come from ransoms paid in return for the release of hostages.

Statements

AFITHA operates a media outlet known as "Ukweli", which regularly releases propaganda videos showing AFITHA operations, hostages, and statements from members. They leverage their significant online presence to spread their messages.

AFITHA voiced support for demonstrations against the Amari and Ziwan governments in a video released on early 2015. This coincided with an Al Qaeda offer of military aid and training to the demonstrators, calling on them to overthrow "the corrupt, criminal and tyrannical" regime, calling for "retaliation" against the Amari government. AFITHA has begun recruiting anti-government demonstrators, some of whom have previously fought against American forces in Iraq and Israeli forces in Gaza. An unnamed AFITHA spokesman stated:

The West is paying for jihad... and their own deaths!

Composition

Organizationally, AFITHA in the region maintains its links to the AQIM Majlis al-Ayan (Council of Notables) and continues to leverage many of its parent organization’s technical and media capabilities, as well as receiving funding. There have been accusations by the Amari and Ziwa governments that Nyumba has provided material support to AFITHA in exchange for a measure of immunity, but these have not been substantiated.

See also TC 7-100.3 Irregular Opposing Forces, Chapter 2: Insurgents

Tactics

While attacks are not common in the Amari, there have been a number of high-profile bombings in Mombasa and Arusha attributed to the group. They reportedly operate and stage in predominantly urban Muslim districts and universities.

AQIM has a history of collaboration with guerrilla, insurgent, and criminal groups throughout the region to spread their ideology and establish relationships. Activities with criminals are largely to raise funds, trafficking everything from arms to cigarettes. AFITHA’s kidnapping for ransom campaigns have focused is estimated to have raised more than $20 million in the last decade. Activities with insurgent groups and militias are largely for capability-sharing.