(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira - The recent visit to Israel's border by Hamza Abu Abbas, commander of the Iraqi Al-Bakr Brigade stationed in Syria as part of the Shiite Foreign Legion, was reported to be part of a series of visits by commanders from the Iraqi Shi'ite militias. Future visits are planned for commanders from the Yemeni Houthi militia, as well as from the Pakistani Fatimid and Afghani Abul Fadl al-Abbas contingents stationed in Syria. Abu Abbas, during his visit, declared, "Let Israel know that we are present on its borders and the day will come when we will break them." Qais al-Khazali, commander of the Iraqi Shiite Asaib Ahl al-Haq, arrived in southern Lebanon in early December and also toured the border with Israel, accompanied by Hizbullah members. Iran is ignoring Israeli warnings that it will not allow the establishment of Hizbullah and Shiite militias in the area closest to Israel in the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon, operating under the auspices of Tehran. The writer, a senior research associate at the Jerusalem Center, served as military secretary to the Prime Minister and as Israel Foreign Ministry chief of staff.
2017-12-29 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive