MUST READ: Knight Ridder article on Iraqi army being ready for civil war

[highplainsdem]

I found this through Michelle Pilecki's blog on the Huffington Post website. The article was published yesterday, so it's too old for LBN.

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/12885151.htm


Posted on Wed, Oct. 12, 2005

Sectarian resentment extends to Iraq's army
By TOM LASSETER
Knight Ridder Newspapers


<snip>

Ghilan is a major in the Iraqi army and a Shiite Muslim, the sect that makes up some 60 percent of Iraq's population. Now, more than ever, the grieving father says he wants to hunt down and kill not only Sunni guerrilla fighters but also Sunnis who give those fighters shelter and support. By that, he means killing most Sunnis in Iraq.

<snip>

The Bush administration's exit strategy for Iraq rests on two pillars: an inclusive, democratic political process that includes all major ethnic groups and a well-trained Iraqi national army. But a week spent eating, sleeping and going on patrol with a crack unit of the Iraqi army - the 4,500-member 1st Brigade of the 6th Iraqi Division - suggests that the strategy is in serious trouble. Instead of rising above the ethnic tension that's tearing their nation apart, the mostly Shiite troops are preparing for, if not already fighting, a civil war against the minority Sunni population.

<snip>

Barawary continued: "It's a total mistake to have soldiers taking orders from the marja'iya. It puts us all in danger." Barawary was referring to the ruling council of Shiite clerics, whose word is law for most Shiites in Iraq.

<snipping paragraphs about how the 1st Brigade's top officer reviews decisions including troop distribution with Shiite clerics, and follows their advice>

Some Iraqi troops went a step further, saying they were only awaiting word from the marja'iya before turning on American forces. Although many Shiites are grateful for the overthrow of Saddam, they also are suspicious of U.S. motives. Those suspicions partly stem from the failure of the first Bush administration to support a U.S.-encouraged Shiite uprising against Saddam in 1991. Saddam suppressed it and slaughtered thousands.

<snip>

[oldlady]

1. happens already on a limited scale

according to my brother who is serving there & has lost a couple of men on recons alone with Iraqi soldiers.
peace

[highplainsdem]

2. How terrible.

I hope your brother is safely out of Iraq soon.