AP: Quds Force backing militiamen to ensure Shiites win Iraqi civil war

[sabra]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-the-quds-puzzle,0,1821766.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

<snip>

Iran likely does not want a direct confrontation with American troops in Iraq but is backing militiamen to ensure Shiites win any future civil war with Iraqi Sunnis after the Americans leave, several experts said Thursday.

The Quds Force's role underlines how deeply enmeshed Iran is in its neighbor -- and how the U.S. could face resistance even from its allies in Iraq if it tries to uproot Iran's influence in the country.

...

But the Quds Force's help appears to go beyond militiamen attacking U.S. troops. It supplies training and some weapons to the Badr Brigade -- a militia linked to Iraq's biggest Shiite political party -- and smaller Shiite factions in the south, an official with a Shiite political party in Iraq who has close knowledge of militia activity told The Associated Press. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

The Badr Brigade is linked to the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the party headed by cleric Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq's most powerful politicians, who met with Bush at the White House in December.

...

Instead, the goal is likely "to enable these armed formations ... to gain an advantage over their Sunni rivals" in the battle for power that Iran expects could erupt later.

"They are looking to beyond, when the Americans withdraw," he said. "They see the Shiite militias as natural allies."

[MidwestTransplant]

1. Duh. That's why the Saudis are arming the Sunnis. It's a proxy war.

[sabra]

2. yep, and the troops are in middle of it. But BushCo is trying to spin it

of course...