US plans to deploy Iraqi militia forces from Kurdish or Shia units who fought ousted Iraq president Saddam Hussein's government could spark a civil war and force the break-up of Iraq. Sunni religious leaders issued the warning on Sunday.
| Lessee, here... Kurdish units... Shia units... Hmmm... No Sunni units? Is that it? |
Using militiamen to help restore security to Iraq would be "to ignore a large section of Muslims and push them into the ranks of the opposition," said a statement issued by the Committee of Muslim Ulama in Iraq.
| Where are they now?... Oh. They're in the Sunni Triangle... |
It would be "an attempt to break up Iraq," the statement said, recalling the Lebanese civil war between 1975 and 1990 when rival militias battled for control.
| Don'tcha hate it when these effects happen with no discernable cause? I'm surprised these guys don't stand around 24/7, scratching their turbans, trying to figure it out, instead of setting up IEDs... |
The committee, set up after Hussein’s overthrow in April, represents the Sunni minority in the country which had held power over the Shia majority. “From a religious point of view it is unacceptable," said the committee, following reports that "US forces intend to set up militias based on several parties termed Shia and Kurds. This is a way to divide and rule by exploiting confessionalism and racism."
| "Yeah! It's racism, that's what it is! Those Kurds, and those Shias? They're white, y'know? And us Sunnis, we're... ummm... white." |
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the new militia force would be composed of 750 to 850 fighters and initially work mainly around the capital. The Post cited Iraqi officials as saying that the new force was a "done deal" although later the same day coalition spokesman Dan Senor insisted discussions were still going on with the interim leadership, suggesting militia elements would form a special counter-insurgency group within the civil defence corps.
| They're trying to figure how many will be peshmergas and how many will be Badr Brigades. They already know how many will be Sunnis... |
“A new Iraqi army must be created with its own people so that it can ensure security in all Iraq while representing all the diversity of denominations and races," said the Sunni statement.“Elections should not take place until this army is created which, if necessary, could be backed by an Arab force. Then a government could be formed with the handover of sovereignty."
| Yeah. Right. "Backed by an Arab force." Heh heh... |
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