Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BASRAH64
2007-07-22 09:48:00
SECRET
REO Basrah
Cable title:  

FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN BASRAH?

Tags:  PTER MOPS IZ IR LE SY 
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VZCZCXRO9135
RR RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHBC #0064 2030948
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 220948Z JUL 07
FM REO BASRAH
TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0153
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0574
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEPGAB/MNF-I C2X BAGHDAD IZ
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHBC/REO BASRAH 0602
S E C R E T BASRAH 000064 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/22/2017
TAGS: PTER MOPS IZ IR LE SY
SUBJECT: FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN BASRAH?

CLASSIFIED BY: Louis L. Bono, Director, Basrah Regional Embassy
Office, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(c),(d)



S E C R E T BASRAH 000064

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/22/2017
TAGS: PTER MOPS IZ IR LE SY
SUBJECT: FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN BASRAH?

CLASSIFIED BY: Louis L. Bono, Director, Basrah Regional Embassy
Office, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(c),(d)




1. (S - REL MNF-I) On June 28, three British soldiers were
killed by an IED as they were escorting a convoy from the Basrah
Palace to the Basrah Air Station. British forces subsequently
recovered a video recording of the incident. British sources
believe that the male voices overheard on the recording had
Lebanese or possibly Syrian accents. In addition, local sources
have recently reported that "foreign" IDF teams, speaking Farsi,
are operating in Basrah. While we cannot confirm whether
Iranian IDF teams are now actually roaming the streets of
Basrah, Iranian agents have been known to accompany Ja'ish
al-Mahdi IDF teams in the past. Further, IDF attacks on the
Palace have significantly increased in intensity and accuracy
over the past two weeks. (Note: A British soldier was killed
during an IDF attack on July 21. End note.)


2. (S - REL MNF-I) Comment: Foreign operatives have been
supporting militia elements in Basrah for some time, but if
foreign fighters are now in fact attacking the Coalition, it
adds a new dynamic to our efforts to stabilize Basrah.

BONO