"Iran Sends Tanks Into Iraq to Fight Islamists" Topic

"As American jets flew top cover, in mid-August Kurdish Peshmerga militia and Iraqi special forces troops recaptured the strategic Mosul Dam from Islamic State militants. Meanwhile Iraqi Golden Brigade commandos liberated parts of Tikrit from the Islamists.

But the militants counterattacked—and that drew Iran into the fighting. In a move that could have far-reaching consequences, Tehran has sent tanks into northern Iraq.

As the Kurds and Iraqi commandos gained ground in the north, Islamic State fighters launched a surprise counterattack toward Baghdad. Local fighters resisted the militants north of Balad air base, formerly the center of the American occupational force…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

Wow. One way or another, this is going to tie together all sorts of groups with a historical grudge against the west.

Perhaps we should take Ripley's advice from Aliens?

Interesting.

It's been well known that Iranian Revolutionary Guards Special Forces (Quds) has been active in both Syria and Iraq. The Syrian efforts includes UAVs well as intelligence, training and logisitical support to Assad forces. as well as Iranian Basij volunteers.

In Iraq it was only training and logistical support as far as I was aware.

The Iranians also returned 7 Su-25s to Iraq (flown to Iran in 1991) but I don't know if they're supplying pilots.

But this is the first news I have heard of a potential actual deployment of Iranian regular army units to Iraq.

And where there's tanks, there's also probably infantry support.

Unless the Iranians are donating in-service tanks to the Peshmerga? The donated Su-25s were in service with Revolutionary Guards Air Force. Hence maybe old Iranians tanks are being donated to Kurds?

It's been well known that Iranian Revolutionary Guards Special Forces (Quds) has been active in both Syria and Iraq

I saw a video of an attack by five soldiers on an Israeli outpost during the recent Gaza war. The attackers were competent (to my eyes). It was suggested that these were Iranian Revolutionary Guards. I have no idea.

At least Iran is willing to fight alongside their erstwhile enemies the Kurds, unlike Turkey, which fought alongside ISIS against the Kurds in Kobane.

So I did a little google search and it turns out Iranian regulars (IRGC) have been in Iraq since at least June 2014.

This includes two units assigned to protection of Baghdad and some Shia shrines. Wiki notes two batallions whilst Fox claims it's two brigades. Qods involvement goes without saying.

online.wsj.com/articles/iran-deploys-forces-to-fight-al-qaeda-inspired-militants-in-iraq-iranian-security-sources-1402592470

foxnews.com/world/2014/06/13/us-seeing-signs-iran-engaged-in-iraq-strife-official-says

independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/us-under-pressure-to-act-as-iran-helps-iraq-fight-alqaida-30351513.html

Whilst the West bags out Iran, there's no doubting Qods is an extremely capable special forces unit.

Iran also appears to have maintained the concept of professional military service as opposed to nepotistic and culturally corrupt Arab forces.

I'd sooner trust an Iranian unit to do it's job than a Iraqi or Saudi one, even though the Iraqis and Saudis have advanced tech.

And for all it's fundamentalism, Iran is actually far more liberal than Saudi Arabia, UAE or any of our other allies.

They're also a useful counter to Russia in the Caspian. Let them come back into the fold. Let the Saudis et al kick up a stink – they after all actively support terrorism.

And for all it's fundamentalism, Iran is actually far more liberal than Saudi Arabia, UAE or any of our other allies.

That is why they have to go. Just like Saddam, Ghadaffi, and next Assad in Syria.

They all actively support terrorism……..

They all actively support terrorism……..

Lucky we never supported terrorists

Mako, by the same logic, the USA supported Irish terrorism.

Jemima, well put.

Iranians, for the most part aren't arabs.

Not sure if there has been a serious discussion what outcomes would be acceptable to the west. What could we live with and what is a red line. Sad to say the US is stalling until after the mid term elections.

Yes, the Persians have been in Iraq and Syria for some time. Only makes sense as Iraq is 60% Shia as is Iran and ISIS is primarily Sunni … Iran supports Hezzbolah as does Assad, etc., etc. … I'd be interested to see Persian AFVs going toe-to-toe with ISIS AFVs. The results could be quite revealing. Based on past conflicts, neither the Iraqis or Iranians are considered competent practitioners of modern armored warfare …

Mako, by the same logic, the USA supported Irish terrorism.

Very true, yet very sad … some of the Irish in the US still had/have strong ties to their homeland. And remember the past Irish-Brit conflicts … for better or worse. The US also designated the Turkish Kurds terrorists … As is very often said, geo-politics make very strange bedfellows … One man's terrorists is another man's freedom fighter. Or as it is said in the Middle East. The enemy of my enemy is my friend OR the enemy of my enemy is still my enemy … based on the current situations … In the infantry we called that a Cluster F K ! Hence it was/is also said at times tragically … Kill them all and let God (or Allah) sort them out … The tragedy/horror of the Middles East/NA/SWA moving into the 20th Century let alone the 21st continues to be a mess of almost Biblical proportions, IMO … again very sadly …

Perhaps we should take Ripley's advice from Aliens?

"Nuke the site from orbit."? "Its the only way to be sure."?

In this case, I prefer the Ripley quote,

"You can't have her, BITCH!"

Actually it's. 'Get away from her, you BITCH!'. I think feminists would object to classifying ISIS as female.

"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon"
Rev 16:16

Dan

"Nuke the site from orbit."? "Its the only way to be sure."?

The idea somewhat appels to me … but the aftermath might have some unintended consequences …

"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon"

If we knew that for sure … then yeah ! Nuc'm !