Iran poised to infiltrate Iraqi holy city: paper

Iran Focus: Baghdad, Apr. 08 – A prominent Iraqi daily accused Iran’s leadership of dispatching mercenaries to one of Shiite Iraq’s holiest cities.
The Al-Forat daily reported that Iranian agents were planning to infiltrate Karbala following the establishment of Iraq’s new interim-government. Iran Focus

Baghdad, Apr. 08 – A prominent Iraqi daily accused Iran’s leadership of dispatching mercenaries to one of Shiite Iraq’s holiest cities.

The Al-Forat daily reported that Iranian agents were planning to infiltrate Karbala following the establishment of Iraq’s new interim-government.

Karbala, the fighting ground and martyrdom place of Hussein ibn Ali, one of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandsons, is revered by all Shiite Muslims.

“The secret presence of Iranian agents is in preparation for their entry into Karbala”, the daily said.

“Accounts have surfaced that a number of Iranian agents have conducted activities in hotels secretly or through their representatives in this province, others have bought or rented land for the construction of hotels”, it added.

The daily cited sources that indicated that the agents meddling would begin after the establishment of the new government, adding, “After the spread of terrorism from neighbouring countries, Dr. Ayad Allawi (Iraq’s current Prime Minister) prevented many Iranian agents from entering Iraq”.