| Badri 313 Battalion | |
|---|---|
| بدري ٣١٣ قطعه | |
 | |
| Active | 2018–present |
| Country | Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Allegiance |  Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Branch | Afghan Army |
| Type | Special forces[1][2] |
| Role | Air assault Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Bodyguard Clandestine operation Close-quarters battle Counterinsurgency Counterterrorism Desert warfare Force protection Irregular warfare Maneuver warfare Military education and training Mountain warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Screening Special operations Special reconnaissance Suicide attack Tracking Urban warfare |
| Size | 600-700 (2022 estimate)[3] |
| Garrison/HQ | Saladin Ayyubi Military Academy |
| Patron | Hibatullah Akhundzada |
| Mottos | We Strike To Destroy, "Zuh my Zih (Kermat)"[4] |
| Equipment | List of equipment of the Afghan Armed Forces |
| Engagements | List of wars involving Afghanistan |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Hibatullah Akhundzada (Leader of the Islamic Emirate ofAfghanistan) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack helicopter | Mil Mi-17 |
TheBadri 313 Battalion (Pashto:بدري ٣١٣ قطعه) is one of two special forces units of theTaliban.[5] The unit's name is closely associated with theHaqqani network, which has reportedly provided them with training.[2][1]
Elite Taliban special forces units like the Badri 313 have been reported as being "critical in the taking over of Afghanistan".[6] In July and August 2021, the Taliban released online video on the Badri 313 Battalion in various local languages, English and Arabic.[7][8][9]
The Badri 313 Brigade is headquartered at Salahaddin Ayyubi Military Operations Academy.[citation needed]
This unit is named after theProphet Muhammad's army of 313 men at theBattle of Badr,[1][10] an early Muslim military victory against theQuraysh which took place on March 13, 624.[11]
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 theIslamic Republic of Afghanistan and its allies in 2011.[1]
The Badri 313 Battalion first emerged in the late stages of theTaliban insurgency, notably taking part in an attack on British security companyG4S's Kabul compound in November 2018.[1] After the2021 Fall of Kabul, the Taliban reported that the Badri 313 Battalion were securing theArg (the Afghani Presidential Palace) and other important sites in the city.[9][7] The Badri 313 Battalion were also reported as providing "security" at theKabul Airport.[12][1]
The Badri 313 Battalion garnered worldwide attention after the Taliban victory in Afghanistan by mocking the US military by copying theRaising the Flag on Iwo Jima.[13]
The battalion is equipped withcamouflage uniforms,combat helmets,body armor,night-vision goggles,M4 carbines,sidearms andHumvees of US origin.[10] 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.[10][14]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)