“Iranian weapons used in South Kordofan”
Eric Reeves, 8 July 2011
Associated press reported (July 5) that on July 2, the SPLA/North routed SAF forces at El Hamra, about 25 miles southeast of Kadugli (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43640619/). Very substantial heavy weaponry, ammunition, vehicles, and much else were captured; this was all recorded on video by Nuba activist Tomo Kriznar, video seen and assessed by Associated Press. What is only now becoming clear is that a great many of the weapons systems that were captured are Iranian. The SPLA has released a number of photographs (http://goo.gl/kAb3z)of clearly identifiable ordnance that can be readily traced by military experts.
It is, of course, no secret that Iran has long been supplying Khartoum during its genocidal counterinsurgencies in the South, in the Nuba Mountains, and in Darfur. But these actions should remind us of the strong evidence that Khartoum continues to support terrorism, specifically by serving as a conduit for Iranian weapons bound for Hamas in Gaza (Hamas maintains offices in Khartoum) (http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article294.html ). The decision by former special envoy Scott Gration and the Obama administration to “negotiate” Khartoum’s status as a “state sponsor of terrorism” (per the annual U.S. State Department listing) was disastrously expedient. Gration went so far as to deny any evidence of Khartoum’s support for terrorism in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (July 30, 2009)( http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article294.html ), this despite State Department cables Wikileaked earlier that year (and reported by The Guardian [UK]) making clear precisely such a weapons transfer to Hamas (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/06/wikileaks-sudan-iranian-arms-gaza ).
These weapons suggest something of the nature and consequences of that expediency.
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Other news items of interest on Iran’s relationship with Khartoum:
Iran, Sudan united as ‘defenders of Islam’: Ahmadinejad
Agence France-Presse, Sept 26, 2011
KHARTOUM — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that Iran and Sudan stand together as “defenders of Islam” in the face of pressure from Western governments. “Iran and Sudan will stand together as defenders of the Islamic world and the independence of the region,” he said after meeting Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir during a brief visit to Khartoum. “Both countries are facing pressure from the colonialists, who want to impose things that affect our people negatively. They are trying to apply pressure on independent states, because they don’t want them to be strong,” he added.
Are these also Iranian weapons for which Sudan is being used as a transit country? Could this happen without Khartoum’s ruthlessly efficient National Intelligence and Security Services knowing?
World Aeronautical Press Agency, September 26, 2011
“Egypt intercepts anti-aircraft missiles smugglers in Sinai Cairo, Egypt”
(WAPA) – The Egyptian authorities announced that they had intercepted smugglers who were trying to carry 8 anti-aircraft missiles and 4 shoulder launchers in a location near the Suez canal; the weapons probably came from Sudan or Libya and would be directed towards the Gaza Strip.
Cairo reported to be planning to create a buffer zone of 5 km around the Strip and to destroy at the same time all the tunnels within 14 km of the border. From time Egypt is trying to take measures against the smuggling of weapons in the area and reported that Sudan and Libya could become the new sources of this traffic.
There can be little doubt about the strategic military relationship between Khartoum and Tehran
Colonial powers attempt to stir up separatism in Islamic states
Khartoum, Sept 26, IRNA — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that colonial powers attempted to stir up separatism in the Islamic states citing the example of Sudan.
President Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with his Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.President Ahmadinejad noted that if colonial powers find an opportunity they will initiate separatist movements in the Islamic states including Iran, Sudan, Algeria, Egypt and Syria.“Iranian and Syrian nations and governments have faced a historic moment. Our enemies are making every endeavor to impede the two countries’ progress by political pressure and economic sanctions. Iran and Syria will thwart the conspiracy with reliance upon God’s help,” he added.Elsewhere in his remarks, President Ahmadinejad said that the enemy is afraid of the Islamic solidarity of the Muslim nations citing Israeli role in the Middle East sabotaging the brotherly relations of the neighboring states.
‘Tel Aviv regime is the real cause of division among the regional countries but opposing the common enemy would unite them,’ he said.
President Ahmadinejad said that the Islamic Awakening movements would herald a better future for the Muslim world.
In the same vein:
Press TV (Iran), September 26, 2011
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned against plots hatched by enemies to harm Muslim nations, stressing the importance of maintaining unity and resistance against arrogant powers. Today, enemies have mobilized to inflict damage on all people, particularly Muslim nations across the world, said Ahmadinejad in a meeting with Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on Monday.
He urged Muslim governments and nations to preserve their unity, adding even in case of the enemies’ absence, based on Islamic and humane teachings, Muslims are duty-bound to stand united by each other, the website of the Presidential Office reported.
The Iranian chief executive warned against enemies’ efforts to sow discord with the purpose of preventing unity and solidarity among Islamic nations.
He said that hegemonic powers are not interested in powerful and advanced Muslim countries, adding, “They have drawn up plans to weaken all regional countries.”
The Iranian president reiterated that resistance is a prerequisite for triumph and expressed confidence that Muslim countries will achieve victory against the enemies’ pressure if they stand by each other.
Ahmadinejad lauded Sudan’s support for Muslim nations, particularly the Palestinian people, despite heavy pressure exerted on the country, noting that Khartoum has always resisted against pressure and supported the ideals of Muslims.
The Sudanese president, for his part, pointed to Iran’s special role in regional developments and called for the expansion of ties with Tehran at all levels.