The Obama Administration has secretly been training a group of Iranian fighters with questionable allegiances — and the American public hasn’t been told a thing about it.
An Iranian Kurdish rebel group received military training in weapons and explosives from U.S. and European advisers as part of the international program backing Kurds in the war against the Islamic State group in Iraq, the group’s commander told The Associated Press.
The group, called the Kurdistan Freedom Party, is one of several Iranian Kurdish factions that have carried out attacks this year inside Iran, sparking a crackdown by security forces. At the same time, the group has been fighting alongside Iraqi Kurds against Islamic State group militants in northern Iraq.
The training is a further twist in the complex web of alliances and enmities swirling around the wars in Iraq and Syria. Iran is a powerful backer of the Iraqi government and Iraqi Shiite militias against the Islamic State group.
It appeared that the Iranian faction made its way into the training because it is officially under the umbrella of the Iraqi Kurdish forces. But any training of Iranian insurgents, even indirectly through the anti-IS campaign, could alarm Tehran, which remains a top rival of Washington and U.S. allies in the region despite their common cause in fighting the militants in Iraq and despite last year’s nuclear deal.
Speaking to The Associated Press this week, the Kurdistan Freedom Party’s commander Hussein Yazdanpana said he recognized that the training was for the fight against IS.
“They helped and trained us within the framework of the fight against Daesh,” or the Islamic State group, he said.
But he said his group, known by the Kurdish acronym PAK, would continue attacks in Iran, adding that the fight against IS “was never an alternative to their struggle” against the Iranian government. Yazdanpana said his group has launched six attacks inside of Iran this year alone.
Iranian Kurdish fighters have waged an on-again, off-again insurgency in mainly Kurdish areas of northwestern Iran near the Iraqi border, complaining of discrimination by Tehran and demanding independence for Kurds.
This year has seen a new surge in attacks and clashes between the fighters and Iranian security forces, including the elite Revolutionary Guard, leading to casualties on both sides. Iranian forces also shelled Kurdish positions just across the Iraqi border in response. The government of the Iraqi Kurdish autonomous zone has called for a halt to any attacks into Iran by Kurds in Iraqi territory.
The main faction carrying out the bulk of the violence is the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, known as the PDKI, which is also based in Iraq but is not involved in the fight against IS and so did not receive any international training.
The U.S.-led coalition has been training Iraqi Kurdish fighters, known as peshmerga, to fight the Islamic State group ever since the militants swept across much northern, western and central Iraq in the summer of 2014.
The peshmerga are a mix of multiple Iraqi factions. The Iranian PAK — believed to number several hundred — is closely allied to the main ruling party in Iraq’s Kurdish autonomous region, so its fighters have been helping in the fight against IS. The PAK’s fighters are under the umbrella of the regional government’s Peshmerga Ministry, which governs which groups receive training.
Italian Army Capt. Giulio Macari, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil, told the AP that the party “probably” received training, since Western advisers offered help all to Kurdish militias under the ministry’s control. Macari said the coalition did not choose the groups that it was training.
Yazdanpana said the trainers “no doubt” knew who his group was. The PAK fighters wear uniforms similar to the Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga, but with their group’s orange and white logo.
He said PAK fighters had three rounds of training by American advisers between March and September 2015 at the front line where they are deployed in central Kirkuk province. The group’s fighters went through further rounds of training later alongside other Iraqi Kurdish fighters, he said. PAK fighters control some 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) of front-line territory west of the Iraqi city of Kirkuk as well as some positions east of the city of Mosul.
A senior Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga official, Maj. Gen. Karaman Kemal Omar confirmed that American advisers carried out training at the Kirkuk front line. Asked if the PAK was among those trained, he said the training was given to all units at the location “without distinction.” The training included infantry tactics, weapons handling and bomb disposal.
Omar is the deputy chief of staff for operations and training in the Peshmerga ministry.
Maj. Josh T. Jacques, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees the fight against IS, said early Wednesday that it was “not aware of any training provided by CENTCOM to the Kurdistan Freedom Party militia.”
Senior U.S. defense officials said the training and equipment is meant for forces who are fighting Islamic State militants and not to be used for other conflicts or battles with other nations. They said that groups only get the amount of equipment and ammunition they need for the immediate battle they are in, so it would be unlikely that any of that would be used in other fights.
Officials said they had no specific information about the PAK fighters and it wasn’t clear if the coalition would continue training the group if it became known that fighters were using it for conflicts in Iran rather than against Islamic State insurgents. The officials spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is how ISIS got started. Our glorious leaders never learn.
We were thinking the exact same thing…
100% exactly same…
.
The anti-establishment Iranians have been asking for support for quite some time… Finally they are getting the assistance they need to help fight against the Iranian powers that be. Always better to have someone fight their own battles rather than to have us do it for them.
What is the definition of “treason”?!!?
How often have we seen this administration do such blatant things? How long will we allow such behaviour? Where are our elected, trustworthy, officials?
We better get on our knees and pray for repentance, and mercy, NOW!!!!
Congress is afraid to impeach him because the blacks might riot. There will be a civil war in the US. Another barrier is though Congress can impeach a simple majority, but the Senate will block it because GOP has only 54 Senators. We need 2/3 GOP Senators to impeach him out of office.
When President Nixon got into trouble, he resigned with integrity and respect. But President Obama and Hillary Clinton will never resign. They are permanently glued in their position as they continue to abuse their powers.
B-HObama has no intergirty, no honor, and has done everything he can to take this country down before he leaves office. The irony of the situation is that as the first black president he squandered a golden opportunity to create better race relations within the US. … instead, he set that issue back about 50 years..
A few of you may think this is ‘ fear mongering’, but those probably think the recent California murders and Orlando murders were ‘work place violence’ (hate crimes) not ‘terrorism’. Wake up and get over your ‘politically correct’ idiocy. Obama is a Muslim. “Infiltration” is taking place in America. He is a “domestic terrorist”.
Can Muslims Be Good Americans?
This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish and send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.
Can a good Muslim be a good American? This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years.
The following is his reply:
Theologically – no. . . . Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God of Arabia.
Religiously – no. . . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256)(Koran)
Scripturally – no. . . Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.
Geographically – no… Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
Socially – no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.
Politically – no. . . Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan. Domestically – no. . . Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34 )
Intellectually – no. . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
Philosophically – no. . . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
Spiritually – no. . . . Because when we declare ‘one nation under God,’ the Christian’s God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 excellent names.
Therefore, after much study and deliberation…. Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. – – – They obviously cannot be both ‘good’ Muslims and good Americans. Call it what you wish it’s still the truth. You better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be forour country and our future.
The religious war is bigger than we know or understand.
Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within. It is called “infiltration. For the record; I am not islamophobic – that would mean I fear islam. I do not. I am, however, miso-islamic. Using the prefix miso indicates “that which is loathed or despised.” Islam is SEDITIOUS (insubordination, insurrection, mutiny, treason, agitation, defiance, disobedience , dissent, insurgence, insurgency, revolt, revolution and uprising) against every nation and government on earth. Islam demands that all muslims work to overthrow all nations, governments and non-sharia laws. Yes, Obama is a “domestic terrorist”.
Excellent post you made today! May GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA AND AVENGE HIS COUNTRY AND PEOPLE (As King David prayed!)????⚡️
There is some evidence that during the 1980s the US trained and supported the Mujahideen and Osama bin Laden to fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan. The American people were not told about that. So, now we may be secretly training and supporting another extremist group so they can fight against another of our “enemies” – what could possible go wrong?
law5960 …
. w
Where were you ? …
. It was well known at the time and talked about much, after.
Well I guess we know now where that 1.7 billion Obama just gave them went
Correction as of news TODAY – IT WAS $33 BILLION OUR GOVERNMENT (BHO) GAVE TO THESE MUSLIM TERRORISTS!!!!
It is time to call it what it is… WE HAVE A MUSLIM TERRORIST RUNNING OUR COUNTRY AND WHATEVER THE H— HE WANTS!!!
CONGRESS, YOU MUST FOLLOW THE CHECKS AND BALANCES OUR GOD-SENT FOUNDERS GAVE US IN THE CONSTITUTION!!! IT IS NOT GOING AWAY AND IT IS UP TO YOU TO SAVE US FROM THIS SO-CALLED RELIGION!!!!!!!!!
That 33 billion could have gone to the nations infrastructure in replacing bridges, tunnels, the Veterans,senior citizens, High Speed passenger train routes which means jobs, our libraries, education and still have money to reduce our debt. Giving 33 billion dollar to our enemy Iran & those damned ragheaded animals that hate the free world. Too many idiots,morons,dummy’s,
lunkheads in Washington,DC that are overpaid & have way too many freebies to boot.
Christopher …
. You are making way too much sense !
The USA is now over 19 TRILLION in debt. As to question where 33 BILLION has gone, how about where have the TRILLIONS also gone.
