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| Iraq |
| Al Qaeda demands Sunni Islamic state |
| 2006-10-15 |
| That Iraq will split into three, is now beyond doubt. AN Iraqi militant group led by al Qaeda has called for a separate Islamic state in Baghdad and other areas with a large Sunni Arab population, according to a video posted on the Internet today. "Your brothers in the Mutayibeen Coalition herald the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq ... to protect our religion and our people, to prevent strife and so that the blood and sacrifices of your martyrs are not lost," a speaker for the coalition said on the video. The Sunni insurgent coalition was set up last week by the al Qaeda-led Mujahideen Shura Council, smaller groups and unnamed tribal leaders. It was named after an historic coalition formed to unite a major Arab tribe. The speaker, whose face was blotted out on the video, said the Islamic state should include Baghdad, the provinces of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Salahedddin, Nineveh and parts of Babel and Wasit. Iraq has 18 provinces. He said the move to announce the Islamic state came after "the Kurds secured a northern state and a federal state was approved for the rejectionists (Shiite Muslims) in the centre and the south". Iraq's parliament on Wednesday approved a law that sets out the mechanics of forming federal regions, an issue Sunni minority leaders fear might tear the country apart in sectarian civil war. The session was boycotted by the largest political bloc of the Sunni minority. The video's authenticity could not be verified but it was posted on a main web site often used by insurgent groups. The Mujahideen Shura Council, an umbrella group led by Iraq's branch of al Qaeda, frequently claims responsibility for attacks against U.S.-led forces and the Shiite-led Baghdad government. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #4 The sunnis deserve exactly squat. I oppose partitioning Iraq solely on the basis that the Middle East will likely require numerous such similar federations to ever establish peaceful governments where so many dictatorships and theocracies once existed. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-10-15 20:24 |
| #3 We should have eliminated Sunnis during initial attacks. Now its being done daily by Shia. Note 46 new bodies strewn about today. Sunnis day in Iraqi sun is done. They see it coming, but continue threats and outrages in hopes that they can continue control by intimidation. Train has left the station. Sunnis will either leave or be eliminated. |
| Posted by: SpecOp35 2006-10-15 13:52 |
| #2 Men who have to hide their faces do not decide the fate of nations. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2006-10-15 13:28 |
| #1 I don't know how I feel about this. A federation comprised of three provinces or states would have been a real benefit to them all. It would have made the country much stronger and powerful. It would have forced a government that was somewhat secular and thus forced a bit of separation between church and state. Additionally, they would have a united Iraq to make it more difficult for their neighbors to stir up trouble on their borders. But then.... these guys really don't grasp that whole "working together for a mutual benefit" thingy. So maybe it's best. Like I said the other day - if I were the Sunnis I'd eek out some important concessions and take it. They have enough brains and know how to make a patch of sand into a pretty good place. Kurds have already shown they can govern. As for the Shia - I don't know enough to make predictions about their fate. |
| Posted by: anon 2006-10-15 11:23 |