Sectarianism
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 06:56
The threat of the Islamic State, coupled with American “strategic patience,” not only makes the Iraqi Shia more dependent on Tehran and legitimizes Iran’s military presence in Iraq, it also provides the regime in Tehran with another bargaining chip in nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 Group.
Monday, January 5, 2015 - 12:01
In order for the democracy in Iraq to succeed post-US occupation, the Iraqi government must be inclusive of all interest groups in Iraq, specifically the ethno-sectarian groups that represent the Shia, Sunni Arab, and Sunni Kurdish populations in Iraq.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 - 07:06
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s recent visit to Baghdad and his tense meetings with leaders there have left some American officials worried about Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s commitment toward reconciliation with Iraq’s embattled Sunni minority, which is key to the U.S.-led effort to rebuild the Iraqi military forces and defeat the Islamic State.
Monday, December 8, 2014 - 09:08
Yemen’s Houthi fighters have received shipments of heavy weapons via Red Sea ports under their control, Yemeni government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday.
Militia groups loyal to the Shi’ite movement, which continues to advance in a number of regions across Yemen, received the weapons shipments via the Red Sea ports of Midi, Hodeidah and Al-Khokha from an allied “Islamic” country, likely the Islamic Republic of Iran, which some Gulf states accuse of backing the movement, according to the sources.
Friday, December 5, 2014 - 06:30
The heads of two prominent Sunni Anbar tribes expressed unease about the prospect of cooperating with the US against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Wednesday, and repeated calls for the Iraqi government to support them with funds, weapons, and ammunition.
Thursday, December 4, 2014 - 06:33
The steady weakening of Yemen’s pro-U.S. government over the past two months has exposed some of the same difficulties Washington faces in its efforts to battle extremist group Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
Monday, December 1, 2014 - 07:18
U.S. air support and pledges of weapons and training for Iraq's army have raised expectations of a counter-offensive soon against Islamic State, but sectarian rifts will hamper efforts to forge a military strategy and may delay a full-scale assault.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 06:57
Yemeni security forces freed seven Yemeni hostages and one foreigner in a special operation in which seven Al-Qaeda kidnappers were also killed, the country's supreme security committee said, according to Reuters news agency.
A U.S. soldier was among eight hostages freed by the Yemeni forces, military officials said according to Agence France Presse.
Monday, November 24, 2014 - 06:31
The Pentagon plans to buy a range of arms for Iraq's tribesmen, including 5,000 AK-47s, 50 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 12,000 grenades and 50 82 mm mortars. The arms supply, described in a document that will be sent to Congress of its approval, said the estimated cost to equip an initial Anbar-based force of tribal fighters is $18.5 million, part of a $1.6 billion request to Congress that includes arming and training Iraqi and Kurdish forces.
Monday, November 24, 2014 - 06:24
The United States plans to buy arms for Sunni tribesmen in Iraq including AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds to help bolster the battle against Islamic State militants in Anbar province, according to a Pentagon document prepared for Congress.