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The importance of Sunni unity in Iraq

Instead of exchanging accusations, all Iraqi components should deploy efforts in a bid to unify their ranks in the face of the Islamic State, and to avoid sectarian partition.
Sunni volunteers attend a tribal conference, regarding the Islamic State, at the Ain al-Assad military base in the Anbar province, November 11, 2014.  REUTERS/Ahmed Saad (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR4DRXT
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Many Iraqi politicians do not hide their concerns and skepticism regarding moves made by Sunni political and tribal groups — whether in the region or Washington — to ensure a unification of Sunni political positions on the future of the war on the Islamic State (IS). Some of the reactions to these moves come loaded with accusations.

A visit by a delegation from Anbar to Washington at the end of January 2015 sparked numerous disagreements and assumptions both inside and outside the Iraqi political milieu. Some of these issues took on a personal nature, including accusations that the delegation included murderers, while others involved suspicions of a Sunni desire to obtain weapons to undermine Iraqi sovereignty.

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