Iran Joined Militias in Battle for Basra

The Sunday Times will report in its 6 April edition that Iranians were operating at a “tactical command” level alongside the Mahdi Army militias fighting Iraqi security forces last week.

The Sunday Times reports that the commander of US forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, is expected to tell Congress this week that Iranian forces were involved in the battle for Basra.

Last Saturday, Iran arranged negotiations in Qom between Moqtada Al Sadr and the representatives of the ruling Dawa Party and Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. Sadr issued a declaration after the meeting in Qom which led to the current ceasefire between the Mahdi Army and Iraqi security forces.