Iranian hand in Najaf game

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

Since the battle of Najaf suddenly erupted about two weeks ago, with fierce fighting raging between followers of Shi'ite maverick cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the U.S. military, the question often arose as to why this battle was taking place.

Just what is the firebrand Sheik al-Sadr trying to prove? It must seem genuinely insane to try to take on the full brunt of American military with its advanced technology, unlimited hardware and far superior firepower. Not to mention the recreated Iraqi army units fighting beside American forces.

So what exactly does Sheik al-Sadr expect to achieve other than the senseless killing, mostly of his young fanatical fighters, who are no match for the better-trained and -led American forces, and who are dying by the score?

To establish the "why" of the fighting in Najaf, one must first try first to ascertain the "who." Who stands to profit from the turmoil? Who could be pulling Sheik al-Sadr's strings and, of course, to what end?

The answer, no matter how you turn this thing around, dissect and analyze it, seems to point in one direction: Iran.

Sheik al-Sadr has traveled twice to Iran in recent months. He maintains close links with Ayatollah Kazem al-Haeri, a cleric in the city of Qom and a close confident of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Analysts believe he receives support and most probably financing from Iran.

And just why would the Islamic republic want to direct Sheik al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army to foment strife in Iraq, stirring up trouble for U.S. forces? Sure, they are killing American soldiers, but for every American casualty, there are close to 50 Iraqis.

Also, as one analyst noted, you never want to ignite a fire in your neighbor's house for fear it might spread to yours -- unless there is a compelling reason.

The reason is the Iran's ayatollahs are sending Washington a message. The message is "make sure that you, Washington, will convince Israel to stay away from our nuclear sites and desires." Otherwise, the fighting currently under way in Najaf can easily expand to other localities and grow in intensity. Lives are, unfortunately, expendable in this part of the world.

Remember Iran's children brigade sent out in front of regular troops to clear minefields during the 8-year Iran-Iraq war. The children were armed with Islamic fervor and promises of a place in paradise. Close to a million people died in that conflict.