Iranian-backed militia groups take control of much of southern Iraq
BASRA, Iraq – Southern Iraq, long touted as a peaceful region that’s likely to be among the first areas returned to Iraqi control, is now dominated by Shiite Muslim warlords and militiamen who are laying the groundwork for an Islamic fundamentalist government, say senior British and Iraqi officials in the area.
The militias appear to be supported by Iranian intelligence or military units that are shipping weapons to the militias in Iraq and providing training for them in Iran.
Some British officials believe the Iranians want to hasten the withdrawal of U.S.-backed coalition forces to pave the way for Iran-friendly clerical rule.
Iranian influence is evident throughout the area. In one government office, an aide approached a Knight Ridder reporter and, mistaking him for an Iranian, said, “Don’t be afraid to speak Farsi in Basra. We are a branch of Iran.”
mercurynews.com
Iran Pledges $1b for Iraq Projects
NAJAF, Iraq, May 28–Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Saturday his country was ready to help Iraq with an economic investment plan totaling $1 billion, according to Turkish Press.
‘We are planning seven projects in the fields of oil, electricity, hospital construction and other services,’ he told reporters during his visit to the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad.
‘The Islamic Republic has set aside nearly one billion dollars to help Iraq,’ he said, adding that the Iranians were ready to implement the projects.
He said the projects could be implemented in the southern Shiite provinces or in the northern Kurdish ones.
While in Najaf, Mottaki prayed at the Imam Ali shrine, one of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites.
He also met a number of religious leaders, including Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani and radical cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr, who are influential on Iraqi politics.
Mottaki was in Baghdad on Friday where he pledged his support for Iraq’s new government and promised to aid its reconstruction effort.