Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim men from the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah hold the party's flags as they walk along a street painted in the colours of the Israeli flag during a parade marking the annual Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Baghdad in this July 25, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani/Files
Special Report: The Fighters Of Iraq Who Answer To Iran -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Among the thousands of militia fighters who flocked to northern Iraq to battle militant group Islamic State over the summer was Qais al-Khazali.
Like the fighters, Khazali wore green camouflage. But he also sported a shoulder-strapped pistol and sunglasses and was flanked by armed bodyguards. When he was not on the battlefield, the 40-year-old Iraqi donned the robes and white turban of a cleric.
Khazali is the head of a militia called Asaib Ahl al-Haq that is backed by Iran. Thanks to his position he is one of the most feared and respected militia leaders in Iraq, and one of Iran's most important representatives in the country.
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My Comment: In the eyes of the Sunni community it is groups like this that makes them fearful of Iran and it's Shiite allies in Iraq. In short .... and this is the long term problem that Iraq must face .... as long as this sectarian divide exists, Iraq can never be a unified and peaceful country. Never.
1 comment:
No white gloves for these guys, but they've got the scarf thing going. The guy second in line in the foreground is going to catch hell from someone on his scarf though.
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