Surge in Shia violence in southern Iraq is linked to Iran

By Aussiegirl

Iran stirs the pot in Iraq. Looks like Mookie Sadr is still up to no good.

The Australian: Surge in violence linked to Iran [September 21, 2005]

THE violence that has erupted on the streets of Basra is the result of a simmering struggle between British forces and the increasingly powerful Shia Muslim militias active in southern Iraq.

While most attention in the country has been focused on the Sunni Muslim insurgency against the US-led forces further north, the British have been facing a sharp rise in attacks by an increasingly sophisticated and deadly foe.

There are strong suspicions the bloodshed is being orchestrated with weapons and encouragement from Iran.

In a classified report, military intelligence warned commanders that attacks on British forces were being deliberately intensified using a sophisticated new armour-piercing bomb developed in Iran.

The Iranians are suspected of providing Shia terror groups with the "shaped charges" that can penetrate even the thickest armoured protection. The charges, previously used by Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon against Israeli forces, are said to be similar in impact to three landmines.