Oboma has been opening the gates for so called refugees,illegal immagrants,and others to enter into america to have enough radical islamic terrorist to take down america before the elections. they are being brought in by the thousands and given ids to vote to stop america from being able to with stand an attack.oboma is planning on destroying white america ,christain america because of what GEORGE BUSH DONE TO IRAQ.HE IS SECRETLY SPINNING THE WHEELS AND WEB AROUND AMERICA WITH THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO ARE RADICAL MUSLIMS,ISIS ,ILLEGAL IMMAGRANTS THAT ARE NOT VETTED WHOSE MAIN PURPOSE IS TO TAKE DOWN AMERICA ,OBOMA AND HIS FAMILY WHICH IS NOT VERY BIG MAY DECIDE TO FLEE AT THE LAST MINUTE ACCORDING TO HOW QUICK AMERICA IS TAKEN DOWN.IF THERE IS A STRONG RESISTANCE BY AMERICAN FREEDOM FIGHTERS TO STOP THE RADICAL ISLAMIC ARMY ,THEN OBOMA MAY DECIDE TO FLEE.HES ALREADY SAID IF TRUMP GOT IN HE WAS MOVING TO CANADA.IAM TELLING YOU HE IS SECRETLY DOING SOMETHING AGAINST AMERICA BY ALLOWING THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES COME IN ,GIVE THEM VOTER IDS ,JERRY BROWN GAVE 3 MILLION IDS TO ILLEGAL ALIENS WHO ARE NOT AMERICAN CITIZENS .FOLKS WHO LOVE THIS COUNTRY ,FREEDOM ,JESUS CHRIST ,BEING ABLE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL FREELY ,AND YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED IN VOLUNTEERING TO GO DOOR TO DOOR WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND WINNING BACK AMERICA TO GOD.WE NEED TO FAST AND PRAY FOR GOD TO INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THIS NATION.FOLKS THIS COUNTRY NEEDS JESUS CHRIST WITH THE GOSPEL OF REPENTING AND SALVATION.THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN SAVE THIS NATION IS JESUS CHRIST .ASK YOURSELF WHAT GOD WOULD WANT YOU TO DO TO HELP SAVE OUR NATION? LORD I DON’T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS TO WHATS GOING ON WITH IN THIS OBOMA ADMINISTRATION BUT I KNOW YOU DO .I PRAY YOU WOULD INTERVENE INTO THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TO WAKE UP AND SEE THE URGENCY OF THE HOUR ,IN JESUS NAME I PRAY AMEN.NOTE”THE REASON I USE ALL CAPS IS I CAN NOT SEE GOOD AND CAPS ARE LARGER LETTERS ,SORRY!
Samuel I’m glad someone finally said it , thank you! It is what I’ve thought from the beginning about Barrack Heusein Obama
“Senior U.S. defense officials said the training and equipment is meant for forces who are fighting Islamic State militants and not to be used for other conflicts or battles with other nations.”
The odd thing about knowledge is that once you gain a skill you can use it any way you like. Hopefully these Iranians will use their training to overthrow the Iranian government. Iran is a major troublemaker in the region. They share borders with Iraq and Afghanistan. They were able to serve as a staging area for insurrectionists who worked to keep Iraq and Afghanistan from becoming stable countries. Getting rid of Iran’s radical Muslim government would go a long ways toward bringing peace to the Middle East.
I agree. Barack Obama is a domestic terrorist…impeach him. One for two of us calling for it won’t work. We all have to call for impeachment so congress will hear.
Nancy korb-
D’OweBama should simply be arrested, tried, and convicted of Treason or any other of a LOT of criminal offenses, e.g. fraud, personation, perjury, ad nauseum.
He should NEVER be impeached. Only LEGITIMATE officeholders can be impeached, ergo to impeach him would be to tacitly declare that he IS natural born, and therefore he DOES have the right to sit the office and exercise it’s powers, and all legislation that he signed DOES have the force and effect of Law.
i am quite convinced that D’OweBama essentially lied on his rental app – so just like every other pissed-off landlord, we the People should convince a judge to conclude that he lied, then order US Marshals to evict him and his spendthrift, wastrel family, piling their crap on the curb and frog-marching the lot of them off the grounds if they refuse to leave after the required notice expires, usually 30 days from when the evictee receives said notice.
What a field day for WORLD press should that scenario unfold!
And it SHOULD. It WON’T, but it SHOULD.
