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The U.S. presence in Iraq is helping Sunnis and Shi'ites overcome their differences, but not in the way Condoleeza Rice hoped. And once the U.S. leaves Iraq, those resources now being spent on jihad against the the U.S., Israel, and the West in general will be much more occupied instead by the Sunni-Shi'ite jihad in Iraq.
"U.S. suspects that Iran aids both Sunni and Shiite militias," by Alissa J. Rubin for the New York Times:
BAGHDAD, April 11 — Arms that American military officials say appear to have been manufactured in Iran as recently as last year have turned up in the past week in a Sunni-majority area, the chief spokesman for the American military command in Iraq said Wednesday in a news conference.
The spokesman, Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, said that detainees in American custody had indicated that Iranian intelligence operatives had given support to Sunni insurgents and that surrogates for the Iranian intelligence service were training Shiite extremists in Iran. He gave no further description of the detainees and did not say why they would have that information.
“We have in fact found some cases recently where Iranian intelligence sources have provided to Sunni insurgent groups some support,” said General Caldwell, who sat near a table crowded with weapons that he said the military contended were largely of Iranian manufacture.
The weapons were found in a mostly Sunni neighborhood in Baghdad, he said, a rare instance of the American military suggesting any link between Iran and the Sunni insurgency. It has recently suggested a link with Shiite militants in Iraq.
The accusation of a link between the Iranian intelligence service and Sunni Arab insurgents is new. The American military has contended in the past that elements in Iran have given Shiite militants powerful Iranian-made roadside bombs known as explosively formed penetrators, and training in their use.
Critics have cast doubt on the American military statements about those bombs, saying the evidence linking them to Iran was circumstantial and inferential.
The weapons displayed on Wednesday were more conventional, and officials pointed to markings on them that they said indicated Iranian manufacture.
[...]
In his statement, General Caldwell renewed American contentions that Iran was not doing enough to stop weapons from being moved into Iraq from outside.
It is unclear from the military’s comments on Wednesday whether it is possible to draw conclusions about how the weapons that the military contends are of Iranian origin might have made their way into a predominantly Sunni area or why Shiite Iran would arm Sunni militants.
There are several possibilities, military officials who were not authorized to speak publicly for attribution said privately. One is that they came through Syria, long a transit route for Iranian-made weapons being funneled to the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah. Another possibility is that arms dealers are selling to every side in the conflict.
The weapons on the table next to General Caldwell were found two days ago, the general said, after a resident of the predominantly Sunni Arab neighborhood called Jihad, in western Baghdad, informed the local Joint Security Station run by Iraqi and American soldiers that there were illegal arms in the area.
The neighborhood association might consider changing the name to "Inner Spiritual Struggle" for PR purposes.
Posted by Marisol at April 13, 2007 7:18 AM
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“We have in fact found some cases recently where Iranian intelligence sources have provided to Sunni insurgent groups some support,” said General Caldwell, who sat near a table crowded with weapons that he said the military contended were largely of Iranian manufacture.
Chaos brings the 12th Imam out of his foul well. Iran sows chaos in Iraq for a test run of the chaos it will generate once it gets nuclear weapons. Chaos brings Ahmadinejad's Mahdi and the Shi'ite apocalypse
Posted by: dennisw![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 13, 2007 7:30 AM
It is not in Iran's interest to have a prosperous and free Republic next door, which is mostly Shiite, and yet does not bow to the Iranian mullah theocracy
Posted by: PapaBear at April 13, 2007 7:53 AM
"Critics have cast doubt on the American military statements about those bombs, saying the evidence linking them to Iran was circumstantial and inferential."
.....the dead American bodies and the now non existant arms and legs can attest to the bombs effectiveness. The indentification of the bombs and weapons found by the Americans clearly identify where they were made, it is also clear that Iran is willingly transportating them to Iraq, the Americans have intercepted some shipments along the Iran/Iraq border, the Americans have captured important Iranians who have given testimony about the weapon manufacure and delivery, other intelligence agencies have likewise uncovered such evidence.....It has been discovered that the Iraqi terrorists have been receiving training in Iran on how to use these weapons....critics who say the evidence is circumstantians an inferential are complete moron...and probable anti-war, move on . org, leftist , surrender at all cost types...
....there is no doubt....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at April 13, 2007 8:37 AM
Iran suspects that the US aids Sunnis, shiites, kurds, Gulf states, Israel, Pakistani insurgents, Afgan warlords...etc
Posted by: idn batutta at April 13, 2007 8:42 AM
"Iran suspects that the US aids Sunnis, shiites, kurds, Gulf states, Israel, Pakistani insurgents, Afgan warlords...etc
Posted by: idn batutta "
,,,,that is correct....the US provides food,water,clothing,medicine,foreign aid, rebuilds hospitals, bridges, and homes destroyed by Muslims. The US provides things to improve life (sometimes even to those who fight us..)...
...what are Muslims suppling...rifles, bullets, bombs, hate, and death...
Posted by: exsgtbrown at April 13, 2007 8:50 AM
It occurred to me the other day that the Sunni-Shiite divide and how old it is and how unsolvable it is was getting way too much play in the media. That it would not look good PR wise for the Western minds to realise that it is about the religion and not about all the other things they are wont to claim.
So the best way to counter that is to let it be known that Iran is supporting both sides.
I really think that if they didn't want our troops to know they were being killed by armaments coming from Iran, there would be ways around being so blatant. They are taunting us (Iran).
They Want an excuse to get a major shootout going and we will be the bad guys. I will sit up all nite to watch the televised bombing of Tehran. In the early 80's I knew Embassy personnel who had been in the US Embassy in Tehran.
at April 13, 2007 9:29 AM
It's another case of, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
This time, the United States is the perceived enemy...
Cheers,
http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com
Posted by: Doctor Bulldog at April 13, 2007 10:47 AM
The press conference was televised. General Caldwell looked like a beaten puppy.
It is not fair for the President to set unachievable goals and then place all of the responsibility on the Generals for achieving them. Don’t be surprised to see some public dissent from within the ranks. What a raw deal.
at April 13, 2007 11:29 AM
The US does not suspect Iran. It has proof and knows Iran is fomenting the lion's share of this.
That is why there terrorist diplomat was returned to let the Iranians know their bird sang.
Posted by: Lame Cherry at April 13, 2007 1:13 PM
Iran is sure that the US aids Sunnis, shiites, kurds, Gulf states, Israel, Pakistani insurgents, Afgan warlords...etc and all the so-called "moderate muslims" who are nothing but a bunch of "good" dictators who are lackeys of the US and enjoy zero popularity in their countries.
Now you can go to sleep
at April 13, 2007 2:24 PM
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