NationStates Jolt Archive

Iraqi Sunni fighters have been battling militants linked to al-Qaeda in a suburb of Baghdad, in a sign of growing rivalry among Sunni insurgents.
Residents of Amiriya in Baghdad have been joined by Sunni militants from nationalist groups in an effort to expel al-Qaeda fighters.

US forces have offered to strike a deal with the groups less hostile to them.

The BBC's Jim Muir says the latest power struggle could potentially yield an exit strategy for US forces in Iraq.

Sunni Iraqi tribal leaders in the restive western province of Anbar have already mobilised forces against al-Qaeda militants.

Our correspondent says the latest clashes show the rebellion against al-Qaeda has now spread to part of Baghdad's Sunni community.

The al-Qaeda group's severe interpretation of Islam, its use of foreign fighters and its brutality are said to be the main factors driving local resentment towards them.

'Reaching back'

US forces said they had imposed a curfew in Amiriya in an effort to stop fighters from re-arming.

But residents quoted by AFP news agency said this had not stopped fresh clashes from taking place on Friday.

No official figures are available for the numbers killed in the violence in Amiriya.

"Al-Qaeda fighters and leaders have completely destroyed Amiriya," Abu Ahmed, a local Sunni resident, told AP news agency.

"No one can venture out, and all the businesses are closed. They kill everyone who criticizes them and is against their acts even if they are Sunnis."

Lt Gen Raymond Odierno, the second-highest ranking US officer in Iraq, said the military was trying to "reach back" to fighters who wanted to stop attacking US forces.

"We're talking about ceasefires and maybe signing some things that say they won't conduct operations against the government of Iraq or against coalition forces," he said.

At least 126 US troops were killed in Iraq in May - the third-deadliest month for US forces since the invasion in 2003.

An Iraqi government source said more than 2,000 Iraqis had also died violently in the same month.

On Saturday, an explosion blamed on militants destroyed a major bridge on the main road linking Baghdad with the northern cities of Kirkuk and Irbil.

On Friday, three children died in a US attack aimed at militants in Anbar province. Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6714713.stm)
Though the rift between the two officially started in April 20, 2007 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18234571) it looks like all all war has began since the Sunni Insurgents have decided that Al-Qaida is too extreme even for them and are a risk for their own plans for their version of Iraq.

Is this good? Bad? Could this mean a truce to wipe out Al-Qaida? An Enemy of my enemy is my friend situation?

I sure hope so. To have Al-Qaida 'pull out' of Iraq before we do would be a great irony.

A good thing to try, getting the Iraqis to work with the U.S. and the Iraq gov't to wipe out al-Qaeda. A longshot at best but there are a few scenarios that might play out if that actually happens
Best case:
The iraqi insurgents make meaningful negotiations with us forces and retain a spirit of cooperation after al-Qaeda is wiped out or chased out. they agree to share power, situation stable, U.S. can leave.
Worse case:
As soon as al-Qaeda is wiped out, iraqi insurgents turn back on the U.S.and allies, undo all the cooperation and negotiations, back where we started, except without al-Qaeda

Mmmmmm, insurgent-on-insurgent action.

So much for Beloved Dear Leader's fantasy of th Iraqi insurgency being yet another plot by Cobra- er I mean Al'Qaeda.

So much for Beloved Dear Leader's fantasy of th Iraqi insurgency being yet another plot by Cobra- er I mean Al'Qaeda. Oh Poor him.

So much for Beloved Dear Leader's fantasy of th Iraqi insurgency being yet another plot by Cobra- er I mean Al'Qaeda.

Who thought that? I didn't know that you had such a simple mind that you could only comprehend one enemy at a time.

I was waiting for this to happen. The smartest bet would be to strike a deal with the insurgents.

I think this proves that not only are the Sunnis unimpressed with the radicalism of Al-Qaeda forces, but also shows that the concerted efforts of the American troops and our allies are hurting and thus frustrating both the insurgents and Al-Qaeda.. Sounds like great news..

