Al-Sadr vows to defend Iran

[Windy]

Muqtada al-Sadr, the Iraqi cleric, has said his al-Mahdi Army would help to defend Iran if it is attacked.


Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with Ali Larijani, the senior Iranian nuclear negotiator, on Sunday, he said his militia was formed to defend Islam.

"The forces of Mahdi Army defend the interests of Iraq and Islamic countries," al-Sadr said. "If neighbouring Islamic countries, including Iran, become the target of attacks, we will support them.

"The Mahdi Army is beyond the Iraqi army. It was established to defend Islam."

Al-Sadr's comments could be seen as a message that Tehran has allies who could make things difficult for US forces in the region if Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked.

Popular cleric

Al-Sadr has a large following among Iraq's young and impoverished Shia community. His militia launched two uprisings against US troops in Iraq in 2004 but since the fighting ended he has transformed himself into a respectable political figure.

(more) http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8EDB62B2-567D-40E9-BA51-11302206E336.htm

[LynnTheDem]

1. The Top Shi'ite in the world is al-Sistani...an IRANIAN.

The US "msm" likes to refer to al-Sistani as an IRAQI, but he is not and never has been Iraqi.

He is IRANIAN.

And should the US attack Iran, al-Sistani will give the go-ahead to wipe out every US and "coalition" soldier in Iraq. And of course Iran will wipe out the 2 US fleets sitting in the Gulf.

But that would be natural, as a sovereign nation has the LEGAL RIGHT to DEFEND itself against aggression.

Note to MFing ignorant rightwingnuts; WE are the aggressors.

[Terran1212]

2. If they take any action against Iran.. the neo-cons screwed themselves ove

They wanted SO BADLY to attack Iraq. But now that US forces are in Iraq, they know they can't fight Iran in Iran and Iraq -- and if they attack they'll have to.

But it looks like they're going for a 3rd nation. Are they this crazy?