Muqtada al-Sadr---says he would help to defend IRAN if it is attacked

[kpete]

Al-Sadr vows to defend Iran
Monday 23 January 2006, 0:10 Makka Time, 21:10 GMT

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.

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

[Brundle_Fly]

1. welcome to the time where

Iraq is a sheild country for Iran.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. who could make things difficult for US forces

difficult enough now.... I see. How much more difficult can it get one might ask.

[AGENDA21]

3. Thats just wonderful,now isnt it!

[Maggie_May]

4. Attack on Iran would

cause major problems in Iraq. You think things are bad over there now a attack on Iran and our guys our sitting ducks.

[neverforget]

5. A Shiite uprising along with attacks against shipping in the Gulf

would seriously hurt the US in Iraq because that is our supply line. If Iran really wanted to f things up for us, invade southern Iraq cutting off or supply completely. We would have 135000 troops surrounded in a hostile country cut off from supplies. This scenario brings to mind the Chosen Reservoir battle in Korea in 1950. A fighting retreat to the sea which is a worst case scenario.