Rayan al-Kildani ريان الكلداني | |
|---|---|
 Rayan delivering a speech, 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 September 1989 Alqosh, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq |
| Political party | Babylon Movement |
Rayan Salem Sadiq Al-Kildani (Arabic: ريان سالم صادق الكلداني) known as Rayan al-Kildani (Arabic: ريان الكلداني, lit. 'Rayan the Chaldean') is an ethnic Assyrian politician from Iraq. He is currently serving as the general secretary of the Babylon Movement, as well as its military component, the Babylon Brigade. He rose to power after founding the party in 2014, which had initially been involved in defending the Nineveh Plains from ISIS when they were at their most active.[1]
Al-Kildani has received a multitude of scrutiny for the Babylon Brigade and its role in human rights violations. Videos of Rayan cutting of a prisoners ear have surfaced, and his movement has been known to loot homes in Assyrian villages such as Bartella.[2] On July 18, 2019, United States vice president Mike Pence announced the imposition of sanctions on al-Kildani on the basis of the Magnitsky Act, acknowledging his ties to the Popular Mobilization Forces and Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.[3][4]
- ^ "The Christian militia fighting IS". BBC.com. April 11, 2016.
- ^ "Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor: JULY 11 – JULY 18, 2019". Enabling Peace in Iraq Center.
- ^ "U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Iraqi Militia Leaders and Ex-Governors". nytimes.com.
- ^ "U.S. imposes sanctions on four Iraqis over human rights and corruption". reuters.com. July 18, 2019.