BADR BESET BY SCORPIONS

S E C R E T HILLAH 000086 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/1/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR IZ SUBJECT: BADR BESET BY SCORPIONS CLASSIFIED BY: Kenneth Hillas, PRT Leader, Babil PRT, Dept of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (S) On September 28, Babil - based SWAT commandos (the Scorpions) accompanied by U.S. Special Forces raided Badr's provincial HQ offices in Al-Hillah and confiscated illegal weapons, including 35 AK-47's, six rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, 30 mortar rounds (80m),three BKC's, five M5's (cut off handle AK's) and a large quantity of AK ammunition Badr personnel put up no resistance and no one was arrested. SWAT Commander Gen. Abbas told the PRT that he had expected to find IED's there but did not. The next day, Governor Salam (ISCI), who heads ISCI and Badr in Babil, summoned Abbas to his office. The Governor, who hates Abbas, was reportedly shaking with anger but did not lose his composure. He asked the reason for the raid and, offering a small bribe of 250,000 ID, tried to convince Abbas that there were permits for the weapons. He also tried to persuade Abbas to reassure the Americans that the weaponry was for legitimate self-defense. Abbas turned down the "award" offer and demurred on providing any further explanation. ¶2. (S) The general made clear his strong dislike of the sectarian parties (Dawa and ISCI),which he accused of "dragging Iraq backwards." Abbas indicated that he expects to carry out further raids with the aim of sowing divisions between ISCI and Dawa (Abbas hinted to the governor that the tip on the cache had come from a Dawa source). Abbas believes that Governor Salam and ISCI/Badr are getting weaker. At the same time, he predicted that the Governor would attempt to assassinate him or transfer him to another province. ¶3. (S) Comment: The raid is a positive sign that Badr is not above the law and that Abbas felt strong enough to carry out the raid. While operating within the law, Abbas' agenda is essentially political. His relations with IA and IP are strained, although his SWAT was nationalized (put under direct MOI command) earlier this year and no longer is under provincial direction of Police BG Fadhil Raddad. Abbas' goal of "pouring gas" on Dawa-ISCI conflict is risky, both for him and the province as it enters an election campaign. Governor Salam has avoided meeting and discussing these events with the PRT team leader. SIGNATURE