Declassified by MG Michael X Garrett USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on 201505 St Rl b TO USA and MCFIU20150611 I SCIRI and the Badr Organization in Najaf Province ____ _1_A_b_ _ 11 June 2005 I el ea se SI REL Background 1 4b lin Najaf by utilizing SCIRI and its militant wing the Badr Organization SCIRI or the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq is a political organization that operated from during the Saddam era The Badr Organization previously the Badr Corps is the aramilitar win of SCIRI that received trainin and salary support from the 1 4b SCIRI and Badr work within coalition-backed structures by placing members on town councils and in security forces SCIRI had a strong showing in national provincial and council elections allowing many of its members into high level government positions including the cabinet position for the Ministry of Interior The Badr Organization has taken a more political approach since the elections of late January and has increased in favor across southern Iraq Together these two organizations are attempting to shape Iraq according to their agendas by infiltrating Iraqi Security Forces ISF and purging members of the ISF not loyal to SCIRI a method used during the Saddam era to maintain power and control ed fo rR SI REL Influence in Najaf Province SCIRI continues attempts to control the security forces at the local and provincial levels by recruiting SCIRI sympathizers Despite appointments to the Najaf security forces made by the SCIRl-affiliated Minister of Interior MOI the Najaf governor Assad Altase Abu Gilal and chief lice are installing their own appointments In one case MOl-appointedl b 6l was arrested in April for mutiny and human rights violations after reportedly complaining of payroll corruption to the MOI The deputy governor of the province reportedly sympathetic to SCIRI is now the acting chief of police Ap pr ov SI REL The Badr Organization has distanced itself from its militant heritage since the success of the elections even toning down its name from Corps to Organization to prevent being associated as a militia Badr members with the help of SCIRI leadership are filling both high ranking and mid-level provincial security positions within the ISF in order to expand their influence SI REL SCIRI and Sadr The Sadr Bureau an increasingly influential Shi'a organization led b Mu tada Al Sadr has generally been in opposition to SCIRI 1 4b Friction exists between both organizations despite strong as they vie for public support for their organizations Sadr is reaching for greater support by increasing his rel igious stature and adopting legitimate political measures Most recently Sadr acted as a mediator between SCIRI and the MUC I Sh'REL Assessment Citizens in Najaf are suspicious of causing SCIRI and Badr members to hesitate on relying too heavil or support Both organizations have taken measures to assure the citizens of Najaf Province that they are not being manipulated by While does provide fund ing for St Rl b TO USA and MCFIU20050611 I Declassified by MG Michael X Garrett USCENTCOM Chief of Staff Declassified on 201505 St Rl b TO USA and MCFIU20150611 the organizations reporting indicates that the organizations are looking to move 1 4b las the emerging Iraqi government matures away from I One way SCIRI may try to gain more popularity among the Shia may include a name change If SCIRI decides to change names it would likely happen before upcoming December elections in order to change public perception ofl 1 4b I 1 4b among SCIRI members Another possible COA could include dissolving the Badr Organization with members filling security positions throughout the province and other Shia dominated areas in order to show non-supporters they 1 4b 1- SCIRI will continue to influence governmental are no longe and security positions by placing more members in mid level governmental positions throughout An Najaf province The Badr Organization will conduct more positive public activities in order to increase support for their organization Future Badr operations against MNF and ISF IVO An Najaf will be limited to covert intelligence collecting b_J 6_l _ _ I_ _ el MNC-1 C2 CACE Future Intelligence Section DSN ea se I rR Sources Ap pr ov ed fo 1 4c St Rl b TO USA and MCFIU20050611 ___