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Posted on 01/26/2006 5:36:13 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
SAMARA, 26 January (IRIN) - More than 1,000 protesters hit the streets of Samara, some 125km north of the capital, Baghdad, this week to demonstrate against al-Qaida militants blamed for killing more than 100 local police recruits this month.
The demonstration on 24 January, organised by the Iraqi Islamic Party and the Muslim Scholars' Association, is the first of its kind to specifically condemn the al-Qaida group for alleged terrorist attacks.
"They have to stop killing innocent people like recruits, journalists and children," demanded protest organiser Kamal Ahmed. "If they don't stop, we'll fight them directly," Ahmed added angrily.
Even self-described insurgents, locked in bitter fighting with US and Iraqi military forces, joined in the condemnation.
"We work against the US occupation without hurting innocents," said Abu Omar of the insurgent Islamic Army. "If al-Qaida is against the ideology behind the insurgency, it's time to force them out of our country."
"We will kill the militants to show how far we will go to save the lives of innocent people," Abu Omar added.
In early January, a Sunni tribal leader was assassinated – almost sparking revolt in Samara – after condemning al-Qaida for killing innocent civilians in its attacks.
Following the release of parliamentary election results last week, the Iraqi government has expressed optimism that greater Sunni participation in a new government will result in a truce between Sunni militias and US and Iraqi forces.
"Everyone started to see that we have to work together to bring progress to Iraq," said Hussein Sardawi, a senior official in the Ministry of Interior. "Al-Qaida is the only group that wants to bring instability to our country."
Al-Qaida allegedly infiltrated into Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003, facilitated by the country's long and porous borders. The group's presence became increasingly apparent during the first US-led offensive in Fallujah, launched in April 2004.
Initially, al-Qaida membership in Iraq consisted mostly of foreigners, say experts. According to officials in the information ministry, though, hundreds of Iraqis have since joined it.
The number of al-Qaida fighters operating in the country is loosely estimated at some thousands, although no official figures exist.
Similar anti-al-Qaida demonstrations are planned in the cities of Ramadi and Baghdad in the coming days.
"We're happy with the decision to work against al-Qaida," Sardawi said. "But we're also worried that this might result in the deaths of more innocent people."
Not Americans, note.
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The residents of troubled Sunni city of Samarra, where the insurgency has maintained an active presence, have voiced its dismay ay al-Qaeda’s brutal tactics. One week ago, a local resident tipped off Coalition forces on the whereabouts of an insurgent bomb-making cell. A joint Iraqi-Coalition raid netted seven suspects, including two of the city’s most wanted terrorists. Two days ago, a demonstration against al-Qaeda, organized by the Iraqi Islamic Party and the Muslim Scholars’ Association, turned out over 1,000 protestors.
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Still, good to see homegrown opposition to Al Quaida.
I love how Reuters put "alleged Al-Qaida viloence". Just like on 9-11 they alledgedly killed 3,000 Americans.
Gee, I wonder why I haven't heard about this in the MSM. (Sound of crickets chirping)
I think he's referring to those Iraqi citizens who are essentially innocent bystanders. He also doesn't include the Iraqi Army or Police. They are already in the fight as are the coalition forces. Or perhaps I'm just too willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
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When looked at from a higher level - the overall struggle against al-Qaeda in the Global War on Terror - the rejection of al-Qaeda by their Muslim brethren fighting against the forces of the West is a major strategic defeat for al-Qaeda. The premier terrorist group and self-proclaimed defenders of the faith could not maintain support in the heart of the Middle East among its most likely group of supporters: minority Sunnis subject to the rule of a Shiite-dominated government. This is part of the ideological struggle which is sorely missed in the popular reporting and analysis.
Interesting reaction. The islamofascist interpretation is that anyone who votes in an election does so against the law of allah, sharia.
So al Qaida now has how many million infidel enemies in Iraq? Every one with a purple finger?
This is great. I can see Zarqawi walking around in a daze saying things like "But we only murdered a few thousand Sunnis, why are they getting sore at us?" and "How come I am not sleeping well these nights?" If hes caught alive, get out the thumbscrews!
I love how Reuters says they entered Iraq only after the war. That is the biggest misconception of them all.
This is a welcome turn of events.
What was it the president said?
When the people of Iraq stand up America will stand down?
Well, not that many but a lot.....i hope they do this, but who knows how effective the mob mentality fighting would be against semi-trained terrorists? I'm skeptical ordinary citizens will be very effective against scum who's only objective is to kill their enemy...Joe who works at the gas station doesn't really think about how to best sabotage the enemy etc...that's all i'm sayin...not that the Iraqi's can't, but if i had to fight a trained, or at least trained relative to me, terrorist i might be in a world of hurt...best o luck Iraqi's...
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