Is the implication that Iran was behind the attacks at Shi'a holy sites on a high holy day to boot?

[Skidmore]

We are supposed to believe that extremely devout Shi'a will destroy their holiest of sites? Does this pass the smell test?

I was in class most of yesterday an am only catching up with the news this morning. The reports of these attacks just don't make sense. Who is supposed to have done them? The reports are invariably preceded by or followed by *'s tough talk with Iran. Dots being laid down?

Any thoughts?

[magellan]

1. I don't know about the Iranian link

All the accusations start to bleed together after a while. But here's what I just picked up from an item in LBN:

"Iraqi government officials said the group apparently was preparing to storm Najaf, a holy city dear to Shiite Islam, occupy the sacred Imam Ali mosque and assassinate the religious hierarchy there, including the revered leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, during a Shiite holiday when many pilgrims visit."

The group referred to is the Army of Heaven, previously unknown and also of unknown religious affiliation. The reports, if they can be trusted, suggest they were Shia extremists with Sunnis fighting alongside them. They didn't plan to blow up the mosque but to take it over.

[Skidmore]

2. Thanks for the additional information.

"unknown religious affiliation"

Now why would Shi'a and Sunnis who are trying to kill one another in a civil war plan to do some thing like this together?

This stinks to high heaven. Some one wants a regional war over there real bad.

Gee, I wonder who.

[Skidmore]

3. kicking because I may have posted this too early in the morning.

[TZ]

4. it really could be an apocalyptic group

in truth as they are reporting. I don't think anyone doubts that the chaos in Iraq has made it a haven for terrorists and troublemakers. * has made Iraq worse than Afghanistan ever was for training terrorists of ALL stripe. I also think it is probably very convenient for the administration to pin this on Iran (who are without a doubt dangerous troublemakers anyway) for justification for invasion.
Because in Chimpy's little walnut brain he can only believe that only Iran is capable of this kind of group. He is incapable of understanding that this may be a group made by his rotten decisions in Iraq.