Skip to main content

Al-Qaeda-Iraq Statement A Sign Of Rising Sectarian Violence

In a rare public statement, al-Qaeda in Iraq has announced that it is meeting with Sunni leaders in the west of the country to join forces to fight the “Iranian Safavid gestapo.”
A man smokes a cigarette as he sits at the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, March 29, 2013. Car bombs hit four Shi'ite mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and another in Kirkuk just after prayers on Friday, tearing into crowds of worshippers and killing 17, police and witnesses said. Sunni Islamists linked to al Qaeda's Iraqi wing have stepped up attacks this year and often target Shi'ite sites in a growing sectarian confrontation a decade after the U.S.-led invasion. R

Al-Qaeda in Iraq revealed in a unique statement that it met with tribal leaders in Anbar province in western Iraq and agreed with them to “unite their efforts against the Safavid [Iranian] gestapo in Iraq.”

The statement confirmed what was published by Al-Monitor on May 8, 2013. Al-Monitor’s correspondent spoke to a political source active in the protests in Anbar, who pointed out that dialogue sessions with tribal leaders to calm the situation — which were attended by the Sunni politician and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq — were held in the presence of representatives from armed groups.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.