I think this ... shows that the concerted efforts of the American troops and our allies are hurting and thus frustrating both the insurgents and Al-Qaeda..

HAHAHAHAHA

No, what it's doing is making them slightly adjust their tactics. Meanwhile, they are also preparing for the moment the US et al fuck off, as we will (all the while proclaiming victory) at which point the Kurd-Shia-Sunni thing will really kick off and the security forces will seriously split.

This is not news, the Sunnis have been attacking Al Qaeda since they arrived, with truces along the way as and when the situation dictates.

Most of the insurgents want foreigners out, and Iraqis (them) in control - this includes Al Qaeda as well as the US and the UK.

Now this provides an opportunity that I don't think the Coalition can pass up. Here's my suggestion:

A truce proposal between the Coalition and the Sunni and Shia insurgents, citing to both factions that Al-Qaida is a foreign force that is attempting to seize power from Iraqi's, and and has to be destroyed.

The Coalition propose to go along with the previous truce proposal put forward by insurgents before ( see this thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528717)), and also proposes that Sunni and Shia insurgents co-operate with the Coalition in rooting out Al-Qaida operatives in Iraq, with the condition that the Coalition will withdraw once Al-Qaida in Iraq is destroyed.

Once Al-Qaida in Iraq is destroyed, the Coalition withdraws in phases with a victory under it's belt and it's honour relatively intact, and a UN Peacekeeping force constituted by Middle Eastern Sunni and Shia troops moves in.

As mentioned before: Best case, the truce holds. Worst case, the truce breaks up and Iraqi's continue to fight, but at least Al-Qaida is destroyed.

I know this sounds pretty preposterous, but surely it's better that we at least score a Phyyric victory by destroying Al-Qaida, than nothing at all?

SNIP...Once Al-Qaida in Iraq is destroyed, the Coalition withdraws in phases with a victory under it's belt and it's honour relatively intact, and a UN Peacekeeping force constituted by Middle Eastern Sunni and Shia troops moves in.

What about the Kurds? Where does this leave them?

What about the Kurds? Where does this leave them?

Fucked by the Turks?

Fucked by the Turks?

Yes. I thought I saw something on the news the other day that said Turkey was considering another "incursion" into Iraq aimed at getting the "Kurdish separatists "who are operating" out of Kurdish Iraq.

Yes. I thought I saw something on the news the other day that said Turkey was considering another "incursion" into Iraq aimed at getting the "Kurdish separatists "who are operating" out of Kurdish Iraq.

Judging by the facts that Turkey wants to be in the EU and doesn't want to get bombed to hell, they won't do that.

Well as far as the Kurds were concerned in my suggestion, I'd have assumed they would have went along with the Coalition proposal anyway.

I don't believe the Kurds are especially hostile to Coalition troops, are they?

Well as far as the Kurds were concerned in my suggestion, I'd have assumed they would have went along with the Coalition proposal anyway.

I don't believe the Kurds are especially hostile to Coalition troops, are they?

No. They just accept the necessity and enjoy the security provided by us.

Well as far as the Kurds were concerned in my suggestion, I'd have assumed they would have went along with the Coalition proposal anyway.

I don't believe the Kurds are especially hostile to Coalition troops, are they?

Would they go along with bringing in Muslim peacekeepers?

What about the Kurds? Where does this leave them? I heard the US is planning a South Korea like set up with the Kurds, the US will put military bases in to keep Turkey from invading.

Would they go along with bringing in Muslim peacekeepers?

The Kurds do not see much of a need for outside peacekeepers right now. So long as the US maintains a watchful eye, and the EU pressures Turkey to behave, the Kurds are in a very stable place. They have even been pressuring the US to allow Kurdish forces to take over operations outside of Kurdish territory. This has been flatly rejected because the US is afraid it might make Kurds more of a target and destabilize the one (relatively) safe area in Iraq.