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| Iraq-Jordan |
| $80 million and rising, thatâs what Iranâs spending on Muqty |
| 2004-04-09 |
| Via LGF and MEMRI: A source in the Quds Army of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard revealed to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat information relating to the construction of three camps and training centers on the Iranian-Iraqi borders to train elements of the âMehdi Armyâ founded by Moqtada Al-Sadr. The source estimated that about 800-1,200 young supporters of Al-Sadr have received military training including guerilla warfare, the production of bombs and explosives, the use of small arms, reconnoitering and espionage. The three camps were located in Qasr Shireen, âIlam, and Hamid, bordering southern Iraq which is inhabited largely by Shiâa Muslims. The newspaper also reported that the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad has recently distributed 400 satellite phones to supporters of Al-Sadr and to clerics and students at the Aâthamiyya district of Baghdad, Al-Sadr City, and the holy city of Najaf, all of which are inhabited predominantly by Shiâa Muslims. The Iranian source, known in Iraq as âAbu Hayderâ confirmed that the intelligence service of the Revolutionary Guard has introduced to the Shiâa cities radio and TV broadcasting facilities which are used by Al-Sadr and his supporters. During his recent visit to Iran, Al-Sadr met with Hashemi Rafsanjani, head of the Expediency Council as well as the head of the revolutionary guard intelligence, Murtadha Radhai, and the commander of the Al-Quds Army responsible for Iraqi affairs, Brig. General Qassim Suleimani and other government and religious leaders. The source estimated the financial support to Al-Sadr in recent months have exceeded $80 million, in addition to the cost of training, equipment and clothing of his supporters. |
| Posted by:Anonymous2U |