Scorpions (Iraq)
Encyclopedia
Scorpions A paramilitary
force of Iraq
is, set up by the United States Central Intelligence Agency
prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
.
in target identification, explosives and small arms at two secret bases. Weapons and equipment (including old Soviet Hind
helicopters) were supplied by the CIA. Most members were recruited from the Iraqi exile community by Iraqi Kurds.
The original mission of the Scorpions was to foment rebellion
in Iraq prior to the US led invasion. However, due to training delays, little of this mission was ever achieved. Following the war, the CIA began using the Scorpions in anti-insurgency roles, and for interrogations of prisoners.
The Scorpions have been implicated in the events that led to the death of Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush
while in US captivity. These events included the use of physical and psychological torture
under the auspices of a US CIA operative identified only as "Brian".
That the Scorpions original mission was to start, or give the appearance of a rebellion against the regime of Saddam Hussein's
Ba'ath Party, makes their involvement in the death of Mowoush significant. It is not clear at what point the Scorpions became involved in the interrogation of US held prisoners. However, this appears to tie in with the US policy of extraordinary rendition
.
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
force of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
is, set up by the United States Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
.
History
The covert members were trained in JordanJordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
in target identification, explosives and small arms at two secret bases. Weapons and equipment (including old Soviet Hind
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
helicopters) were supplied by the CIA. Most members were recruited from the Iraqi exile community by Iraqi Kurds.
The original mission of the Scorpions was to foment rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
in Iraq prior to the US led invasion. However, due to training delays, little of this mission was ever achieved. Following the war, the CIA began using the Scorpions in anti-insurgency roles, and for interrogations of prisoners.
The Scorpions have been implicated in the events that led to the death of Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush
Abed Hamed Mowhoush
Abed Hamed Mowhoush was a major general / air vice-marshal believed to be in command of the Iraqi Air Force or Iraqi air defence during the regime of Saddam Hussein immediately prior to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, until his surrender to United States forces on 10 November 2003. He died on 26...
while in US captivity. These events included the use of physical and psychological torture
Torture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
under the auspices of a US CIA operative identified only as "Brian".
That the Scorpions original mission was to start, or give the appearance of a rebellion against the regime of Saddam Hussein's
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
Ba'ath Party, makes their involvement in the death of Mowoush significant. It is not clear at what point the Scorpions became involved in the interrogation of US held prisoners. However, this appears to tie in with the US policy of extraordinary rendition
Extraordinary rendition
Extraordinary rendition is the abduction and illegal transfer of a person from one nation to another. "Torture by proxy" is used by some critics to describe situations in which the United States and the United Kingdom have transferred suspected terrorists to other countries in order to torture the...
.
Sources
- Before the War, CIA Reportedly Trained a Team of Iraqis to Aid U.S.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201579.html
- Documents Tell of Brutal Improvisation by GIs http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201941.html