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Iraq
Tension rises between Qaeda and insurgents in Iraq
2007-04-06
BAGHDAD, April 6 (Reuters) - An influential Sunni Arab insurgent group has called on al Qaeda in Iraq to "review" its behaviour in what is evidence of a growing rift between home- grown insurgents and al Qaeda. The Islamic Army in Iraq, believed to be the largest group of former Baathists and military officers fighting Iraqi and U.S. forces, said it had dealt with al Qaeda militants with "patience and wisdom" to keep a united "resistance front".

"But this was not fruitful," the group said in a statement obtained by Reuters, the first public criticism from the Islamic Army, which is believed to have been operating under the umbrella of Sunni Islamist al Qaeda in Iraq. "Killing Sunnis has become a legitimate target for them, especially rich ones. Either they pay them what they want or they kill them," the statement said. "They would kill any critic or whoever tries to show them their mistakes. Assaulting people's homes became permitted and calling people infidels also became popular."

The growing tension coincides with a struggle for power between al Qaeda and traditionally minded Sunni tribal leaders who are angered by al Qaeda in Iraq's indiscriminate killing of civilians and severe interpretation of Sunni Islam. Al Qaeda in Iraq wields wide influence in several western and central provinces, particularly in the vast Anbar region that stretches to Syria.

Iraq's government has repeatedly said it was holding talks with Sunni Arab insurgent groups, but never given specific details. Iraqi officials have said such talks, believed to be preliminary, were aimed at building a front against al Qaeda. Sunni Arab officials have also urged what they call "the real resistance" to disavow al Qaeda-linked attacks and engage in talks with the government to end violence which turned sectarian and has driven the country closer to all-out civil war.

The Islamic Army in Iraq said that unlike al Qaeda, it believed it was "legitimate" to negotiate with the enemy, while adding it had never talked to the Americans. "Until this minute we haven't talked to any enemy, neither the Americans or the Safavids or others," the statement said, referring to Iraq's Shi'ite political establishment, which leads a national unity government of different sects.

The group called on al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to take more responsibility for al Qaeda in Iraq. "We also call ... on every Qaeda member in the Land of Mesopotamia to review themselves and their positions ... and for those who committed wrongful acts to repent quickly," the statement said. Al Qaeda has been blamed for recent attacks on several Sunni insurgent figures and also Sunni tribal leaders.

Last month, a military leader of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a large Sunni Arab insurgent group, was killed in an ambush west of Baghdad that the group blamed on al Qaeda. That military leader, Harith al-Dari, was also the son of an anti-al Qaeda tribal figure.
Posted by:Steve

#8  While I understand and approve of the need for victory in Iraq, it still remains rather appealing for us to simply consolidate our troops in any existing bases and let the blood flow for a few weeks or months. Allow the Iraqi people to see what sort of government they have and what sort of culture really exists within their borders when no external force is applied by those who seek to do good.

This would serve several functions:

1.) Improve the average Iraqi's appreciation for Coalition efforts within Iraq.

2.) Allow for intramural bloodletting in order to reduce the insurgent population.

3.) Highlight the writing on the wall for all Sunnis

4.) Give our troops a much needed break.

5.) Make crystal clear what awaits Iraq should there be a full-scale Coalition withdrawal.

6.) Let the American Democrats see what their demands for full troop withdrawal actually entail.

7.) Give greater exposure to Iranian meddling and the loss of life it causes.

8.) Serve to improve cooperation by a subsequently chastened Iraqi population and military.

These ungrateful and uncooperative bastards really need a dose of their own medicine. I say let them have a tastse while our troops get a much needed stand down. It might also prove useful in that, after this session of R&R, our troops could disperse prior to any action against Iran and thereby be less concentrated of a target for any Iranian reprsal during the ongoing festivities in Teheran.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-06 20:58  

#7  I'm the same, ZF. Incorporate and co-opt these fissures
Posted by: Frank G   2007-04-06 20:42  

#6  My take on it is that the Iraqi Sunni Arabs have finally seen the writing on the wall - that if the US leaves, the Shiites and the Kurds are going to wipe them out. The old strategy was to get US troops to leave, so that they could roll right over the Kurds and the Iraqi Shiite Arabs, installing a new Saddam. The current strategy is to make the best deal they can before the US leaves, and try to prevent the US from leaving. It is based on their calculation that the insurgency cannot defeat the existing Iraqi government, and must therefore sue for peace.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2007-04-06 20:39  

#5  It has been a mistake to appease factions/year 1400 tribes following the lunatic cycle of international hatred on a Hitlerian scale indulged by them.

A point being, that we should let it be, or, make it Red on Red.
Posted by: rhodesiafever   2007-04-06 19:14  

#4  United now by a common purpose. At each other's throats as soon as that common purpose were to go away.
Posted by: gorb   2007-04-06 17:34  

#3  A couple of changes to that article are in order:

Al Qaeda in Iraq wields wide influence in several western and central provinces, particularly in the vast Anbar region that stretches to Syria.

Should be:

Al Qaeda in Iraq wields diminishing influence in several western and central provinces, particularly in the vast Anbar region that stretches to Syria.

and:


The group called on al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to take more responsibility for al Qaeda in Iraq.


Should be:

The group noted al Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden is apparently unable take more responsibility for al Qaeda in Iraq.
Posted by: crosspatch   2007-04-06 16:52  

#2  Look, in the sky...it's a bird. No, it's a plane. No, no, it's skin is stretched too tight for a plane. Why, it's San Fran Nan Pelosi, tooooooo the resQ.
Posted by: wxjames   2007-04-06 16:09  

#1  "They would kill any critic or whoever tries to show them their mistakes. Assaulting people's homes became permitted and calling people infidels also became popular."

You mean al Qaeda blows people up and calls those who disagree with them infidels?! That's outrageous! Why have we not known of this before? Someone should do something about this, but who?
Posted by: Baba Tutu   2007-04-06 15:16  

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