Excellent move another group to take all the freebies offered and then turn on us or fight like hell become a good partner and we’ll cast them aside like an old shoe.
When is America going to say enough -pull there head out of the sand and put these traitor where they belong. If it were the regular joe blow they would be under the bus and thrown so far in jail they would never get out.
The Kurds have been our most reliable ally in Syria in the fight against ISIS(L). Obviously, we are now supporting them in a
campaign against Iran (which is surprising, considering Obama’s recent financial dealings with same). Unfortunately, another alleged ally, Turkey, has entered the fray in Syria and has been attacking those American-backed Kurdish forces and we are allowing it to occur (another instance of vassilating U.S. foreign policy and unreliable support of those who are truly there to help us). In short, Turkey has been one of the main supporters of ISIS(L) having trained and supplied their mercenaries for several years. Turkey and her demented leader, Erdogan, have a singular agenda: to reestablish the former Ottoman Empire and create an all-encompassing Islamic state in the Middle East; i.e. a Caliphate with Erdogan as its omnipotent head (Caliph). Turkey was a secular ” democracy” (a term used very loosly) which has now been hijacked, by high jinx, by Erdogan and his cronies, who are taking Turkey down a “religious” path, and distancing themselves from the U.S., as they attempt to fulfill their Islamist dream. We continue to kowtow to Turkey and, in effect, have engendered even more destabilization in the area. The monster we have created by our inconsistent actions continues to grow, slowly and surely extinguishing any hope of stability in the Middle East.
GOD HELP US. Wake up America before its to late. It will be over if hilly or Johnson (he is as dumb as he looks).
“They wasn’t ” …..? What happened to basic English?
CHris …
. The USA is in the toilet and your priority is correcting a patriot’s grammar ?
& we wonder, why Israel dislikes US so much for aiding her main Foe
DEFUND this Now.
End this
Fund rebels NOT enemy forces.
I am reading all these comments and it surely sounds like everyone agrees that evil stuff is going on in America’s government! I feel that this IS NOT what the AMERICAN people want with our government
I know I can’t tell you who to vote for on November 8th, but I will say this, AMERICA needs GOD TO GET US BACK THE WAY WE SHOULD BE IN AMERICA! I believe that DONALD TRUMP and MIKE PREST WILL BE THE BEST PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT THAT AMERICA HAS HAD IN SINCE RONALD REAGAN! I also believe that both of these men love GOD and JESUS CHRIST!
I can only hope that our next President gets all of our troops out of the Middle East. Since 1991 we have wasted several thousand of our troops. Young men, and a few women, who could have lived productive lives. We have turned Iraq, Afghanistan, and bordering countries into junkyards of abandoned and destroyed American war material. And after all these years our leaders have no really intelligent plan of what to do next. Let’s just get all of our remaining troops out of the region-except for the Marines guarding our embassies. We don’t need their oil-we have plenty of our own. So a few Muslims will kill a few more of their enemies. So what-it’s been going on since Muhammed’s wars, and it won’t stop soon. Iran will get nukes? Well, another Muslim country Pakistan has them already, and they’re a very fickle ally who could turn against us at any time. So let’s get our troops home and defend our country-and maybe a few strategic spots around the world. But let’s get all of our troops out of Germany, Korea, Japan, etc. We can’t be world’s policeman-and we can’t afford it. I know Mr. Trump has mentioned some radical new thinking on all of this. At least give his ideas a listen. What have we got to lose?!!
Arthur-
Trumps ideas about bringing our troops home and closing hundreds of overseas US military bases is the same idea that Ron Paul and many other libertarians have had – even so, i don’t begrudge Trump an iota for latching on to that principle and even improving upon it, e.g. “if they want our forces to stay and protect them, make them PAY for it!”
The Liar’s been a disaster in everything she’s ever tried to do, and she’s not just incompetent, but dangerously insane, IMO, far too insane to even let the PtB manipulate the results into getting her in the White House. She’d go to the “nuclear option” at the slightest provocation, as she’s advocated for this position before…and meanwhile, selling off as much of America as possible to ensure her cozy retirement.
In fact, should she actually manage to steal enough EC votes to take the presidency, i would sincerely hope that prior to taking office, she’s indicted for Perjury at a minimum, then convicted of both that and violation of Title 18, section 2071(i think – could be 2017); a conviction for the latter offense(mishandling of classified docs) carries a relevant penalty of a PERMANENT BAR to holding any office of the United States, naturally including the presidency.