Colonel: Iran still aids Sadr City militants

Colonel: Iran still aids Sadr City militants
By Pauline Jelinek - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 27, 2007 5:34:10 EST

WASHINGTON — There’s been no letup in attacks and weapons-smuggling by Iranian-backed Shiite militants in some parts of Iraq’s capital, the area’s top U.S. commander said Monday.

The comment by Army Col. Don Farris contrasts with suggestions in recent weeks that Iran was slowing the flow of bombs, money and other support to Shiite extremists in Iraq.

Farris is commander for coalition forces in northern Baghdad, an area including the huge Shiite slum of Sadr City, which he called “really a hub for these activities coming from Iran.” It also includes the Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah.

Despite a 75 percent decline in overall attacks in his area, there was an increase last month in the most lethal kind of roadside bombs — the explosively formed projectiles that officials say come from Iran, Farris said.

He said overall attacks are down because this year’s troop buildup has helped coalition forces drive al-Qaida militants and Shiite death squads out of Baghdad neighborhoods. Not so with the Shiite groups the U.S. says are getting weapons, training and funding from neighboring Iran, he said.

“I have not seen those attacks abate, and I have not seen any indication that they intend to stop,” Farris said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_sadrcityarms_071126/