Badr Organization
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Iraq
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Ratified constitution See also: Kurdish Autonomous Region |
The Badr Organization originally the Badr Brigade is the armed wing of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. Headed by Hadi Al-Amiri it participated in the 2005 Iraqi election as part of the United Iraqi Alliance coalition.
Based in and around Karbala it effectively rules that city and other parts of southern Iraq. It has played a leading role in fighting insurgents there. The government of Iyad Allawi has accused the Badr Organization of assassinating Iraqi intelligence officers on behalf of Iran, something the organization strenuously denies. The brigade was based in Iran for two decades during the rule of Saddam Hussein. It consisted of several thousand Iraqi exiles, refugees, and defectors who fought alongside Iran in the Iran-Iraq War.
Returning to Iraq following the 2003 coalition invasion the group changed its name from brigade to organization. It has pledged to give up its arms when the security situation is resolved. While the organization has lessened the burden on coalition troops there have also been tensions between the two. There have been reports of gun battles between the organization and British troops that are occupying the area.