tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86577153894095987582024-03-14T00:02:27.351-07:00Global Threats AssessmentThis blog is to identify and re-identify Shiite militias as a global threat.glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-64601186182159238852016-07-27T23:26:00.001-07:002016-07-27T23:26:40.350-07:00Scope of Iran IRGC Quds Force meddling in Yemen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubijc8WpgrA/V5mleNTFxxI/AAAAAAAAA3A/A7goyP0QjQ0WWzG7dujGRuKghmD19_kNACLcB/s1600/images2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubijc8WpgrA/V5mleNTFxxI/AAAAAAAAA3A/A7goyP0QjQ0WWzG7dujGRuKghmD19_kNACLcB/s1600/images2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">July 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the news and reports I have read from Yemen
there has not been a reference to the scope of the meddling by Iran’s
Revolutionary Guards Quds Force in this country. In this article I would like
to assess the dimensions of the Quds Force’s meddling according to the news
received from inside the Iranian regime.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran’s has brought about ISIS (Daesh) for the
region, resulting in the crackdown of the people in Iraq and Syria under orders
issued by Tehran. Recently, ISIS has been able to rise in Yemen thanks to
Iran’s meddling in this country. This has been one of the objectives of Tehran
in this country, and throughout these years it has sought to indirectly keep
ISIS active in Yemen by providing substantive and arms support for this group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Strengthening ISIS in Yemen can play into the
interests of the Islamic republic of Iran and the Houthis. Currently the IRGC
is evaluating the indirect strengthening of ISIS in Yemen and the Saudi
peninsula,” said IRGC Political Bureau member Saadollah Zarei.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the criminal measures Iran has undertaken
in the formation of ISIS in Syria to provide support for Bashar Assad by
placing ISIS against forces of the Free Syrian Army. In Yemen, resorting to the
same tactic, Iran has been strengthening ISIS against the popular forces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In early 2015 the Iranian regime widely used
its regular military’s navy forces to transfer arms and ammunition to Yemen,
and delivering to the Houthis. Quds Force special forces were also dispatched
to Yemen. Fat’h and Fajr missiles made by the IRGC were sent to the Houthis and
the Quds Force’s objectives was to take over Sanaa, the Yemeni capital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- As Operation Decisive Storm was launched and
Yemen’s ports and airports were closed, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad
Zarif was able to convince Oman to play a transit role in Iran sending
so-called humanitarian aid, and even military equipment, to the Houthis. Oman
agreed to a large extent to board ships in this regard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In mid-April an Iranian regime warship entered Yemeni
waters controlled by the Houthis. However, due to airstrikes launched by the
Saudis they were unable to unload their arms and ammunition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In May 2015, Hossein Amir Abullahian, former
Iranian deputy foreign minister said Tehran was able to pull Lebanon out of the
Saudi’s grasps, Iran is calling all shots in Iraq and the status quo is very
good in Palestine. Iran is the number one power in Yemen, he added. Of course,
we know that the Houthis cannot rule the country alone, he continued.
Abdullahian went on to say that our plan for Yemen was similar to Lebanon. As
the Lebanese Hezbollah cannot rule the entire country in Lebanon, the Houthis
also cannot rule all of Yemen, he added. The Houthis will have their region
under their full control, play a role in the central government and have their
own share. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In April 2015, Ahmed Ali Abdullah Salah, son of
former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Salah, departed Masqat for Tehran. He
stayed in the Iranian capital for two days and held meetings with two security
officials and generals, including IRGC General Qani.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In April 2015, former Iranian deputy foreign
minister Hossein Amir Abullahian, himself a Quds Force element, made strong
remarks against this organ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The period of bullying and political/military
measures without mutual consent has come to an end. The attack on Adan was a
strategic mistake by our friends in the IRGC; it is clear that Saudi Arabia and
other Arab countries will not tolerate this attack; on the first day we wrote
for the IRGC and said very specifically the Houthis must remain in Sanaa and
then launch talks with Riyadh,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- As Operation Decisive Storm was launched a Quds
Force commander made serious remarks regarding IRGC policies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The IRGC policies consists of comprehensive
talks and local conciliation in Yemen by the Foreign Ministry, and placing
pressure on Saudi Arabia through mortar attacks by the Houthis on Saudi cities,
sudden attacks against Saudi borders to create a climate of fear regarding
ground attacks against Riyadh, the policy of patience in the face of attacks
and politicizing the media in international arena. Iran’s objective is to
portray Saudi Arabia in the international community as a face of aggression,
murderer, child killer, deceiver and lacking any diplomacy for negotiations.
Furthermore, Iran is certain that if it places further pressure on the Saudis
and Riyadh responds in a strategic mistake of launching a ground attack into
Yemen, in the end the Saudis will suffer defeats in the first days of the war
due to the lack of an experienced ground force and a real army. To this end,
the Houthis will take confiscate the necessary equipment,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- “Dispatching weapons to the people of Yemen to
defend themselves in the face of aggressions by a number of Arabic countries is
a humanitarian and Islamic matter, and the Red Crescent has twice helped our
brothers in Yemen in transferring weapons,” said Nosser Charkhsaz, President of
the Red Crescent in Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In early June the Quds Force sent a large
number of missiles to the Houthis with the objective of having these forces
launch unorganized attacks against Saudi Arabia targeting border cities and
bases on a widespread scale. These attacks were to be staged using the very
missiles received by the Houthis from Iran to target Saudi soil in depth. They
sought to provoke Saudi Arabia to begin a ground war to result in a decrease in
international support for Saudi Arabia and a defeat for the Saudis as they lack
a dependable ground military force.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In August 2015 an informed source inside the
IRGC confirmed the launch of a SCUD missile from Yemen to Saudi Arabia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The second Zelzal missile built by the Islamic
Republic of Iran was launched from Yemen against a target near Riyadh. But
unfortunately this missile did not hit its target,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“According to the news we have received the fault
factor of this missile was 3 kilometers and the Saudi were able to intercept
and destroy the missile before reaching the target,” he continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In early August 2015 Majeed Zargham, a senior
official of the Houthis in Yemen made significant remarks in an interview.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The Tehran-Sanaa air route remains closed due to
Saudi fighter jet activity, and the Houthis are not receiving any support
through air transfers,” he explained. “Prior to the war and when the Houthis
launched their attacks against the central government, we had received a large
number of short-range and surface-to-surface missiles from Iran, which was a
significant support for us. Still there is a large portion of these weapons
available in our warehouses.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Currently, small arms and medium-weight weapons
are being sent for us, which are currently received from the al-Hadida Port. This
port is our only connection to the outside world,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In late August 2015 deputy IRGC commander
General Hossein Salami said Iran is sending various types of weapons to Yemen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“A caravan of Iranian weapons is being delivered
to Yemen after the Saudis intensified their attacks and foreign forces have
entered the scene,” he said. “The IRGC arms consignments consist of various
types of short and medium-range missiles to target the Saudis, advanced
anti-aircraft weapons, advanced binoculars, various types of surveillance
radars, light and medium-weight weapons, and artillery equipment,” he
explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In August 2015 a representative of the Houthis
participated in a session of the Iranian regime’s Supreme National Security
Council during which the Houthi’s defeats and the advances made by the
legitimate Yemeni government were discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In early mid-September following the delivery
of Iran’s missile consignments, sources in Yemen said the Yemeni missile unit
launched attacks targeting Saudi military bases in the border province of
al-Tawal. The Yemeni army missile unit and popular forces linked to the Houthis
staged rocket barrages on Saudi military bases in Wadi Abolsalul, Wadi
al-Malah, al-Masfeq and al-Khoja in al-Tawal Province in southern Saudi Arabia,
sources in Yemen said. In other words, General Salami fulfilled his pledge.
Iran’s missiles landed into Saudi Arabia and all the missiles were made in
Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In mid-October a senior delegation of Iran’s
Supreme National Security Council and the IRGC Quds Force went to Moscow to
discuss Russia supporting the war in Yemen and the Houthis in particular. Iran
has officially requested from Russia to directly provide support for the
Houthis and enter the war in Yemen, or indirectly provide aid to the Houthis,
especially regarding its air units.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In late October the Katayeb Hezbollah militant
group, linked to the IRGC Quds Force, announced its readiness to support the
Houthis in the Yemen war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In the Yemen peace talks the Houthis were
directly in contact with the Quds Force representative in Tehran and resolving
all issues with Tehran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In late December Iran reached this conclusion
to extend the war to Saudi Arabia’s Shiite regions and place pressure on Riyadh
through such measures and force its troops to pull out of Yemen. Therefore, the
IRGC Quds Force sought to activate Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a Shiite cleric proxy
of Iran, in Saudi Arabia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In mid-January two IRGC generals by the names
of Ali Haddadi and Mohammad Rouhani were killed following air attacks by Saudi
fighter jets on a Houthi base in southern Sanaa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In late January IRGC Political Bureau member
Saadollah Zarei said, “Strengthening ISIS in Yemen is in Iran’s interests, and
against our interests in Iraq and Syria.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Currently in this bureau we are busy evaluating
this issue; strengthening ISIS and increasing their military ability in Yemen
is in our country’s interests as they can significantly decrease pressure on
the Houthis,” he added. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In mid-February Houthi spokesman Mohammad
Abdulsallam said this group currently possesses 31 Ghaher missiles in its
warehouses, all sent from Iran. The Houthis intend to target sensitive areas of
Saudi Arabia, he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- In June 2016 according to information received
there are two factions inside the Houthis. One is seeking to negotiate with the
Saudis, while the other faction – loyal to Iran – is against negotiating with
the Saudis. The IRGC Quds Force has described this situation inside the Houthis
as dangerous, evaluating that the Houthis have become warn out of war and there
is a possibility of this group leaning towards the Saudis. In response to any
possible close relations between the Houthis that may result in negotiations
with the Saudis, Iran is taking actions and sending arms and missiles to the
Houthis to flare the war in Yemen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the abovementioned facts we evaluated a segment
of the Iranian regime’s meddling in Yemen. Iran’s goal was to establish an
Islamic republic in Yemen. To this end Tehran had established a strong foothold
in the Arabian Peninsula to easily export its terrorism to other Arab and
African countries. If not for Operation Decisive Storm, the Iranian regime
would have definitely reached its objective and the Arab World and Africa would
be facing a new dilemma.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-63488650716877345402016-07-20T23:30:00.000-07:002016-07-20T23:30:10.666-07:00Iran exporting bombs, weaponry to Middle East countries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQDYG11AJjM/V5BrwFNMQXI/AAAAAAAAA2w/-rWN3-vBaB4LA9leM_nwhxmUzqR5GQ7UACLcB/s1600/n_101623_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQDYG11AJjM/V5BrwFNMQXI/AAAAAAAAA2w/-rWN3-vBaB4LA9leM_nwhxmUzqR5GQ7UACLcB/s320/n_101623_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>July 2016<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
One of the most important exports
Iran has been engaged in in the past few years has been sending arms, bombs and
missiles to various countries across the region. It has been years since Iran
boasts of exporting “Islamic revolution” to regional countries, which of course
means exporting terrorism and supporting fundamentalism groups to take control
over regional countries.</div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
States that during these years
been victim of Iran’s so-called Islamic revolution exports and resulted in
terrorism and unrest include Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Sudan and …
In the past week two very obvious examples of arms and explosives exported by
Iran were confiscated. I want to refer to these matters in this article:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On the first topic, Turkish
officials are saying a truck carrying a 1-ton bomb was discovered and
neutralized in the Iran-Turkey border. The Hurriyet daily of Turkey reported on
Thursday, July 14<sup>th</sup>, the attention of civilians at the scene and
customs agents became focused on a truck with a cable attached. After the truck
was checked it was made clear that the cable was part of a bomb containing
around 1,000 kilograms of explosives. Turkish security forces closed the two
sides of the border crossings to neutralize the bomb. During this operation two
hidden capsules of propane gas were discovered as part of the bomb.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Turkish Trade Minister Bulent
Tofighchi confirmed the discovery of this bomb and said this Iran-Turkey border
crossing, located in eastern portion of the Aghari Province in Turkey has been
reopened. Turkish officials have not provided any further details and Iranian
officials remained silent in this regard until Friday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The operations carried out
recently in Turkey, despite being in the name of ISIS, make it clear that Iran
is providing for ISIS. Why? Because the recent discovery of a 1-ton bomb in the
Iran-Turkey border makes this crystal clear. It is also made quite obvious why
ISIS refuses to stage any attacks inside Iran.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Regarding the second issue, the
commander of the 4<sup>th</sup> military district in Yemen revealed the
National Army of this country have during the past few days confiscated a
number of large trucks carrying heavy and medium weapons, hundreds of more
reserves of different types of ammunition, all in the beaches of the Bab
al-Mandab area. “These weapons were to be sent from Iran to Houthi militants
and forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Salah. However, the National Army of Yemen discovered
and confiscated these arms,” said General Ahmed Seif Aliyafei.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Investigations have shown that
this amount of weapons have been sent from two islands in Africa that the
Iranian regime has leased them as bases to provide training for Houthi
militants. It is worth noting that the Yemeni government has to this day
discovered and confiscated a number of arms consignments being smuggled by
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for such militia groups. A few months ago an
Australian Navy ship discovered and confiscated a large amount of various
weapons sent by Iran for Yemen. The personnel of this ship said following their
investigations that these weapons were being transported by a fishing boat from
Iran heading to Yemen for the Houthis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The HMES Darwin of the Australian
Navy intercepted this ship while patrolling waters 275 kilometers off the
coasts of Oman. The shipping boat lacked any flag and a significant amount of
different weapons, including nearly 2,000 AK-47 rifles and 100 mortar
launchers. According to the Australian Navy these weapons were sent by Iran and
arrangements were made for them to be provided to the Houthis through the
Somali coasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Iran is spending the money
relieved from sanctions after the nuclear agreement to quickly take more action
and export weapons and bombs to terrorist groups across the Middle East. Now,
one should say to Mr. Obama and different European countries that seek to
continue appeasing Iran, especially since they claimed Iran changed its
approach and behavior in the Middle East following the nuclear accord: you are
either very naïve, or you wish to close your eyes to the crimes of this regime.
Anyhow, this will backfire on the nations of the entire Middle East.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Read more:<a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/one-ton-bomb-unearthed-at-turkish-customs-gate-to-iran-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101623&NewsCatID=341" target="_blank">http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/one-ton-bomb-unearthed-at-turkish-customs-gate-to-iran-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101623&NewsCatID=341</a></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-20424608688903531002016-07-19T23:16:00.000-07:002016-07-19T23:16:13.683-07:00ISIS operative admits Iran & Syria have relations with terrorist group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvUzm6-w8Po/V48W1cah1FI/AAAAAAAAA2g/w4iIk2mq_-gIq6T2UUguDUChOPJ3-9IbwCLcB/s1600/isis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvUzm6-w8Po/V48W1cah1FI/AAAAAAAAA2g/w4iIk2mq_-gIq6T2UUguDUChOPJ3-9IbwCLcB/s320/isis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>July 2016</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
al-Jarida daily of Kuwait wrote: An individual by the name of Ali Omar, aka Abu
Torab, suspected of being associated to ISIS (Daesh), is currently detained in
a Kuwaiti prison. He has admitted to close relations between ISIS (Daesh) with
the regimes of Iran and Syria. Abu Torab has said he has personally
participated in coordinating session held between ISIS (Daesh) and the Damascus
regime representative and Iranian regime security forces. Regarding the structure
of ISIS he said most of the group’s commanders in Syria are of Iraqi origin and
their forces are from Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Abu Torab was in charge of
ISIS’ oil industry due to his expertise and speaking fluent English.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Abu
Torab is a “valuable hunt” and this ISIS suspect has provided a list of details
about ISIS field commanders, their nationality, methods of work and
communications with intelligence organizations, al-Jarida added in its report
citing senior security sources. Abu Torab has also been described as an
“intelligence treasure” by security officials. Arrested with him were his
mother, Hese Mohamed, born in 1964, and her son who was born in the province of
Reqa, born to her Syrian husband. All these individuals have been transferred
to Kuwait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Kuwaiti Interior Ministry issued a statement saying the suspect joined ISIS
along with his mother and admitted to encouraging his mother in this regard.
