Iraqi Officials Blame Al-Qaeda/Ba’ath Alliance for Recent Attacks
The Associated Press writes that U.S. military officials believe al-Qaeda was behind recent attacks in Iraq, while many Iraqi officials are blaming a joint al-Qaeda/Ba’ath alliance:
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, however, added a twist, blaming an alliance of al-Qaeda and supporters of Saddam’s Ba’ath party for the attacks.
The allegation is not new among Shiites, but it was for al-Maliki. Hard-line Shiite politicians with an eye on the January election have been increasingly mentioning the Ba’athists as partners with al-Qaeda.
The Baathist link is politically explosive; the question of what to do with Saddam-era officials in the civil service, army, and police has been at the heart of the Sunni-Shiite divide since the overthrow of Saddam’s Sunni-led regime in 2003. It has also been a major hurdle to national reconciliation efforts.
Iraq expert Michael W. Hanna said Ba’athists have a new incentive to strike harder at the government since Syria — where many of their exiled leaders live — has shown a willingness to crack down on their activity and tighten border controls as part of an effort to improve relations with Baghdad and Washington.
In addition to numerous Shiite politicians blaming an al-Qaeda/Ba’ath alliance, Hussein Ali Kamal, a Kurd, is also blaming an al-Qaeda/Ba’ath alliance for recent attacks. Kamal is deputy interior minister of Iraq and has been described as an extremely reliable source by Matthew Degn, who worked with Kamal at Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.
Though media accounts have offered little if any proof of a continued al-Qaeda/Ba’ath alliance thus far, Baghdad security officials are reporting that both al-Qaeda followers and Ba’ath loyalists were arrested in connection with the attacks and are alleging that Ba’ath elements controlled the operation.
While prominent Iraqi officials seem to be pointing the finger towards loyalists of the former regime of Saddam Hussein combined with al-Qaeda, U.S. officials have thus far seen more of the hallmarks of al-Qaeda. Major John Redfield, speaking on behalf of U.S. Central Command, told this site that though information was still being evaluated by the U.S., “the attacks bore the marks of al-Qaeda.”
How much of this is simply Maliki looking to strengthen his hand before the elections? That’s what his restrictions on the US military are about. Everyone knows he’s highly political. Alas the fly in the ointment is Kemal, the Kurd. One could argue though, that the Kurds also benefit from blame being put on the Sunnis. Cultural lenses are key here. Power struggles and who benefits from things.
I think they should hire Tom Ridge to issue false terror warnings right before the election to garner votes.
But aren’t the Ba’athists secular and Al-Qaeda religious? Isn’t it true that they would never work together, in concert, because of this? Isn’t that what the smart-set eggheads told us the past decade? I’m confused.
This terrorism wouldn’t have gone on as long as it has if the Iraqis had more tolerant attitudes toward each other. Terrrorism requires local support. Iraq is a horribly corrupt backwater full of horribly bigoted people.
On the other hand, if Al-Quaida and the Baathists were working together for years under Hussein’t nose (if not his support) and if the terrorists were trained at the feet of the Republican Guard (which was trained by the KGB), then what looks like Al-Quaida would, by definition look like Baath!
Maybe those early 90′s intelligence assessments of all the world’s intelligence services weren’t so far off base after all! Hmmm?
CUE TROLLS!
Between the al Qaeda admission on the attack….
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/08/al_qaeda_takes_credi_1.php
and the Ba’athists in custody and/or blamed…
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/19472.htm
it looks like the Iraqis are convinced this was a joint al Qaeda – Ba’ath operation. It’s worth noting that this attack was on the anniversary of a joint attack they did on a U.N. faciltiy very early in the war when the media was also saying Ba’ath and al Qaeda “couldn’t” cooperate.
“I think they should hire Tom Ridge to issue false terror warnings right before the election to garner votes.”
OMG is that what they do that for?! OMG! You should run for office tom, cuz its obvious not everyone’s as smart as you is! Pleaz safe us from all this manipulate!