Iraq Arrests 2 Sunni Leaders, Raising Fears of Violence

[sabra]

Source: NY Times

BAGHDAD — Iraqi government security forces arrested two prominent Sunni leaders in Diyala Province on Monday, according to local security officials, leading to renewed concerns that sectarian tensions in the area could once again erupt into greater violence.

One of those arrested, Sheik Riyadh al-Mujami, is a prominent figure in the local Awakening Council, a movement led by Sunni tribal leaders who decided to stop fighting the Americans and cooperate with them against Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, a largely homegrown group that is believed to have foreign leadership.

The Awakening movement played a crucial role in reducing the violence in Iraq over the past two years, but some Sunni leaders have complained that the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has broken its promise to integrate their members in the country’s security forces. They also have expressed concern that the government regards them as a threat, and that it is planning attacks on Awakening members as the American military reduces its activities in Iraq.

The other man arrested, Abdul Jabbar al-Khazraji, is the head of the leading Sunni bloc of politicians on the Diyala Provincial Council. He was arrested after police officers from the Interior Ministry surrounded the building in Diyala where he worked.

Both men are being held in Baghdad and have been charged with “committing crimes against civilians,” a local security official said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/world/worldspecial/19iraq.html?_r=2&ref=todayspaper

[4dsc]

1. Look for more car bombings later

This isn't going to sit well with certain bombmakers...

[ixion]

2. all in this sad situation are "bombmakers," including, but not limited to the US

so... you know.