Thursday, July 3, 2008

Sons of Iraq Update II

The Abu Aardvark and Roads To Iraq blogs are both reporting on an article by the al-Khaleej newspaper out of the United Arab Emirates that says the Maliki government will set up a committee to discuss disbanding the Sons of Iraq. It goes on to say that Maliki has been criticized for allowing these Sunni units to be formed, and that now that security is improving it’s time to end them. The report also claims that this is part of deal between Maliki and the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front headed by Vice President Tariq Hashemi to weaken the SOIs before the upcoming provincial elections. The Accordance Front is expected to lose seats to the Anbar Awakening and new parties formed by SOIs and tribes in western and central Iraq. The deal could be a way for the existing powers to hold onto their positions.

SOURCES

Abu Aardvark blog, “Dissolving the Sons of Iraq… ?” 7/3/08

Roads To Iraq blog, “Maliki to disband Awakening Councils,” 7/3/08

No comments:

This Day In Iraqi History - Dec 10 PUK made deal with Saddam not to fight for Iran in Iran-Iraq War 3000 peshmerga quit in protest

  1936 Elections started for new parliament after 1936 coup Gen Sidqi wanted to control MPs and exclude reformist Ahali...