Hese Mohamed had prior to this encouraged her younger son, Abdullah, born in
1991, to join ISIS. He was killed in battles in Iraq. After his brother’s
death, Ali Omar set aside his oil engineering studies in the United Kingdom and
along with his mother joined ISIS in Reqqa. There he was appointed as the
official in charge of launching oil and gas wells and his mother began
teaching the wives and children of the terrorists, providing them lessons in
the group’s beliefs and psychological mentality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Alireza Enayati described
the accusations raised by a former ISIS member about Iran supporting this group
as utter lies and gossip aimed at raising allegations against the Islamic
republic of Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“We are not insane to support ISIS and then send our
advisors to Syria to fight this group,” he said to al-Jaride. “This terrorist
group has targeted a large number of Shiite shrines and sacred sites, and
killed many Shiites. How can be supporting them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tehran is ready to deliver full security cooperation with
the Persian Gulf countries and the entire region in the fight against ISIS,
Enayati added. He went on to emphasize the necessity of destroying this “pest”
as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With these revelations it becomes crystal clear why ISIS
has refused to carry out even one attack inside Iran. Whereas all neighboring
countries of Iran are currently suffering from ISIS attacks. The ridiculous
arrests of ISIS elements, claimed here and there by Iran, is only aimed at
covering up their relations with ISIS, and nothing else. As I have written in
previous articles in this website, Iran is the Godfather of terrorism and has
played two main roles in the formation of ISIS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait claims their forces in Iraq
and Syria are fighting against ISIS. However, the attacks carried out by
Iran-backed Shiite militias and the Revolutionary Guards in Syria and Iraq are
in fact playing into the hands of ISIS. Iran and ISIS are two sides of the same
coin. Unfortunately, these days U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is
completely deceived by the Iranian regime and has described Tehran’s measures
in Iraq in the war against ISIS as positive. This is exactly what Iran is
looking for. The only method to destroy ISIS in Syria, Iraq and Libya is to
overthrow the Iranian regime. Period.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-47655991861814773272016-07-09T23:30:00.002-07:002016-07-09T23:30:41.947-07:00Hezbollah leader’s confessions renders difficult predicament for Iran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07Lzs6CbNoM/V4HralVBrjI/AAAAAAAAA2M/LMlv_oNMk40kQZi_bMBbXUpIUqQC2Qk7gCLcB/s1600/1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07Lzs6CbNoM/V4HralVBrjI/AAAAAAAAA2M/LMlv_oNMk40kQZi_bMBbXUpIUqQC2Qk7gCLcB/s320/1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">July 2016</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on June 24<sup>th</sup>
said he is not concerned of U.S. banking sanctions, and the sanctions and
banking/financial restrictions imposed by the U.S. have no impact on this
group’s activities as all of Hezbollah’s budget is provided through Iran. This
speech gained widespread coverage in a long slate of Arab media, and can lead
to a major predicament for the Iranian regime.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Hezbollah leader said the Congress bill and the decision
made by the Lebanese Central Bank will have no impact since Hezbollah is not
active through the banking network.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By saying, “As long as Iran has money, we have money…,”
Nasrallah shed light on how Hezbollah’s budget is provided to this group
through the same methods that military equipment and other necessities are
provided for by Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lebanese Hezbollah, similar to Hamas, have been
designated in the U.S. terrorist lists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Congress in December 2015 passed a bill sanctioning banks
cooperating with Hezbollah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lebanese Central Bank in May announced in consideration
to the Congress bill around 100 bank accounts related to Hezbollah members, and
all associated organizations and entities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A portion of U.S. sanctions against Iran are imposed due to
Tehran’s support for terrorism and have not been lifted following the nuclear
accord. Non-nuclear sanctions against Iran have been one of the main elements
of concern for leading international banks and financial institutions that
remain hesitant in expanding their cooperation with Iran. A number of important
European banks had prior to this been slapped billions in fines for cooperating
with Iran and violating U.S. sanctions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following his remarks the Agence France Press reported
Nasrallah has said his movement receives its necessities, from “food and
clothing, to missiles and rockets” directly from Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nasrallah’s speech also received widespread coverage in media
inside Iran, including the al-Alam, the Arabic language network of Iran’s
official state TV and radio station, the IRIB.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 110%;">“Hizbollah’s budget, its income, its expenses, everything it
eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, are from the Islamic Republic of
Iran,” he said, as reported by the al-Alam website. “As long as Iran has money,
we have money ... Just as we receive the rockets that we use to threaten
Israel, we are receiving our money. We express our gratitude to [Iranian
supreme leader Ali] Khamenei, the Iranian government and its president for
their </span><span style="line-height: 110%;">unsparing support during the past years.
We will pay the paychecks and have no problems in this regard,” </span><span style="line-height: 110%;">Nasrallah added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hezbollah obtaining money through non-bank channels<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another major predicament that Nasrallah’s speech will most
probably have for Iran is related to his remarks regarding about money transfers
from this country through non-bank channels. As Nasrallah described it, Iran
also violates U.S. sanctions to provide the budget needed for Hezbollah
militants and also resorts to sending cash to its illegal networks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran is in the list of blacklist of money-laundering states
due to its non-transparent financial activities, especially in relation to its
efforts aimed at bypassing sanctions. The Financial Action Task Force,
established under the initiative of the world’s seven major economic powers and
in cooperation with other rising economic powers to confront money-laundering
and the provision of financial support for terrorist groups, has decided to
maintain Iran in its list of dangerous countries. In a session held by the
members of this organization on Friday, May 24<sup>th</sup> in South Korea, no
agreement was reached to delist Iran from the organization’s blacklist. This
institute, known as the International Financial Observer, announced that any
change in the status allocated to Iran, being a very important precondition for
cooperation with global banks, is associated to Tehran’s effort to make its
actions transparent and refrain from providing financial support to terrorist
groups. In a meeting held recently in South Korea, the members of the special
group denied Iran’s request and accepted to maintain the limitations imposed on
Iran for the next 12 months to reach a clear conclusion regarding the pledges
by this country, and decide whether to suspend its current blacklisting status.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In recent months Iran has attempted to convince various
countries and European banks to re-launch their economic relations with Tehran
and all of the visits made by the regime’s top diplomat to the countries of
France, Germany, Austria and … were in line with this very objective.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In an interview with CNBC in May of this year Iranian Central
Bank President Valiollah Seif said there were phone calls and negotiations
between Iranian officials with FATF aimed at delisting Iran from this
organization’s blacklist. Seif expressed hope Tehran would soon be delisted
after recent measures and adopting laws to fight against money-laundering and
confront terrorism, Reuters reported.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In such conditions, the motive behind the unexpected speech
delivered by the Hezbollah leader on the continued illegal transfer of money by
Iran to this group is unclear. Anyhow, it provides no help regarding Iran’s
effort to relieve itself of its problems with the international banking
network. In fact, it made the efforts of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and
his government in this regard even more difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">White House spokesman Eric Schultz on June 28<sup>th</sup>
said in reaction to the Nasrollah’s remarks the financial interlocutors don’t
wish to get involved in trade relations with countries that provide financial support
to terrorist groups. He went on to reiterate if Iran continues its support of
Hezbollah, this group will continue to enjoy a support for money and resource.
This exactly why if Iran seeks to gain access to international markets, it is
necessary to control its behavior, he added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At a time when U.S. President Barack Obama expected Iran to
change its behavior in the region following the nuclear agreement, he received
an eye-opening response from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrollah, making it
crystal clear that all the sanctions relief money Iran has received under the
nuclear agreement have been illegally sent to terrorist groups.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-8732331642274824272016-07-08T23:25:00.001-07:002016-07-08T23:25:14.993-07:00The truth behind the bomb discoveries & terrorists arrested in Tehran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEXIaWGFYnE/V4CYijixMsI/AAAAAAAAA18/r9kQdePi2T4_kEkECIG1wni3Y2VmudoAACLcB/s1600/isis-iran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEXIaWGFYnE/V4CYijixMsI/AAAAAAAAA18/r9kQdePi2T4_kEkECIG1wni3Y2VmudoAACLcB/s320/isis-iran.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">July 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently
Iran on a number of occasions announced the discovery of ready-to-explode bombs
in Tehran and arrested a number of individuals in this regard. These reports
were provided in a very vague nature, saying the details would be delivered at
a later time. However, no details were ever provided. On June 29<sup>th</sup>
an airplane was ground in Tehran airport and passengers were departed as
authorities cited a possible bombing plot. The plane was allowed to take off
after all the cargo was inspected.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a few
other cases throughout the month of June Iran announced a number of ISIS
members intending to infiltrate deep into Iran were arrested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What was
the truth behind the arrest of these ISIS members or terrorists, or the bomb
discoveries? Why has ISIS never carried out an attack in Iran despite Tehran
launching attacks against ISIS in Syria and Iraq? Are Iran’s security forces
that strong that ISIS has no means to carry out attacks in Iran? Or is the
truth something completely different?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently
the Iranian people have been voicing their dissent regarding their involvement
in Syria and Iraq, arguing they themselves are living in poverty and the regime
is spending too much money in the wars in Syria and Iraq. Tehran argues it’s
meddling in Syria and Iraq is necessary based on the fact that if they don’t
fight in these countries they will be forced to fight in Tehran. It appears
this argument no longer convinces the Iranian people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Iranian
people are tired of sleeping hungry at nights while their country’s wealth and
money is being wasted in the wars of Syria, Iraq and other countries. Major
dissent is brewing in this regard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran has
adopted a new method to resolve this issue by announcing the arrest of
terrorist elements intending to detonate bombs in Tehran and other major
cities, creating a climate of fear in Tehran and therefore justifying its
involvement in other countries in its so-called war against terrorism. In other
words, all these arrests and bomb discoveries are fabricated scenarios aimed at
resolving domestic issues and quell any possible popular protests.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
accusation raised constantly against Iran these years is why is ISIS staging
attacks in various countries including Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and
Turkey, yet there has yet to be a single attack in Iran?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reason
is quite clear. Iran, Syria and former Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki are
the true founders of ISIS, and during these years Iran has not only refused to
take any serious measure against ISIS, in fact all of its measures are in line
with facilitating the expansion of ISIS. This group feels no threat from Iran,
and in other words Iran is considered the Godfather of ISIS. This is exactly
why to this day Iran has yet to witness any ISIS attack on its soil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To shed
more light on this issue the following is a short summary of the formation of
ISIS in Syria and Iraq:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Iranian regime carried out a very comprehensive plan
in the first three months of the Syria civil war to save Assad from ultimate
defeat: it allowed ISIS and al-Qaeda to literally roam free on Syrian soil. In
this regard around 2,500 extremist al-Qaeda and Islamist prisoners in Assad’s
prisons were released and they were indirectly provided with arms. The tactic
used by the Quds Force in Syria was that these ISIS and al-Qaeda extremist
would receive messages to attack a base. When a small number of these elements
would attack Assad troops would evacuate the base and place it at their
disposal, therefore providing a large amount of weapons and ammunition in their
hands. With al-Qaeda and ISIS never knowing the Iranian regime and Assad were
providing them with arms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These extremist forces were strengthened to a point that
the US and Europe came to believe if Assad was overthrown ISIS and al-Qaeda
would come to power in this country. Therefore they overhauled the moderate
Syrian opposition “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) and the war was practically turned
into a fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda, pitting Islamic extremists against
Syrian government. Finally they made the US believe if Assad is overthrown ISIS
and al-Qaeda will come to power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Obama, who had designated Assad’s use of chemical weapons
as a red line to stage airstrikes against Bashar Assad, reached this conclusion
after seeing ISIS and al-Qaeda gaining strength that any airstrikes against
ISIS will play in favor of ISIS and al-Qaeda. Therefore, despite the fact that Assad
had used chemical weapons and crossed his red line, Obama took no action at
all. Therefore, as a result of the cooperation between the Iranian regime,
Assad and the US, the moderate Syrian opposition lost the chance of
overthrowing Assad, and moreover ISIS and al-Qaeda gained hegemony on the
ground. Down the road ISIS gained the upper hand against the al-Nusra Front and
the FSA. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In further developments in Iraq, while receiving his
orders from Iran’s Quds Force, Maliki began his crackdown against Sunni
provinces and staging waves of arrests and killings. Thus, he practically
forced the peaceful revolutionary tribes into an armed movement and the main
beneficiary was ISIS, being able to take advantage of the lack of organization
amongst the tribes and recruiting their forces.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Due to its organizational power ISIS was able to recruit
the tribal forces and quickly re-establish its hierarchy despite the fact that
their numbers in Iraq were very limited. However, in the fall of Mosul in 2014,
where the main fighting was conducted by the revolutionary tribes, ISIS was
able to implement its hegemony and through its criminal measures it placed
everyone under its own dominance. As a result, in a very short period the
tribes who had lost all hope in Maliki’s government saw their only refuge in
ISIS and were easily recruited.ISIS gained major control over the Sunni
provinces of Neinawa, Anbar, Kirkuk, Diyala and Salahadin. Therefore, after
Syria the Quds Force in Iraq effectively took the moderate opposition out of the
equation and left ISIS alone on the ground. This left The US forced to accept
Shiite militants in the fight <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Conclusion: The term “ISIS: Made by Iranian regime &
Maliki, with US cooperation” finds its place and meaning. Unfortunately, I must
say that Mr. Obama and experienced American politicians suffered a severe
setback from the Iranian regime and currently the US has entered the war
against ISIS that has no prospect in sight. Now we understand the exact reason
why Obama says there is no strategy in the war against ISIS.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering
the above explanations, on one hand the main reason ISIS is not carrying out
attacks in Iran, while the regime continuously claims of being at war with this
group, becomes ever clearer. On the other hand, we understand the logic behind
the claims raised by Tehran these days regarding the arrests and discovering
bombs. Unfortunately on June 29<sup>th</sup> U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
said Iran’s presence in Iraq in the war against ISIS is helpful. These remarks
seem to be aimed at maintaining Iran in consent after not gaining anything from
the nuclear agreement signed with the international community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the
midst of anti-ISIS operations staged in Iraq’s Sunni areas, Iran-backed Shiite
groups in Iraq, along with their Quds Force advisors, are committing horrific
crimes against the residents of liberated cities. This is the exact will of the
Iranian regime as it pushes the Sunni community towards ISIS to avenge the
crimes committed by ISIS. This also plays into the hands of ISIS.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-89867590887914816842016-07-05T22:45:00.001-07:002016-07-05T22:45:53.271-07:00Iran funneling sanctions relief money for terrorists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH4VRvdwPWM/V3yasFcsARI/AAAAAAAAA1s/koVNouC9nyIOVn4fa4roUkl5hBTa4HuIgCLcB/s1600/100.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH4VRvdwPWM/V3yasFcsARI/AAAAAAAAA1s/koVNouC9nyIOVn4fa4roUkl5hBTa4HuIgCLcB/s1600/100.png" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">July 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In late May 2016, Adam Szubin, the acting US
Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence said his
country in cooperation with its allies and partners is attempting to limit
Hezbollah financial relations. A bill was passed in the U.S. back in December
2015 imposing strict punishment on any international financial support to
Hezbollah and any individual or entity that provides financial support for this
group. This law sparked an unprecedented dispute between Hezbollah and Lebanese
banks. The Lebanese Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., has
widespread political influence in Lebanon and its military branch plays an
important role in the war in Syria. The Lebanese Central Bank and American
officials have said this bill does not target ordinary Lebanese citizens or the
Shiite community of this country that supports Hezbollah.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following this development, Daniel Glaser, U.S. Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing said this law includes
ministers and lawmakers affiliated to the Lebanese Hezbollah. We place no
difference between Hezbollah members, which includes government ministers,
lawmakers and local representatives, he explained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following U.S. pressure on the Lebanese banking
system, Riyadh Salame, President of the Lebanese Central Bank said 100 bank
accounts affiliated to Hezbollah have been frozen following the new U.S.
sanctions imposed against this group. More than 3,000 individuals associated to
Hezbollah, including Hassan Nasrollah, the Secretary-General of the group
himself, two current Lebanese MPs and also various entities associated to this
group including the al-Manar TV station, Radio Nour and the Rasoul Aazam
Hospital (one of the hospitals providing care for Hezbollah’s troops wounded in
Syria), have all been included in the slate of sanctioned entities. All the
names and entities whose accounts have been frozen by the Lebanese Central Bank
have been provided by the U.S. to the Lebanese Central Bank. Based on this new
law not only are all the accounts frozen, in fact all the individuals and
entities sanctioned by the U.S. are not allowed to open any other accounts in
Lebanese banks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hezbollah found itself involved in a very
difficult situation. First, this group began threatening Lebanese banks. On
June 13<sup>th</sup> a bomb exploded in downtown Beirut targeting a Lebanon
Bank branch and “al-Mahjar.” The perpetrators behind this attack had chosen the
day of Sunday after Ramadan fasting hours to ensure the attack would result in
no fatalities. Their goal was obvious: sending a message to all banks.
