‘Iran provoking, threatening US in Syria and Iraq’
Defense Department inspector-general presents sobering report on Tehran’s influence
Iranian forces in Syria may present a threat to the US, and in Iraq the Iranian threat is increasing, according to a new report by the US Department of Defense. The report of the Lead Inspector General on Operation Inherent Resolve, which was released on Tuesday reviews the American role in fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. However, the quarterly report which covers operations from July to September of this year, notes that Iran presents an increasing threat to the US and examines how Washington is now changing its position in Syria.
In the last several months, US officials have said that American troops would remain in Syria as long as Iranian troops were also present. The US is now seeking to “leverage” its influence in Syria to remove Iran. This is a major strategic change from a conflict that began in 2014 to confront ISIS. The US base at Tanf, located in southern Syria near where the Jordanian and Iraqi borders meet, is also the subject of the report’s review. It notes that “while Iranian-backed militias may present a threat to the US and Coalition forces in Syria, neither Iran nor Iranian-backed militias have hindered counter-ISIS operations.” The garrison at Tanf restricts the movement of Iranians.
The Defense Department appears concerned that the mission in Syria is now becoming open-ended. “These policy goals include removing Iran and Iranian proxies from the country, influencing the outcome of the Syrian civil war [which is] now in its eighth year and stabilizing areas of northeast Syria liberated from ISIS,” the report said. How can the US manage all these policies, some of which may be contradictory?
Robert Karem, former assistant secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs said that the US will “desegregate” these objectives. Confronting Iran is now called an “ancillary” and a “residual” benefit of the war against ISIS. “These officials raise questions about when the US troop presence will end,” the report adds. IN IRAQ, the US is also facing an increasing Iranian threat. US forces returned to Iraq in 2014 to confront ISIS, now they are running an extensive training program with the coalition of 70 countries who are also fighting ISIS. According to the Defense Department, ISIS has “lost all territory in Iraq,” but with US forces still in Iraq, the presence of Iranian-backed forces is a concern.
The report argues that the Popular Mobilization Forces of Shi’ite militias backed by Iran are continuing to act independently of the Iraqi army and this “increases Iran’s influence in Iraq.” The Iranian proxies are also increasing their “threatening posture towards US personnel.” This includes 100-150 Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force members.
The report blames them for two attacks that targeted US facilities in the last few months, saying: “Mortar attacks that targeted the Green Zone and landed near the US Embassy in Baghdad and rocket attacks that targeted the Basra airport, near the US Consulate General.” This forced the US to close its consulate in Basra.
Iran appears to be running a state within a state in Iraq. The US says that not only is Iran providing significant direct support to armed groups, but they are sending “missiles and rockets that are transported through border crossing points.” In addition, Iran gathers combat intelligence, provides training, munitions and “military hardware such as drone surveillance operations.” The Iranian-backed militias engage in “running illegal checkpoints, smuggling, drug and oil trafficking, bribery, and extortion.” Iranian-backed groups were accused of preventing Christians who had fled ISIS from returning to their homes in Nineveh. “If left unchecked, Iranian-sponsored harassment of US forces could increase and Iranian influence operations could increase as they vie for influence in the new Iraqi government,” the report said.
How will the US confront the Iranian threat? Washington is committed to helping the Iraqi government defend itself, but with Iran’s growing role in Iraq – as well as with militias who are aligned with Iran – how does the US make sure that support for the government does not end up in Iranian hands? The US is committed to countering “malign Iranian influence,” but without a clear policy directive from Washington, the report questions what will come next.