Iraq to Form Committee to Document Iranian Interference By Jim Garamone

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2008 - American Forces Press Service

The Iraqi government will form a committee to document Iranian interference inside Iraq, an Iraqi government spokesman said in Baghdad yesterday.
Ali al-Dabbagh spoke during a news conference with Multinational Force Iraq spokesman Navy Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll. The Iraqi leader spoke after representatives of the Iraqi United Alliance party returned from Iran, where they met with officials in Tehran about Iranian interference in Iraq. "The Iraqi government thinks the positive relationship with Iran is through the elected government," Dabbagh said through an interpreter. "There shouldn't be any financing [or] training for any other side outside the government." Coalition and Iraqi officials have accused Iran of training and financing Shiite Iraqi militant elements that coalition military officials call "special groups." Iran also has smuggled arms -- including explosively formed projectiles designed to pierce armored vehicles -- into Iraq. Extremists are using these weapons against coalition and Iraqi security forces and against innocent Iraqi civilians, officials said. Illegal militias are a large problem especially in Shiite areas of the country. "It is not possible that there is a parallel force outside the government," Dabbagh said. "No institute or party can share responsibility with the government. We should be a government of institutions that respect the law and not a government that allows militias and chaos." Iraq wants good relations with Iran, and the visit by the Iraqi United Alliance members helped with that dialogue, the spokesman said. "The mission has been successful, and both sides understand we need security and stability in Iraq," Dabbagh said. "There can be no stability in Iran unless there is stability in Iraq. That is the message that has been sent and received." Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has ordered a committee to document any Iranian interference in Iraq's affairs. "The committee will examine all allegations and prove whether this country is trying to interfere or not," Dabbagh said. Multinational Force Iraq "is supporting all venues that lead to good dialogue and a peaceful resolution," Driscoll said. The admiral also noted a downturn in high-profile al-Qaida attacks in Iraq in April. This reverses the trend since January. "These attacks are used by al-Qaida to try to incite sectarian violence," Driscoll said. "But by and large, I think the Iraqi people have rejected that failed ideology." Al-Qaida is being squeezed out of Iraq, as the terror group neither holds swaths of territory nor controls cities, the admiral said. "But they do remain a very lethal threat and actively pursued out in Anbar, the Diyala River valley and up in Mosul," he said. The U.S. drawdown continues on schedule, Driscoll said, with the last of the U.S. surge brigades set to leave Iraq by mid-summer. "There will be a period of about 45 days where we are going to consolidate and evaluate the situation on the ground and then continue withdrawing troops," he said. Any further U.S. withdrawal after the final surge brigades leave will be conditions-based, he noted. "[Commanders will] work closely with Iraqi security forces and with the government of Iraq to make that assessment," he said.

Hezbollah Training Iraqi Shiite Extremists in Iran
May 06, 2008 The Associated Press Patrick Quinn

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Shiite extremists are being trained by members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in camps near Tehran, a U.S. military spokesman said Monday.Iraqis are receiving the training at camps operated by the Quds Force, an elite unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps that has been accused of training and funneling weapons to Shiite extremists in Iraq, Air Force Col. Donald Bacon, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, told The Associated Press."We have multiple detainees who state Lebanese Hezbollah are providing training to Iraqis in Iranian IRGC-QF training camps near Tehran," Bacon said.The Quds Force is also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force, or IRGC-QF. Al-Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem.The Quds Force is believed to operate overseas, helping to create the militant Shiite Hezbollah group in 1982 in Lebanon and to arm Bosnian Muslims during the Balkan wars.The first reports of Hezbollah training of Shiite extremists emerged in March 2007, when U.S. forces captured Qais Khazali, the senior Special Groups leader for Iraq, and Ali Mussa Daqduq, a senior Lebanese Hezbollah commander captured along with him. The arrests took place in the Shiite holy city of Karbala."Ali Mussa Daqduq confirmed Lebanese Hezbollah were providing training to Iraqi Special Group members in Iran and that his role was to assess the quality of training and make recommendations on how the training could be improved," Bacon told The AP in an e-mail.Since then, Bacon said, "we have captured other Iraqis who have discussed their training in Iran and who state many of their instructors were Lebanese Hezbollah."The U.S. has accused Iran of supporting Shiite militias in Iraq. But Iran, which is predominantly Shiite like Iraq, has blamed violence in the war-torn country on the U.S. presence.U.S. and Iraqi forces have for the past six weeks battled Shiite extremists in Baghdad and the southern city of Basra. Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting against the so-called "special groups" that have broken away from anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia.Iran said Monday it would not hold a new round of talks with the U.S. on security in Iraq until American forces end their assault against Shiite militias.Iraq's government spokesman said Sunday that the crackdown will continue even if Iran pulls out of the talks.A five-member Iraqi delegation was sent to Tehran last week to try to choke off suspected Iranian aid to militiamen. They met with Gen. Ghassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, but no clear details emerged from the meeting.

