Reports out of Iraq indicate that US-led efforts to support the national army in its battle against the Islamic State (IS) terror militia are being superseded by an increasingly aggressive Iranian effort to support Shi’ite militias, who largely operate outside the control of the regime in Baghdad. The development has led to concern that even if IS is defeated, it will leave Iran with even more influence over Iraq and lead to a deepening of the conflict between Shi’ite and Sunni factions throughout the Middle East. Intelligence officials estimate that the Iranian-backed militias now have as many as 120,000 men under arms, compared to approximately 48,000 in the Iraqi national army, and reports indicate they’re using that strength not only to fight IS, but also to brutalize Sunni populations in areas they control. Read More
