Iranian-backed militia groups take control of much of southern Iraq

[ECH1969]

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. 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."

British military officials suspect that the missile that was used to shoot down a British helicopter over Basra on May 6 came from Iran. Five British soldiers died. "We had intelligence suggesting five surface-to-air missile systems being brought over from Iran only seven days before it went down," said Maj. Rob Yuill, a British officer based in Basra.

Yuill said that the information suggested that the missiles were destined for the Mahdi Army, the militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Another Sadr official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from other Sadrists, said that while the Mahdi Army wasn't responsible, "the missile was shot by an Iranian-trained group."

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/world/14677884.htm

[bemildred]

1. This is not news. Been that way for some time now. nt

[ECH1969]

2. Iran is going to rule Iraq the second we leave

Bush went to war with Saddam and Iran won.

[enid602]

3. Iran

So he shouldn't be upset when he finds out he has no options with re: to Iran.

[ECH1969]

5. Iran's President is jerking off at the idea that Bush

will bomb his nuke facilities because he will pull off a number of Beirut's and kick the US out of the Middle East.

[bemildred]

7. Iraq is going to be a Persian satrapy.

Or at least some large portion of it. I envision something like the Berlin airlift allowing us to hang onto the Green Zone. Or maybe we could build an airstrip inside the Green Zone, and pay the Iraqis not to shoot at the planes.

[htuttle]

4. As Juan Cole noted today on Franken's show

"What did the Bush administration think the 'Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq' *meant* after all?"

[bemildred]

6. I like Prof. Cole better as time goes on ... nt

[cliss]

8. Over on the Daily Kos, someone remarked

that Bush looked "tired, he looked old and grey". (from last night)

Bush had to do the unthinkable: He had to get up there, hold on tightly to the podium and....regret. Not apologize, just 'regret'. He regretted some things.

While Bush regretted some things that were said, that is NOTHING compared to what's happened after he waged his war.