Iraqi, Coalition Forces Detain 15 Suspected Terrorists American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2008 - Iraqi and coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals, while targeting al-Qaida operations throughout Iraq today.
-- In two coordinated operations 60 miles north of Baghdad, coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists, including a wanted man believed to work in the foreign-terrorist-facilitation network. When coalition forces arrived at the target building, three suspects crept out the back and into tactical positions behind a vehicle. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent from the men and called for supporting aircraft to engage them. One suspected terrorist was wounded in the engagement and taken to a military medical facility. -- Iraqi and coalition forces in Kirkuk captured a wanted man believed to distribute extremist propaganda and work with al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists. -- In Tarmiyah, 25 miles north of Baghdad, coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting a terrorist tied to several al-Qaida in Iraq networks in central Iraq. -- While targeting an al-Qaida operative in Mosul who coordinates attacks against them, coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist. "Iraqi and coalition efforts to stop the violence al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists inflict on Iraqi citizens continue in earnest," said Army Lt. Col. Maura Gillen, a Multinational Force Iraq spokeswoman. "We are working with the elected government to help provide a more secure future for the Iraqi people." In other news from Iraq, Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers killed nine criminals and discovered weapons caches during night operations in Baghdad yesterday and today. -- At about 6:35 p.m., soldiers from 11th Iraqi Army Division discovered six rocket-propelled grenades and two explosively formed projectiles in New Baghdad. -- Iraqi army soldiers from 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, discovered 32 81 mm mortar rounds while on patrol west of Baghdad at about 7 p.m. -- At about 7 p.m., Iraqi national policemen from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st National Police Division, discovered a weapons cache in the courtyard of the Imam Ali Mosque in the Ghadier neighborhood of Baghdad. The police found five explosively formed projectiles, two improvised explosive devices, five rocket rails, three grenades and numerous rounds of various ammunitions. Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, provided a security cordon outside the mosque. -- At about 9:20 p.m., Iranian-trained "special groups" fighters fired upon a barrier emplacement team in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. An aerial weapons team was called in support of troops in contact and fired one Hellfire missile, eliminating the criminal threat. -- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, currently attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Iraqi army soldiers from the 11th Iraqi Army Division, were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades in Sadr City. Iraqi army soldiers engaged the dismounted criminals with RPGs, and soldiers from 1-64 Armor fired two M1A2 Abrams tank rounds, killing six criminals. -- At about 2:50 a.m., an aerial weapons team witnessed criminals emplacing an improvised explosive device in New Baghdad. The team fired two Hellfire missiles and killed three criminals. "Iraqi security forces and U.S. soldiers are working side by side to eliminate the criminal elements, discovering and seizing weapons caches and capturing or killing criminals involved in violent attacks against innocent Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces," said Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff of Multinational Division Baghdad and 4th Infantry Division. "They put their lives on the line daily for the Iraqi people; they are all heroes." Also yesterday, an improvised explosive device struck an emergency services unit of the Kirkuk police force at about 9 a.m. One member of the unit was killed, and seven were wounded in the attack. An explosive ordnance detachment and quick reactionary force immediately responded to the scene of the attack, which occurred on a popular thoroughfare frequented by morning commuters. "These cowards will utilize any means necessary to stop the attempts by the courageous people of Kirkuk and its [Iraqi security forces] to bring about peace and stability to their city," said Army Col. David Paschal, commander of 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. "It's too late. These tactics will only strengthen the resolve of its citizens and the ISF that protect them. There are no more places to run and hide for these violent criminals." In other operations yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers killed two criminals and discovered two weapons caches in Baghdad. -- At about 5:15 a.m., soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered a weapons cache containing 60 mm mortar rounds, a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, an RPG warhead, a light anti-tank weapon, a PKC light machine gun, an