Furthermore, the reason why the al-Mahjar Bank was chosen was its more firm
stance in implementing American sanctions against Hezbollah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">After this bombing all fingers were pointed at
Hezbollah and on June 15<sup>th</sup> the March 8<sup>th</sup> coalition – with
Hezbollah being its core member – claimed this groups believes those banks that
choose to implement the new American law have found themselves in a dilemma and
should save themselves from this predicament. In addition to </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">implicating to its responsibility behind the bomb
blast, Hezbollah began threatening the banks to not buy themselves more trouble
with these sanctions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, Hezbollah, being
the most important terrorist ally of Iran, has suffered a major blow and is
facing a major impasse. In this regard Hassan Nasrollah said in response that
the new round of U.S. sanctions will have no effect on this group because
Hezbollah receives its financial necessities directly from Iran, and not
Lebanese banks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hezbollah will not be affected by US sanctions
because it receives its money directly from Iran, not through Lebanese banks,
he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We are open about the fact that Hezbollah’s
budget, its income, its expenses, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons
and rockets, are from the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“As long as Iran has money,
we have money ... Just as we receive the rockets that we use to threaten
Israel, we are receiving our money,” Nasrallah said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These new remarks by Hassan
Nasrollah placed Iran before a more serious predicament because Nasrollah
officially declared Iran provides arms and financial support to terrorists. In
this regard, Ramadan Sharif, in charge of Revolutionary Guards’ public
relations affairs, in an interview attempted to clean up the mess by saying
Nasrollah’s comments should not provide any excuses for the West.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“In my opinion, Nasrollah
made these remarks because of the assurance he feels, especially in regards to
being in the front line against the Zionist regime,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The goal in writing this
piece was to call upon Mr. Obama and the countries of Europe. They should come
to understand how the money released as a result of nuclear sanctions relief
has been used by the Iranian regime to provide for terrorist groups in the
Middle East, and then these groups use this money to carry out terrorist
attacks in the United States and Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To Mr. Obama and the
countries of Europe, Iran changing its behavior is nothing but a mirage. Iran
needs to continue providing support for terrorist groups for its own very
survival. There is only one path to bring an end to all terrorist attacks in
Europe and the U.S.: supporting the Iranian people to topple the mullahs’
regime in Iran.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-19360779693589498962016-06-29T23:44:00.001-07:002016-06-29T23:44:30.124-07:00Iran dispatching Afghan mercenaries into Syria war quagmire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSnptPUJGEk/V3S_ioCwYfI/AAAAAAAAA1M/agNQfkKcwIYlDFRDNijGTqovo24sN_3XACLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSnptPUJGEk/V3S_ioCwYfI/AAAAAAAAA1M/agNQfkKcwIYlDFRDNijGTqovo24sN_3XACLcB/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">June 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the Iranian people continue to oppose taking
part in the Syria war, the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force has been forced to
dispatch its most senior IRGC commanders to support the Levant dictator Bashar
Assad. To this end, heavy casualties have been inflicted to senior IRGC
commanders and these ranks no longer have any temptation to participate in the
Syria war.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran began sending forces of the regular army 65<sup>th</sup>
Special Forces Brigade to Syria, and these units suffered serious casualties in
their first days in battle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Quds Force thus decided to begin dispatching
as many young Afghans to Syria as possible. First the mullahs’ regime promised
to provide residency to these young Afghans. The new campaign launched through
propaganda methods in west Afghanistan was focused to provide money, different
assets and residency to encourage them to in return participate in the Syria
war.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These Afghan youths already face many problems in
their own country, including economic poverty and the lack of adequate
employment. Therefore, they easily fall for Iran’s deception and flood into
Iran to file for these programs and be dispatched to Syria. This development
has left a deep impact on the security of western Afghanistan, leaving the
Afghan army facing a shortage in forces.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this regard a NATO official recently said Iran
recruiting forces from the men in Afghanistan and the border areas between the
two countries for the Syria war has left the Afghan army facing a shortage of
forces. The number of forces recruited by the Afghan army in Herat and other
provinces in western Afghanistan have decreased and the army is facing a major
dilemma, the NATO official added. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“If Afghanistan recruiting command can’t keep
pace, that’s a problem,” said U.S. Army Col. Steve Lutsky, deputy commander of
NATO’s Train Advise Assist Command-West. “We believe they [the Iranians] are
recruiting Afghan males to fight ISIS in Syria,” he said, using an acronym for
the Islamic State group. “That’s what we’ve been told by multiple people, which
is one of the reasons why our recruiting is low in this area.”</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">“Iran pays better than the Afghan army, and you don’t have to potentially fight
your family members,” he said.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this regard, IRGC Navy commander Ali Fadavi
said a number of IRGC forces are scheduled to be appointed as quick reaction
forces, one being an IRGC Navy special forces unit. A special unit is an
operational/training unit for various forces inside the country and abroad. The
members of the “resistance” are amongst these individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The “resistance axes” consists of Shiites from
Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. Currently these forces
are fighting in the wars of Syria and Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the last week of June the Syrian opposition
said the recent decrease in Russia’s bombing campaign has forced the Syrian
regime to suffer setbacks in the north, especially south of Aleppo and near
Raqqa. This is sending a message to Syrian president Bashar Assad that has protested
the calm witnessed by Aleppo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After Russia became fully involved Iran believed
it could easily take over Aleppo by sending its forces into Syria alongside
Iraqi Shiite militias. Due to economic difficulties Russia was incapable in
continuing its air campaigns, and was finally forced to downgrade its
involvement. Iran and all its proxy forces, alongside the Syrian regime’s
military units, began suffering major defeats in southern Aleppo and Raqqa. The
situation reached a point where Qani, the Quds Force commander on the ground in
Syria issued a letter saying if a new initiative is not launched in response to
the defeats it will most definitely lead to the fall of Damascus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Quds Force sought to recover from the defeats
in southern Aleppo and Raqqa, and it needed new recruits for this initiative.
Therefore, Iran pulled over 3,000 Iraqi Shiite forces from the war in Anbar
Province and dispatched them to Syria. On the other hand, Iran launched a
propaganda campaign in western Afghanistan promising monthly wages and
residency to young Afghans willing to fight in Syria. This provided a large
number of incapable young recruits flooding into Iran as they were suffering
from poverty. The bases Iran had allocated for these new recruits in the cities
of Mashhad and Ghouchan were flooded with young Afghans. These youths received
a very short 10-day training, and then dispatched to Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the other hand, Quds Force chief Qassem
Suleimani has with his Iranian advisors always been directly involved in the
wars in Iraq and Syria. Qassem Suleimani he will not return from Syria until
this country gets on its own feet again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Quds Force is using young Afghan recruits as
cannon fodders in Syria, and this is the main reason behind the rising number
of casualties amongst Afghan youths in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The country of Syria, acting as a savior for the
Iranian regime during the past 10 years, has turned against Iran and become a
quagmire for the mullahs. This will finally result in the acceleration of
Iran’s own downfall.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-79143530309200098222016-06-28T23:13:00.001-07:002016-06-28T23:13:55.062-07:00Iran’s Quds Force meddling in Bahrain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClfMY_B1dYw/VeaYaZHlPJI/AAAAAAAAAKI/lB-YI0nQPOIkUUWdMznexutAjloAOWZTQCKgB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ClfMY_B1dYw/VeaYaZHlPJI/AAAAAAAAAKI/lB-YI0nQPOIkUUWdMznexutAjloAOWZTQCKgB/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">June 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bahrain is
a country of the Persian Gulf and Iran continues to argue it was once amongst
its territories, and therefore claims sovereignty over this important island.
Back in August 2008, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of Keyhan – the
known mouthpiece of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei – wrote an article declaring
Bahrain an Iranian province. This raised major tension between in the bilateral
relations between the two countries, and finally Manouchehr Mottaki, then
foreign minister of Iran, was forced to visit Bahrain and resolve the matter.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the
other hand, due to the Shiite majority in this country, the Revolutionary
Guards Quds Force has been actively recruiting the youth and sending them to
Iran for terrorist training to thus influence and spark an “Islamic revolution”
in Bahrain. In this regard a mullah by the name of Sheikh Eisa Ghasem has been
recognized as the leader of this so-called revolution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the past
few months the country of Bahrain has apprehended a significant number of
terrorist cell members and confiscated a large amount of explosives and arms,
all sent by Iran. Only in one case in October 2015 a large bomb workshop was
discovered in the Shiite city of Navayderat, south of Manama, the capital of
Bahrain. This workshop belonged to the Quds Force, the extraterritorial wing of
the Revolutionary Guards, Bahraini officials said. This warehouse contained 1.5
tons of C4 and other types of explosives, automatic weapons and hand grenades.
This development led to the expulsion of Iran’s charge d’affaires from Bahrain.
Prior to this Bahrain had recalled its own ambassador from Tehran due to Iran’s
interference in its internal affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the past
few weeks Bahrain has witnessed a large scope of unrest incited by Iran-backed
Shiites in this country, leading to Bahrain authorities revoking the
citizenship of the main figure behind these unrests, being none other than
Sheikh Eisa Ghasem. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following
this development Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani, in command of all the
unrest in the entire region, made harsh remarks and even threatened this “will
create flames of fire in Bahrain.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the
other hand, the Iranian regime’s foreign ministry and all officials of this
regime have voiced positions against Bahrain and made similar threats. This
includes other Iranian regime puppets in Iraq that follow the chorus launched
by the Quds Force against Bahrain. This scenario is very similar to the
pro-Iranian regime mullah in Saudi Arabia by the name of Sheikh Nimr.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S.
President Barack Obama, who figured the nuclear deal with Iran would render changes
in its approach and behavior, has seen his dreams becoming a nightmare. Not
only has Iran intensified its terrorist nature after the nuclear agreement, in
fact Tehran is forced to escalate its meddling across the region to downgrade
the setbacks suffered from the nuclear agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
question is why does Iran intervene in the affairs of other countries? The
answer is quite simple. Iran’s meddling in other countries of the region is
aimed at exporting the “Islamic republic revolution,” and therefore expand the
territories under the “Islamic republic” control.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
question that comes to mind is that why is Iran attempting to export its
“revolution” to other countries? In my opinion the answer is quite simple. The
main dilemma Iran is facing is that the Iranian people are completely against
the mullahs’ religious establishment. Now, based on the experience the mullahs
have learned from Iranian regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini, this regime needs
to export its “revolution” to quell any possible domestic protest. This is
exactly why Tehran allocates nearly $1 billion a month for the war in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here, one
must say to Obama and the entire pro-appeasement camp that as long as they
continue their appeasement policy with Iran, Tehran will easily continue to export
its terrorism and unrest to all countries of the region.</span></span><span dir="RTL" lang="FA" style="font-family: Nazanin; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-15207579396225200112016-06-27T23:29:00.001-07:002016-06-27T23:29:50.206-07:00Iran: Quds Force efforts in Iraq to reunite Shiite groups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdZke3lD2r4/V3IZIT5W62I/AAAAAAAAA08/ZwuQgoZHWmkVrSE9qxXdK5y7JllzkS3qwCLcB/s1600/100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdZke3lD2r4/V3IZIT5W62I/AAAAAAAAA08/ZwuQgoZHWmkVrSE9qxXdK5y7JllzkS3qwCLcB/s320/100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">June 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As recent
developments have made it crystal clear in Iraq, the Shiite coalition formed
through the efforts of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force following the
toppling of the former Iraqi government (Saddam Hussein) by the United States
is now crumbling from within and literally torn apart. Demonstrations and
rallies in the past few months, staged by the Shiite majorities in Baghdad and
southern Shiite provinces, witnessed a main slogan against the presence of the
Iranian regime and the Quds Force in Iraq. This came as a heavy blow for Tehran
in its efforts in Iraq.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Iranian
regime’s main arm to gain influence and hegemony over the situation in Iraq,
parallel to pursuing its own policy, was the Shiite coalition, blueprinted and
crafted skillfully by the Quds Force and Tehran dictating their policies and
roadmaps. One of the most important measures by Iran during this period in Iraq
was determining the prime minister and appointing its puppet ministers to
control the situation on the ground in Iraq. Individuals who lacked any
qualification to serve as ministers or management roles, and were only
appointed due to their die-hard allegiance to Iran. To this end Iran enjoyed
the possibility of relying on its appointed agents and easily pursue its
objectives in Iraq. This was also the main element behind all the grant and
corruption in the Iraqi government.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During the
Sadrists’ demonstrations in Baghdad and southern provinces the protesters were
seen tearing and setting ablaze images of current and former Iranian supreme
leaders Ali Khamenei and Khomeini, respectively, installed at the gates of
Shiite parties’ offices. This was considered a very harsh insult for the
Iranian regime and has disrupted all its calculations for Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To launch a
restart for this situation, Iran must first reunite the torn apart Shiite
coalition. In this regard Iran’s Supreme National Security Council appointed
Iran’s ambassador to Iraq – himself a leading Quds Force member – as the man in
charge of this effort: to bring new life to the Shiite coalition with new
regulations and frameworks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Danaie-Far,
Iran’s ambassador in Baghdad, began his measures in mid-January and on
Thursday, Jun 16<sup>th</sup> he invited the heads of all the pro-Iran Shiite
groups for a Ramadan iftar (dinner). These invitations continued for 10 nights
and all heads of Iraqi groups were invited in different nights. On the first
night, Ibrahim Jafari as the chair of the National Alliance, Nouri al-Maliki as
the main Iranian regime element in Iraq, Hamid Maale as the representative of
Hakim, Interior Minister Mohamed Ghaban representing the Badr Organization (in
for Hadi al-Ameri) and Hakem Zamoli and Jafar al-Mousawi from the Sadrists.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran’s
ambassador to Iraq went to Tehran prior to these invitations and provided a
status report on the Shiite National Alliance and the entire country of Iraq.
