US: Iraqi militias train in Iran
posted at 6:30 am on April 12, 2007 by Bryan
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This would seem to be a step beyond providing EFPs.
Iraqi militia fighters are being trained in Iran to build and use deadly armor-piercing roadside bombs and complex attack strategies against American forces, the U.S. military said Wednesday.
U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell would not say how many militiamen had gone to Iran but said that questioning of fighters captured as recently as this month confirmed many had been in Iranian training camps.
“They do receive training on how to assemble and employ EFPs,” Caldwell said, adding that fighters also were taught how to carry out attacks that use explosives followed by assaults with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms.
And it doesn’t stop there.
The accusations are the latest attempt by the United States to show that Iran is meddling in the Iraq war. If true, the training poses a serious threat to both U.S. forces and Iraqi stability. Iraq, which like Iran is majority Shiite, has found itself in a difficult position since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, trying to maintain good relations with its neighbor while not angering the Americans.
Commanders of a splinter group inside the Shiite Mahdi Army militia have told The Associated Press there are as many as 4,000 members of their organization that were trained in Iran and that they have stockpiles of deadly roadside bombs known as EFPs.
I’m sure TIME would argue that all of this is being run by some splinter faction in the Iranian government.
As for me, I don’t have much to add. It’s no secret that Iran uses Hezbollah to attack targets and countries it won’t or can’t attack with its military. It’s no secret that no one’s willing to stop Iran’s barbarism, which will lead to immitations as other rogue states learn the lesson that what they can’t counter directly–namely, our military–they can counter through terror and on the cheap, and increasingly anywhere in the world. Until Iran pays for its meddling in Iraq and until Hezbollah is destroyed, we can expect more of the same, and farther afield than Iraq or even the Middle East.
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Not much of a surprise there. Now, if we can only “turn” someone who is at the training site…
Zorro on April 12, 2007 at 6:42 AM
Are there any War College grads out there who can comment on this? How do we break this enemy’s will to fight?
We know how to do it with industrialized nation-states — by attacking their army, navy, and weapons-production facilities.
How do you break the will of a state-sponsored, but globally diffuse, religiously-based terrorist organization?
Does anyone out there know the current military doctrine on this?
No “re-start the Crusades” trolls, please.
Anton on April 12, 2007 at 7:11 AM
We’re way too domesticated for that. The chaos Iran/Syria are spreading has a long way to travel before we get desperate enough to really fight back. We’re just trying to hold ‘em at arm’s length while we continue the American Dream, but they’re far more determined than we are.
The Ritz on April 12, 2007 at 7:23 AM
Get tough enough to break the will of their bankroll backers – Iran, Syria, Russia, China. Do we have the guts? Don’t think so.
The Ritz on April 12, 2007 at 7:27 AM
Send in Nancy Pelosi, I’m sure she can straighten everything out.
ctmom on April 12, 2007 at 8:04 AM
We have to destroy the financial backing which means Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria. Good Luck getting anybody to do that.
djohn669 on April 12, 2007 at 8:13 AM
More dialogue. That’s gotta be it. The geniuses from the Iraq Study Group said so. And Stretch Pelosi is just the one to do it.
pistolero on April 12, 2007 at 8:14 AM
Let’s see now, Iran is killing Americans and training Iraqi terrorists to do the same, and we read that Pelosi and Lantos want to next visit Iran and undermine the President there as they did in Syria.
The foreign policy of the United States with respect to Iran is that there will be NO dialog with them until they forswear their nuclear weapons program.
Iran is a terrorist state. Pelosi and Lantos would be giving aid and comfort to an enemy government by advancing an alternate foreign policy with regard to Iran.
If they go, they should be met on their return by armed marshals and taken off to the federal corrections facility in Virginia in handcuffs while under arrest for treason.
George W. Bush: IT IS TIME TO FIGHT BACK against the Democrats who put party above country. Unless you wish to see irrepairable harm come to this country, YOU MUST ACT. You are running out of time, Mr. president.
georgej on April 12, 2007 at 8:31 AM
Reagan would know exactly what to do. Same thing he did to the commie comrads, outspend them in the military, cut off their funding, train their opposition and take ‘em down without ever firing a shot. If that fails, well, there’s always Plan B.
The dhimmicrats’ plan: Negotiate with wackos who think starting WW3 will bring back their messiah. What could go wrong?
Tony737 on April 12, 2007 at 9:45 AM
You know who must think we are just complete pussies?
Israel.
It’s funny. For almost a century, we’ve pulled the world’s nuts out of the fire repeatedly … and let’s face it, we sort of look down on them for it. We mock France, even as we rescue them every five minutes. Because we know that we’re willing to do the dirty work that they’re afraid to do.
We all know that Europe only exists because of American bravery. We all take some pride in that, even if nobody thanks us anymore.
And I’m starting to have a sneaking suspicion that Israel is starting to feel about us the way we feel about Europe. I guarantee that right at this moment, people in Israel are asking the question we’ve asked so often: “Are WE going to have to do the dirty work AGAIN?”
From Israel’s perspective, it’s a pretty good one question. And an embarrassing one for us. Something has to be done about Iran. No question. Sooner rather than later.
