Fallujah key to defeating Islamic State
The residents of Fallujah are not pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but could be a part of the resistance to IS.
Earlier this year, the fall of Fallujah, which is particularly symbolic for Iraq's Sunni insurgents, marked the beginning of events that followed, starting from the fall of Mosul on June 10 until today. Yet, Fallujah also could be the beginning of a solution to the crisis, in case the required sorting was made between Sunni insurgents and the Islamic State (IS, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS).
On July 6, a reliable tribal source told Al-Monitor, “An armed convoy of vehicles carrying IS flags crossed the villages of northern Fallujah. Immediately afterward, a gunmen, who identified himself as a messenger of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, held meetings with armed factions, tribal leaders and clerics, and called on them to either pledge allegiance to Baghdadi, or engage in a bloody confrontation with IS.”
According to the source, the visit was not a surprise. As the self-proclaimed caliph, when Baghdadi made public appearances in Mosul, armed factions and clans knew that a confrontation with him has become imminent, particularly since IS declared that any party who refuses to pledge allegiance (to Baghdadi) will be killed.
The answer that was given by leaders in Fallujah to Baghdadi’s delegate was vague, according to the source. It reflected their great embarrassment, especially since they do not have the ability to fight IS and the Iraqi government at the same time. Moreover, they will not be able to pledge allegiance to Baghdadi, because their ideology and thoughts are totally different from those of IS in terms of the objectives and limits of the armed rebellion led by the city [residents] — which also led the Sunni demonstrations throughout 2013. In addition, the leaders of Fallujah can't reconcile with the current government in the absence of a political deal regarding the Sunni crisis in Iraq.
