Iraqi Government Battles to Regain Control

(Fallujah in 2004)

Joanne Faulkner,
(Editor: Middle East)

FALLUJAH – The Iraqi government is battling to regain control of the city of Fullujah and parts of Ramadi after a tense stand off between the Iraqi army and militants. Residents are now fleeing their homes as increased shelling and fighting breaks out in an attempt to expel al-Qaeda linked militants. Although Prime Minister  al-Malik is able to use Sunni tribal leaders in the area, who aided the US in their eventually defeat of the militant threat in Anbar during the war, some residents have also joined the militants against security forces. The violence follows the breaking up of a protest camp in Anbar which led to the resignation of 44 MPs which has acted as a catalyst for the unrest.

The city, to the west of Baghdad, is also experiencing airstrikes from government forces. The fighting in Anbar is believed to have killed 200 people in 3 days.

In a state broadcast, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malik urged residents to push out the ‘terrorists’. The statement read:

“The prime minister appeals to the tribes and people of Fallujah to expel the terrorists from the city in order to spare themselves the risk of armed clashes,”

He has also urged the army to avoid residential areas in the fighting.

Recent uprisings and raising insurgency from the mainly Sunni community has posed a  challenged to Mr. al-Malki and his Shiite majority government over whether he can maintain control, and is a serious threat to his authority.

Fallujah was the battleground for the US-backed  Iraqi troops in 2004 against tribesman and insurgents, which saw some of the bloodiest fighting following the 2003 US-led invasion.  This is the most direct challenge since US troops departed two years ago.

Iran has pledged financial support to Iraq but will not send troops. They have stated they will supply military equipment and advisers, if asked.

During his visit to the region, U.S Secretary of State, John Kerry also stated that America will not be sending military forces to help the government regain control, but will be sending missiles and surveillance drones.

“We’re not contemplating putting boots on the ground. This is their fight, but we’re going to help them in their fight”,  he said.

The US has supplied more than $14bn worth of weapons to Iraq since 2005.

2013 was Iraq’s highest death toll since the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007.

The country is to hold its first general election in four years next month.

UPDATES:

* 4 civilians have been killed and 14 wounded after more clashes erupted on Tuesday morning. The army continues to position itself outside of the city.  The Prime Minister is believed to be preparing an prepare an offensive in a bid to regain the area before widespread fighting breaks out.

* The US is to speed up the delivery of its military supplies and will deliver 100 more Hellfire missiles to the Iraqi government over the next few months. The US is being pressured by claims it left a vacuum when troops withdrew from the country, a vacuum which is now once again being filled by sectarian violence.

* (22:45 GMT) An airstrike in Ramadi has killed 25 al-Qaeda-linked militants, according to government sources. The city is believed to be under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS), a Sunni group linked to  Al-Qaeda-linked and formed in April 2013.  An airstrike on Fallujah by government forces has been delayed.

* ( 8/1/14 – 11:57 GMT)  ISIL spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, has called on Sunnis fighting in Anbar to continue. In a recording he said:

“Do not lay the weapon down, because if you put it down this time, they (Shia) will enslave you and you will not rise again”.

* (9/1/14 – 14:30 GMT) BAGHDAD – 23 people have been killed and 36 wounded in a car bomb explosion which targeted army recruits. The volunteers had been signing up to fight in Anbar following calls from the government to help defeat al-Qaeda-linked militants in the province. Prime Minister al-Malik stated he would  ”eradicate the evil” of al Qaeda.

*Of Fallujah, Malik said yesterday: ”We don’t want this city to suffer and we will not use force, as long as the tribes announce their readiness to confront al Qaeda and expel it”. Reports describe the city currently as relatively calm, although 1000s of civilians are thought to have fled.

This is a breaking news story, please check back for new updates

Image Courtesy: CPL Joel A. Chaverri, United States Marine Corps | Wikimedia Commons