RPG fuse and PKC rounds. -- At about 8 a.m., soldiers with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, discovered two large containers filled with 7.62 mm rounds while on a combat patrol. -- At about 10:30 a.m. in the eastern Baghdad neighborhood of Ur, a Multinational Division Baghdad patrol was attacked by criminals using small-arms fire. The soldiers returned fire and killed one special groups criminal. -- At about 11:50 a.m., a Multinational Division Baghdad patrol received small-arms fire at a joint security station in southern Sadr City. An air weapons team fired two Hellfire missiles on the criminals' position. The team engaged with a third missile when the small-arms fire continued. There was no further contact. -- At about 2:40 p.m. in the eastern Baghdad neighborhood of Jamilla, an unmanned aerial vehicle observed two special groups criminals emplacing an improvised explosive device in the median of the roadway. An air weapons team engaged the two, killing one and wounding the other. The wounded criminal was loaded into a vehicle and evacuated by other criminals. The IED was destroyed in the strike. "The MND-B soldiers represent the best of our nation and are true professionals," Batschelet said. "They can transition from engaging a hostile enemy to providing assistance to the Iraqi people. They are warriors, peacekeepers and humanitarians." Elsewhere yesterday, terrorists attacked Iraqi army members manning a security checkpoint in Diyala Province. Ten Iraqi army soldiers were killed and 13 were wounded. The wounded were evacuated to a nearby medical facility. "Attacks of this nature against those who are working to protect the citizens of Iraq and make the new Iraq safer for all citizens are yet another example of the barbarous nature of al-Qaida in Iraq," said Army Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, a Multinational Division North spokeswoman. In a separate operation yesterday, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained 15 suspects while conducting night operations in the New Baghdad district of eastern Baghdad. Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, detained 15 suspects and seized bomb-making materials as well as a large amount of Iranian currency. Seven of the 15 detainees were held for questioning. "Operations to enforce the rule of law, detain criminal elements and disrupt their networks continue across Baghdad," said Army Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a Multinational Division Baghdad spokesman. "We are chipping away at their ability to intimidate innocent Iraqis and conduct their criminal activities." Iraqi counterterrorism force teams advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers engaged special groups criminals conducting a small-arms-fire attack in Baghdad in two separate operations May 4 and yesterday, killing seven and detaining two. During the May 4 operation, Iraqi forces killed one special groups fighter who was attacking an Iraqi police station and coalition forces with small-arms fire from a rooftop. As the team left the area, they were attacked again by small-arms fire from three more gunmen. The Iraqi team returned fire, killing two. In the Shoalah neighborhood in northern Baghdad, the Iraqi team conducted an operation yesterday to prevent special groups activity and disrupt improvised-explosive-device networks. During the operation, special groups criminals attacked the team with an IED and small-arms fire. As a firefight developed, U.S. Special Forces soldiers authorized a coalition aircraft to engage the enemy. The aircraft fired four rounds, killing one enemy fighter. The Iraqi team then cleared two structures in the area and detained two individuals for questioning. After clearing the two structures, the team left the neighborhood and was attacked by three more gunmen. The Iraqi counterterrorism force troops returned fire, killing all three enemy fighters. "Operations to enforce the rule of law, detain criminal elements and disrupt their networks continue across Baghdad," said Col. Bill Buckner, a Multinational Corps Iraq spokesman. "We are chipping away at their ability to intimidate innocent Iraqis and conduct their criminal activities." In earlier operations, Kirkuk's emergency services unit and the Aruba police conducted a successful joint operation against members of a suspected kidnapping ring May 4. One of the suspects opened fire on police as they approached the target house. The police returned fire, killing the gunman. An Aruba policeman also was wounded in the attack. During a search of the premises, police recovered eight false identification cards, one AK 47 rifle with 35 magazines, and one pistol with 23 magazines. The police also detained another occupant in the house, who is been held for questioning. "The police are doing an excellent job of targeting criminal elements in Kirkuk," Paschal said. "The city's police forces are well-trained and prepared to defend their citizens." Iraqis who fail to obey the rule of law will be found out and brought to justice by Iraqi security forces and the people of Kirkuk, Paschal added. (Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)
Related Sites: Multinational Corps Iraq - Multinational Force Iraq

