In an interview with BBC Arabic, Dr. Zafer al-Ani said, “The Iraqi forces’ aggression against Ashraf residents constituted a down payment by Nouri Maliki before a visit to Iran in order to secure the regime’s support for his second term (as prime minister).”
Dr. al-Ani added, “The National Alliance (which supports Maliki) was created under the direction and control of the Iranian regime. The faction’s goal, which is to obstruct Iraqiya in an attempt to open all Iraq’s doors to Iran’s destructive absolute clerical rule, is extremely dangerous.”