Badri 313: The Taliban’s special operations unit | The Daily Pioneer

The Taliban’s special operations unit, Badri 313, has been seen patrolling around Kabul wearing tactical armor and carrying United States military weapons. The Badri were reportedly instrumental in the securing of government buildings and have been guarding Hamid Karzai International Airport since the fall of the capital city. Named after the Battle of Badr in which the Prophet Muhammad led a victorious effort with only 313 men, the Badri 313 represents an improvement in Taliban military training even if their gear or weapons aren’t always worn or handled properly. Estimates from NATO and the UN put the Taliban’s annual income at around $1.5 billion. A wide spectrum of hardware was left in Afghanistan the Taliban will surely look to either utilize or sell.