Iran Must Finally Pay a Price
May 05, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal - Fouad Ajami

We tell the Iranians that the military option is "on the table." But three decades of playing cat-and-mouse with American power have emboldened Iran's rulers. We have played by their rules, and always came up second best.Next door, in Iraq, Iranians played arsonists and firemen at the same time. They could fly under the radar, secure in the belief that the U.S., so deeply engaged there and in Afghanistan, would be reluctant to embark on another military engagement in the lands of Islam.This is all part of a larger pattern. As Tehran has wreaked havoc on regional order and peace over the last three decades, the world has indulged it. To be sure, Saddam Hussein launched a brutal war in 1980 against his nemesis, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. That cruel conflict, which sought to quarantine the revolution, ended in a terrible stalemate; and it never posed an existential threat to the clerical state that Khomeini had built. Quite to the contrary, that war enabled the new rulers to consolidate their hold.Over the course of its three decades in power, this revolutionary regime has made its way in the world with relative ease. No "White Army" gathered to restore the lost dominion of the Pahlavis; the privileged classes and the beneficiaries of the old order made their way to Los Angeles and Paris, and infidel armies never showed up. Even in the face of great violation – the holding of American hostages for more than 400 days – the indulgence of outside powers held.Compare the path of the Iranian revolutionaries with the obstacles faced by earlier revolutions, and their luck is easy to see. Three years into their tumult, the tribunes of the French Revolution of 1789 were at war with the powers of Europe. The wars of the French Revolution would last for well over two decades. The Bolsheviks, too, had to fight their way into the world of states. The civil war between the White and Red Armies pulled the Allies into the struggle. A war raged in Russia and in Siberia. It was only in 1921 that Britain granted the Soviet regime de facto recognition.In its first decade, the Iranian revolution was a beneficiary of the Cold War. From the vantage point of the U.S., the Iranians had the most precious of assets – a long border with the Soviet Union. Americans were reluctant to push the new clerical regime into the Soviet orbit. The crisis that nearly shattered the Reagan presidency, the covert sale of arms to Iran authorized by Ronald Reagan himself, stemmed from this reading of Iran as the "underbelly of the Soviet Union."In retrospect, the U.S. exaggerated the weakness of the Iranian theocrats in the face of the communist menace within Iran, and on the Soviet border. Nearby was the great struggle for Afghanistan, the last fight of the Cold War, and this too was a boon to the Iranian clerics.Many thought that the Iranian moderates would turn up in the fullness of time. In his inaugural speech, George H.W. Bush offered an olive branch to Iran's rulers: "Goodwill begets goodwill," he said. A decade later, in the typical Clintonian spirit of contrition and penance, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright gave Iran's rulers an outright apology for America's role in the coup that overthrew the nationalist leader Mohammad Mussadiq in 1953. The coup "was clearly a setback for Iran's political development," she said, part of a flawed American diplomacy that aided the Shah's government as it "brutally repressed political dissent."But the clerics have had no interest in any bargain with the U.S. Khomeini and his successors have never trusted their society's ability to withstand the temptations of normal traffic with America. Furthermore, oil wealth granted Iran's rulers an exemption from the strictures of economic efficiency. They would pay the price of economic sanctions and deny their country the benefits of access to the American market, because their hold on political power trumped all other concerns.At any rate, the market was forgiving. The European Union, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and China in later years, would supply Iran with all the technology and imports it needed. Oil revenues enabled the regime to defy the power of outsiders.Tehran has never needed to remake itself into a warrior state. The skills of the bazaar and the ways of terror have seen it through. They could feud with the United Arab Emirates over small contested islands while turning Dubai into a veritable extension of the Iranian economy. They have been painfully good at probing the limits of tolerable conduct abroad. They have harassed Arab rulers while posing as status quo players at peace with the order of the region.There were also proxies willing to do Tehran's bidding: Hezbollah in Lebanon, warlords and militias in Iraq, purveyors of terror for the hire. To be sure, there is enough American power in the region – and enough Arab resources – to balance that of Iran. But the Iranian state has had a feel for stepping back from the brink when it truly mattered.The leaders who oversee the American project in Iraq now see Iran as the principal threat to our success there. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, a diplomat with a thorough knowledge of the region, has spoken of an Iranian attempt to "Lebanonize" Iraq – to subvert the country through the use of proxies.In Iraq, the Iranians have been able to dial up the violence and dial it down, to make promises of cooperation to the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki while supplying Shiite extremists with weapons and logistical support. "Lebanonization" may be an exaggerated fear, because Iraq is much larger and wealthier than Lebanon, and more jealous of its own sovereignty. But the low-level warfare against American soldiers by Shiite groups – aided and abetted by Iran – may be responsible for hundreds of American deaths.The hope entertained a year or so ago, that Iran would refrain from playing with fire in Iraq, has shown to be wishful thinking. Iran's nuclear ambitions are of a wholly different magnitude. But before we tackle that Persian menace, the Iranian theocrats will have to be shown that there is a price for their transgressions.Mr. Ajami, a Bradley Prize recipient, teaches at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of "The Foreigner's Gift" (Free Press, 2006).