Congress: US bill calls for designating Badr Organization as a terrorist

The US Congress is seeking to enact new legislation that would punish one of the largest "terrorist" groups in Iraq affiliated with Iran and responsible for the deadly attacks that targeted US personnel stationed in Baghdad, according to a copy of the bill obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Bacon newspaper.

The newspaper said that a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Joe Wilson, is leading this effort that would include the pro-Iranian Badr Organization as a "terrorist organization."

And the Badr Organization, according to the newspaper, is responsible for the deadly strikes that targeted US embassy officials stationed in Baghdad, including the attack last year that prompted the Trump administration to target Soleimani, knowing that this organization is still part of the Iraqi government and security services.

This legislation is likely to have widespread support from Republicans and Democrats, who continue to view Iran's activity in Iraq as a direct threat to America and its diplomacy in the region.

Sanctions could complicate the scene for the incoming Biden administration, which seeks to renew discussions with Iran over its nuclear program, and Iranian leaders have said they will not sit down with the next administration until US sanctions are lifted and Tehran is granted a monetary exemption from its ailing economy.

Wilson told the newspaper: “The Badr Organization is working directly with the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and many terrorist organizations. Unfortunately, Badr has not yet been classified as a foreign terrorist organization. Pressure on Iran to designate Badr as a terrorist organization. "

Wilson hopes that the US State Department will include the Badr Organization in the list of terrorist organizations before the first anniversary of the December 2019 attack on the US embassy in Baghdad.

The Badr Organization continues to play a role in the Iraqi government as part of the country's Popular Mobilization Forces, a group of around 40 groups that work with the government on security matters.

The legislation requires the US government to disclose whether US aid has directly or indirectly benefited the Badr Organization.

The Badr Organization is currently led by Hadi al-Amiri, an “Iraqi fighter with close ties to the Iranian and Iraqi government,” and the Foreign Ministry identified al-Amiri as one of the organizers of the 2019 embassy attack.

T/S

ANHA