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Q&A: The fighting in western Iraq Q&A: The fighting in western Iraq
(about 5 hours later)
Iraqi security forces backed by local tribesmen have been fighting Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda for control of two cities in the west of the country, Ramadi and Fallujah.Iraqi security forces backed by local tribesmen have been fighting Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda for control of two cities in the west of the country, Ramadi and Fallujah.
It is the latest development stemming from the year-long Sunni-led protest movement against the government of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.It is the latest development stemming from the year-long Sunni-led protest movement against the government of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
Why has fighting broken out?Why has fighting broken out?
Tensions were raised on 28 December, when security forces arrested the prominent Sunni Arab MP Ahmed al-Alwani in Ramadi, triggering a gunfight that left six people dead.Tensions were raised on 28 December, when security forces arrested the prominent Sunni Arab MP Ahmed al-Alwani in Ramadi, triggering a gunfight that left six people dead.
Two days later, the prime minister ordered troops to dismantle a long-standing Sunni anti-government protest camp in Ramadi, claiming it had "turned into a headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda". There was a violent response from Sunni militants. Some 40 MPs, most of them Sunni, offered their resignations in protest at the raid and called for the withdrawal of the army from urban areas, along with Mr Alwani's release.Two days later, the prime minister ordered troops to dismantle a long-standing Sunni anti-government protest camp in Ramadi, claiming it had "turned into a headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda". There was a violent response from Sunni militants. Some 40 MPs, most of them Sunni, offered their resignations in protest at the raid and called for the withdrawal of the army from urban areas, along with Mr Alwani's release.
On 31 December, Mr Maliki agreed to withdraw the army so that the police could resume control of security. But as soon as soldiers left their posts, militants appeared on the streets of Ramadi, Fallujah and Tarmiya, storming police stations, freeing prisoners and seizing weapons. The prime minister reversed his decision the next day However, they have been unable to regain full control of Ramadi and Fallujah.On 31 December, Mr Maliki agreed to withdraw the army so that the police could resume control of security. But as soon as soldiers left their posts, militants appeared on the streets of Ramadi, Fallujah and Tarmiya, storming police stations, freeing prisoners and seizing weapons. The prime minister reversed his decision the next day However, they have been unable to regain full control of Ramadi and Fallujah.
Why was there a protest camp?Why was there a protest camp?
Members of Iraq's Sunni Arab minority community have been protesting for more than a year about what they perceive as discrimination by the Shia-led government and unfair targeting by the security forces. Many have also been complaining about the government's inability to provide basic services like electricity and sewerage, largely due to corruption.Members of Iraq's Sunni Arab minority community have been protesting for more than a year about what they perceive as discrimination by the Shia-led government and unfair targeting by the security forces. Many have also been complaining about the government's inability to provide basic services like electricity and sewerage, largely due to corruption.
Large-scale demonstrations began across Anbar province in December 2012 after security forces raided the home and offices of one of the country's highest-ranking Sunni politicians, then Finance Minister Rafi al-Issawi, and arrested 150 people. Although Mr Issawi was not himself detained, the move came a year after the Sunni Vice-President, Tariq al-Hashemi, was forced to flee the country after a similar raid that followed the withdrawal of US troops. He was subsequently sentenced to death in absentia after being convicted of terrorism charges he denied.Large-scale demonstrations began across Anbar province in December 2012 after security forces raided the home and offices of one of the country's highest-ranking Sunni politicians, then Finance Minister Rafi al-Issawi, and arrested 150 people. Although Mr Issawi was not himself detained, the move came a year after the Sunni Vice-President, Tariq al-Hashemi, was forced to flee the country after a similar raid that followed the withdrawal of US troops. He was subsequently sentenced to death in absentia after being convicted of terrorism charges he denied.
Following four months of demonstrations, gun battles erupted in several predominantly Sunni cities after security forces dismantled a Sunni protest camp in the northern town of Hawija, triggering clashes with gunmen that left more than 40 people dead.Following four months of demonstrations, gun battles erupted in several predominantly Sunni cities after security forces dismantled a Sunni protest camp in the northern town of Hawija, triggering clashes with gunmen that left more than 40 people dead.
