Iranian-backed militia Badr admits it killed, wounded thousands of protesters in Iraq in 2019

Hadi al-Amiri, a leader of the Iranian-backed Badr Organization, has publicly acknowledged his militia's role in suppressing anti-government protests in Iraq during 2019. In a recently circulated video, al-Amiri stated that the group acted to preserve the state and political system against what he characterized as the October fitna, or civil strife.

The 2019 demonstrations, known as the Tishreen movement, involved thousands of Iraqis protesting against government corruption, unemployment, and foreign influence. The admission confirms the militia's direct involvement in the violence that resulted in thousands of casualties among protesters, providing a rare official confirmation of the group's actions during the unrest.