The Pentagon has made its centerpiece of its strategy in Iraq arming Anbar Sunni tribes to convince them to back the Shi’ite-dominated government. That plan has been stalled by the government blocking most of the arms transfers, and with sectarian tensions on the rise, it looks like some of those tribes are going the other way.
Today, key Anbar sheikh Ahmed Jumaili read a joint statement from a number of key tribes in Fallujah, pledging loyalty to ISIS, and expressing their belief that the best way to return calm to the province was by backing ISIS against the “infidels, apostates and Shias.”
ISIS has struggled with its relationship with tribes in Anbar as well, getting into some fairly ugly battles around the city of Hit, which ended with them purging certain tribes they perceived as too “pro Baghdad.” Where they have managed to keep the tribes placated in both Iraq and Syria, they have enjoyed the most success.
The Iraqi government’s decision to put Shi’ite militias on the front lines in Sunni territory has been extremely contentious. The Iraqi military has clearly been unsuccessful without them doing the heavy lifting, but ugly crackdowns by the militias on Sunni locals has fueled unrest, and seems to be a key part of bringing many to see ISIS as the safer choice.
How long this lasts remains to be seen, but tribal leaders in some parts of Anbar were practically in open revolt before ISIS started taking over cities, meaning the split when ISIS moved in was much easier for people to swallow.
Well, that should make things more interesting. I wonder what Mr. Hope and Change is going to do now? But I'm sure McCrazy and his sidekicks Grahamcrackers and bad-hair-day Ayotte will still want to arm the "rebels."
Since the beginning of civilization the Sunni tribes have ruled Iraq, they being the highest achievers and having the best ability to kill.
So, since our invasion of Iraq in 2003, our corrupt Empire has strived to maximize confusion by keeping the Sunni tribes powerless and enslaved.
The Zionists have them beat in nefarious activities department.
Should have been supporting Assad big time from the start. Basic stuff. We will keep loosing wars until we grow a brain.
There are many "we" and all of them are not dumb. One "we" likes war as they can sell arms. The other "we" is happy that the folks out there are fighting each other. Among these "we" there are two kinds — one are happy for religious region the other for political reason. The "we" who are happy with wars like to have a balance of power between the two side so the war can l continue. I am sure there are "we" who like peace but there is not much they can do because they have been outmaneuvered by the ones who like war.