The movement was formed by a number of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) leaders who converted to Shiism and were dissatisfied with the PIJ's leadership and with Hamas's position in the Yemeni Civil War, where it supported the Saudi-led intervention, and the Syrian Civil War, where it supported the opposition.

The group was described as an Iranian attempt to replace Hamas with a Shiite movement that shared its stance on Syria, and was added to the American list of Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organizations.

Salem was granted asylum in Iran, while ordinary members either returned to Sunni Islam and rejoined the PIJ or joined the Shiite Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba in Iraq.

The reasoning behind such move was that Hamas wanted to maintain peace with Israel, while Sabireen Movement refused any attempts at reconciliations.

[10] In 2021, Tehran Times "alleged" that Hisham Salim was granted asylum in Iran, while ordinary members of the group repented and converted to Sunni Islam and joined Al-Quds Brigades and/or some members had merged with Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba that operates charity in the Gaza Strip.