He was then briefed on the new policy adopted by the Supreme National Security
Council for Iraq and returned to his mission. The most important policy adopted
in the SNSC meeting was to reunite the Shiites in Iraq under new regulations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The main
obstacle before the Shiite coalition is the Sadrists movement that in the past
few months has under no circumstances been willing to carry out the orders and
instructions issued by the Quds Force and the Iranian regime itself, and has
adopted a completely Iraqi approach and policy. The Sadrists are also the main
reason behind the Shiite coalition falling apart. During the past month the
Iranian ambassador to Iraq visited the city of Najaf to meet with Muqtada Sadr,
who refused to accept him. Once again during a meeting held between the
ambassador and Sadr the situation became very tense, leading to harsh verbal
exchanges and Sadr refused to succumb to Tehran’s demands. Sadr intends to form
a new faction consisting of Shiites, Sunnis and civil organizations in the face
of the pro-Iran Shiite coalition. If such an objective is successful, it will
deliver a serious blow to Iran’s goals in Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following
the Ramadan dinner session Shiite groups held a session with the presence of
the Iranian ambassador. All the groups were briefed by the ambassador and the
Quds Force representative. Iran intends to carry out its own initiative and
reunite the Shiites, all before Sadr forms a new coalition. In this session the
Iranian ambassador instructed all Shiite groups that they must quickly get to
work and clarify their position with Sadr. They sent a message to Sadr through
his representative taking part in the session, Jafar al-Mousavi. Iran’s
ambassador in this session emphasized on the following:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- reunited
the National Alliance, consisting of Shiite groups<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-
specifying new regulations for the Alliance to prevent previous scenarios, such
as the Sadrists pulling out of the group<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- inviting
Sadr and al-Abadi into the Alliance, and if they refuse they are to be banished
from the Shiite community in Iraq<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Iraqi
Foreign Ministry (Jafari was present in the session) to confront measures by
the Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad, and controlling his movements<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The groups
began their measures the day after being briefed, and in this regard Nouri
al-Maliki, chair of the State of Law coalition emphasized on differences and
divides inside the National Alliance and made a call to return to the past
status. Ibrahim Jafari said the National Alliance will not give up its
continuous efforts to maintain its unity, yet cannot change its existing
internal divides.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The
measures carried out by Thamer al-Sahan, the Saudi Ambassador in Iraq, are
considered interference in Iraq’s internal affairs and what he is doing has
nothing to do with his role as an ambassador,” Jafari said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran is
rallying with all its might to regain its influence, hegemony and control over
the situation in Iraq. Will it be able to achieve this goal and pursue its
policy against the U.S. is a question the future will answer.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-80057901790942632612016-06-24T23:13:00.000-07:002016-06-24T23:13:09.307-07:00Iran: Khamenei threatening to “set nuclear deal ablaze if U.S. tears it apart”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_VjO8sYfrw/V24gwtVYxiI/AAAAAAAAA0s/-anZbhAro1sXaJqKTpXRcaMnkwndl65ygCLcB/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_VjO8sYfrw/V24gwtVYxiI/AAAAAAAAA0s/-anZbhAro1sXaJqKTpXRcaMnkwndl65ygCLcB/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">June 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On June 14<sup>th</sup> the
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei delivered a speech at the presence of the
three government branch chiefs and a group of senior regime officials. The most
important portion of his remarks that gained widespread coverage in Iranian
media and the press included, “If the next U.S. president tears apart the
nuclear deal, Iran will set it ablaze.”</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The media focus on this sentence
takes place at a time when Khamenei in his remarks on June 14<sup>th</sup> also
referred to all the crises his regime is facing. From warning about defections
amongst the regime’s most senior ranks, to expressing concern about defections
even amongst the Revolutionary Guards and paramilitary Bassij units, his
growing fear of the youths’ hatred and abhorrence of this regime, to depicting
the path this regime is trekking into disaster after signing the nuclear
agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This downgrading has no ending,
just as they have now started the missile issue after the nuclear dossier,
after the missiles they will raise the issue of human rights, and after human rights
they will raise the issue of the Guardian Council, and then the mullahs’
establishment, and finally the constitution and the rule of Islam,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this speech Khamenei also
lashed out at his long-time rival, former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi
Rafsanjani, and his protégé, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Don’t say the sanctions have
been lifted,” he said. This comes at a time when Rouhani had at the beginning
of this meeting emphasized sanctions have been lifted. Khamenei also expressed
concern over the recession and dire economic conditions, and the fact that in
the JCPOA they gave up everything and gained nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to Khamenei’s
remarks, the meaningful absence of Rafsanjani in all similar session, refusing
to sit alongside Khamenei, has become an important issue gaining the media’s
attention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently the question is why
have the regime’s state TV and radio stations focused on the “Islamic republic
will set ablaze the nuclear deal,” while Khamenei’s remarks covered a large
range of crises and stalemates the Iranian regime is already facing? Was
Khamenei seeking to only express this one sentence in his speech?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer can be obtained in
how Iran’s media provided coverage for this very sentence. Iran’s state TV
expressed concern over how pressures and increasing sanctions against the
mullahs’ establishment has become a major issue in the U.S. presidential
elections, and began saber-rattling by saying Khamenei “did not leave the
threats raised by U.S. presidential candidates unanswered. A speech that gained
attention very fast and to this point has most likely been heard by those
making these threats.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, through the focus on
one sentence one can conclude that this was Khamenei’s main goal in this speech
to deliver this one punch-line. This conclusion itself is the subject of a
number of fundamental questions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Does Khamenei truly intend to </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">alter all the equations and set ablaze to the nuclear
deal?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer
is if Khamenei actually had such power and leverage, he would never kneel
behind the negotiating table and would never sign a nuclear deal that was obvious
from day one would become a quagmire for his regime. The answer is no. One can
reach this conclusion through the emphasis Khamenei made to remain loyal to the
agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The
Islamic republic will not be the first party to violate the nuclear deal
because it is the Koran’s ruling to remain loyal to one’s pledges,” he said
before saying Iran will set ablaze to the nuclear deal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then what
is Khamenei’s goal in this saber-rattling remarks of setting the nuclear deal
ablaze? Simple. To reassure those very concerned members of his dismal social
pact and those who are defecting in growing numbers day by day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who are the
main targets of these remarks made by Khamenei? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer
is in addition to those defecting from the regime’s apparatus, Khamenei is also
seeking to gain the attention of U.S. presidential candidates. He is hoping
that just maybe, similar to the golden years of appeasement, his remarks will
force the West to give in to the regime’s demands. Of course, it is crystal
clear that at a time when the regime’s policies are failing one after another,
this pathetic saber-rattling effort by Khamenei will never fool anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally,
the last question is what message should one receive from these remarks made by
Khamenei?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The message
is quite clear: firstly, this reveals the true nature of the regime ruling
Iran. Despite the fact that the nuclear agreement has cut short Iran’s reach
for an atomic bomb, Khamenei continues to seek his devious intention in this
regard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Secondly,
this is a clear reference to the weak status quo of the regime in Tehran. On
one hand it is emphasizing on remaining loyal to the nuclear deal, and on the
other hand he is ridiculously claiming to actually “set the nuclear deal
ablaze.” This comes at a time when one sentence mentioned recently by Khamenei
sheds light on his regime’s conditions and his own ongoing nightmares: “The
main issue at hand is the very existence of the Islamic republic.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-76085798288843637902016-06-18T23:45:00.001-07:002016-06-18T23:45:24.547-07:00Iran pushing for no-confidence vote against al-Abadi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OC2YWzP31c/V2Y_YAf5DbI/AAAAAAAAA0c/5M2j9YS1u3EsLxWG0L4IIkFS6LIZrH6VQCLcB/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OC2YWzP31c/V2Y_YAf5DbI/AAAAAAAAA0c/5M2j9YS1u3EsLxWG0L4IIkFS6LIZrH6VQCLcB/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">June 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The occupation of the Iraqi Parliament and Prime Ministry
Office afterwards by protesters proved Iran has lost control of the situation
on the ground in Iran and this regime is no longer dictating its will to Shiite
groups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In most demonstrations despite the fact that the Iranian
ambassador in Iraq would call on its associated elements to refrain from
voicing anti-Iranian regime slogans, the protesters – infuriated over poverty
and lack of security – were heard chanting “Iran, Out, Out.” This slogan
disrupted all the Iranian regime’s calculations and in a senior Iranian regime official
has reportedly said Tehran spent billions in Iraq and they still chant slogans
against the Islamic republic of Iran in their demonstrations.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During the incidents of June 9<sup>th</sup> in Baghdad
and various southern provinces, the demonstrators were seen attacking the
offices of Iran-backed Shiite militia groups and parties, tearing down pictures
senior figures of these groups and parties posted alongside images of Iranian
regime founder Ruhollah Khomeini and current supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Protesters were also seen setting fire to the Iranian regime flag along with
pictures of Khomeini and Khamenei. These events were considered too much to
bear for the Iranian regime and they were reportedly holding the government of
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi responsible for this turn of events,
arguing none of this would have occurred if he had stood against the
demonstrators by firing live bullets (a plan blueprinted by the Iranian regime
to use Iran-backed Shiite militia groups such as the Badr Organization, Asaeb
Ahl al-Haq, Katayeb Hezbollah, Nojba and …).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to news obtained from inside the Iranian regime
as long as al-Abadi sits on the Prime Ministry seat Tehran will not be able to
prevent such events. Therefore, setting aside al-Abadi through a no-confidence
vote was placed on the agenda of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and all
pro-Iran groups and parties in Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Quds Force plan in this regard is to use protesting
MPs who have formed a group dubbed “Reform” led by former prime minister Nouri
al-Maliki to pursue the no-confidence vote campaign in the Iraqi Parliament.
Considering the low number of these MPs and the fact that they will not be able
to pursue this project, the Quds Force has provide Maliki a vast amount of
money to convince other MPs to join the Reform group and through such measures
gain a majority. Their ultimate goal is to demand a no-confidence vote in the
Parliament after the one-month long summer vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another measure pursued by Iran in this regard is through
the Iraqi judiciary. Arrangements were made for the Federal Court to issue its
vote regarding the legality or illegality of the Parliament session regarding
the expulsion of Speaker Salim al-Jabouri from his post. The Federal Court had
established a fact-finding mission for this very purpose and the following
their investigation they announced the Parliament session in which the
protesting MPs held to expel al-Jabouri from his post was illegitimate and the
number of MPs in the session were only 129. Iran, seeing its plans failed,
quickly took measures through the Iraqi judiciary chief Midhat Mahmoud – a
known element of the Iranian regime – and announced the investigation results
will be postponed and established a new delegation to evaluate this issue. To
this day they have postponed the session to announce their final vote. Iran is
attempting to influence the Federal Court ruling and register the Parliament
session voting to expel Salim al-Jabouri as legitimate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The result is Iran is witnessing its dreams of gaining
complete control over Iraq going down the drain, and it is refusing to bring an
end to its previous efforts. Tehran is pursuing various new plots and intends
to completely replace the heads of the three branches in Iraq (prime minister,
president and judiciary) with new elements. It is worth noting that this plan
by Tehran is farfetched from the realities inside Iraq and the Iranian regime
will never be able to place a dirty operative such as Maliki as prime minister
in Iraq. In the near future the Iraqi people will teach lessons to the Quds
Force and its proxy Shiite militia groups for their crimes.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-36297416250240357352016-06-17T23:28:00.000-07:002016-06-17T23:28:01.130-07:00Iran arming Shiite militias in Iraq<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21a6MIA4pGY/V2TpGQ9SLgI/AAAAAAAAAzM/2V6yE4iRUscEbxRCMjShYkNL5aGlAwLhACLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21a6MIA4pGY/V2TpGQ9SLgI/AAAAAAAAAzM/2V6yE4iRUscEbxRCMjShYkNL5aGlAwLhACLcB/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIyR3bx2Y58/V2TpIJhRWZI/AAAAAAAAAzU/uL3rSaRG-7sdh6TkRJstOygrhmO49nqqgCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIyR3bx2Y58/V2TpIJhRWZI/AAAAAAAAAzU/uL3rSaRG-7sdh6TkRJstOygrhmO49nqqgCLcB/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">June 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After Iran lost its political hegemony in Iraq
with former Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki being set aside, and following
the military defeats it suffered in operations targeting Salahadin and Tikrit,
from late April of this year Iran has launched new military measures under the
pretext of liberating the city of Fallujah in Anbar Province, west of Baghdad.
Revolutionary Guards Quds Force chief Qassem Suleimani in his new round of
military activities in Iraq attempted realize his objective through official
and government channels, and by using Shiite military forces, parallel to
equipping and arming these units with new weapons. Qassem Suleimani sought to
enhance the Popular Mobilization Units (a conglomerate of Iran-backed Shiite
militia groups) into a regional military power and downgrade the role played by
the Iraqi Army. This Quds Force policy is in line with the same policy Iran
sought to implement through the PMU from 2013 and integrating this unit into an
entity similar to the IRGC. Arming the PMU with light and medium weapons, along
with rockets/missiles through transferring the technology of this weaponry to
Iraq are amongst the objectives of the IRGC Quds Force.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z44pKGzc3aU/V2TpRO5BytI/AAAAAAAAAz4/FwDpKA_4h_YIb0x1oFAroapftOz15CLLACKgB/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z44pKGzc3aU/V2TpRO5BytI/AAAAAAAAAz4/FwDpKA_4h_YIb0x1oFAroapftOz15CLLACKgB/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azmlLlA0Ht4/V2TpOKwvX8I/AAAAAAAAAzw/6UDtfnwTX_kNwBsQ31JSNSUXtRhJQYvkwCKgB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azmlLlA0Ht4/V2TpOKwvX8I/AAAAAAAAAzw/6UDtfnwTX_kNwBsQ31JSNSUXtRhJQYvkwCKgB/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Due to the heavy expenses Iran has endured to
arm and equip the PMU and Shiite militia forces during the past few years,
recently the Quds Force has decided to transfer a part of its arms technology
to Iraq and use this know-how under the pretext of the Iraqi defense industry and
actually use the Shiite militias in launching various arms factories inside
Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On May 16<sup>th</sup>, 2016 Iranian Deputy
Defense Minister Ghasem Taghizadeh visited Iraq and met with his counterpart
Khaled al-Obeidi. This meeting was held to arrange the transfer of various
types of missiles and rockets to the Shiite militias, and hold talks based on
launching factories to actually manufacture the weaponry and defensive
equipment in Iraq. On the very same day when Taghizadeh entered Baghdad, the
missiles/rockets consignment sent by the IRGC arrived in Baghdad and
distributed by the Defense Ministry amongst the PMU and Shiite militia groups
to provide the backup artillery fire for the Fallujah offensive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Based on the agreements made a portion of the
Iran defensive industry equipment production would be carried out inside Iraq
and the Shiite militias would play a main role in manufacturing the Iranian
weaponry inside their country. In Taghizadeh’s meeting with the Iraqi Defense
Minister the transfer of a portion of Iran’s missile/rocket technology to Iraq,
especially the cities of Basra and Najaf, were placed on the agenda for the
near future. This not officially acknowledges the PMU in the Iraqi military
structure, but also places the Iraqi defense industry under the control of the
PMU and Shiite militias.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1K1h4apdjww/V2TpRfX3JQI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MtmUa3zUkmoJMnuErOk115FqPeCIOKYZgCKgB/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1K1h4apdjww/V2TpRfX3JQI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MtmUa3zUkmoJMnuErOk115FqPeCIOKYZgCKgB/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The Iraqi Industry and Mining Ministry
announced a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Iran for the
transfer of war industry technology to Iraq, especially regarding the
manufacturing of missiles/rockets, the necessary launchers and mortars… the
agreement was made also on the detachment of an Iranian delegation to evaluate
the adequate sites in Iraq to build and install the new manufacturing lines in
order to produce war weaponry and ammunition,” a number of news agencies wired
on May 29<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-jpRCCn0dk/V2TpRbQ94tI/AAAAAAAAAz8/LskzDF9XShM3Ttiefefy4sIrrdgnTy1rgCKgB/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-jpRCCn0dk/V2TpRbQ94tI/AAAAAAAAAz8/LskzDF9XShM3Ttiefefy4sIrrdgnTy1rgCKgB/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9jIlFPtkgg/V2TpMWyAoRI/AAAAAAAAAzk/hP7jMgCytpkdtobLtCnVvS780IVUg8-2QCKgB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9jIlFPtkgg/V2TpMWyAoRI/AAAAAAAAAzk/hP7jMgCytpkdtobLtCnVvS780IVUg8-2QCKgB/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Abdulvahed al-Shemeri, Director of the Iraqi
Industry & Mining Ministry press center, who in May reported the production
of water coolers based on solar energy, made remarks on May 31<sup>st</sup>
about the production of rocket/missile launchers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The Ministry of Industry & Mining has
manufactured rocket/missile launchers for the PMU. We are trekking an already
evaluated path to activate the military industry… this ministry went on to
announce its new war equipment productions built by the personnel of the Ebn
Majed company,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is worth noting that this company is based
in Basra Province in southern Iraq and is considered one of the companies
supporting the Iraq’s war industry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“The Ebn Majed Company is manufacturing missile
launchers boarded on vehicles and can be used on a 360-degree basis. They are
built </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">for the PMU. These rockets are 122 to 350mm
caliber and their lengths are 2,800mm with a range of 2,700 meters,” he
continued. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This company has in the past built eight 107mm
missile launchers to be used to launch missiles boarded on vehicles. These
rockets are known for their easy use and transferability,” al-Shemeri added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMMkPKrmFUI/V2TpFEcW1NI/AAAAAAAAA0M/VqsC2ojtfsYz1aT5vqKqlG9CEpGVUKUoACKgB/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMMkPKrmFUI/V2TpFEcW1NI/AAAAAAAAA0M/VqsC2ojtfsYz1aT5vqKqlG9CEpGVUKUoACKgB/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RyztasitzA0/V2TpFlgiCgI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Fq4ctXRfWBY_iLi7_Zs20-FXGZr7Sy8ZwCKgB/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RyztasitzA0/V2TpFlgiCgI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Fq4ctXRfWBY_iLi7_Zs20-FXGZr7Sy8ZwCKgB/s320/11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran has agreed to place the technology to build
these rockets at Iraq’s disposal, and as a first step they are launching these
measures in Basra through the Ebn Majed Company that is linked to the IRGC and
Shiite militias. To this end Iran has transferred its rocket production
industry into Iraq and enabled the Shiite militias to build such weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The presence of PMU forces in the Fallujah
operations came after an agreement made that the U.S. did not oppose. The
agreement with the presence of Shiite militias and PMU forces in the Fallujah
offensive was made under the basis that these militias be used in war fronts
and various battles, and not be allowed to cause insecurity in Baghdad, or plot
against the al-Abadi government.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In the Fallujah offensive Iran has committed not
to directly provide weapons and rockets to Shiite militias and PMU forces, but
through the Iraqi Defense Ministry to make everything seem official and
according to protocol.</span><span dir="RTL" lang="FA" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shiite militias and PMU forces received a number
of Iranian rocket consignments prior to the Fallujah offensive that was
launched on May 23<sup>rd</sup>. A number of these rocket/missile launchers
were built in Iran’s defense industry and arrangements have been made for
similar launchers to be made in Iraq for the Shiite militias.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Below are images of a number of the launchers
built by the Iranian Defense Ministry and transferred to Iraq, along with a
number of the rockets/missiles built by Shiite militias under the supervision
of Quds Force experts.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9jIlFPtkgg/V2TpMWyAoRI/AAAAAAAAAzk/hP7jMgCytpkdtobLtCnVvS780IVUg8-2QCKgB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9jIlFPtkgg/V2TpMWyAoRI/AAAAAAAAAzk/hP7jMgCytpkdtobLtCnVvS780IVUg8-2QCKgB/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVNm67t3UiY/V2TpKra4uJI/AAAAAAAAAzc/UTJd9eb3DO4HFw_JhAPhzoCAJClWBNzGgCKgB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVNm67t3UiY/V2TpKra4uJI/AAAAAAAAAzc/UTJd9eb3DO4HFw_JhAPhzoCAJClWBNzGgCKgB/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span dir="RTL" lang="FA" style="font-family: Nazanin; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><o:p></o:p></span>glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-739079260554683512016-06-13T23:50:00.001-07:002016-06-13T23:50:52.398-07:00Iran-associated militias’ crimes in Fallujah operations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FyA5g98Ogkw/V1-pO3hAPhI/AAAAAAAAAys/2k7JU5cizF4t0lsLoH7BK2pH7JHCwZIZACLcB/s1600/Ck1L2gQXEAAyvj7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FyA5g98Ogkw/V1-pO3hAPhI/AAAAAAAAAys/2k7JU5cizF4t0lsLoH7BK2pH7JHCwZIZACLcB/s320/Ck1L2gQXEAAyvj7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">June
2016</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
goals pursued by Shiite militia groups associated to Iran and the Revolutionary
Guards Quds Force in their presence in the Fallujah operations is no longer a
mystery for anyone. The sectarian nature of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU)
and other Shiite militia groups and their approach vis-à-vis the residents of
the towns of Garma, Saqlawiya and locals in Fallujah who were able to flee from
ISIS control have made it crystal clear the objectives they are following in
the Fallujah operations of seeking vengeance against the Sunni community. This
has raised major protests and resulted in deep concerns amongst Arab and
regional states over the role played by Iran-backed Shiite militia groups in
the Fallujah operations. On the other hand, the public announcement made by Hadi
al-Ameri and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in various press conferences of Fallujah
being liberated by PMU forces showed that the PMU and Shiite militias are the
main parties involved in the Fallujah operations. Al-Ameri had previously
announced the PMU mission will finalize following the Fallujah operations. More
recently, however, he has said, “After we have ensured that all non-civilians
have exited Fallujah we will attack the city and no one will stop us. No one
can liberate Fallujah without PMU participation.”</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At a
time when Fallujah residents were seeking to exit the city and head towards
safe areas, the PMU were seen abducting and placing many of them under horrific
tortures and summary executions. The PMU have told the Fallujah locals, ‘We
have come to this region to avenge those killed in Spyker and Saqlawiya. This
revenge will begin with Shiite forces entering the city of Fallujah,’ according
to locals and eyewitnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PMU
and Shiite militia commanders have officially announced they have arrested a
large number of ISIS forces hidden amongst the residents. This is paving the
path of execution and taking revenge on the Fallujah locals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With
protests expanding and various countries taking harsh positions against the
PMU’s measures in murdering and massacring Fallujah residents, these Shiite
militia groups staged a temporary withdrawal from Fallujah operational areas in
an attempt to prevent their crimes from being exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Quds Force immediately agreed with the PMU and Shiite militia groups retreating
from Fallujah operational areas. A Quds Force commander justified such a move
in his remarks by saying considering the crimes taken place by the PMU in
Fallujah, if we insist on remaining in these areas the use of these units in
Mosul will be undermined. Therefore, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis immediately ordered
the retreat of all PMU and Shiite militia forces from Fallujah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently
a large portion of the PMU and Shiite militia forces have transferred to the
Baghdad beltway and Abu Ghareib areas after committing horrific crimes against
Fallujah residents. A small portion have remained near the Fallujah operational
areas, preparing their units for future sectarian killings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In April
2015 Hadi al-Ameri and other Shiite militia commanders launched an all-out
sectarian war in Salahadin under the pretext of battling ISIS. Long before
attacking Salahadin Province and the city of Tikrit, al-Ameri had told all the
Shiite militia and PMU commanders, “A vengeance operation is in the agenda, and
prepare yourselves to avenge the blood spilled in Karbala, Najaf and other
cities in the south during the years of the former (Saddam) government.