Extremist Sunni militants aligned to al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) subsequently stepped up attacks across the country, targeting security forces personnel, government officials and Shia civilians in hundreds of car bombings and suicide attacks. Meanwhile, Shia militant groups began deadly reprisals on Sunni clerics, civilians and pro-government militiamen. At least 8,868 people, including 7,818 civilians, were killed in attacks in 2013, according to the UN. Extremist Sunni militants aligned to al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis) subsequently stepped up attacks across the country, targeting security forces personnel, government officials and Shia civilians in hundreds of car bombings and suicide attacks. Meanwhile, Shia militant groups began deadly reprisals on Sunni clerics, civilians and pro-government militiamen. At least 8,868 people, including 7,818 civilians, were killed in attacks in 2013, according to the UN.
In an effort to stem the sectarian violence, the security forces have launched campaigns targeting al-Qaeda and its allies. But the crackdown, which took place mostly in Sunni areas and saw the arrest and alleged torture of hundreds of Sunni men, has further enraged Sunnis.In an effort to stem the sectarian violence, the security forces have launched campaigns targeting al-Qaeda and its allies. But the crackdown, which took place mostly in Sunni areas and saw the arrest and alleged torture of hundreds of Sunni men, has further enraged Sunnis.
How strong is al-Qaeda in Anbar?How strong is al-Qaeda in Anbar?
Sunnis, particularly those in Anbar province, played a key role in helping the US military turn the tide against al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2007. Alienated by its extremist ideology and harsh methods, Sunni tribesmen formed Sahwa, or Awakening Councils, with US backing and drove al-Qaeda-linked fighters out of their towns and villages north and west of Baghdad.Sunnis, particularly those in Anbar province, played a key role in helping the US military turn the tide against al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2007. Alienated by its extremist ideology and harsh methods, Sunni tribesmen formed Sahwa, or Awakening Councils, with US backing and drove al-Qaeda-linked fighters out of their towns and villages north and west of Baghdad.
However, the Iraqi government stopped supporting the Sahwa after the US withdrawal and al-Qaeda slowly regained the ground it had lost. The conflict in neighbouring Syria, where jihadist rebel groups have become increasingly prominent, has been exploited by al-Qaeda. ISIS has been able to build some support and attract fresh recruits in Sunni areas of Iraq, as well as establish strongholds across the border in northern and eastern Syria, out of the reach of Iraqi security forces. However, the Iraqi government stopped supporting the Sahwa after the US withdrawal and al-Qaeda slowly regained the ground it had lost. The conflict in neighbouring Syria, where jihadist rebel groups have become increasingly prominent, has been exploited by al-Qaeda. Isis has been able to build some support and attract fresh recruits in Sunni areas of Iraq, as well as establish strongholds across the border in northern and eastern Syria, out of the reach of Iraqi security forces.
It has also increased its presence in Anbar, setting up training camps, bases and weapons caches. Before the recent fighting, there had been signs of growing public support. One video from November showed a small crowd in Ramadi cheering as ISIS members took part in a parade. However, once the militants attempted to seize control of the city, the government was able to quickly strike a deal with tribes to oust them. It has also increased its presence in Anbar, setting up training camps, bases and weapons caches. Before the recent fighting, there had been signs of growing public support. One video from November showed a small crowd in Ramadi cheering as Isis members took part in a parade. However, once the militants attempted to seize control of the city, the government was able to quickly strike a deal with tribes to oust them.
Will the government be able to regain control?Will the government be able to regain control?
There is no doubt that al-Qaeda is a massive threat to security in Iraq. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has estimated that ISIS has 12,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. However, the Iraqi government is believed to have about 930,000 security personnel under its command, spread across the army, police force and intelligence services. There is no doubt that al-Qaeda is a massive threat to security in Iraq. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has estimated that Isis has 12,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. However, the Iraqi government is believed to have about 930,000 security personnel under its command, spread across the army, police force and intelligence services.
Mr Maliki has overcome similar challenges to his authority before. In 2008, he launched an operation that saw four army divisions sent to Basra to seize control of the southern city from Shia militias. He then imposed state control over the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, which had been run by the Mehdi Army of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.Mr Maliki has overcome similar challenges to his authority before. In 2008, he launched an operation that saw four army divisions sent to Basra to seize control of the southern city from Shia militias. He then imposed state control over the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, which had been run by the Mehdi Army of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
In 2004, before Mr Maliki came to power, US troops fought two major battles with Sunni militants for control of Fallujah, which saw some of the bloodiest combat Americans had faced since Vietnam.In 2004, before Mr Maliki came to power, US troops fought two major battles with Sunni militants for control of Fallujah, which saw some of the bloodiest combat Americans had faced since Vietnam.