Badri 313 Battalion
| Badri 313 Battalion | |
|---|---|
| بدري ٣١٣ قطعه | |
| Active | 2015–present |
| Country | Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Allegiance | Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Branch | Ministry of the Interior Haqqani network |
| Type | Special forces[1][2] |
| Role | Urban warfare[3] Military Training[3] Protective security[4] |
| Size | 600-700 (2022 estimate)[5] |
| Garrison/HQ | Saladin Ayyubi Military Academy |
| Mottos | We Strike To Destroy, "Zuh my Zih (Kermat)" [6] |
| Equipment | List of equipment of the Afghan Armed Forces |
| Engagements | List of wars involving Afghanistan |
| Commanders | |
| Interior Minister and Head of the Haqqani network | Sirajuddin Haqqani |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack helicopter | Mil Mi-17 |
The Badri 313 Battalion (Pashto: بدري ٣١٣ قطعه) is one of two special forces units of the Taliban.[7] The unit has been part of the Haqqani network since 2015, and has been incorporated into the Interior Ministry under Sirajuddin Haqqani since the Taliban's 2021 victory.[2][1][8]
Elite Taliban special forces units like the Badri 313 have been reported as being "critical in the taking over of Afghanistan".[9] In July and August 2021, the Taliban released online video on the Badri 313 Battalion in various local languages, English and Arabic.[10][11][12]
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][13] an early Muslim military victory against the Quraysh which took place on March 13, 624.[14]
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 special forces the "Badri Army". Units termed "Army of Badr" first carried out commando style raids, guerrilla warfare, and suicide attacks 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.[12][10] 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 Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.[15]
Equipment
The battalion is equipped with camouflage uniforms, combat helmets, body armor, night-vision goggles, M4 carbines, sidearms and Humvees of US origin.[13] It is unclear how and where they acquired the equipment, either by corruption, seizure from surrendered Afghan National Army (ANA) troops or simply by picking up those left behind by the ANA.[13][16]
References
- ^ a b c d e f 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.
- ^ a b c Mustafa, Ali (26 August 2021). Taliban’s commandos: Badri 313 battalion. TRT World (Television production). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Youtube.
- ^ "Explainer: What is Badri 313 unit? Taliban's so-called 'special force'". WION News. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ T. S. Tirumurti (May 26, 2022). "United Nations Security Council". www.undocs.org. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Battle of Badr".
- ^ Farmer, Ben (19 August 2021). "Taliban release propaganda film of 'Badri 313' special forces squadron". The Telegraph.(subscription required)
- ^ Mills, Peter (March 2024). "Taliban Governance in Afghanistan" (PDF). Institute for the Study of War. p. 16. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "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.
- بدري ۳۱۳ [@@badri313_army] (30 August 2021). "Badri 313 Special Forces" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via Twitter.
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