A "Truce" Between U.S. Enemies in Iraq

exigent · #1 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 09:57 AM

What a mess!

Quote:

A ceasefire agreement between Iraq's leading Sunni insurgent group and al-Qaeda is bad news for the U.S. military, which has been trying hard to drive a wedge between them. A statement by the Islamic Army that appeared on a jihadist website Wednesday says "an agreement has been reached [with] al-Qaeda in Iraq, leading to an immediate cessation of all military operations between the two sides." The statement added that the two groups would form a "judicial committee" to address their differences.

...the leaders of both groups see the current "surge" of U.S. troops in and around Baghdad as an opportunity rather than a threat.

The Islamic Army's statement doesn't list the terms of the ceasefire, but insurgent commanders have said they want al-Qaeda to stop targeting civilians — especially Sunnis. Whatever the terms of the truce, if the two groups are now willing to put the clashes of recent weeks behind them and reunite to fight U.S. and Iraqi government forces, the months ahead will be very bloody indeed.

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...629871,00.html

Betcha hundred bucks that in the next few weeks, suicide bombings, killing of civilians decrease because of this "agreement", meanwhile neocons will run around screaming, "VICTORY! The surge is working!"

Revolutionary · #2 (**permalink**) 06-06-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exigent";p=&quot

What a mess!

Quote:

A ceasefire agreement between Iraq's leading Sunni insurgent group and al-Qaeda is bad news for the U.S. military, which has been trying hard to drive a wedge between them. A statement by the Islamic Army that appeared on a jihadist website Wednesday says "an agreement has been reached [with] al-Qaeda in Iraq, leading to an immediate cessation of all military operations between the two sides." The statement added that the two groups would form a "judicial committee" to address their differences.

...the leaders of both groups see the current "surge" of U.S. troops in and around Baghdad as an opportunity rather than a threat.

The Islamic Army's statement doesn't list the terms of the ceasefire, but insurgent commanders have said they want al-Qaeda to stop targeting civilians — especially Sunnis. Whatever the terms of the truce, if the two groups are now willing to put the clashes of recent weeks behind them and reunite to fight U.S. and Iraqi government forces, the months ahead will be very bloody indeed.

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...629871,00.html

Betcha hundred bucks that in the next few weeks, suicide bombings, killing of civilians decrease because of this "agreement", meanwhile neocons will run around screaming, "VICTORY! The surge is working!"

Yeah I agree with assessment. This is a huge huge problem as far the war goes.

This sounds like a civil war brewing. You have Sadr one one side for the Shias and on the other side you have al qaeda teaming up with the Sunnis and then you have the Kurds.

How are we suppose to put into office the Sunnis who are making pacts with al qaeda?

gmb92 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2007, 09:25 PM

The more the occupation continues, the more likely that these groups will form lasting ties. If we left tomorrow, the Iraqi people would oust al Qaeda as they did before we invaded. The relationship they have now with them is no more than tenuous. Al Qaeda's extreme tactics have alienated some insurgent groups, some of which have accepted help from the occupiers to combat them. It's an interesting problem, and again, one that the Iraqis didn't have to deal with prior to the invasion.

ashleykennedy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmb92";p=&quot

The more the occupation continues, the more likely that these groups will form lasting ties. If we left tomorrow, the Iraqi people would oust al Qaeda as they did before we invaded. The relationship they have now with them is no more than tenuous. Al Qaeda's extreme tactics have alienated some insurgent groups, some of which have accepted help from the occupiers to combat them. It's an interesting problem, and again, one that the Iraqis didn't have to deal with prior to the invasion.

That is the present problem as the various groups have already formed lasting ties. While the US remains in Iraq those ties grow.

The occupiers help has consisted of giving out weapons, now US purchased weapons are fuelling the insurgency. The ludicrous situation of US weapons being used against US forces.

Sadistic-Savior · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 02:47 PM

You mean they hadnt teamed up already?

DuH2 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 03:03 PM

Might also note S-S that the "civil war" is back to "brewing" and after years of Iraq being an independent state with an elected goverment..its still "occupied"

Boring.

apotropoxy · #7 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 05:34 AM

USA support for Sunni/al Qaeda was reported in The New Yorker over a month ago by Pulitzer Prize winner, Seymour Hersh.
I highly recommend his work to anyone who wishes to gain insight into the subtleties of the Israeli/Palestinian/Saudi Arabian/Iranian/Iraqi ratatouille.

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