Iranian-backed Militia Behind the Latest Baghdad Bombing

I didn't believe it either, since these types of atrocities are usually perpetrated by Al-Qaeda. Shiite militia special groups are more into striking coalition and Iraqi convoys with EFPs, not blatantly targeting civilians. But it's straight from Rear Admiral Smith, MNF-I spokesman, on the AP wire.

"In raids overnight, Iraqi and coalition forces were able to identify and detain four members of a militia extremist group we assess as responsible for this horrific act of indiscriminate violence," he said at a news conference. "Based on subsequent confessions, forensics and other intelligence, the bombing was the work of an Iranian-backed special groups cell operating here in Baghdad."

This attack killed 15 people and wounded many more at a pet market on 23 Nov in the Rusafa district of Baghdad. Of course Iran has denied that they had any complicity. While Admiral Smith said that he didn't think Iran specifically order the attack, these special groups getting funding and weaponry from Iranian sources is well documented in the media. And I just wrote an entry about tensions cooling off with Iran here... Guess I was suffering from a case of too much optimism.

If you still think Bush/Cheney are in some neo-con conspiracy to invade Iran to get at its oil sources, you need to work the facts into your punditry and understand that malign Iranian influence in Iraq is extremely real and extremely deadly.


Courtesy of an Iranian-backed militia who was killing people in an Al-Qaeda style attack to show Iraqi people that they still needed the protection of the militia. That is some sick fuckin' logic!