Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD4149
2005-10-09 07:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

EMBOFFS TO BADR CORPS HEAD: DO NOT CONDUCT ARMED

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PINR IZ 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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).

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