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The false 'Awakening' model to deal with ISIS in Iraq

Given past experiences, the Iraqi government will likely face difficulties persuading armed Sunni groups to separate from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
Members of the Awakening Council, a local neighbourhood guard unit, check the identification of a motorist at a security checkpoint in Diyala province February 10, 2013. Picture taken February 10, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammed Adnan (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3DMLI
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The Iraqi government may find it difficult to dissuade armed Sunni groups from fighting alongside the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) without seriously addressing Sunni concerns, including reforming the government and constitution.

The high-profile gains and statements by ISIS, the latest of which is the declaration of a caliphate, might suggest to outsiders that the organization is the only Sunni military force. Yet, many Sunni parties — be they political, tribal or religious — deny this. They assert that ISIS does not represent more than 10% to 20% of the armed forces on the ground, and that the biggest momentum of the military action belongs to the armed tribes and various other factions.

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