Remember that Shiites were massacred in Fort Spyker. Therefore, the Salahadin
operation is aimed at avenging the blood spilled from Shiites in Fort Spyker.
As a result, in the attack have no reservation and open your path forward by
spilling blood.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
the early days of the Salahadin operations, Shiite militias and PMU forces
involved began arresting and killing the locals, setting their homes ablaze and
plundering their property. The PMU and Shiite militias were instructed by
al-Ameri to claim ISIS has set all the homes ablaze during their retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Al-Ameri
had time and again said in various fronts, “Sunnis must be killed during your
advances, with the motivation of avenging their actions during the former
government, and the deaths of Shiite college students in Fort Spyker. Sunnis
are the same as ISIS. Any citizen in ISIS-controlled areas is no different from
ISIS. Therefore, in our advance we have nothing known as the people or locals.
ISIS is all that there is, and it must be destroyed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During
the Salahadin and Tikrit operations al-Ameri had instructed the Shiite militia
and PMU forces regarding Sunni locals in ISIS-controlled areas, “To this day we
have warned the citizens many times to evacuate the area. Therefore, if you are
faced with an individual during your advance, claiming to be an ordinary citizen,
do not believe them, they are ISIS members, spill their blood and continue on
your path. The path to Mosul is opened only through spilling the blood of
Sunnis.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-77191566133739666882016-06-01T23:45:00.001-07:002016-06-01T23:45:31.488-07:00Iran’s attempts to resolve differences amongst Iraq Shiite coalition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoWqGnFYDZ4/V0_V6M9vEDI/AAAAAAAAAyc/el2LJzq5IeQlHgG9eNrgduJ_8522l_CYQCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoWqGnFYDZ4/V0_V6M9vEDI/AAAAAAAAAyc/el2LJzq5IeQlHgG9eNrgduJ_8522l_CYQCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2016</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With the reform movement gaining momentum in
the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, along with measures
taken by Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr to achieve these reforms, a serious rift
and divide inside the Shiite coalition has become visible more than ever
before. Considering the fact that rooted reforms have been the demand of the
senior Shiite clergy, various members of the Shiite coalition have publicly
supported the reforms proposed by al-Abadi and Sadr, yet behind the scenes they
continue to emphasize on the quota system of appointing ministers. This has
caused major divides amongst the establishing currents of the National
Alliance. Iran is extremely concerned of the Shiite coalition in Iraq
crumbling, and therefore to this day Tehran has dispatched a significant number
of delegations to resolve these disputes in Iraq. Significant is the fact that
none of the Shiite coalition currents are willing to accept the requests raised
by Iranian representatives.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In mid-March Iran sent Mullah Mohsen Araki,
Secretary-General of the Global Islamic Association of Religious Access to Iraq
along with a delegation. One objective of this mission was to send a message
from senior Iranian religious letters to Iraq’s Shiite groups to set aside
their differences and unite, or else the Sunnis will rise to power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On March 17<sup>th</sup> Araki met with Nouri
al-Maliki as Secretary-General of the Dawa Party, in which Iranian ambassador
to Iraq Danaie-Far and former Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki also
took part. Mullah Araki said the most important role of the Shiite groups is to
maintain unity amongst the Shiites, adding this is more important than their
battle against Daesh (the Arabic acronym for the self-proclaimed Islamic State,
or ISIS). Maliki has said the Shiite coalition is currently lacking a leader,
and each party and group is seeking their own interests and portion in the
ruling circle, adding this has led to the Shiites losing their previous unity.
Araki presumptuously referred to Maliki’s repressive measures during his tenure
as PM and his policies against the Sadrists. “Solidarity, Islamic unity and
Islamic cooperation” amongst the various currents of the Shiite coalition must
be taken into consideration as an undeniable principle, adding this is a sharia
duty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Divides between Shiite political groups has
been weakening the spirits of the Popular Mobilization Forces for some time
now. Maliki in his meeting with Araki referred to this matter and said a number
PMF commanders are asking for his presence amongst these forces to lift their
spirits. Considering the low morale amongst the PMF and based on a request
mentioned by Maliki, Araki, joined by Mottaki and a number of PMF commanders,
went to Iraq’s Salahadin Province and delivered speeches in Arabic in an
attempt to lift the PMF units’ spirits. In his speeches he described the PMF
units as the pride of the pride of the Iraqi people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mullah Araki in all his meetings with Shiite
alliance leaders, attempted to resolve their disputes. However, according to an
Iranian regime official inside the Araki delegation, the divides between Shiite
leaders had become too deep to be resolved by a figure of Araki’s low stature.
His visit to Iraq was scheduled to last a few days and meetings were
pre-arranged with all Shiite leaders. However, faced with the mounting rifts in
the Shiite ‘National Alliance’, Araki listened to advice provided by the
Iranian embassy in Baghdad, ended his visit short and returned to Tehran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran’s assessment of the political crisis in
Iraq is that the source of all these issues is the divides between various
National Alliance currents, especially over Maliki himself. Considering the
fact that a planned trip by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Iraq had been announced
from long before, Rouhani had arrangements to see Shiite leaders, especially
Muqtada Sadr and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To prepare the grounds for Rouhani’s
scheduled visit to Iraq and meeting with Shiite leaders, Iran dispatched Kamal
Kharazi, head of the Foreign Relations Strategic Council and a close confidant
of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to Iraq with the goal of meeting with
Muqtada Sadr, currently considered an impetus force in Iraq. This meeting was
intended to pave the path for Rouhani’s meeting with Sadr. However, despite all
the efforts placed by Iran’s embassy in Iraq and the foreign ministry back in
Tehran, Sadr refused to meet with Kharazi and turned down a request to meet
with Rouhani. Kharazi attempted to specifically prepare these meetings with
Sadr through Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jafari. However, all these efforts
were futile, driving the entire Kharazi trip to Iraq into a complete disaster
and forcing Rouhani to entirely call off this important visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Delivering an evaluation of his report to
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Kharazi said the National Alliance in
Iraq is suffering from the positions adopted by Maliki and the difference
raging amongst various parties, especially due to this entity lacking a leader.
The differences are too deep for Iran to simply appoint a leader and resolve
the disputes, he said, adding Tehran’s should simply focus its efforts on
preventing the scope of these differences from escalating. Kharazi went on to
add the necessary solutions needed to prevent the Shiite coalition from
crumbling would be futile without Muqtada Sadr’s participation. Maliki and
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi literally have no role in Iraq’s current
political atmosphere, he added in his report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering the fact that healing the rifts
between various groups of the Shiite coalition was part of Kharazi’s objective
in his visit to Iraq, and the fact that he was unable to reach these goals,
Rouhani was left with no choice but to officially cancel his visit to Iraq. Iran
is deeply concerned of the recent turn of events in the political landscape of
Iraq will result in a segment of the Shiite coalition distancing itself from
Tehran. As a result, the mullahs will no longer enjoy full hegemony over Iraq’s
Shiite parties. Internal disputes amongst the Shiite coalition and political
measures carried out throughout Iraq prove the mullahs have lost their
influence over Shiite parties. Iran’s weakened hegemony in Iraq is a signal of
the fall of all Iraqi parties linked to Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sending Kamal Kharazi to Iraq, himself linked
to Khamenei’s office, shows that the Iranian supreme leader and the Quds Force
are extremely concerned of the consequences of the recent Iraqi political
developments.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-18501855668570914942016-05-28T23:39:00.001-07:002016-05-28T23:39:23.875-07:00Iran’s response after Jordan summoned its ambassador from Tehran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJtHvfEscEI/V0qOhMIjkyI/AAAAAAAAAyI/SfPeTmNpWpEvj39stPd58gdzNUN6Wh19gCLcB/s1600/1409543714_iran_octopus.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJtHvfEscEI/V0qOhMIjkyI/AAAAAAAAAyI/SfPeTmNpWpEvj39stPd58gdzNUN6Wh19gCLcB/s320/1409543714_iran_octopus.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jordan summoned its ambassador
from Tehran in protest to Iran’s meddling policies in Middle East countries.
The Iranian regime, finding itself more and more isolated across the region,
has resorted its old tactics and tricks by instigating fear and raising
threats.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this regard, the Jordan-Syria
border has in recent weeks witnessed a significant rise in the amount of
narcotics, arms and individuals being smuggled into Jordan. This phenomenon has
raised serious suspicions amongst Jordanian officials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Political analysts in Jordan believe
more and more fingers are being pointed at Iran being behind this recent hike
in smuggling measures in the Jordan-Syria border area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sources in Jordan believe the
political positions adopted by Amman recently regarding the Syria crisis, along
with the Iranian regime’s reaction in this regard, all led to Jordan recalling
its envoy from Tehran for further discussions. Iran is attempting to flood
Jordan with narcotics and weapons, resulting in a serious stir of stability in
this important U.S. ally in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is understood in Jordan
recalling its ambassador from Tehran is a very strong position adopted by
Jordan in the face of Iran’s policies in the Middle East. This recent measure
by Amman is coordinated with Gulf States, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The recent trend of a variety of
smuggling activities in Jordan has escalated tremendously, with numbers showing
a 400% skyrocket increase. Infiltration operations have escalated 350% in
comparison to the past 3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to domestic news from
Jordan, more than 7 million pills of narcotics and 1,780 individuals smuggled into
this country have been neutralized, and 581 others also intended to infiltrate
into this country. These individuals and drugs have been handed over to the
authorities, along with Jordanian officials confiscating more than 10,000
pieces of ammunition headed into their soil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amongst the smuggled weapons
more than 1,000 shotguns, 200 AK-47 assault rifles, 52 hand grenades, 5 remote
controlled explosive devices, 45 transmitters, 7 million pills of narcotics, 50
bullet-proof vests and 8 heavy machine guns have been found.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Through Syria, Iran intends to
carry out such smuggling operations and ultimately place pressure on and harass
Jordan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Informed sources said the
smugglers had laptops specifically designed for smuggling activities, intended
to mislead advanced controlling devices installed in Jordan.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-85832732444642532542016-05-23T23:28:00.000-07:002016-05-23T23:28:12.889-07:00Iran’s actions aimed to disrupt a technocrat cabinet in Iraq<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rzH4JARhIE/V0P0WZtH4II/AAAAAAAAAxw/o1F-yILjF9gmedzdaDT9Poj1ijffFQ-jgCLcB/s1600/GettyImages-533096290.0.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rzH4JARhIE/V0P0WZtH4II/AAAAAAAAAxw/o1F-yILjF9gmedzdaDT9Poj1ijffFQ-jgCLcB/s320/GettyImages-533096290.0.0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Following popular demonstrations in
late February across Baghdad’s Green Zone, the Iranian regime became extremely
concerned of the Iraqi people’s demands for reform. Through its operatives in
Iraq Tehran went to great limits divert the reform project. The issue of
corruption under former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and setting aside
judiciary chief Mid’hat Mahmoud were the pillar concerns for Iran, leading the
regime to continue its attempts to stonewall all measures to establish a
technocrat cabinet, place the reform project before various dilemmas and buy
time for its own conspiracies in Iraq. The goal pursued by Tehran was to kick
the can down the road and prevent any formation of a technocrat cabinet –
specifically demanded by the people – and return to the sectarian-polarized
quota cabinet based on agreements made between ruling parties.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Through its ambassador in Iraq,
Danaie-Far, Iran called on Maliki to highlight the demand of setting aside
three senior government leaders to thus divert the pressure from voting on a
proposed cabinet to dissolving the parliament, setting aside the parliament and
prime minister. To this end Tehran sought to have the technocrat cabinet mantra
completely forgotten and make it a matter of history. For this very objective,
Maliki held a meeting on April 12<sup>th</sup> with a number of his associated
MPs in an attempt to convince other MPs and gather signatures to provide a
legal cover for his campaign of setting aside leaders of the three senior officials
and branches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran’s ambassador in Iraq had time
and again warned Maliki and his inner circle that adopting a technocrat cabinet
will pave the path for changes in the judiciary and opening dossiers related to
corruption, and Mid’hat Mahmoud and Maliki will not be exemplified in this
regard. Therefore, they must use all their means to prevent any reforms and no
slate of minister candidates proposed by the government to the parliament
should be accepted. This will lead to an “agreed” cabinet to resolve the threats
facing the future of the judiciary and Maliki.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iranian regime officials in their
meetings with Maliki have suggested he should refrain from publicly oppose the
reform project as this would erupt popular dissent and reactions. However, to
stonewall the reform initiative, Maliki should show himself to be apparently in
line with the reform project. On April 13<sup>th</sup> Maliki launched a
demonstration in Baghdad organized by the State of Law, Dawa Party and Asaeb
Ahl al-Haq. Playing the main role in this demonstration, Maliki took advantage
of the wave of popular protests and under the pretext of people’s demands he
called for setting aside the three senior government officials. He raised this
demand in the demonstrations and through the protesting MPs in the parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite the fact that the second list
of al-Abadi’s proposed cabinet was an agreed slate of candidates prepared by
political factions, Iran once again through its envoy in Iraq completely
opposed the initiative. Iran assessed the “Islamic Republic of Iraq” will have
no place in the parliament and will effectively be eliminated from Iraq’s
political spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To divert the project seeking to
reshape the cabinet that was against Iran’s interests in Iraq, Revolutionary
Guards Quds Force chief Qassem Suleimani visited Iraq on March 30<sup>th</sup> to
meet with all Shiite coalition leaders and convince them not to vote for any
slate other the agreed slate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In his meetings Suleimani called on
Shiite leaders that considering the widespread popular support of Sadr’s measures,
they must be very careful in their political positions to not portray the
Shiite coalition as against the reforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a meeting with Maliki and a number
of senior Shiite leaders in Jaderiya, Suleimani said the technocrat cabinet
slate presented to the parliament effectively means Iran having no influence in
the future Iraqi cabinet, and such a cabinet must not obtain a vote of approval
in the parliament. He called on senior Shiite coalition leaders to resort to
different methods to prevent the adoption of this slate by the parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Suleimani, accompanied by senior Quds
Force commander Iraj Masjedi, attempted to inform senior Shiite coalition
leaders of the threats of a technocrat cabinet coming to power in Iraq.
