Iran uses al-Qaeda to weaken opposition in Syria

Experts note that the probable connection between Iran and the terror organization called the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) that is linked to al-Qaeda and which shocked the entire world with child soldiers and images of people beheaded by its militants, should be investigated.

Iran experts say that Iran, known for its close connection with al-Qaeda, is trying to undermine the opposition's struggle in Syria and to put Turkey in a difficult position in the international arena.

Associate Professor Mahmut Akpınar from the department of politics and international relations at Turgut Özal University emphasizes that the impression in the West that the opposition groups are affiliated with al-Qaeda serves the interests of Iran and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Iran expert Arif Keskin from the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM) stresses that Iran has always made room for al-Qaeda activities. Adding that Iran sometimes argues that it is dealing with al-Qaeda, Keskin says that it is using this extremist organization when that serves its interests.

President of the Syrian National Council (SNC) George Sabra said ISIS was created by the Assad regime and its ally Iran to undermine the Syrian revolution. This argument has also been confirmed by many opposition figures, as well. Sabra said that this and other similar groups are trying to steal the Syrian revolution.

Noting that Iran might have been working on an al-Qaeda connection that would undercut the image of the opposition groups, Akpınar says: "Iran has an extensive web of intelligence all around the world. It is impossible to believe now that developments in Iraq are taking place without the knowledge of Iranian intelligence. The same also applies to Syria." Akpınar also notes that the video images depicting the beheading of people serve as part of an operation to damage the image of the Syrian opposition. Keskin, recalling that Iran is not consistent in its actions and discourse, says that Iranian authorities have previously released many al-Qaeda members in the past.

The allegations referring to an al-Qaeda-Iran linkage can be traced back to the operations that the US initiated against Taliban in 2001. Many leading al-Qaeda figures and some family members of Osama bin Laden took refuge in Iran. Tehran offered them safe haven and rejected American demands for their deportation.

The principal al-Qaeda figures Iran has been protecting include the de facto leader and al-Qaeda strategist Sayful Adil, who joined the organization while serving as a colonel in the Egyptian army. It has been said that this figure may still be in Iran. Another lead figure who had been protected by Iran is bin Laden's son-in-law, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, who was subsequently arrested by the US after he left. It is also reported that there may be wives and children of bin Laden still in Iran.

In addition, Iran allows the passage of many al-Qaeda members from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Iraq and Syria. Keskin, noting that there is no reason for Iran to avoid using al-Qaeda, recalls that because of the fears in the West associated with the terror this organization causes, Iran devises new strategies using al-Qaeda.

Experts underline that such a complex and dangerous strategy employed by Iran could be a disaster scenario for Turkey. Akpınar emphasizes that Tehran conducts multidimensional activities in Turkey and states that it would be terrible for Turkey to lose its relationship with Syria after losing amicable relations with Iraq. Stating that Sunni Kurds have sided with Ottomans and Turkey even more than Turkomans, Akpınar argues that recently Iran is trying to attract Kurds by using the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Hezbollah. According to him, PKK leader Murat Karayılan is an important tool in that respect. He further argues that Iran wants to use Alevis to penetrate Turkey by using the Shia card. Yet Akpınar also says that Iran seeks to preserve the good relations that it recently established with the West.

Keskin adds that Iranian President Hasan Rouhani, who has been introduced as a softliner, has been telling the West that they will fight together against al-Qaeda and for the territorial integrity of Syria and that this message is welcomed by the US and other Western actors. According to him, Iran and Assad dealt a blow to the opposition by giving the impression that the opposition is on the same side with al-Qaeda. Keskin further argues that all these recent developments signal a deficit in Turkish intelligence in the region.

Today's Zaman