Badri 313 Battalion

The Badri 313 Battalion (Pashto: بدري ٣١٣ قطعه) is a unit of the Taliban.[7] 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".[8] In July and August 2021, the Taliban released online video on the Badri 313 Battalion in various local languages, English and Arabic.[9][10][11]

Badri 313 Battalion
بدري ٣١٣ قطعه
Active2018–present
CountryIslamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Allegiance Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
BranchAfghan Army
TypeSpecial forces[1][2]
RoleUrban warfare[3]
Military Training[3]
Protective security[4]
Size600-700 (2022 estimate)[5]
Garrison/HQSaladin Ayyubi Military Academy
PatronHibatullah Akhundzada
Motto(s)We Strike To Destroy, "Zuh my Zih (Kermat)" [6]
EquipmentList of equipment of the Afghan Armed Forces
EngagementsList of wars involving Afghanistan
Commanders
Current
commander		Hibatullah Akhundzada (Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan)
Aircraft flown
Attack helicopterMil Mi-17

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][12] an early Muslim military victory against the Quraysh which took place on March 13, 624.[13]

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. Al Qaeda's elite bodyguard and shock troops in the battlefield were known since the mid-2000s as the 313 Brigade. 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.[11][9] The Badri 313 Battalion were also reported as providing "security" at the Kabul Airport.[3][1]

The Badri 313 Battalion garnered worldwide attention after the Taliban victory in Afghanistan by mocking the US military by copying the Iwo Jima flag raising.[14]

Equipment

The battalion is equipped with camouflage uniforms, combat helmets, body armor, night-vision goggles, M4 carbines, sidearms and Humvees of US origin.[12] It is unclear how and where they acquired the equipment, either by corruption, seizure from surrendered Afghan National Army troops or simply by picking up those left behind by Afghan National Army .[12][15]

References
  1. Roggio, Bill; Joscelyn, Thomas (22 August 2021). "Taliban's special forces outfit providing 'security' at Kabul airport". Long War Journal. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  2. "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.
  3. Mustafa, Ali (26 August 2021). Taliban’s commandos: Badri 313 battalion. TRT World (Television production). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Youtube.
  4. "Explainer: What is Badri 313 unit? Taliban's so-called 'special force'". WION News. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  5. T. S. Tirumurti (May 26, 2022). "United Nations Security Council". www.undocs.org. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  6. "Battle of Badr".
  7. Farmer, Ben (19 August 2021). "Taliban release propaganda film of 'Badri 313' special forces squadron". The Telegraph.(subscription required)
  8. "Taliban shows off 'special forces' in propaganda blitz". France 24. AFP. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  9. "Taliban's special Badri 313 patrol Kabul streets in US gear | SAMAA". SAMAA TV. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  10. Islamic Emirate [@@alemara_ar] (28 July 2021). "Badri 313 camp" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Twitter.
  11. Islamic Emirate [@@alemara_ar] (18 August 2021). "Badri 313 secures sites" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Twitter.
  12. "طالبان کی جدید ترین 'بدری 313' فورس". Geo News Urdu (in Urdu). 20 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  13. Forgie, Adam (21 August 2021). "Elite Taliban special forces with United States gear, weapons seen patrolling Kabul". FOX 17. WZTV. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  14. "Taliban 'mock' US by copying famous WWII photo of troops raising flag at Iwo Jima". 22 August 2021.
  15. Hazari, Usama (23 August 2021). "Badri 313: Taliban 'special forces' spotted in high-tech equipment". Siasat Daily. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
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