JIHADIST GROUP: Harakat Al-Multhamin Al-Ahrar

On 22 May, a group led by masked youths calling themselves the “Harakat Al-Multhamin Al-Ahrar” - Free Masked People Movement- announced its formation within the kingdom, operating mainly in the areas of Mecca and Riyadh, as a protest movement against the growing repression of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The group presented itself through video messages on X and Telegram in which they showed themselves with masked faces and bold language, emphasising that they were not a political party or, at least initially, an armed faction.

The movement made it clear that it was independent, did not depend on external aid, and included members of the Saudi military and security forces among its ranks. The movement also claimed to have established a “preventive security apparatus” that acts against the kingdom’s official security apparatus.

The movement has made it clear that it is not interested in a violent confrontation with the authorities. However, it has emphasised that its military wing is preparing for the possibility that such a confrontation may be imposed on it by the authorities.

In a video dated 23 May, lasting about a minute, a masked Saudi member of the movement called on the Saudi people to join its ranks to promote peaceful change and protest against the “tyrannical and corrupt” reign of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.

In its public video statements, the group has harshly criticised Mohammed Bin Salman's policies, from the repression of dissent and the imprisonment of scholars and religious figures, to the imposition of heavy taxes and the mismanagement of national resources in extravagant projects, all while ordinary Saudis, particularly the poor and marginalised, continue to suffer.

On 24 May, the nascent Saudi opposition group, “The Free Masked Man Movement”, released a video showing it tracking Saudi security personnel, stating that the footage was designed to demonstrate their presence on the ground and how to train recruits.

In a subsequent statement, it revealed sensitive and dangerous information describing the surveillance of a Saudi prince’s convoy as part of a special security operation.

Later, the group’s spokesman, who calls himself Qasaab, claimed that the movement had successfully created an anti-state apparatus within Saudi Arabia, stating that it had restructured itself into:

• A division composed of rebel military and security personnel

‎ • A division composed of civilian members

Qassab also stated that in response to public demands, the movement has postponed direct clashes with the Saudi regime’s security forces.

In a video statement on 26 May, the group's spokesman said:

“We condemn the Saudi government’s growing ties with the Zionist entity, including trade and the granting of civilian flights over Saudi airspace, while our people in occupied Palestine are suffering genocide and ethnic cleansing.

What reason could there be for normalising relations with a criminal occupier other than the deep betrayal that smoulders within you, submissive traitors?”

The group, which seems to be pushing more and more towards violent and armed struggle, then degenerated from its initial intentions with the statement released on 30 May.

In its lengthy statement, the group affirms its willingness to engage in jihad and armed struggle, arguing that “no peaceful and civil movement will bring benefits to our people”. The group aligns itself with the ideas of the Islamic State terrorist group: “We see ourselves working side by side with our brothers in the Islamic State”, stating that “their goal is our goal”.

This time, the statement is addressed not only to the Saudis, “the free people of the land of the Two Holy Mosques”, but to all Muslims, “the peoples of the Islamic world”:

“Following our previous announcement of the establishment of the first anti-state apparatus, based in the capital Riyadh, today we call on all free people to mobilise to support their brothers in this blessed movement, with their lives, money, weapons and every form of jihad and support, against the tyrannical apparatus of Ibn Salman. No peaceful change or civil movement will benefit our people, whose rights have been violated.

The Free Masked Movement emphasises the need to work for the unity of Muslims in general, countering the tyranny and oppression of this corrupt apparatus, taking a firm stance that will save the nation and purify the conscience before God, each according to their abilities. [...]

We, the Movement of Free Masked Men in the Arabian Peninsula, welcome and look forward to working side by side with our brothers in the blessed Islamic State, who preceded us on the battlefields and the path of jihad against corrupt regimes. Their goal is our goal, and their goal is our goal: to bring down this regime.

To the Saudi Ministry of the Interior, we reiterate our categorical refusal to negotiate or comply, and we reject any financial incentive that might persuade the movement to abandon its goals and appropriate the law to claim the usurped rights of the people”.

Daniele Garofalo is a researcher and analyst on Jihadist Terrorism, Islamist Insurgents and Armed Groups. He is an expert in Monitoring Jihadist Media Channels, Islamist rebels, and Armed Groups.

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