Sometimes the good news coming out of Iraq is good, but we try to spin it with our optimistic enthusiasm in such a way as to over state the significance of the event. This news is
good--and that may be an understatement.
Those fighting us in Iraq are largely convinced that what they are doing is right in the sight of Allah. Religious motivations are essential to the 'resistance'.
A statement signed by 64 Sunni clerics was released as the community, which largely boycotted national elections two months ago, watched the Shiite majority and Kurds grab the levers of power and dominate the military and police.
"Because the army and police are the safeguard of the nation, as it is the nation's army and not an army of some militias or any other party, a group of clerics and scholars have issued a fatwa (religious decree) to call on the people to join the army," the statement said....
"Keeping people and the country safe is a must which is not to be done but through faithful army and police elements," the clerics' statement said.
The statement said Sunnis should join the state's security apparatus "because without good elements in police and army, some other bad elements might find a way to infiltrate.
The statement included the signatures of such hardline Sunni luminaries as Sheikh Ahmed al-Samarrai, a member of the Sunni Muslim Waqf (endowment) and Sheikh Ahmed Hassan al-Taha, the preacher at Baghdad's radical Abu Hanifa mosque and the Samarra representative of the Committee of Muslim Scholars, which has back channels to the insurgency.
These are the same people that had labelled those working with the U.S. as 'collaboraters' and 'infidels', thus giving justification for insurgents to wage jihad.
For instance, Sheik Ahmed al-Sammarrai had previously defended the 'resistance' (Middle East Online):
One cannot read any of the statements coming out of al Qaeda in Iraq, The Islamic Army in Iraq, or Ansar al-Sunna without coming to the conclusion that a heart felt belief that what they are doing is right is at the core of these terrorist groups. While such groups probably will not be swayed by these clerics issuing this fatwa, countless other small insurgent groups not aligned with foreign or salafist elements will.
1
So now the terrorists are going to join the Army and police. This culd be a ruse. Sunni clerics changing overnight? I would be careful.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 01, 2005 01:43 PM (CBNGy)
2
If the tide does change in the right direction. Is it George Bush's fault? Ha.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 01, 2005 01:45 PM (CBNGy)
3
Now, what about them issuing some fatwas AGAINST those who kill Iraqi police?
Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at April 01, 2005 01:46 PM (x+5JB)
4
They better screen applicants VERY carefully.
Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at April 01, 2005 03:00 PM (x+5JB)
5
YBP is exactly right. Infiltration of Iraqi security forces, command and intelligence structures is already rampant. Rumor has it that once the government is formed, the Shiites are going to perform some major Debathification in the ministries of defense and interior (both responsible for security). From the Shiite perspective, why should they let any of the Baathists live, much less allow them to participate in a polity they did not get elected to represent?
News of "hardcore" Sunni clerics now issuing fatwas should be treated very sceptically; they are doing this out of fear, not nationalism. The Baathists are melting away in the face of American and growing Iraqi forces - they can no longer protect the Sunni leadership.
If the army and police is dominated by Shiites and Kurds, as they currently are, the Sunnis are going to be treated like crap by the security services. This won't be like dealing with the Americans. If some Sunni kids kill a Shiite policeman, the Shiites will just use it as an excuse to bring in a Shiite militia to wipe out the village (as the Sunnis did to the Shiites a few years back).
I won't be satisfied until the Sunni leadership start flipping on their terrorist friends and international sponsors.
Posted by: electronicIDF at April 01, 2005 04:41 PM (MBd2J)
6
This is a bit suss months ago iraqi's were suspicious that these
people were joining the police etc. and using the information against them, remember all police or soldiers who were shot en masse and no one but the military were supposed to know they were there?
Or maybe the American infidels done it just to make them look bad:0)
Is it good new or bad only time will tell
Posted by: sparky at April 01, 2005 04:47 PM (F1nba)
7
ElectronicIDF: Involving common sense in the issue is most refreshing. THX.
Sparky: How you doing. Pleasure to hear from you.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 01, 2005 05:52 PM (CBNGy)
8
Hey Roost just trying to catch up here spent a few days in hospital back home now. Had to laugh at you put your foot down we all know who wears the boots in your house if your misses is anything like me you put that foot down and she'll stamp all over it and youll be going to OZ with a limp and a smile. Tell the boss that Ireland and Bonnie Scotland are amazing you have it on good authority the weather may suck but who cares when your having a good time you wont even notice
how cold it is. Im sure we could shout you a wee dram if you ever make it over here.
Posted by: sparky at April 01, 2005 06:05 PM (F1nba)
9
The less we mess around there, the easier it will be for them to run things.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 01, 2005 06:56 PM (fufbw)
10
Who the iraqi's or the terrorists?
Posted by: sparky at April 01, 2005 07:32 PM (F1nba)
11
I agree with Collin; We shouldn't be messing around there.
We're there for killing and blood-letting, so let's get on with it.
Posted by: electronicIDF at April 01, 2005 08:01 PM (MBd2J)
12
Sparky: Sorry to hear about hospital stay. Been there, done that. No fun. I trust all is well now. My formula for good health, Johnny Walker.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 01, 2005 09:23 PM (CBNGy)
13
I sincerely hope, soon, the people of Iraq, will grab the mantle of of freedom. We have given them the means. They need to step up to the plate and and grab it, while we are there to provide a push!
Posted by: opine6 at April 02, 2005 08:58 PM (YyWmH)
14
Opine6: AMEN. Time for the Iraqis to stand up. I want my son back home so bad. When you're Sixty three and realize that your years on this earth are numbered, every year wasted without the light of your life is agony. I wish that people would realize that some of us has been paying this price for 250 years. Every generation we take our pictures, fill our scrapbooks and bury our dead. Most of the time because some other country is screwed up. So tired of wondering every time my cell phone rings. A family tradition. I'm sitting here looking at my 2 month old grandson. Where will he be in 17 years?
Quit worrying about the enemy. Americans hurt to. We won't cry to the newspapers so we can get our 15 minutes of fame. This family will keep fighting and keep supporting this nation. For all its faults, its the best thing going.
For those who don't like it. I'll tell you what we've been telling people like you for two hundred years. Kiss my ass.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 05, 2005 12:24 AM (CBNGy)
15
If Scott or anyone else wants to depart that combat zone, people here can help them to get back to America and put that nightmare behind them.
http://girights.objector.org/military-discharges.html
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 05, 2005 03:37 AM (fufbw)
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Collin: Is there an organization that will help them pay back the $$$ and benefits they obtained while in the military?
Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at April 05, 2005 10:30 AM (x+5JB)
17
Stupid asses traitor. He has extented his tour voluntarily to be with his men and fight the good fight. Something a traitor will never be able to understand. Its something inside and you haven't got it.
I broke my rule of not speaking to traitors. Won't do it again.
Posted by: greyrooster at April 05, 2005 06:33 PM (CBNGy)
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Dear Greyrooster,
We're still waiting for that Fallujah quote URL.
Posted by: Collin Baber at April 05, 2005 07:40 PM (FV4oJ)
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