Report: Iran-backed militia in Iraq seek to transfer missiles to Baghdad

FILE - Protesters chant in support the Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in the poster at left, during a demonstration in support of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Aug. 21, 2015

Iran’s sway within Iraq has been one of the key grievances behind the months-long unrest

One of the few Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq is trying to conceal the ballistic missiles it received from Tehran, a senior Iraqi military officer was cited by the Arabic-language Al-Khura on Saturday as saying.

The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the missiles were being transferred from the militia’s depots to civilian trucks, which are presently en route to densely-populated civilian areas in the capital of Baghdad.

Claim to similar effect have already been made by US intelligence officials.

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Iran’s sway within Iraq has been one of the key grievances behind the months-long unrest in the country, with Tehran accused of being a major sponsor of a government that is seen as fundamentally corrupt and inefficient.

With the death toll in the protests estimated to stand at above 460 killed, Iran-backed militias have been accused of targeting the protesters with live ammunition.

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