EMBOFFS TO BADR CORPS HEAD: DO NOT CONDUCT ARMED

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004149 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR IZ SUBJECT: EMBOFFS TO BADR CORPS HEAD: DO NOT CONDUCT ARMED OPERATIONS Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT FORD FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) In an October 4 meeting to discuss Sunni allegations of persecution by Badr Corps militia members, MOI Senior Advisor James Yellin warned Badr Organization leader and SCIRI TNA member Hadi al-Amari that militias must not conduct operations during the run-up to the referendum on the constitution or any subsequent time. Yellin added that militias should instead cooperate with IP, ISF, and MNF-I forces to help protect all Iraqis, including the Shia. Any information Badr Organization could provide on militia activities would be appreciated. PolOff added that militia operations risked destabilizing all of Iraq. ¶2. (C) Hadi al-Amari insisted that Badr Organization was not engaging in illegal militia operations. He said that he was a politician, and therefore desired law and order. He added that he wanted militias to be joined with IP and ISF, but MNF-I was opposed. To highlight his frustration, Hadi rhetorically offered to turn command of Badr Corps over to Yellin so that Yellin could integrate it into ISF and IP. Yellin declined this offer, saying that current USG policy is to oppose the integration of militias into the IP and ISF as units. Rather, militia members must join as individuals. Amari stated that Badr Corps desires only peace and does not wish to fight with other militias nor with MNF-I. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Despite Amari's assurances, the Badr Organization remains actively engaged in violent operations. Badr Corps's August 24 clash with Jaysh al- Mahdi demonstrated their continued ability and willingness to resort to violence. END COMMENT. Khalilzad