It seems Iraqi insurgents aren’t too happy with al-Qaeda in Iraq and have begun splitting ties with them.
The Sunni Arab insurgent leaders said they disagreed with the leadership of Al Qaeda in Iraq over tactics, including attacks on civilians, as well as over command of the movement.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, on his last day in Iraq, said Monday that American officials were actively pursuing negotiations with the Sunni factions in an effort to further isolate Al Qaeda.
“Iraqis are uniting against Al Qaeda,” Khalilzad said. “Coalition commanders have been able to engage some insurgents to explore ways to collaborate in fighting the terrorists.”
Insurgent leaders from two of the prominent groups fighting U.S. troops said the divisions between their forces and Al Qaeda were serious. They have led to skirmishes in Al Anbar province, in western Iraq, and have stopped short of combat in Diyala, east of Baghdad, they said in interviews with the Los Angeles Times.
While I wouldn’t classify this as a signal to start packing bags and loading ships, it certainly is indicative of a shift in priorities for many of the insurgents. Perhaps the notion of Iraqis fighting for Iraq isn’t such a far fetched one. Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 1916 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: GWOT & Know thy Enemy