Suleimani, however, saw his efforts failing in Iraq and returned to Iran
empty-handed. Masjedi continued his drive to obtain an agreement of the cabinet
shuffling to include only three or four ministries. However, his efforts were
also futile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The policy Iran is pursuing through
various political trends in the Shiite coalition is to first buy time, prevent
the adoption of a cabinet slate proposed by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi,
and impose so many changes in the proposed slate of ministers to effectively
delay this process for a very long time and eventually have it completely
forgotten. Suleimani emphasized to Maliki and his inner circle that if talks,
negotiations and an agreement with other political factions fail to prevent the
adoption of a technocrat cabinet, they must plunge Iraq into newer crises to
sideline the technocrat cabinet bid.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-38291709169788353872016-05-21T23:35:00.000-07:002016-05-21T23:35:03.645-07:00Iran dispatching regular army forces to Syria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuicIioeXqk/V0FS6PkIuuI/AAAAAAAAAxg/pCli_hu30kM_kkXljZO6YSFjvcsNEfh1gCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuicIioeXqk/V0FS6PkIuuI/AAAAAAAAAxg/pCli_hu30kM_kkXljZO6YSFjvcsNEfh1gCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On April 4<sup>th</sup>,
2016, the deputy coordinator of Iran’s regular army ground forces reported
units of this force have been dispatched to Syria. In this regard, Iran army
commanders described the deployment of their forces to Syria as advisory
missions, denying any large unit deployment to the Levant. Below are a number
of positions taken by Iran’s military commanders in this regard, shedding light
on the depth of the army’s actual involvement in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Background
of the Iranian army’s extraterritorial and border operations<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Following
the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the Iranian army’s extraterritorial activities were
limited only to its air force. Back in the 1990s the army air force launched a
number of operations in Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- With the
city of Mosul falling to Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) in June 2014, the Iranian army
announced a 40 kilometer buffer area into Iraqi soil as a red line for Daesh to
enter. Brigadier General Hamidreza Pourdastan said Iran was sending recon teams
into Iraqi soil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“In
addition to forces guarding our borders, the Ground Forces quickly dispatched
five combat brigades to the area. In coordination with the Iraqi government, we
began conducting recon and assessment missions up to 40 kilometers inside
Iraq,” he explained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dispatching
Iranian Forces to Syria<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran is
deploying its regular army to Syria at a time when the Revolutionary Guards has
in full strength sent its combat divisions and brigades into the Syria war.
Practically speaking, however, more than four years later these forces have
failed to bear any fruit in their efforts. In fact, they have suffered enormous
casualties including the likes of General Hossein Hamedani, deputy commander of
the IRGC Imam Hossein Base and commander of the Quds Force in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The IRGC
has from October 2015 launched the so-called “Operation Moharram” with the
objective of taking complete control over Aleppo Province in northern Syria. A
slate of the IRGC units dispatched to Aleppo in the past 8 months is as
follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 17<sup>th</sup>
‘Ali Ebn Abi Taleb’ Combat Division from Qom Province<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Fajr
Corps from Fars Province<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 12<sup>th</sup>
‘Qaem’ Brigade from Semnan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 60<sup>th</sup>
Armored Unit from Gonbad Kavoos<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-
‘Mohammmad Corps’ from the Greater Tehran region<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- ‘Karbala
Corps’ from Mazandaran Province<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- ‘Imam
Sadegh’ Infantry Brigade from Bushehr Province<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 12<sup>th</sup>
‘Qaem Al Mohammad’ Brigade from Semnan Province<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 21<sup>st</sup>
‘Imam Reza’ Armored Brigade from Neishabour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 64<sup>th</sup>
‘Al-Hadeed’ Artillery Group<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- IRGC 62<sup>nd</sup>
‘Momenoun’ Artillery Group<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- IRGC 45<sup>th</sup>
‘Javad ol-Aeme’ Engineering Group from Golestan Province<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Bassij
forces from ‘Fort Al-Mahdi’ in Isfahan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- IRGC
‘Ansar al-Mahdi’ Protective Corps<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- ‘Ya
Zahra’ Battalion from the 14<sup>th</sup> Imam Hossein Division in Isfahan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The IRGC
has also organized and dispatched a large number of Afghans under the IRGC
command known as the ‘Fatemiuoun.’ Moreover, the IRGC is hiring mercenaries
from Pakistan, organizing and dispatching them to Syria as the ‘Zeinabiuoun
Brigade.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran’s army
units are being dispatched to Syria following major defeats and countless
casualties in the past year. Iran army forces are directly sent to the Aleppo
front, currently considered the front line of the war in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Army
Brigades Dispatched to Syria<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Following
the dispatch of Iran’s regular army forces to Syria, their casualties began to
pile up. The army fatalities are not related to one particular brigade, and
despite the fact that many casualties have been announced, a large number have
remained a secret and all have been from different army brigades and all killed
in and around Aleppo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Col.
Mojtab Zolfaghar Nasab, a senior officer of the army’s 45<sup>th</sup> Commando
Brigade, was killed in Syria<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O7x_6yngaU/V0FRGG2MxXI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/Sh8pu61kZh8Q7GTz_wBPR8hUq8-lSg9EwCLcB/s1600/200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O7x_6yngaU/V0FRGG2MxXI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/Sh8pu61kZh8Q7GTz_wBPR8hUq8-lSg9EwCLcB/s320/200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Major
Morteza Zarharan of the 258<sup>th</sup> Brigade from the city of Shahroud was
killed on Saturday, April 9<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Lt.
Mojtaba Yadollahi Monfared of the 388<sup>th</sup> Brigade from Iranshahr was
killed in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYV5SWAD02Q/V0FRFhi0V6I/AAAAAAAAAxM/8vChS8xZA1I61NjuUpvyc4jc6QP4AWoewCLcB/s1600/100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYV5SWAD02Q/V0FRFhi0V6I/AAAAAAAAAxM/8vChS8xZA1I61NjuUpvyc4jc6QP4AWoewCLcB/s320/100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-
IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency, April 13<sup>th</sup>: Captain Hamd’ollah
Bakhshandeh of the army commandos was killed in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- A member
of the 65<sup>th</sup> ‘Nohed’ Commando Brigade by the name of 2<sup>nd</sup>
Lt. Mohsen Ghattaslou, recently sent to Syria, has been killed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Sadegh
Shibak and Hossein Hemmati, two members of the 65<sup>th</sup> ‘Nohed’ Commando
Brigade known as the “Green Berets”, were killed in the Syria clashes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzfP5jVIXcU/V0FRGOrIZII/AAAAAAAAAxU/atHKIqcyhHoah4MboaLRgsu86m2jre3mwCLcB/s1600/300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzfP5jVIXcU/V0FRGOrIZII/AAAAAAAAAxU/atHKIqcyhHoah4MboaLRgsu86m2jre3mwCLcB/s320/300.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stances of
Iran Military Commanders<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 April
2016 - Brigadier General Araste, army ground forces coordinator: “We are
dispatching advisors to Syria from the 65<sup>th</sup> Brigade and other units,
and this deployment is not only from the 65<sup>th</sup> Commando Brigade.
Right now there are advisors from the 65<sup>th</sup> Brigade.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9 April
2016 – General Jazayeri, deputy chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, referred
to the presence of the army’s 65<sup>th</sup> ‘Nohed’ Brigade in Syria.
“Various branches of the army have members present in the region as advisors,
and this is nothing new.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12 April
2016 – Four dispatched members of the army commandos in Syria were killed in
clashes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12 April
2016 - Brigadier General Hamidreza Pourdastan said army commandos were killed
in a large and extensive operation launched by Jibha al-Nusra forces against
Assad troops and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards forces stationed south of Aleppo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14 April
2016 - Brigadier General Hamidreza Pourdastan confirmed the presence of army
unit members in Syria alongside Assad’s army and the IRGC Quds Force, saying
these forces were there to gain adequate experience for proxy wars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17 April
2016 – Brigadier General Shirazi, head of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s
military office, said the IRGC and army have specific missions, acting in
complementary roles. The activities of these military organs is to defend
Iran’s territorial integrity, he added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Currently,
signs of defensive cooperation by these two entities (IRGC & army) with
each other is seen inside the country and abroad.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17 April
2016 - Brigadier General Hamidreza Pourdastan: “We have not dispatched any
military units to Syria. However, based on te requests made by the Syrian
government, we have sent military advisors to this country. We are soldiers of
the Islamic republic, and we are ready to carry out missions with power and
consistency anywhere the establishment needs. Our presence in Syria is not in
the form of units, and we have not dispatched any units to Syria. The advisory
missions of our forces in Syria continues as ever in all fields.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20 April
2016 – Two other members of the army’s 65<sup>th</sup> ‘Nohed’ Brigade by the
names of Sadegh Shibak and Hossein Hemmati, dispatched to Syria, were killed on
April 20<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20 April
2016 – General Salehi, chief commander of the Iran army: “We in the army are
faced with many volunteers seeking to be dispatched to this front. However, we
have never claimed that the 65<sup>th</sup> ‘Nohed’ Brigade is present there.
In fact, volunteer forces have been dispatched to Syria and they are under the
responsibility of that particular organization. There may be members of the 65<sup>th</sup>
‘Nohed’ Brigade amongst them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20 April
2016: Brigadier General Gorjizadeh, commander of the IRGC ‘Ansar al-Mahdi’
unit, said the IRGC and army entering Syria is a security red line for Tehran.
“Do we have to wait and witness the takfiris advance from Mosul to Ghasr
Shireen (town in western Iran bordering Iraq)? No, we go after them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assessment:
<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Although
the Iranian army air force was used in limited extraterritorial operations
after the Iran-Iraq war, and/or the army ground forces conducted limited
cross-border recon missions after Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) occupied Mosul in northern
Iraq, the army had never officially dispatched forces outside of Iran’s
borders. This is the first time this unit is conducting cross-border missions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Iran
dispatching army to Syria is a clear sign that the IRGC has failed in its
mission in the Levant, and the mullahs’ regime has seen no other options but to
involve the army in this war. IRGC fatalities in the past few years, including
senior IRGC commanders, is one clear indication in this regard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-
Casualties of Iran’s army in Syria have been from a number of different
brigades, showing this is in contrast to public remarks made by Iran’s military
and army commanders of not sending troops in unit formations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Iran’s
army dispatching forces to Aleppo as the main frontline in Syria, and these
forces being killed, is also in contrast to remarks made by Iran’s military
commanders based on the “army’s advisory and training role” in Syria. This
shows the Iranian army has been dispatched to the frontlines and to get
involved in battles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Iran army
commander General Salehi: “Army forces in Syria are under the responsibility of
the particular organization (Quds Force).” This shows the army is involved in
Syria under the Quds Force’s command.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-46586887767443397132016-05-20T23:28:00.001-07:002016-05-20T23:28:53.069-07:00Iran taking advantage of Afghans’ poverty to send them to Syria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Exo8UiDQ6nM/Vz__7LSbIfI/AAAAAAAAAw8/A6lD4U_vfWEKxJhsy89HScgPVWReX3_AwCLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Exo8UiDQ6nM/Vz__7LSbIfI/AAAAAAAAAw8/A6lD4U_vfWEKxJhsy89HScgPVWReX3_AwCLcB/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With a look at the escalating number of casualties suffered by Iran’s
Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) in Syria, one can come to this conclusion that most
definitely this volume of fatalities and injuries will lead to dissent amongst
the IRGC lower ranks and general file. Even senior military and political
officials in Iran have voiced their protests regarding the high number of
casualties. To this end the IRGC has for some time now launched a new
initiative. Although such a measure is nothing new and the IRGC has always
resorted using foreign nationals, prisoners, the poor and deprived people to
send them off to the battlefronts and filling the void in its forces. The IRGC
has recruited Afghan mercenaries to be deployed to Syria.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nearly 2.5 million Afghans have sought refuge in Iran from the 1980s
to this day. Most of these Afghans fled to Iran as their country was invaded
and occupied by the Soviet Union from the early 1980s, their country being
engulfed in a deadly civil war and the Taliban taking over their country. Generations
became permanently stationed in Iran and many have been born there. However,
none of these Afghans enjoy fundamental and civil rights any human being
deserves. Iran has deliberately maintained this minority group in a limbo to be
able to take advantage of this displaced population when it best sees fit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iran and IRGC’s intense need to maintain their battle lines in Syria
reached its climax in 2012. Back then it became crystal clear for the IRGC that
Assad is unable to protect his territory and the IRGC was forced to dispatch a
large number of forces to Syria, including Afghan foreigners. The selection and
recruiting method of these Afghan forces, mostly very young and inexperienced,
was very simple for the IRGC: financial pledges and legal concessions for
residency in Iran rallied a large number of mercenaries for the IRGC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Khorasan Province (in northeast Iran) bordering Afghanistan is the
main center to recruit and hire Afghans for the war in Syria. The city of
Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi Province, is the main epicenter of this
effort. Mosques and various more public centers in neighborhoods where Afghans
reside are promising them residency in Iran and a monthly salary of 75 million
($2,500) rials for a 2-3 month tour to have volunteers sign up to fight in
Syria. Many of these young Afghans are already in a limbo, poor and unemployed,
and they easily fall into the traps prepared by the IRGC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The IRGC command at times resorts to using unknown middlemen
operatives to recruit these forces. From late 2015 the training base for Afghan
recruits was transferred to Saleh Abad in the city of Torbat Jam and Taybad (northeastern
Iran). The 1<sup>st</sup> brigade of the 5th Nasr Division in Khorasan is
missioned to provide the training needed for these Afghan recruits, carrying
out these measures under the pretext of “border protection training” for the
country’s eastern area. A segment of this training is provided in the Gharchak
region of the town of Varamin, southeast of Tehran.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The IRGC first provides financial benefits, purchases a car and home,
and provides residency to the Afghans. The next step is placing pressure on
Afghans arrested at the border to fight in Syria in return for their release
and financial benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the other hand, the IRGC dispatches Afghan recruits, dubbed as
‘Fatemiouns’, to the most dangerous areas of Syria, using them as ground forces
and cannon fodders. Many of them have received inadequate military training and
suddenly find themselves dispatched to a very harsh and blood war. Nearly
10,000 Afghan mercenaries are fighting for the IRGC in Syria, according to the
latest evaluation. Many of them have been killed and injured, and grieving
ceremonies are seen in the streets of large cities in Iran, including Mashhad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to remarks made by Afghans returning alive from Syria or
fled Iran, the regime in Tehran is paying its IRGC operatives $150 to recruit
forces for the war in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The roots of Afghans’ presence in Syria is found in the discrimination
and crackdown they suffer under the Iranian regime. Afghan nationals, displaced
in Iran due to poverty and other hardships, are not even permitted to have a
SIM card in their own name. They are barred from using economic centers and
banks in Iran, parallel to numerous social restrictions. Therefore, when they
face the option of leaving Iran or returning to Afghanistan, they literally
find themselves having to decide between bad and worse. Some even agree to
fight in Syria for a mere $500 a month. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They are hired as mercenaries even in border police and security
stations where Afghan nationals are arrested. Many of these Afghans are
fighting in many different cities in Syria where the IRGC has a foothold,
including Aleppo and Tadmir, where many of the Afghans are used as ground
troops. In many cases when these mercenaries are arrested and become POWs the
IRGC refuses to accept them back in order to deny any involvement and use of
any such mercenaries in Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is worth noting that the Iranian regime’s own foreign ministry
denies any use of Afghan recruits in the war in Syria. However, the cities of
Mashhad and other cities, covered with posters of Afghan nationals killed in
Syria, depict a completely different story.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">see more:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36035095" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36035095</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/iran-foreign-legion-leans-afghan-shia-syria-war-160122130355206.html" target="_blank">http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/iran-foreign-legion-leans-afghan-shia-syria-war-160122130355206.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;">
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/01/29/iran-sending-thousands-afghans-fight-syria</div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-21066747609209644852016-05-16T23:24:00.000-07:002016-05-16T23:26:28.261-07:00Iran shocked of Russia pulling out of Syria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67oxGWPz5zM/Vzq3FK0kT_I/AAAAAAAAAws/4daw9mZyB2g7DQMmEeGGjZPqjBIDtXiewCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67oxGWPz5zM/Vzq3FK0kT_I/AAAAAAAAAws/4daw9mZyB2g7DQMmEeGGjZPqjBIDtXiewCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="background-color: white;">May</span>2016<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Russia
launches military operations in Syria<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The
sidelines of the 2015 U.N. General Assembly in New York witnessed meetings held
between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
over the fate of Syria. The main subject was Russia’s military intervention in
Syria, yet no particular conclusion was reached. Putin began his air campaign
in Syria on September 30<sup>th</sup>. Homs, then held by opposition forces,
was the first city attacked by Russian warplanes.<br />
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Russia
continuously claimed to target Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) targets. However, facts on
the ground showed only 10% of Russia’s bombings actually hit Daesh positions,
while the remaining 90% were focused on Free Syrian Army positions and other
groups. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Before
Russia launched its attacks the Syrian regime was in a dire status and experts
believed Assad would fall in a matter of months. However, Russian airstrikes
and the Revolutionary Guards, Iraqi Shiite militias and the Lebanese Hezbollah
on the ground were able to salvage Assad’s rule, allowing his troops to make
significant gains against opposition rebels.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Russia
and the United States proposed a plan for a “cessation of hostilities”
establishing a ceasefire from February 27<sup>th</sup>. Up to this point
Russia’s airstrikes had continued for five months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Airstrikes
and Casualties<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The
Russian Defense Ministry reported over 9,000 sorties were carried out in the
span of five months, killing 2,000 militants. Human Rights Watch in Syria said
1,700 civilians were also killed by Russia’s military operations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Russia
Pulling Out<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
At
8 pm of March 14<sup>th</sup>, prior to the Geneva negotiations, Putin held a
session with his Foreign and Defense ministers announcing Russian forces’
intention to withdraw from Syria. Russia’s military intervention had widely
achieved its goals and Moscow’s diplomatic role in negotiations to end the war
in Syria will increase, he added. These forces began pulling out of Syria on
Saturday, March 15<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Russia</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Putin
informed Bashar Assad over the phone of Moscow’s decision, adding Russia will
continue supporting the Syrian government. The Hamimim airbase and Tartus naval
base will continue their activities. The Russian Ambassador to the U.N. said
these measures will support the political solution. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry
Peskov said <b>this decision has not been raised with Western officials and is
an expertise conclusion.</b> Lavrov said these measures are aimed at
safeguarding the Syrian people’s interests and <b>we will continue to cooperate
with the United States in the fight against terrorists in Syria.</b> The
Russian Parliament Defense Committee said Moscow will remain committed to
providing weapons, military technology and training Syrian experts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Iran<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Iranian
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Russia pulling out its forces shows
they see no immediate need to resort to the military option in order to
maintain a ceasefire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Ali
Akbar Velayati, foreign policy advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said
there will not be any changes made to the general cooperation between Russia,
Syria, the Lebanese Hezbollah and Iran. Anyhow, whenever needed they will once
again take action in their very important struggle against terrorism, he added.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Iranian
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met with Faisal Meqdad, deputy foreign minister
of Syria on Tuesday, March 15<sup>th</sup>, yet made no reference to Russia’s
decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Royoran,
a political expert in Iran: “First of all, Russia has not recalled all of its
forces. A portion of their forces have been recalled and they have taken back a
number of their planes, while maintaining their advanced fighter jets in Syria.
