WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has stated that Iran and Syria
continue to help insurgents in Iraq.
Officials said Sunni insurgents have been training in Syria for
operations in Iraq. They said Sunni insurgents recruited throughout the
Middle East and Europe were entering Iraq from Syria.
Gen. George Casey, the commander of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, said
Syria continues to harbor the leadership of the former Saddam Hussein
regime. Casey said Syria also remains the primary route for foreign fighters
coming into Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported.
In an interview with the American Armed Forces Press Service, Casey said
Iran has also been helping Shi'ite insurgents in Iraq. He said the Iranian
aid has been used by Shi'ite militias to kill Sunni civilians.
"There is no doubt in my mind that they are providing weapons, training,
money to Shiia extremists groups that are being used against coalition and
Iraqi security forces and, frankly, now to kill Iraqi civilians," Casey
said.
Casey said Iraqi insurgents consisted of Sunnis, Shi'ites as well as
foreign supporters. He said Sunni insurgents have been centered around Al
Qaida in Iraq.
"It is a difficult situation and probably will remain a difficult
situation for the next couple of months," Casey said.
Casey said he has not been satisfied with the U.S.-led operation against
insurgents in Baghdad. He said Operation Together Forward, launched in June,
has not achieved the desired results.
"The plan that we have in effect in Baghdad has affected the levels of
sectarian violence in Baghdad — not as quickly as we would have liked,"
Casey said. "When we first started our program in Baghdad, we saw a sharp
drop-off. Then they fought back, and now we've been fighting back, and it's
going back down again. But it's still higher than we like. And this is going
to be a long-term process. It's not going to be something that we're going
to get done quickly."
