Analyst's note: This return of Abu Mustafa al Sheibani and Abu Dura, and many others to reorganize their Shia jihadist network of terrorist is to be expected, especially in the south of Iraq where oil is necessary to fund the country of Iraq. This is occurring as the U.S. exit date approaches. Why would we expect anything else?
"[....] in 2005, Sheibani was one of the only Shia terror leaders to be placed on the Iraqi's government's most wanted list. Sheibani was number 24 of 41 most-wanted terrorists, and the Iraqi government offered a $200,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Sheibani was placed on the US Treasury Department's list that targets individuals and entities aiding the Iraqi insurgency. Sheibani was added along with Ahmad Foruzandeh, the Commanding Officer of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force Ramazan Corps, and Abu Dura, the violent leader of a faction of the Mahdi Army. Qods Force's Ramazan Corps is responsible for Iran's covert operations in Iraq. [For more information on Qods Force activities in Iraq, see Iran's Ramazan Corps and the ratlines into Iraq.]
[....] Sheibani is the second dangerous Shia terror commander known to have returned to Iraq since last summer. Ismail Hafiz al Lami, who is also known Abu Dura and the "Shiite Zarqawi" for his brutality towards Iraqis, was also sent back to Iraq by Qods Force's Ramazan Corps sometime last summer. Abu Dura is a commander in the notorious Asaib al Haq, or the League of the Righteous, a Mahdi Army splinter group that is also backed by Iran's Qods Force.
The return of Sheibani and Abu Dura to Iraq signals that Iran is preparing to increase the pressure on the dwindling number of US forces operating in the south and Baghdad, while attempting to exert influence over Iraqi affairs, US officials said.
Related articles and Sources:[....] As Iran has been rebuilding its network in Iraq, the US has been attempting to promote reconciliation with the League of the Righteous, the largest and most dangerous Shia terror group. The US acceded to the group's demands and began releasing its top leaders and hundreds of fighters from US custody. [....]"
• 'Shiite Zarqawi' returns to Baghdad from Iran: report, The Long War Journal.
• Iraqi Government releases ’41 Most Wanted’ list, US Forces Iraq press release.
• Inside Iran's Secret War for Iraq, Time.
• Treasury Designates Individuals, Entity Fueling Iraqi Insurgency, US Treasury press release
• US sanctions Iranian general for aiding Iraqi terror groups, The Long War Journal
• Iran, Hezbollah train Iraqi Shia "Secret Cells", The Long War Journal
• Iranian-backed Shia terror group kidnaps US civilian in Baghdad, The Long War Journal
• Iran continues to train Shia terror groups for attacks in Iraq, The Long War Journal
• Iranian-backed Shia terror group remains a threat in Iraq: General Odierno, The Long War Journal
• Iran backs three Shia terror groups in Iraq: General Odierno, The Long War Journal
• US releases Iraqi Shia terror group leader, The Long War Journal
• US released senior Iranian Qods Force commander, The Long War Journal
• US releases ‘dangerous’ Iranian proxy behind the murder of US troops, The Long War Journal
• Iranian-backed Shia terror group kidnaps US civilian in Baghdad
• Iraqi terror group frees US hostage, The Long War Journal
• Iraq group says it has kidnapped U.S. contractor, Reuters
