FORMER IRAQI PM SLAMS GOVERNMENT FAILURE TO DEAL WITH ANBAR SECURITY

Baghdad, 13 Rajab 1435/12 May 2014 9MINA) -The former prime minister of Iraq, Ayad Allawi, has criticised the current government’s failure to deal with rebels in Anbar province. Allawi described the military failure as an indicator of political failure.

“When the government promises decisive actions in Al-Anbar and time passes without achieving any results,” said Allawi, “this raises questions about the government’s ability to deal with the issue and the real objectives behind the suspicious lack of action,” Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

He added that the government has shown “political and security failure” in dealing with the Anbar issue. “It has overlooked the importance of national reconciliation in mobilising the masses against terrorism and extremist organisations and by engaging the army in conflicts against civilians at a time when it has to move against terrorists, which saddens Iraqi political forces and people.”

The Iraq War in Anbar Province, also known as the Al Anbar campaign, consisted of fighting between the United States military, together with Iraqi Government forces, and Sunni insurgents in the western Iraqi province of Al Anbar. The Iraq War lasted from 2003 to 2011, but the majority of the fighting and counterinsurgency campaign in Anbar took place between April 2004 and September 2007.

Although the fighting initially featured heavy urban warfare primarily between insurgents and U.S. Marines, insurgents in later years focused on ambushing the American and Iraqi security forces with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Almost 9,000 Iraqis and 1,335 Americans were killed in the campaign, many in the Sunni Triangle around the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi.

In early 2004 the U.S. Army relinquished command of the province to the Marines. By April 2004 the province was in full-scale revolt. Savage fighting occurred in both Fallujah and Ramadi by the end of 2004, including the Second Battle of Fallujah. Violence escalated throughout 2005 and 2006 as the two sides struggled to secure the Western Euphrates River Valley.

In August 2006, several tribes located near Ramadi and led by Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha revolted against AQI. The tribes formed the Anbar Awakening and helped turn the tide against the insurgents. American and Iraqi tribal forces regained control of Ramadi in early 2007, as well as other cities such as Hīt, Haditha, and Rutbah. In June 2007 the U.S. turned its attention to eastern Anbar Province and secured the cities of Fallujah and Al-Karmah. (T/P04/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)