Iranian and Syrian Support for the Iraqi Insurgency

By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

MEMRI's latest special report translates the televised confessions of Muayed Al-Nasseri, the captured commander of the Army of Muhammad, an insurgent group in Iraq that was founded by Saddam Hussein after his regime collapsed.  Al-Nasseri's confessions were broadcast by Al-Fayhaa TV, an Iraqi TV channel that operates from the UAE.

In his confessions, Al-Nasseri speaks of substantial Iranian and Syrian aid for the insurgency.  He says that the Army of Muhammad got aid primarily from Iran:  "The truth is that Iran has played a significant role in supporting the Army of Muhammad and many factions of the resistance.  I have some units, especially in southern Iraq, which receive Iranian aid in the form of arms and equipment."  Al-Nasseri reveals that other insurgent factions received even greater aid from Iran.  He says that he has "reliable information" that the National Islamic resistance, led by Asi Al Hadithi, sent a delegation to Iran that "met with Iranian intelligence and with a number of Iranian leaders and even with Khamenei."

As for Syrian support, Al-Nasseri states that cooperation with Syria began in October 2003:  "Through the Ba'th party -- the Arab Socialist Ba'th Party operates in Syria with complete freedom.  It maintains its relations and organizes the Ba'th members outside Iraq.  The Syrian government is fully aware of this, and the Syrian intelligence cooperates fully, as well as the Ba'th Party, in Syria."

While Iranian support for the insurgency is by now fairly well known, Syrian support has received less press coverage.  However, there have been previous reports of the insurgency's Syrian backing.  The Washington Post noted last month that "U.S. military intelligence officials have concluded that the Iraqi insurgency is being directed to a greater degree than previously recognized from Syria."  Apparently, Saddam Hussein's loyalists have found sanctuary in Syria, and are using their base there to channel money to the insurgency.  Foreign fighters have also been crossing the Syrian border to join insurgent forces.  And a December Wall Street Journal article described Syrian support for the insurgency -- including not only material support but also public proclamations of solidarity from both Syrian President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa.

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