, Columnists
Iran's Forces and U.S. Share a Base in Iraq
Militias backed by Iran are in a tense not-quite-partnership with Americans in Anbar.
Iraqis fighting for Iraq or Iraqis fighting for Iran?
Photographer: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty ImagesThe U.S. military and Iranian-backed Shiite militias are getting closer and closer in Iraq, even sharing a base, while Iran uses those militias to expand its influence in Iraq and fight alongside the Bashar al-Assad regime in neighboring Syria.
Two senior administration officials confirmed to us that U.S. soldiers and Shiite militia groups are both using the Taqqadum military base in Anbar, the same Iraqi base where President Obama is sending an additional 450 U.S. military personnel to help train the local forces fighting against the Islamic State. Some of the Iran-backed Shiite militias at the base have killed American soldiers in the past.