They have preserved their two bases in Hamimim and Tartous. The second issue is
that Russia has announced these measures are to facilitate talks. If talks were
actually held, the better, and the political solution will advance. If the
opponents violate the ceasefire, Russia will return.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Syrian
Opposition<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Senior
Syrian opposition figure George Sabra: Russian forces leaving Syria should have
a positive reflection on the negotiations in Geneva.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Ahmed
al-Asrawi, member of the Syrian High Negotiating Committee: Russian forces
departing Syria will support resolving the Syrian political crisis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The
Syrian opposition in Geneva said Russia’s retreat from Syria will increase
pressures on the Assad regime and lead to change. The opposition also called
for investigations on the ground to confirm Russia’s withdrawal. While
welcoming this new development the Syrian opposition added if such measures are
serious they will act positively for the negotiations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Ans
Abde, President of the National Revolution Forces and Syrian opposition said,
“This is the right move during negotiations over political transition, showing
there are rifts between Russia and Bashar Assad. Moreover, no joint statement
has been presented on the withdrawal of Russian forces.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Manzar
Makhous, a member of the Syrian High Negotiating Committee said this withdrawal
is part of the main Russia forces in Syria and completely changes the equation
in this country. This has been described as a step accelerating the overthrow
of Assad’s dynasty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Salem
Mosalat, spokesman of the Syrian High Negotiating Committee emphasized, “We
would like to see Russia be our friend in Syria,” adding, “Such a measure will
act positively in the Geneva negotiations to resolve the Syria crisis.” He
wished this decision would become practical as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Leader
of the Freedom Army stationed in Hama Province reported this new development
has raised the spirits of his group, adding they are certain the Assad regime
cannot remain intact without foreign support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>United
Nations<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
U.N.
Special Envoy to Syria Stefan de Mistura explained the Russian decision based
on pulling out the bulk of its forces from Syria is an important development in
this day and age that will have a positive impact on the negotiations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>United
States<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Only
a few moments after Putin’s remarks were aired by Russian TV, White House Press
Secretary Josh Earnest said we have to wait and see what is Russia’s exact
intention, without expressing any other perspectives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
It
is still too early to judge Putin’s objective, why such a decision was made and
will it be implemented or not, said another U.S. official.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry said this maybe the best opportunity to end the
5-year-long Syria civil war, adding his intention to visit Russia and meet
Putin for this very purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Pentagon
spokesman Peter Cook said if the Russians truly pull out their forces from
Syria, then it will be good news and a vital move in the peace process.
However, there is still not enough information about how this will be carried
out, as the Russians had also talked about pulling out troops involved in
Ukraine. However, the world only witnessed the transfer of Russia’s forces, he
added<span dir="RTL" lang="FA" style="font-family: "nazanin";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Syrian
regime<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The
state Syria news agency cited Bashar Assad saying the Russian military will
never completely evacuate Syria. Russia will adjust the number of forces on the
ground according to the scene, and the continued trend of the cessation of
hostilities. Cooperation between Russia and Syrian forces guaranteed victories
against terrorism and restored security to this country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The
Syrian presidency issued a statement saying: What is being reported by the
media and social media about rifts between Russia and Syria following Moscow’s
decision to pull out its forces are baseless. Simultaneously, Interfax quoted the
chair of the Russian Senate Defense Committee writing around 800 personnel,
including military advisors, will remain in Syria, and the S-400 missile
defense system that Russia transferred to Syria following Turkey downing one of
its jets will remain intact.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Evaluation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>1.
Putin’s decision came out of the blue, and one can sense the sudden nature in
the reactions seen from the U.S., Iran and Bashar Assad himself.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>2.
Putin’s telephone call with Obama following the announcement of pulling troops
out of Syria shows this measure was not coordinated with Washington. Moscow
also explained no discussions were held in this regard with any Western country.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>3.
The reasons behind Putin’s decision:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>-
The country’s economic situation and Moscow having a limited military budget,
making it unable to continue a bombing campaign similar to the U.S. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>- Advances
made by the Syrian regime and Iran-backed forces under Russian air cover were
very dismal against Syrian opposition forces. Russia had gone to great lengths
in the five months of non-stop airstrikes. Therefore, Moscow realized there was
no end sight, and so it used the opportunity in the ceasefire and under the
excuse of negotiations to portray itself as an advocate of a political solution,
and thus pull out of the Syria quagmire.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>4. On the other hand, in negotiations between the
Syrian opposition and the regime, Bashar Assad raised the thought of cancelling
any transitional period, and effectively placed the Geneva negotiations before
an impasse. As a result de Mistura announced if the negotiations fail the issue
will be referred to the U.N. and “Plan B” would be implemented. On the other
hand, the five major industrial countries warned Bashar Assad that Putin sought
to caution him by pulling out of Syria and place pressure on Assad to continue
the negotiations. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>5. The Iranian regime is attempting to portray
this decision by Russia as a temporary and returnable development, knowing this
move by Moscow will have major consequences on the ground against its
interests.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>6. It doesn’t appear Russia has the intention to
return to the clashes following Putin’s decision. Furthermore, Russian Senate
Defense Committee chair said only 800 Russians will remain in Syria.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>7. Prior to the announcement of Russian forces
pulling out, the Syrian regime’s position regarding the Geneva negotiations was
very aggressive, as if it has already failed before ever beginning. However, Assad
said he would support a political solution in Syria following Moscow’s
announcement of pulling out its troops.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>8. This move by Russia has led to a more unified
Syrian opposition force. This very subject has significantly terrified the
Syrian regime. The Syrian opposition widely welcomed this announcement by Russia. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-72160880944445905852016-04-10T23:39:00.000-07:002016-04-10T23:39:05.965-07:00Iran: Khamenei’s role in 9/11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5yVrkskvTk/VwtGMrk5vxI/AAAAAAAAAwY/0_B5zV1z3rIfETHlMo8KXwgfiq_AQSIbA/s1600/images%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5yVrkskvTk/VwtGMrk5vxI/AAAAAAAAAwY/0_B5zV1z3rIfETHlMo8KXwgfiq_AQSIbA/s1600/images%2B%25287%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">April 2011<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you may have seen in the news in early March 2016 a New York
criminal court judge cited obvious evidence accusing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali
Khamenei as second in line after former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the
September 11<sup>th</sup> terrorist attacks. This gained media attention and
political analysts across the globe. However, the question is what developments
have brought Khamenei’s role in the 9/11 attacks forward to center stage once
again?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We may be able to name different elements in this regard. However, in
general two main elements have led to such an issue being raised. The first
elements is Iran’s role in the international and regional balance of power,
which can be named as a fundamental issue. The signing of the nuclear agreement
(JCPOA) and developments in the region including Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and the
setbacks Iran suffered in the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts, have all
tipped the regime’s own balance and weakened the entire establishment. The
second element is the fact that we are in the U.S. elections year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Logically when looking at the scene and international balance of
power, Iran is in an extremely weak position and is forced to give in before
international parties. When the parties involved witness this weakness they
obviously take the next step. Prior to the signing of the nuclear agreement
even Khamenei himself had said time and again, “Any retreat from the nuclear
program will have a chain reaction of retreats.” He repeated these remarks in
his speech on March 20<sup>th</sup> in Mashhad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A question coming to mind is was the U.S. completely unaware of this
and is this a new discovery? If not, then why has it waited all these years and
only now published documents of Iran cooperating with al-Qaeda?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer was provided by the media citing a senior U.S. judiciary
official saying the U.S. government has been fully informed about the
relationship between Iran and al-Qaeda, before and after 9/11, and the most
important documents were those presented by National Security Agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although, why hasn’t the U.S. unveiled these documents to this day is
a matter specifically related to the U.S. government’s policy of appeasement,
because it is obvious that if it had made clear the regime’s relationship with
al-Qaeda and the 9/11 attacks, and accused Khamenei himself as a suspect after
bin Laden, there would no longer be any negotiations with Iran or letters
between Obama and Khamenei. In fact, the U.S. government sought to never close
the path for negotiations. In this regard one of the witnesses, a former CIA
anti-terrorism agent involved, told the media the U.S. government was skeptical
about revealing how the Iranian regime’s was involved in the 9/11 attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What is important in this regard is the
consequences Iran is facing after these accusations. The remarks made by the
CIA witness makes it very clear. Washington saying Khamenei was involved in
9/11 would mean war with Iran, he explained. Of course, it is not a military
war that we are talking about here. This can be described as intensifying the
political war and closing all paths before the regime in the region, its human
rights violations, terrorism and other issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, the path of negotiations and
appeasement vis-à-vis Iran would have become much harder and a very much
narrower path. This judicial order brings requirements for the U.S. government
and its official organs. These institutions are not permitted to easily deal
with Iran, being accused of having a role in 9/11. These reservations are not
only very serious in the U.S. elections year, but also the candidate that wins
the elections and be elected as president,
regardless of what party they belong to, will no longer be able to
appease the mullahs as Obama had done.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-11529660910955548442016-04-10T00:16:00.000-07:002016-04-10T00:16:34.110-07:00The Syria Perspective & Future “JCPOA”s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxMPc4bYQz0/Vwn9laHPk2I/AAAAAAAAAwI/nZuswqOKR4AXiZtMlmF6JHZZgzc6SMS0w/s1600/download%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxMPc4bYQz0/Vwn9laHPk2I/AAAAAAAAAwI/nZuswqOKR4AXiZtMlmF6JHZZgzc6SMS0w/s1600/download%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">April 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Pakistan in late March.
Arrangements were made beforehand to establish further economic relations and
expand diplomatic ties, while knowing Pakistan is a member of the Islamic
countries’ coalition spearheaded by Saudi Arabia. This alliance is specifically
formed to prevent Iran’s terrorist measures in the region.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In this visit Rouhani sought to differentiate his government’s stance
on Syria in comparison to the position promoted by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali
Khamenei on exporting terrorism. To this end at a press conference he said,
“Negotiations are the basics of reaching a solution and transitional period to
specify the future of Syria.” These remarks are interesting, considering the
fact that Iran has to this day stood behind the Syrian dictator to this very
day. Words such as “transitional period,” as emphasized by the Syrian
opposition, regional states and Western countries, mean Bashar Assad must be
set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As his remarks continued, Rouhani overtly called for dialogue with
Saudi Arabia and resolving issues between the two countries through negotiations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“… the JCPOA can be an example in this regard, and we can use this
solution to resolve other dilemmas in the region.” Whereas Saudi Foreign
Minister Adel al-Jubeir and other officials in this country have time and again
announced Riyadh will only negotiation with Tehran if this regime evacuates
Syria, and brings an end to all its meddling across the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, Rouhani has sent a message that his regime is ready to give
major concessions regarding its regional policy, naming this as “JCPOA2”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The remarks made by Rouhani should have logically raised much anger
amongst the Khamenei faction. However, it is utterly surprising that in this
regard we are witnessing no intense backlash against Rouhani. This becomes more
meaningful when we recall how Khamenei in his lengthy March 20<sup>th</sup>
speech, without referring to Syria, moaned of further “JCPOA” agreements
regarding his regime’s policies in the region. Without distinctly disavowing
the subject he said, “We reached an agreement on the nuclear issue. We named it
the JCPOA. Another such agreement regarding the region, the country’s
constitution, JCPOA 2, 3, 4 and …”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The question is was Rouhani tacitly accepting the
“transitional period” a mere individual move, or does it rely on deeper
realities and even discussions amongst the regime’s senior brass?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ali Khorram, a senior member of the Rafsanjani
camp, who considered Russia pulling out of Syria as “deception” against the regime,
admitted this development led to “Iran’s role in the region to wane” and
currently “Iran’s strategy has remained brought to an end.” He then more
explicitly said, “At the negotiating table Turkey and Saudi Arabia can even
impose Bashar Assad giving up his power, and it can be said that they are
currently the winners in Syria.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This admission resembles the beginning of the end
of Khamenei’s “strategic depth” strategy. Prior to this Khamenei had described
the Revolutionary Guards killed in Syria as “defenders of sacred sites” and
added, “If they hadn’t fought… we would have been forced to fight here in
Kermanshah and Hamedan, and all other provinces.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khamenei clearly realizes that day is near.
Therefore, in his speech on March 20<sup>th</sup> he forecasted the future of
his regime as such, “If we retreat, retreat will lead to such ends… this is
what I have said many times. This is a change in the Islamic republic’s
morality and ethics.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-8460738626585442062016-04-06T00:36:00.000-07:002016-04-06T00:36:01.632-07:00Factions Fighting Tooth and Nail in Iran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eoz8QTU3JnM/VwS8LkfezOI/AAAAAAAAAv4/1lbLA6m8E6UmGp1pjW1yki_3WlWQ7ovlg/s1600/130304135025_hashemi_rafsanjani_224x280_httphashemirafsanjani.ir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eoz8QTU3JnM/VwS8LkfezOI/AAAAAAAAAv4/1lbLA6m8E6UmGp1pjW1yki_3WlWQ7ovlg/s320/130304135025_hashemi_rafsanjani_224x280_httphashemirafsanjani.ir.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">April 2016</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fierce political disputes have morphed in Iran these days. Senior
regime officials have used their Persian New Year messages to further their
feuds, clashing like wild animals. Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, unable
to settle the score with the Rafsanjani-Rouhani camp, went to the city of
Mashhad in northwest Iran to deliver a through message against his rivals.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On March 17<sup>th</sup> Rafsanjani surprisingly delivered his Persian
New Year message to the Iranian people, while also targeting and lashing at
Khamenei with harsh remarks. “Last year was your year. You taught everyone
about moderation, to our enemies abroad and inside the country! Through the
nuclear agreement you said to the world you are seeking engagement and not war,
and through your vote you showed that the clergy cannot make ends meet without
the people!... I personally heard your cries, demanding moderation and the
nuclear agreement, and I saw with my own eyes how you meaningfully turned your
backs to the extremists in the [February] elections… This year is your year.
Day by day, in the shadow of your presence, you will be making it tougher for
the extremists, and opening the door for moderation…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khamenei, in his own New Year message published
in his website, referred to the defeats suffered by his regime and described
the last Iranian calendar year as riddled with defeats and bitterness. He
lashed at the Rafsanjani-Rouhani camp who have described the nuclear agreement
as a success. Referring to the challenges before his regime, he referred to the
nuclear agreement, the hopes it brought and the concerns it raised. He also
repeated the words vulnerable, referring how his regime has become brittle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“In the new year before us like always there are
threats… the main issue is that the Iranian nation must be able to relieve
itself of any vulnerability in the face of threats from our enemies and their
animosity. We have to do something to relieve ourselves of any vulnerability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From Khamenei’s first speech in the new Iranian
calendar year one reaches the conclusion that he may have actually set the
stage for serious measures against the Rafsanjani-Rouhani camp. Khamenei clearly
criticized those are seek to resolve problems “according to the American
model”, and those who say the Middle East crises and Iran’s own constitution
should be tackled and reformed, respectively, through ‘JCPOA 2 and 3’… this
means the Islamic republic should set aside Islamic rulings to resolve
fundamental issues.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khamenei’s remarks were made only a few hours
after Rouhani aired his message, in which he stipulated, “The Iranian people
launched ‘JCPOA 2’ in the February 26<sup>th</sup> elections.” He has described
this as the “national JCPOA inside the country.” Of course, this is not the
first time Rouhani has used the term “JCPOA 2”, while he himself infused this
terminology into Iran’s current political climate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khamenei responded by lashing out at supporters of
‘JCPOA 2’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“You retreated before the enemy at a time when
you could have held your grounds. The enemy will continue advancing and will
not stop,” he said, raising serious criticism against “those who are hoping we
sit down to negotiate with the U.S.” He described the result of such
negotiations as utterly disastrous and went on to emphasize, “Today, in the
Islamic republic, you will not find any knowledgeable figure believing in Islam
that is afraid of the U.S.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khamenei’s remarks speak for themselves, starting
the New Year using methods that will most probably lead to a very
tension-filled year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now the question is who gains through such
internal disputes amongst the senior Iranian regime brass? In my opinion it is
none other than the Iranian people because these factional disputes prevents
the Revolutionary Guards from resorting to vast domestic crackdown, allowing
social uprisings that will lead to an end to the inhumane regime in Iran.</span><span dir="RTL" lang="FA" style="font-family: Nazanin; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-language: FA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-37058958087440791832016-04-05T00:35:00.001-07:002016-04-05T00:35:41.126-07:00Disputes Between Factions Inside Iran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVr0VkAsCRE/VwNqr7S6zkI/AAAAAAAAAvo/_FMN5RNvazAEBWDY_MnE3JwP6gcYaU9AA/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVr0VkAsCRE/VwNqr7S6zkI/AAAAAAAAAvo/_FMN5RNvazAEBWDY_MnE3JwP6gcYaU9AA/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">April 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A very intense feud, before and after the
February elections in Iran, has come to light over hegemony of different
figures and camps inside the Iranian regime. Of course, one should not think
those involved in this dispute are at all concerned about the higher interest
of the Iranian people. In fact, they only seek to fill their own pockets.
Various factions inside Iran are no different from each other. In fact they merely
provide different methods to reach the regime’s desired objectives. Both
factions know quite well that the as far as the Iranian people are concerned
they care less about any of the regime’s factions, considering them all as one.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei
delivered a message on February 29<sup>th</sup> expressing his consent about
the sham twin elections and his gratitude for those who organized the entire
process. The main question now is does he truly approve the elections results?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is crystal clear that Khamenei must
pose happy and delighted, and he is forced to express his gratitude in public.
It is obvious that he would never admit defeat in this regard. However, the
truth is his defeat in these sham elections was too obvious to deny through
such failed attempts. The people boycotted the elections and the regime’s own
state media expressed concern in this regard, issuing different types of
warnings and seeking solutions for this dilemma. Despite the fact that the
entire regime had prepared to announce 70%+ participation in the polls, they
were forced to declare 62% across the country and 50% in Tehran. In his message
Khamenei was not able to use the term “epic”
to describe these elections, whereas he had used this term for all previous
elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Media outlets and
senior figures associated to Khamenei’s faction have complained to such an
extent that there is no place for any doubt in Khamenei’s defeat in this
regard, especially after the nuclear setback his entire regime suffered.
However, the most important comments were made by judiciary chief Sadegh
Larijani who said, “Reformists inside the country are in cooperation with the
Americans, English, Wahabis and ISIS, preventing servants from reaching the
Assembly of Experts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering the
remarks made by Khamenei two days prior to the elections, these remarks should
be considered Khamenei’s viewpoint coming from his judiciary chief. Truly, what
defeat is more catastrophic and disastrous for Khamenei than accepting the fact
that even the chair of the Assembly of Experts, Mullah Yazdi, was ousted from
the council in these elections?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khamenei also shed
light on the road ahead and the period after the elections. Under the cloak of
the so-called soft reforms and Khamenei expressing his gratitude, one can
easily understand the contradictions. This is especially true when he refers to
the Rafsanjani-Rouhani camp and the irony in which referring to Rouhani
boasting about bogus advancements made at the cost of losing the regime’s
independence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Making advances
doesn’t mean getting devoured by the world arrogance,” Khamenei said. However,
in his message he didn’t specifically talk about a “resistant economy”, yet he
did refer to “all-out advances made from within as the main objective.” This is
another method of describing a resisting economy. Pro-Khamenei media outlets
fell in line and focused on a resisting economy, being a <i>nom de guerre</i>
for the Revolutionary Guards taking full control of the economy. This is the
policy that Khamenei is seeking. Therefore, the path that Khamenei has traced
for the future - emphasizing on his own policy against his rivals - is
continuing the war over hegemony. This was never anything about peace and
reconciliation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, there was a
dispute over hegemony in Iran even before the elections. So what has changed in
the war over hegemony after the elections?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The fact is after the
elections the hegemony dispute in Iran will continue at a much higher level
because this issue was not finalized in the recent sham elections. The Assembly
of Experts and its fabric is one of the most important organs that can finalize
this matter. Despite the fact that Rafsanjani may have the first vote in this
council, the majority is still controlled by Khamenei. It is crystal clear that
Khamenei will stand for his hegemony, fighting tooth and nail for it. He might
be extremely weakened and vulnerable in comparison to the past, he still continues
to control most of the power. It is also true that after the recent elections
the Rafsanjani-Rouhani camp will be demanding more say and authority in state
matters. As a result, there will be a very tough and intense war in this
regard.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-30177875166447503992016-04-04T00:17:00.000-07:002016-04-04T00:17:04.550-07:00Why did Iran test fire ballistic missiles?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEcqY1MZs8s/VwIUqRhiUgI/AAAAAAAAAvY/yZRJEgXgqaQrRyD2X31GG6bV4M0LE4-XA/s1600/download%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEcqY1MZs8s/VwIUqRhiUgI/AAAAAAAAAvY/yZRJEgXgqaQrRyD2X31GG6bV4M0LE4-XA/s1600/download%2B%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">April 2016</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Why does
Iran test fire ballistic missiles at a time when the Joint Comprehensive Plan
of Action (JCPOA) hasn’t been fully implemented? Why does Iran need to launch
such a brouhaha and propaganda? If we take a look at the Iranian regime’s
propaganda and media machine we will see a full scenery of saber-rattling and
power-mongering through scenes of ballistic missile tests.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A glance at
the situation inside Iran and the society being described as a powder keg by
many analysts allows us to realize why the regime in Tehran is so concerned. On
a daily basis senior Iranian regime officials are warning about the
consequences of the current economy and youth unemployment crisis, parallel to
the horrible situation the country’s workers are in. However, considering the
fact that the ruling system is unable to respond to the people’s demands, it is
attempting to resort to hollow saber-rattling to cement a climate of fear in
the society and silence the restive Iranian nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
setbacks suffered in the nuclear negotiations as the regime was forced to forgo
many of its ambitions, the bitter rifts seen in the top brass and especially
the defeat supreme leader Ali Khamenei suffered in the late February sham twin
elections, provoke the Iranian people to rise in protest, and severely lowers
the spirit of Iranian regime proxies inside the country and abroad. More than
ever before the regime’s ranks and files have been seen defecting. In such
circumstances, unable to resort to any other measures, Tehran sees the only
solution in launching such shows of ballistic missile tests. Of course, this
all comes at a price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“White
House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Washington will respond to this
development with unilateral and multilateral tools… The Pentagon spokesman said
Iran’s missile tests are only one of the concerning and destructive activities
of this country, continuing despite the sealed nuclear deal,” Iran state TV
reported on March 9<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Broadcasting
such reactions from state TV is part of this entire farce as the regime
attempts to depict a posture not concerned about reactions seen from the United
States. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Resolutions
are merely dreams on paper. Missiles are realities on the ground,” said
Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Hossein Salami in an attempt to claim
Tehran is not even concerned of its dossier being referred to the United
Nations Security Council, which of course will come with dire consequences.
However, it is crystal clear that the mullahs’ regime in Iran, following the
JCPOA, is no longer in the “good old days” when its firebrand president Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad was in power who described UNSC resolutions as nothing but
“worthless paper.” The Iranian regime has learned very well the seriousness of
the situation on the ground. Therefore, the saber-rattling heard from the
deputy IRGC chief actually shows to what extent Tehran is actually in need of
staging such shows to thump its chest, and it is even willing to pay the
resulting consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One crisis
that is engulfing the Iranian regime is the circumstances of its proxies
abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Vatan-e
Emrouz’ daily wrote on March 10<sup>th</sup>: “The skies were heard rumbling
yesterday! From Iraq to Syria, and from Yemen to Lebanon, as all were left in
awe of the sounds of Iran’s missiles rumbling. The missiles containing the
famous quote of the founder of the Islamic revolution regarding the Zionist
regime, ‘Israel must be wiped off the planet’ in Hebrew.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The tacit
meaning of Iran’s proxies being “in awe” in the abovementioned countries is a
reference to the fact that they are truly despair in this day and age. In all
areas the Iranian regime’s forces are under a series of political and military
blows, and the written sentence on the missiles indicates that Iran is
especially concerned about the Lebanese Hezbollah. This group has been under
increasing pressure from various parties and political prisoner groups, in
addition to public opinion in Lebanon for its all-out allegiance to the Iranian
regime and their crimes in Syria, along with its destructive measures in the
political atmosphere of Lebanon itself. Hezbollah forces are also suffering
severe casualties in Syria and literally on the verge of complete
disintegration. As a result, maintaining Hezbollah’s ranks and files, along
with its posture is the utmost priority for the Iranian regime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Behind all the saber-rattling and when the dust falls, the actual capacity
of Iran’s missile capabilities is nothing to boast about. These missiles are
actually built based on technology belonging to the 1960s and 70s at best,
directly or indirectly purchased from North Korea, China or Russia, or
assembled from similar models. Claims these ballistic missiles are “precision
perfect” are ridiculous, as anyone familiar with these affairs knows quite well
that ballistic missiles lack such accuracy unless one enjoys the satellite
remote control technology, which Tehran still yearns. These blind missiles are
nothing but a terrorist leverage and all this very old hardware can be wiped
out in 20 minutes under a U.S. attack, as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad
Javad Zarif himself once said. Iran’s propaganda and brouhaha can only lift the
spirits of the regime’s forces for a few days. Nothing more. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657715389409598758.post-21231743111296411212016-03-29T00:59:00.001-07:002016-03-29T00:59:30.505-07:00What are the consequences of Russia pulling out of Syria, for Iran?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BLWJaW2PMI/Vvo1vSlUi9I/AAAAAAAAAvI/PcWOHf9cJccLJC652ZYf8nd-UA3JSkw3Q/s1600/images%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BLWJaW2PMI/Vvo1vSlUi9I/AAAAAAAAAvI/PcWOHf9cJccLJC652ZYf8nd-UA3JSkw3Q/s1600/images%2B%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">March 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">How was this decision made by Russia? Is it a
strategically important decision or a mere modus vivendi? The reason we raise
these questions is that Russia has announced it will maintain its two air and
naval bases in Syria. By keeping its boots in the Middle East bases does Russia
intend to continue its operations in Syria?</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">Reports and news on this matter all explain this
is a major decision. The method it was announced by the Kremlin, and a scene
where Russian President Vladimir Putin coincidently issued orders to his
foreign and defense ministers makes one realize the high importance and
seriousness of this matter. Maintaining the two air and naval bases will play
tactical roles and it appears they are aimed at lessening the blow of this
withdraw. This is entirely different from the role Russian air force played in
Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">Now we would like to see why Russia chose to
suddenly pull out its forces out of Syria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">Following the developments in Syria, we reach
this conclusion that Russia’s withdrawal was actually nothing unexpected. In my
opinion it wasn’t even unexpected for the regime in Iran. The media outlets of
both factions of “reformists” and “principlists” in Iran had been discussing
Russia’s unfaithful practices under various pretexts. For example, a website
associated to former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaie posted an
in-depth analysis to provide his own opinions through the words of “foreign
media outlets.” The Russians are seeking their own interests and have no
specific commitment to Hezbollah, he wrote. Of course, it is crystal clear that
by using the name Hezbollah, the former IRGC chief is actually referring to the
regime ruling Iran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">Why did Russia make such a decision? One Russian
official in describing this withdrawal of forces has said, “We did not enter
Syria to remain there forever.” International observers said Russia entered the
Syria spectrum seeking political and economic concessions, and if such
objectives were reached it will leave the turmoil stricken country of Syria.
However, the fact that this decision was made at such a turning point was first
and foremost due to the heroic perseverance seen from the Syrian people and
their freedom fighters, and of course the price they paid in the process of so
many hundreds of thousands perishing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">As a Russian official said in an interview with
the popular pan-Arabic Al Jazeera TV the Russians actually did not reach their
goals and instead came to this conclusion that the Assad regime is in its final
days. Remaining any further in Syria would cost Russia big.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">Saudi Arabia, a major supporter of the Syrian
opposition, had frankly informed Russia of its intention to provide anti-air
weaponry to opposition forces, which would of course significantly tilt the
balance of power against Moscow’s interests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de
Mistura had specifically warned if the negotiations in Geneva fail “Plan B”
will fall into effect and Russia will find itself in a major showdown against
the United Nations and Arab states. Other analysts and experts have cited the
falling price of oil as an effective element. All these factors most definitely
played a major role in the Kremlin’s turning point decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">The question is why is the Iranian regime so
terrified of such a development? I believe the answer is very clear: Russia
departing from Syria means Iran and its proxy forces will be left on their own
and the very powerful factors that forced Russia to leave will be focused
completely on the Iran camp in Syria. Rest assured Iran’s strength in Syria is
nothing comparable to that of Russia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Nazanin; mso-bidi-language: FA;">This leaves Iran and its proxies facing a
difficult decision to either leave Syria, leading to the complete fall of this
regime’s strategic depth; whereas deciding to remain in Syria would spell the
end of Assad and Iranian regime together in the not so distant future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
glo.thread.assesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17637029785230720416noreply@blogger.com0