Why we can't just leave..the BITTER REALITY of this world war

5,000 Iran agents behind Shi'ite death squads in Iraq

What's the plan going to be George, Nancy and Harry? You answer to me. Personally.

WASHINGTON — Iran maintains thousands of intelligence agents in Iraq, according to Saudi security sources.

A report on Iran's intelligence presence in Iraq by the Saudi National Security Assessment Project asserts that Iran has at least 5,000 agents, responsible for helping establish Shi'ite death squads. Authored by Nawaf Obaid, a leading Saudi consultant based in Washington, the report cited the Al Quds Forces, identified as a special command division of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Obaid said Al Quds mainly functions as the special foreign intelligence division of IRGC and specializes in unconventional warfare.

Al Quds "has a close relationship with the Badr Organization and the Mahdi Army, as well as with smaller Iraqi Shi'ite militias," the report said. "Members of the Al Quds Forces organized what came to be known as the death squads under the former Iraqi Interior Minister."

[On Dec. 20, the U.S. military announced the capture of a leader of the Iranian-backed Mahdi Army south of Baghdad. The military said the Mahdi Army commander, a bomb expert, was linked to attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces in the Wasit Province.]
The report estimated the strength of Al Quds at 5,000. Obaid said the Mahdi Army has a strength of 10,000 and the Badr Organization, 25,000.

Obaid, who was an adviser to the Saudi embassy in the United States until December 2006, said Al Quds has been transporting Al Qaida fighters from Afghanistan to Iraq through Iran.

"Iran has also provided Al Qaida material support in the form of explosives, food, and logistical help," the report said. "Operational structural resembles what was formerly the Al Qaida organization in Saudi Arabia.

"The idea of an overall commander is a Western delusion — no single leader orchestrates Al Qaida operations in Iraq," the report added. "Each network operates independently and has its own fighters, funding, logistical support, recruitment and training."

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