Badr Organization deputy head dies in car accident

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Deputy Secretary General of the Badr Organization Abu Maryam al-Ansari died in a fatal car accident in Maysan province’s Ali al-Sharqi town on Friday, Iraqi state media reported.

Media affiliated to Badr Organization reported that two other people who were in the car with Ansari had also died in the accident.

The pro-Iran Badr Organization was founded under the supervision of late Shiite cleric Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim in 1982 as a military wing of the Shiite opposition during Saddam Hussein’s reign, consisting of deserting soldiers and former officials who opposed Hussein regime. 

Secretary General of the organization Hadi al-Amiri, mourned Ansari’s death in a statement published by his office on Telegram, remembering the deputy for his role in the “jihad against the tyrant” and “tireless political work”.

“He was a sincere brother, a brave advocate, a companion in the path of his peers, and an example for the believers with insights connected to their sacred message,” read the statement from Amiri.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also offered his condolences for Ansari’s passing in a Twitter statement, lauding his role in the Iraqi political scene over the years.

“With his passing, we lost a figure who steadfastly fought the dictatorial regime and fought the terrorist gangs of ISIS (Islamic State) with courage,” said Kadhimi.

Abdulkarim Younis Ailan, nicknamed Abu Maryam al-Ansari, had been filling the position of Amiri’s deputy since 2007, and was also a former member of the Iraqi parliament.

He served as the municipalities and public works minister for over a year in 2014 during Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet, and was a part of the team that wrote up the draft for the 2005 Iraqi constitution.

Updated at 2:37 pm on May 6 with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's statement