Movement of the Fighting Youth (Jihadi Entity, Tunisia)

• Local Name: N/a
• Transliteration: Harakat Achabab al-Moujahed
• Alternatives: Katibat Harakat Achabab, Chabab al-Moujahed de Sbeïtla, Chabab al-Moujahed de Sbiba, Jeunesse des Jihadistes
• Status: 2014 – 2014 (Defeated)
• Conflicts: Tunisian Islamist Militancy

The Movement of the Fighting Youth [HAM; Harakat Achabab al-Moujahed] was a small collection of Salafi Sunni Muslim cells linked to the Brigade of Okba Ibn Nafa’a [KUIN; Katibet Uqba Ibn Nafaâ].¹ These entities operated in the Kasserine governorate and formed part of the KUIN’s local support network.² The HAM provided logistical assistance for the group and guaranteed the supply of food to its fighters.³ The modules appear to have been in direct contact with former KUIN commander Khalid Chaïeb.⁴ The HAM furthermore helped the KUIN in attracting new fighters and providing basic training for these recruits.⁵ Some HAM operatives traveled to Libya and Syria where they joined local jihadi forces.⁶

In mid-December 2014, Tunisian security forces rolled up several HAM cells. On Dec. 11, ten operatives were arrested in the city of Kasserine.⁷ Nine other HAM cadres were apprehended during police operations in the towns of Sbeïtla and Sbiba on Dec. 19, 2014.⁸ Subsequent investigations revealed that the captured militants had planned to carry out a series of attacks on police stations, hotels and bars on New Year’s Eve.⁹