Operation Swarmer and Sudden Iran-US Talks on Iraq: Connection?

ThreatsWatch.Org ^ | 2006 Mar 18 | Steve Schippert

[Wiz]

Yesterday, two major unexpected events took place: Operation Swarmer commenced to clear the Samarra area of insurgents and terrorists in the largest single operation since early in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and just as suddenly, Iran asked for and the United States agreed to face-to-face talks on the situation in Iraq.

But of far greater importance could be the potential that the American/Iraqi operation and the sudden Iranian calls for talks may not be merely coincidental in timing, but quite possibly directly related.

One potentially revealing quote came from Iraqi presidential security adviser Lt. Gen. Wafiq al-Samaraei, who said the operation was targeting “a bunch of strange criminals who came from outside the county [sic] and among them a bunch of Iraqi criminals who help them.”

American and British officials have long stated that Iran has maintained far-reaching tentacles into Iraq, injecting money, munitions, manpower and malicious intent.

“Tehran’s intention to inflict pain on the United States and Iraq has been constrained by its caution to avoid giving Washington an excuse to attack it,” said John Negroponte, director of national intelligence during a Senate hearing.

In the latest proof of Iran ‘inflicting pain’ with attacks on US military personnel came in the form of milled and shaped copper IEDs. They were not captured from a warehouse and presumed from Iran. They were captured in transit crossing the Iran-Iraq border headed into Iraq.

Iran’s activities in Iraq have been reported by various media outlets as well, as noted by Dan Darling in his October 2005 Weekly Standard column on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qassem Suleimani and his Qods Force.

[Wiz]

ping

[Fighting Irish]

Hmmmmmm.... can we say Laos some 40 years later?

[Danae]

The real Criminal President (of Iran) had better be watchin. When the connection is made, the American people SUPPORT goin into Iran and assisting the people there take back their country. I really look forward to the day that happens.

[Wiz]

It is an interesting article, but I also feel the article went a little far. I assume more Iranian activity in the southern regions, than in the central and northern portions, which impact on Iran for such operations is low, unless there is a strategic target within the area having such meaning, or has an impact that we are unaware of. Meanwhile, it was also hard to predict what "event" has motivate Iran for talks. This "event" is probably the key what Iran is likely anxious about. We will have to wait for the outcome of the operation.

[johnny7]

I assume more Iranian activity in the southern regions, than in the central and northern portions

You assume right.

[sure_fine]

Yesterday, two major unexpected events took place:


disagree, there was nothing surprising to the military planners, only the media

[TChris]

I would bet a lot of money that the technology for the advanced IED shape charge design came from "Pootie Poot's" Russia. They have been beefing up Iran's capabilities in many other ways, so it's a logical deduction.

I'm becoming increasingly disillusioned with the idea of Russia as an American ally.

I'm also baffled that Russia doesn't see a common enemy between radical Muslims in Chechnya and those in the greater Arab world.

[Eagle of Liberty]

I think Operation Swarmer was definitely meant to make a statement to Iran to STFO of Iraq.

They are teetering on Bush's last strand of patience, something I would not do ever. [sarcasm]I mean, Bush is not going to be re-elected, his poll numbers fall further every ten minutes, nobody in America, not even Laura, approves of his war actions[/sarcasm].....what the hell has he got to lose by invading Iran?

[Eagle of Liberty]

I assume more Iranian activity in the southern regions

Why don't we ever hear about the southern area run by the British? Is there nothing going on there? It is like the British have already left.

[cyclotic]

Local news in Detroit last night noted with disgust that Operation Swarmer took "insurgents" and the media by surprise.

Of course it did. What a bunch of clods.

[tumblindice]

Didn't hear the news? The Brits are withdrawing a good deal (about 10%?) of their troop strength. The Shi'ites in the south aren't the problem.
We're in the s*** and any out-of-uniform Iraqis caught carrying weapons in the so-called `Sunni Triangle' are al Quaida or Fedayeen and should be shot on sight.
In other words, no prisoners.

[trebb]

Wait a minute - the MSM and Dims are saying that Operation Swarmer is just an attempt by the Prez to take our attention off other things. How could it possibly have any real positive effects? /sarc

[El Gran Salseron]

"I'm becoming increasingly disillusioned with the idea of Russia as an American ally."

Please don't be misled by the MSM. Russia has never been an "ally" of this country.

I spent too many hours at a sonar console tracking these rats during the height of the supposedly "Cold War." It was never cold. It was always hot and still is.

[mcshot]

I'm with you!

mc

[crazycat]

what "event"

The Iranians may have one or more VIP type people there, ones that would be very embarrassing if caught.

[Wiz]

Then I think you have missed many news from the south, such as Sadr supporters torturing a women in front of a British troop keeping a blind eye, several IED attacks killing British troops in Basra and Amarah since the last few months including use of shaped charged IED likely from Iran, and several smuggling routes from this region, and the rivers flowing from Iran used as moving smuggled arms, and the security force almost doing nothing, and the case which Iranians presence are increasing in Basra.