Am I reading the situation in Iraq correctly?
Iraq Fighters, Qaeda Allies, Claim Falluja as New State
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/04/world/middleeast/fighting-in-falluja-and-ramadi.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1&
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
Al-Qaeda sweep in Iraq cities revives battleground
BAGHDAD (AP) — Two Iraqi cities that were strongholds of Sunni insurgents during the U.S. war in the country are battlegrounds once more after al-Qaeda militants largely took them over, fending off government forces that have been besieging them for days.
The overrunning of the cities this week by al-Qaeda’s Iraqi branch in the Sunni heartland of western Anbar provinces is a blow to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Malik. His government has been struggling to contain discontent among the Sunni minority over Shiite political domination that has flared into increased violence for the past year.
On Friday, al-Qaeda gunmen sought to win over the population in Fallujah, one of the cities they swept into on Wednesday. A militant commander appeared among worshippers holding Friday prayers in the main city street, proclaiming that his fighters were there to defend Sunnis from the government, one resident said.
“We are your brothers from the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant,” militants circulating through the city in a stolen police car proclaimed through a loudspeaker, using the name of the al-Qaeda branch. “We are here to protect you from the government. We call on you to cooperate with us.”
Government troops, backed by Sunni tribesmen who oppose al-Qaeda, have encircled Fallujah for several days, and have entered parts of the provincial capital Ramadi, also overrun by militants. On Friday, troops bombarded militant positions outside Fallujah with artillery, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to release information.
Anbar province, a vast desert area on the borders with Syria and Jordan with an almost entirely Sunni population was the heartland of the Sunni insurgency that rose up against American troops and the Iraqi government after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. The insurgency was fueled by anger over the dislodgment of their community from power during Saddam’s rule and the rise of Shiites. It was then that al-Qaeda established its branch in the country.
Fallujah became notorious among Americans when insurgents in 2004 killed four American security contractors and hung their burned bodies from a bridge. It, the provincial capital Ramadi and other cities were repeatedly battlegrounds for the following years, as sectarian bloodshed mounted, with Shiite militias killing Sunni.
Finally, major Sunni tribes turned against al-Qaeda, forming militias that fought alongside American troops — bringing an easing of the bloodshed in 2008, before the American withdrawal at the end of 2011.
**But 2013 has been the deadliest year since, with a resurgence of violence after al-Maliki’s government in April violently broke up a protest by Sunnis against discrimination by Shiite authorities.
**
**Sunni anger further flared after authorities this past week arrested a senior Sunni politician and dismantled a months-old sit-in in Ramadi over the past week.
**
As a concession, al-Maliki on Wednesday pulled the military out of Anbar cities to give security duties to local police, a top demand of Sunnis who see the army as a tool of al-Maliki’s rule. But al-Qaeda militants promptly erupted in Fallujah, Ramadi and several nearby towns, overrunning police station, driving out security forces and freeing prisoners.
Since then, militants have dug in in the cities, setting up checkpoints in streets and waving black al-Qaeda banners. Al-Maliki called in military reinforcements and sought the support of Sunni tribal fighters, who oppose al-Qaeda though they still mistrust the government.
Government official Dhari al-Rishawi told The Associated Press that clashes were still underway on Friday, saying the militants remain in control of Fallujah and some parts of Ramadi. On Thursday, government warplanes fired Hellfire missiles — recently supplied by the United States — at some militant positions.
So far, casualties from the fighting since Wednesday are not known. On Friday, two policemen were killed and six other wounded when their patrol was attacked by gunmen in speeding cars outside Fallujah, a police officer and a medical officials said on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release the information.
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
Did they sweep in because of the sunni shiite infighting or bad security forces (re: Pakistan) or something else is to blame?
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
^ it seems Shia-Sunni infighting. The Sunnis are feeling sidelined by Maliki's government. Anbar province shares borders with both Saudia and Syria, therefore the situation of Syria could have some bearing too.
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
**As Iraq battles Al Qaeda in Fallujah, Pentagon takes note. Will Afghanistan? **](As Iraq battles Al Qaeda in Fallujah, Pentagon takes note. Will Afghanistan? - CSMonitor.com)
](http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0107/.Us1jlVBNH4k.twitter)
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
So what exactly is the long term game plan of this "war against terrorism"? Is it to create anarchy in "stable" countries, let AlQaida take over after some time of "struggling" of "NATO" forces? Create a region with AlQaida's control? Preparing for anti-Christ/Jesus arrival?
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
Iraq civil war: check
Tunisia civil war: check
Egypt civil war: check
Syria civil war: check
Libya civil war: check
Pakistan: nearly getting there
Afghanistan civil war: check
The fassad groups in all countries armed by..ahem…Saudi Arabia for the most part.
The state of the Muslim world. Yet some people will have you believe its all Amreeka 
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
Saudi Arabia is a tool, it is a willing pawn in the long term game. The game is played by ‘powers’.
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
Saudi Arabia is a tool, it is a willing pawn in the long term game. The game is played by 'powers'.
Oh trust me I would have agreed with you a year back. But since I've found out how they've been egging on Israel and US to attack Iran and how they've helped create the mess that is Syria I don't think they're naive little clueless people they seem to want everyone to think.
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
Oh trust me I would have agreed with you a year back. But since I've found out how they've been egging on Israel and US to attack Iran and how they've helped create the mess that is Syria I don't think they're naive little clueless people they seem to want everyone to think.
and you think this a new phenomena? Shia vs Sunni is new to you? Did US attack Iran listening to KSA? No, in fact US is warming up to Iran, telling KSA you can wish all you want, you are just a pawn so stay a pawn and not the player.
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
and you think this a new phenomena? Shia vs Sunni is new to you? Did US attack Iran listening to KSA? No, in fact US is warming up to Iran, telling KSA you can wish all you want, you are just a pawn so stay a pawn and not the player.
Fair enough!
I still think Saudis mess around a lot in other countries for sectarian crap.
Re: Alqaeda revival in Iraq?
amriika jab AQ ko dauRaataa hai, vo bhaagte haiN...jab amriika thak ke baiTh jaataa hai to AQ apnaa Khema gaaRnaa shuru kar detaa hai...it's a matter of their survival...they need a place to call it home, you know! :p