U.S. Troops: Liberators and Targets in Post-Saddam Iraq?
February 26, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
America's technological wonder weapons and well-trained assault troops are promising a quick victory over the forces of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Reports on U.S. plans for a post-Saddam Iraq include a significant period - perhaps for several years - of American occupation, during which time the Iraqis would be lead to the development of democratic political structures.
As American troops attempt to bring peace, prosperity, and democracy to Iraq, they may find themselves under attack from guerrillas based across a difficult to defend border and given shelter by a nuclear power, which in turn is supported by one of America's most important allies in the war on terror.
Iran, which shares a long and porous border with Iraq, is both the home of an 8,000-man Iraqi exile guerrilla army, and a burgeoning nuclear power.
The National Iranian Opposition Council, a group opposed to the present regime in Teheran, asserts that Iran is in fact developing atomic weapons, a claim emphatically denounced by both Teheran and the primary supporter of Iranian nuclear development, Russia.
Iran's construction of a nuclear reactor in Buschehr, in the south of the country, has raised international concern that Iran could not only produce electricity but also enable Iran to develop atomic weapons.
In addition to assisting Iran's nuclear program, Moscow is also strengthening military ties with Teheran, including both the sale of Russian weaponry to Iran and strategic cooperation between Teheran and Moscow.
Moscow's influence in Iran as well as Iraq is substantial. Although U.S. President George Bush has declared Russia a "strategic ally" of the United States and partner in the war on terror, Moscow is deeply involved in the support of the "axis of evil" nations, as well as other "states of concern" (formerly "rogue states").
The threat of outright attacks against U.S. troops occupying a post-Saddam Iraq was voiced by a powerful Iraqi Muslim cleric and guerrilla army leader, who is currently operating from a sanctuary in Iran.
"The Iraqi people consider this [U.S.-led occupation] administration as …foreign domination….violence and social disorder will break out against the Americans," declared Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, leader of an estimated 8,000-man strong guerrilla army. Hakim statements appeared in a recent article published in the Toronto Star.
Hakim leads an organization called the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). The SCIRI boasts a large fighting force and is highly influential politically in the anti-Saddam resistance movement.
The warning that Hakim issued regarding U.S. occupation of Iraq must be considered as America proceeds to reconstruct the nation of Iraq and the psychological mind-set of its people.
Hakim is not acting alone. Behind him is Iran, and behind Iran is Russia.
Copyright 2003
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