Iraqi Militants Threaten To Target U.S. Interests If Syria Is Attacked

[Purveyor]

Associated Press, Baghdad

Iranian-backed Shiite militias are threatening to retaliate against American interests inside Iraq if the United States goes ahead with strikes against the Tehran-allied government in neighboring Syria, according to Iraqi security officials and militants themselves.

Iraqi officials say they are taking the warnings seriously. The threats, which come as President Barack Obama’s administration and Congress debate possible military action over the Syrian regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons, risk exacerbating an increasingly deteriorating security environment inside Iraq.

Cleric Wathiq al-Batat, who leads the Mukhtar Army, a shadowy Iranian-backed militia, said his forces are preparing for a strong reaction against the interests of the U.S. and other countries that take part in any Syria strike. He claimed that militants have selected hundreds of potential targets, which could include both official American sites and companies “associated with the Americans.”

“There is a good level of coordination with Iran on this issue and I cannot reveal more. But I can say that there will be a strong response,” he told The Associated Press. “Each armed group will have duties to carry out.”

Al-Batat was a senior official in Iraq’s Hezbollah Brigades, which is believed to be funded and trained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

MORE...

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/09/06/Iraqi-militants-threaten-to-target-U-S-interests-if-Syria-is-attacked.html

[leveymg]

1. I would believe them. Good thing we made sure 15K SAM-7 missiles were looted in Libya. Making the

world and America a safer place, one regime change at a time. Thank you for your work in the region, Madame Secretary Clinton and DCI Petraeus. Splendid job.

[Purveyor]

2. If we attack Syria, there is little doubt in my mind that a firestorm will engulf most all of the

middle east.

"Our" neocons haven't a fucking clue what they are marching into.

[leveymg]

3. There is little doubt that attacks and counter-attacks will be global in scale.

If we and France attack Syria, Lebanese Hezbollah will attack Israel and other targets across five continents. Iran may well decide that it's time to be proactive as they are next on the target list, and may "use 'em or lose 'em". Then come the reprisals for further acts of violence. There are so many possible variables on this -

"The only way to Win is not to Play the Game."

No truer words have been spoken.

[snappyturtle]

4. Makes sense that non-essential diplomats have been ordered

to leave Jordan. Also the following article is interesting. Iranian
factions have differring ideas of how to retaliate.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/4/reaction-from-iran-a-big-question-ahead-of-syria-a/?page=1

[leveymg]

5. I have the sickening feeling that this is the point and Israel has just been looking for such a

provocation and casus belli with Iran. Same thing with many neocons in the US government.

So far, Iran has managed to maintain command and control and discipline over its factions and proxies. That will quickly break down when we start bombing Damascus. I'd give it about 48 hours before the war spreads.

[snappyturtle]

6. I hope we're both wrong but.....that little voice whispering in

my ear really has my guard up.

[leveymg]

7. I feel sick to my stomach as at no time since during Reagan's First Administration.

In the pit of my gut this feels bad.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. "Iran has managed to maintain command and control and discipline over its factions and proxies"

Now, all bets are off --

Iran Plots Revenge, U.S. Says

WASHINGTON—The U.S. has intercepted an order from Iran to militants in Iraq to attack the U.S. Embassy and other American interests in Baghdad in the event of a strike on Syria, officials said, amid an expanding array of reprisal threats across the region.

Military officials have been trying to predict the range of possible responses from Syria, Iran and their allies. U.S. officials said they are on alert for Iran's fleet of small, fast boats in the Persian Gulf, where American warships are positioned. U.S. officials also fear Hezbollah could attack the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323893004579057271019210230.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories

[LuvNewcastle]

9. The title of this article says that Iraqis are going to

attack American interests. The first sentence in the article says that Iranians will do it, although they're planning to attack targets in Iraq. I don't know if it really matters one way or the other, but it might cause some confusion down the road. I know this isn't your fault, Purveyor; you didn't write the title.

We're getting a lot of warnings not to proceed with these bombings. Obama has his red line, and apparently the Russians and Iran are showing where their red lines are. I sure hope the Russians and Iranians aren't as determined as Obama is. The world is in very bad shape if we're depending upon Russia and Iran to have cool heads.

[leveymg]

10. "The world is in very bad shape if we're depending upon Russia and Iran to have cool heads"

We've been dependent upon just that for a very long time. Six or seven decades, in fact.

[NuclearDem]

11. God, it's like we're reliving 1913 all over again.