Yesterday, Iraqi officials were presenting the military offensive against al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)-held portions of the city of Ramadi as part of an effort that would eventually “destroy terrorism” nationwide.
Today, officials had a much more bleak outlook, with Deputy Interior Minister Adnan al-Asadi saying that AQI has “major firepower” and that their weapons are “huge and advanced and frankly enough to occupy Baghdad.”
Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan Ibrahim later confirmed the assessment, saying that the whole reason for the offensive on Ramadi yesterday was that “if the operation by security forces was delayed for a few weeks, there would’ve been an assault on Baghdad.”
Clashes continue across the Anbar Province, and AQI retains virtual control over Fallujah, with local tribes attempting to unseat them. The Interior Ministry’s comments suggest that all Iraq’s military can do for now is try to keep them contained.
See what happens you you don't pay protection to the US MIC mafia? They really should have kept that insurance policy current.
Can't help wondering how many of those "huge and advanced" al-Qaeda weapons have a "made in USA" stamp.
"Made in the US and supply by the US."
Maliki really wants the US boots back in Iraq, if only to do the heavy lifting against the Sunni forces, both AQI and non-AQI residents. If Maliki hadn't been so wrapped up in his ethnic cleansing he's been doing he might have had enough good will to forestall the AQI incursion into Ramadi and Fallujah.
To be sure, an attack on Baghdad was not likely. The rhetoric is purely a ploy to get the US military involved again.
This makes no sense. What "ethnic cleansing" has he done? Using words from our mainstram media is dangerous to your learning health. The simple truth is, Iraq is to pay for declining the obedience. Now, the well armed and well paid groups (names and labels are of zero consenquence) are trying to do to Iraq what they did to Syria. And before to Lybia. Use blood-thirsty masked men, and supply them well with (our) arms, pay them well (whatever the source, it is from the West, and local Saudi and Gulf allies). Some provide guns and money, others religous fanaticism. The availability of many, unemployed young people is heaven sent for anyone with money to exploit. Maliki will just have to raise army and stop playing games with these people. Ask Syrians. Had they taken stronger steps at the beginning, they will still have a country. But being sensitive to western protection of "peaceful protestors" made them ignore how these "peacefull" protestors kill civiians with impunity.
So who supplied these "huge and advanced" weapons to Al-Qaeda? How were they purchased and who transported them into Iraq or were they stolen and from where? This article needs more detail.
Is it really Al-Qaeda that Malaki is fighting, or is it just the local Sunni neighborhood watch who had enough of his government?