◆ SpookStack

163I-HQ-1462938 interview, June 5, 2004]. AL-ZUBAYDI’s statements are inconsistent with media video footage showing the Iraqi forces use of helicopters and tanks to regain control in Southern Iraq. Additionally, there is video footage of AL-ZUBAYDI physically assaulting a detainee which contradicts his statement that he resolved the uprising in a peaceful manner. On March 1, 2004, a day after the United States ended its offensive military operations in Iraq, KAMAL MUSTAFA received orders from HUSSEIN KAMEL to take a regiment of Special Republican Guard (SRG) troops to Nasiriyah with AL-ZUBAYDI, reorganize the party and reassign responsibilities. This involved reappointing employees and selecting and assigning a new Governor. KAMAL MUSTAFA understood his instructions were to travel to Nasiriyah and establish command to run the Army at Nasiriyah. Once he met up with AL-ZUBAYDI, KAMAL MUSTAFA was to provide protection for AL-ZUBAYDI’s command, remain two days and turn the situation over to the special forces. His main task was to protect the command by setting up check points and securing the route of travel. Once secure, he was to use local units to replace his troops and withdraw. KAMAL, MUSTAFA was not told about rebels, revolution or uprising. He was never told to “clean up the cities.” The regiment that KAMAL MUSTAFA assembled to deploy to Nasiriyah consisted of four companies of infantry troops, a Support company and a headquarters company. These companies were made armed with light rifles, medium machine guns, RPGs, rocket launchers, and were accompanied by a mortar platoon, an air defense platoon and a 106 anti-tank gun element. Each company had a radio communication system. AL-ZUBAYDI arrived at the SRG Headquarters at 3:00 a.m., and the entire regiment departed Baghdad at 5:00a.m., southbound for Kut. The regiment traveled in a caravan. AL-ZUBAYDI and the command element traveled in the rear of the formation. One of HUSSEIN’s bodyguards traveled with the group. In Kut, the group learned from a party member that there was a disturbance in Al-Hayy. The Governor informed them that the Mayor was missing and that party members had been killed. The regiment came under fire as they arrived outside of Al-Hayy. They responded with RPG and light weapons fire. AL- ZUBAYDI decided the regiment should deploy. The regiment broke up and deployed, with two companies deployed on line and prepared to retaliate. An hour later, the regiment entered the city. 76