Badri 313 Battalion
| Badri 313 Battalion | |
|---|---|
| د بدري ۳۱۳ ځانګړي کمونډو واحد | |
| Country | Afghanistan |
| Allegiance |  Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Branch | Islamic Emirate Army |
| Type | Special forces[1][2][3] |
| Role | Urban warfare[4] Suicide attack[4] Protective security[5] |
| Garrison/HQ | Saladin Ayyubi Military Academy |
| Patron | Hibatullah Akhundzada |
| Motto(s) | We Strike To Destroy |
| Engagements | 2021 Taliban offensive |
The Badri 313 Battalion (Pashto: د بدري ۳۱۳ ځانګړي کمونډو واحد) is an elite military unit of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.[6] The unit's name is closely associated with the Haqqani network, which has reportedly provided them with training.[2][1] Elite Taliban units like the Badri 313 have been reported as being "critical in the taking over of Afghanistan".[7] The Taliban's other elite unit is the Red Unit.[1] In July and August 2021, the Taliban released online video on the Badri 313 Battalion in various local languages, English and Arabic.[8][9][10]
The Badri 313 Brigade is Headquartered at Salahaddin Ayyubi Military Operations Academy.
Name
This unit is named after the Prophet Muhammad's army of 313 men at the Battle of Badr,[1][11] an early Muslim military victory against the Quraysh which took place on March 13, 624.[12]
History
The Haqqani network holds an important position within the Taliban's military as well as high command. The Haqqanis have traditionally called their elite forces the "Badri Army", and emphasized that these troops are ideologically closely aligned with al-Qaeda. Units termed "Army of Badr" first carried out suicide attacks and raids on positions associated with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its allies in 2011.[1]
The Badri 313 Battalion first emerged in the late stages of the Taliban insurgency, notably taking part in an attack on British security company G4S's Kabul compound in November 2018.[1] After the 2021 Fall of Kabul, the Taliban reported that the Badri 313 Battalion were securing the Arg (the Afghani Presidential Palace) and other important sites in the city.[10][8] The Badri 313 Battalion were also reported as providing "security" at the Kabul Airport.[4][1]
The Babri 313 Battalion garnered worldwide attention after the Taliban victory in Afghanistan by mocking the US military by copying the Iwo Jima flag raising.[13]
Equipment
The battalion is equipped with camouflage uniforms, combat helmets, body armor, night-vision goggles, M4 carbines, sidearms and Humvees.[11] It is unclear how and where they acquired the equipment, either by corruption, seizure from surrendered Afghan troops or simply by picking up those left behind by American troops.[11][14]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Roggio, Bill; Joscelyn, Thomas (22 August 2021). "Taliban's special forces outfit providing 'security' at Kabul airport". Long War Journal. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Taliban mocks US by recreating the famous picture of soldiers raising the Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima". The Telegraph. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ بدري ۳۱۳ [@@badri313_army] (30 August 2021). "Badri 313 Special Forces" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Mustafa, Ali (26 August 2021). Taliban’s commandos: Badri 313 battalion. TRT World (Television production). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Youtube.
- ^ "Badri 313 Unit: Know All About Taliban Special Forces Badri 313 Heavily Armed Commando With US Weapon". MCEZone. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ Farmer, Ben (19 August 2021). "Taliban release propaganda film of 'Badri 313' special forces squadron". The Telegraph.(subscription required)
- ^ "Taliban shows off 'special forces' in propaganda blitz". France 24. AFP. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Taliban's special Badri 313 patrol Kabul streets in US gear | SAMAA". SAMAA TV. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Islamic Emirate [@@alemara_ar] (28 July 2021). "Badri 313 camp" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Islamic Emirate [@@alemara_ar] (18 August 2021). "Badri 313 secures sites" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "طالبان کی جدید ترین 'بدری 313' فورس". Geo News Urdu (in Urdu). 20 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Forgie, Adam (21 August 2021). "Elite Taliban special forces with United States gear, weapons seen patrolling Kabul". FOX 17. WZTV. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Taliban 'mock' US by copying famous WWII photo of troops raising flag at Iwo Jima". 22 August 2021.
- ^ Hazari, Usama (23 August 2021). "Badri 313: Taliban 'special forces' spotted in high-tech equipment". Siasat Daily. Retrieved 29 August 2021.