Are we going to do it? Or do we play France and let Israel man up and act like Americans?
Americans have the luxury of two vast oceans keeping us safe (or at least giving us the illusion of safety, which should be gone after 9/11). Israel can’t afford to live in a world of illusions.
So we can be Europe, if we want. Let the real men take care of what is really OUR problem as much it is theirs.
The bottom line: there is no excuse for not ALREADY having taken action. Iran has now committed multiple acts of open warfare against us and our allies. Kidnapping British troops, arming and training the insurgents … these are acts of war. Period. There isn’t even a debate to be had.
So who are we gonna be? America? Or France?
Or do we just need another 9/11 or another Pearl Harbor to remember who and what we are?
Professor Blather on April 12, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Listen to the solutions proposed by the Democrats.
Do the opposite.
fogw on April 12, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Big Surprise. Iran undermining interests of the United States in every way it can was/is as predictable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.
In my opinion the only reason Iran is not engaged in open warfare against the United States is that they are not strong enough. We can expect more of the same after they have nuclear devices, and of course, they will deny any part in such an act, initially anyway.
Iran’s actions are so predictable we know what is coming. Nuclear weapons developed and then deployed against American and Israeli interests with denial of any participation by Iran.
We should immediately recognize Iran for the sworn enemy it is and pay the price to engage in punitive military action against that nation. Putting Iran, literally, into the stone age without any effort at reconstruction or assistance should be on the table as an immediate course of action – BEFORE – they continue with nuclear weapons development. Continue aggessive, punitive, military action to completly destroy Iran as a nation until they surrender, or die, would certainly eliminate the biggest single threat to American security, second only to the Left in this country.
Of course such prudent action will not happen with so much of the electorate in sympathy with the Left, our biggest weakness, in this country. It will take not one, but two major disasters before such action is seriously contemplated by the powers that be. It is unfortunate so many Americans will have to suffer and pay the price for the weakness and stupidity of the Left.
omegaram on April 12, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Stop it people! Really. There is a simple solution to all of this. It’s proven, and it will work. All we need between Iran and Iraq is a border fence.
Oh, wait… nevermind.
We in the U.S. have NO idea how to pull that off. But I know who does!
JunkCoast on April 12, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Carthago Delenda Est!
John on April 12, 2007 at 11:51 AM
We really need to send Pelosi to have a chat with the people running these terror camps… oh wait… she is! No need to worry anymore. We’re fine.
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 1:10 PM
Casus belli?
PinkyBigglesworth on April 12, 2007 at 1:14 PM
I want to hear a member of the press corps ask this question:
Mr President, on Sept 20th 2001 in a televised addresss to a joint session of Congress you made a speech in which you articulated what is called the Bush Doctrine. It read as such, “the U.S. would make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them”. You summed up this policy with the words, “Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” Considering what we know now about the Iraqi militia fighters being trained in Iran to build and use deadly armor-piercing roadside bombs and complex attack strategies against American forces can you please explain to me when and how the Bush doctrine has changed. And also could you state for the American people what the new Bush doctrine is?
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 1:26 PM
This isn’t right. If the insurgents are getting training inside Iran, then I think our troops should get some training inside Iran too.
crosspatch on April 12, 2007 at 5:29 PM
DUH!
- The Cat
P.S. Warning nuke?
MirCat on April 12, 2007 at 9:36 PM
It’s a worldwide problem actually given the amount of oil going through the Strait of Hormuz.
…which is likely the reason for inaction.
91Veteran on April 12, 2007 at 10:15 PM
When are people going to learn what a militia is and what insurgents are, and what a foreign invasion force is, etc?
I’ll start with militia: (noun) an army composed of civilians called out in time of emergency. Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus
1 a : a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency b : a body of citizens organized for military service
2 : the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Follow the link below to more.
In essence, a militia is a body of citizens called out BY THE CIVIL AUTHORITY in times of emergency, particularly as specified in the Constitution, consisting of citizens called forth to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection and repel invasion. This does not describe those who are rebels, insurgents, terrorists, guerrillas, irregular soldiers, unlawful combatants, or foreign invaders.
Basically, that is all you need to know about what a militia is. It is a time honored, [i]PATRIOTIC[/I] armed force of citizens whose only existence is to enforce the law, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion. A militia is nothing like what the media uses the word to cover. It’s an attempt by the left, gun grabbers, and the complicit old mainstream media to sully the true character of the militia. Why? So the Second Amendment can be demonized in the eyes of public opinion, and for its worth to be dissembled to apparent insignificance in today’s world. Why? So that We the People will not stand in the way of bellicose big government. Why? Because liberals with their elitist attitude think they know better that which is good for us than we do for ourselves.
Just look at any dictatorship. All people in opposition must be disarmed first. Same for any tyrant who wishes to stay in power. Same for any theocracy that wishes to stay in power, or oligarchy, or commune, or monarchy, etc, etc.
Want to remain free? Start by guarding the militia, all it truly stands for, WHO THE MILITIA REALLY IS, and the keeping and bearing of the tools the militia is entitled to and has the right so protected in the Constitution.
Woody
woodcdi on April 13, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Oops! Here’s the link:
Link
Woody
woodcdi on April 13, 2007 at 10:20 AM
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