Iran's Hand In The Insurgency
On April 4, the German publication Die Presse carried an interesting interview with Abdul-Jabbar al-Kubaysi, president of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance (IPA). The IPA openly endorses attacks against American targets in Iraq and the group's alliance with Saddam was discussed by Lorenzo Vidino and Andrea Morigi back in 2004. (That Saddam and the IPA were able to bury the hatchet is yet another piece of evidence demonstrating that Saddam had a hand in planning the insurgency, by the way.) Al-Kubaysi, who is obviously no friend of the U.S., had some interesting things to say about the insurgency and the role of Iran and al Qaeda. While al-Kubaysi's word should not be taken at face value, consider what he had to say about Iran's support of attacks inside Iraq.
From Die Press, via the Foreign Broadcast Information Service:
(Seifert) You advocate the armed fight against the US Army in Iraq. However, the attacks mostly kill civilians. Is what you call "legitimate resistance" not simply "terror"?
(Al-Kubaysi) We distance ourselves from such actions. Such attacks are supposed to demonstrate that it is impossible to live together. Every empty car that explodes is blown up by Shiite groups controlled by Iran. The suicide attacks are carried out by Al-Qa'ida members. Iraqis against Iraqis -- we have nothing to do with this.
(Seifert) There is talk about conflicts between al-Qa'ida terrorist Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi and other armed Sunni groups.
(Al-Kubaysi) We have nothing to do with Al-Zarqawi. But nor do we say that he should leave Iraq. We are fighting against the Americans not because they are Americans -- as Al-Zarqawi does -- but we are fighting against the US soldiers, because they are occupiers in our country. The Americans even support Al-Zarqawi in his propaganda war: every time a bomb explodes, the United States gives Al-Zarqawi a platform by blaming him for all attacks. And, as a result, the people believe that Al-Zarqawi is powerful. In reality, his influence in Iraq is small.
(Seifert) In Iraq there are power cut-offs, rationing of gasoline, and not enough drinking water. It is not the Americans who are to be blamed for this but the attacks by the fighters on electricity poles and refineries.
(Al-Kubaysi) I cannot deny this. There is war. We want the foreign companies to leave the country.
(Seifert) Which role do you, personally, play in the Iraqi "resistance"?
(Al-Kubaysi) We do not have any direct link with the armed groups. I see myself as a politician, not as a fighter. But let me also say: if I had a son, 20 years old perhaps, and he would refuse to take up arms to fight against the Americans, this son would not get food from me anymore.
(Seifert) Why do you refuse to participate in the political process?
(Al-Kubaysi) The so-called political process is a mere diversion. We must fight against the occupation with weapons.
From Die Press, via the Foreign Broadcast Information Service:
(Seifert) You advocate the armed fight against the US Army in Iraq. However, the attacks mostly kill civilians. Is what you call "legitimate resistance" not simply "terror"?
(Al-Kubaysi) We distance ourselves from such actions. Such attacks are supposed to demonstrate that it is impossible to live together. Every empty car that explodes is blown up by Shiite groups controlled by Iran. The suicide attacks are carried out by Al-Qa'ida members. Iraqis against Iraqis -- we have nothing to do with this.
(Seifert) There is talk about conflicts between al-Qa'ida terrorist Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi and other armed Sunni groups.
(Al-Kubaysi) We have nothing to do with Al-Zarqawi. But nor do we say that he should leave Iraq. We are fighting against the Americans not because they are Americans -- as Al-Zarqawi does -- but we are fighting against the US soldiers, because they are occupiers in our country. The Americans even support Al-Zarqawi in his propaganda war: every time a bomb explodes, the United States gives Al-Zarqawi a platform by blaming him for all attacks. And, as a result, the people believe that Al-Zarqawi is powerful. In reality, his influence in Iraq is small.
(Seifert) In Iraq there are power cut-offs, rationing of gasoline, and not enough drinking water. It is not the Americans who are to be blamed for this but the attacks by the fighters on electricity poles and refineries.
(Al-Kubaysi) I cannot deny this. There is war. We want the foreign companies to leave the country.
(Seifert) Which role do you, personally, play in the Iraqi "resistance"?
(Al-Kubaysi) We do not have any direct link with the armed groups. I see myself as a politician, not as a fighter. But let me also say: if I had a son, 20 years old perhaps, and he would refuse to take up arms to fight against the Americans, this son would not get food from me anymore.
(Seifert) Why do you refuse to participate in the political process?
(Al-Kubaysi) The so-called political process is a mere diversion. We must fight against the occupation with weapons.
posted by Thomas Joscelyn at 1:26 PM
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