A terror group called “Saraya Zahara” in Central Africa was uncovered and dismantled, i24News reported. The suspected terror cell was arrested in Chad.
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Citing anonymous sources, the outlet reported that the suspected terror group was backed by Iran. The Islamic Republic was spending “hundreds of thousands of dollars to prevent diplomatic advancement with Israel,” by Central African countries.
i24NEWS Exclusive: Defense correspondent @MattiasInbar reveals to @ShaynaEstulin and @DerrickeDennis that an #Iran-backed #terror group in central #Africa enlisted to commit attacks against Westerners has been uncovered and dismantled: pic.twitter.com/7WA5ufFsnw
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) 18 April 2019
According to the quoted sources, Iran’s elite al-Quds division, was behind the recruitment and training of men between the ages of 25-35 – several already belonging to a designated terror group operating out of the region formerly known as Seleka — to commit terror attacks against Westerners on the continent.
Ali Parhoon, a senior officer in the al-Quds, allegedly specializes in heading African-based cells.
“[Seleka militia leader Michel Djotodia] received $150,000, the Iranians spoke with Michel to…create an army to fight against the Westerners in Africa,” Ismail Mohamad Djida, acting commander of the cell, said in video testimony after his arrest that was obtained by i24News.
I24News’ information suggested that the former leader of the Seleka militia, Michel Djotodia had been by Iran “for terror recruitment with the aim to destabilize any country with either existing or burgeoning diplomatic relations to the Jewish State.”
This allegedly was due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s active campaign to “build or renew” ties with African countries. Specifically ones that refuse to recognize Israel’s sovereignty or have distanced themselves due to its treatment of the Palestinians.
Israeli sources provided no actual conclusive evidence that Iran actually did partake in any such efforts in Central Africa. But after all, Israel and the US coonstantly accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism on a global scale. Iran’s ally, Russia, is also continuously accused of expanding its influence in Central Africa with various tools. So, it’s only natural for Iran to also want to take part.
It is also worth nothing that the report surfaces soon after the US designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and ramped up efforts in its “maximum pressure” policy on Iran.
Earlier, on April 15th, Al Jazeera also reported that its correspondents had been allowed into a Russian military training center in the Central African Republic.
The report concluded that despite Washington-led establishment and MSM accusations everything was in order. All relations were formalized and nothing but training was taking part in the camp.
An adviser to CAR’s president and former Russian intelligence official, Valery Zakharov, gave Al Jazeera access to the military training base. He also openly described goals and agenda of his presence in the country.
“My job is to deal with national security, I help restore the army, police and all sorts of questions regarding national security,” Zakharov said. “The Russians came here to bring peace. To arm government troops is one of the tasks so in the future these soldiers can occupy the borders and peace can be brought here in the end, and police take care of internal security.”
There was also an interview with a “opposition leader” who accused Russia of simply wanting to steal CAR’s gold. He was surrounded by child soldiers while speaking.
And it is without a doubt that Russia has its own agenda, and if Iran, if at all present in the region, has its own. But it’s also likely that it’s not as “sinister” or obvious as MSM like to portray it.
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