What's Behind the Latest Sunni-Shiite Clashes in Iraq

Iraqi forces going in and arresting a SOI leader and then getting into a shootout is not sectarian violence. As for the larger issue of the Sons of Iraq and the government, this was probably another move in Maliki's carrot and stick approach to them. He has often arrested them, and then offered them jobs or other positions in order to control them. In May 2008 he arrested several SOI leaders in Baghdad and then tried to split and disburse most of the SOI in Diyala in July. No one fought back those times. I don't think most of these SOI guys want to go back to fighting, and the government now, with the U.S. withdrawing is the only hope they have to get a paycheck and perhaps a job. Baghdad holds their fate. That may get some mad, and some may fight again in the future, but most I think know who holds the cards. musingsoniraq.blogspot.com

motown67 of CA 11:19AM April 01, 2009