US-backed Saudi government uses ISIL to stir up sectarianism: Analyst

Saudi Arabia has revitalized the ISIL Takfiri terrorists to start off a sectarian war in order to topple the Syrian government and destabilize Iraq, says an analyst.

Zayd al-Isa, Middle East expert from London, said in an interview with Press TV that the Saudi regime has basically revitalized ISIL to actually start off a “sectarian war.”

“The Saudis are determined to start off a sectarian war and that is done by the use of ISIL … and they widened and broadened their strategy not to include simply toppling the legitimate government in Syria but actually to destabilize Iraq and bring it to its knees,” the expert stated.

He said that the United States is not really after defeating or even weakening ISIL, adding that they just want to “punish” ISIL for actually going off the tracks or the main objectives set to them by the Saudi regime.

The remarks come as multiple bomb explosions have killed at least 34 Shia pilgrims in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

The pilgrims were preparing to commemorate Ashura, which is the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram and marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the third Shia Imam.

Iraqi officials usually blame similar terrorist attacks on Takfiri militants and former Ba’athists, who Baghdad says have formed an alliance to destabilize the country.

Baghdad has also pointed the finger at Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh is funding terrorists operating in Iraq.

Isa further noted that the “overarching goal” of Saudi Arabia is to stir up a sectarian war between Shias and Sunnis.

Iraq has faced brutal violence at the hands of the ISIL Takfiri terrorists as they have threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians during their advances in the country.