How difficult is it to operate in Iraq when Shiite militias are causing Iraqi government stability problems?

2015-02-18T17:19:48-05:00

Iranian-Backed Militias Cause a Political Crisis for Iraq

Three events have amplified and accelerated the complaints of Sunni leaders about the Shi’a militias. First, Shi’a political forces attempted to manipulate the National Guard Law after it was voted on by Sunni ministers in the Council of Ministers and actually passed the Justice and Accountability Law that deals with the De-Baathification without an agreement of Iraqi Sunni ministers. The second is the murder of two Sunni tribesmen in the Ramadi area, almost certainly carried out by Shi’a militiamen. The last is the killing of a major Sunni tribal leader, his son, and his bodyguards, after being kidnapped from their convoy south of Baghdad. This paper reviews the unfolding reactions of Iraq's Sunni political leadership to the events of the past two weeks and the consequences they may have on the integrity of the central government.

Read the rest at:
http://iswiraq.blogspot.com/2015/02/iranian-backed-militias-cause-political.html

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 6:24 PM

2015-02-18T18:24:36-05:00

I would say, SSG Norman Lihou, that it's going to be very difficult to operate in Iraq, but is this really something new? Shiite vs. Sunni has been going on for centuries. This is just a variation on a theme.

What might set this apart is that some Sunni are willing to fight ISIS, alongside (presumably) Shiite fighters. That would be ideal. I don't see the mistrust between the two sects fading away anytime soon. Unfortunately.