Al-Qaeda-Iraq Statement A Sign Of Rising Sectarian Violence - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Ali Abel Sadah

Ali Abel Sadah

May 31, 2013

A man smokes a cigarette as he sits at the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, March 29, 2013. Car bombs hit four Shi'ite mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and another in Kirkuk just after prayers on Friday, tearing into crowds of worshippers and killing 17, police and witnesses said. Sunni Islamists linked to al Qaeda's Iraqi wing have stepped up attacks this year and often target Shi'ite sites in a growing sectarian confrontation a decade after the U.S.-led invasion. R — A man smokes a cigarette as he sits at the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, March 29, 2013. — REUTERS/Ako Rasheed

Iraqi Sunni Muslims participate in an anti-government demonstration in Falluja, 50 km (31 miles) west of Baghdad May 3, 2013. Tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims poured onto the streets of Ramadi and Falluja in the western province of Anbar following Friday prayers, in their biggest show of strength since the outbreak of protests last year. REUTERS/Mohanned Faisal (IRAQ - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTXZ985

Truce Proposal Splits Sunni Protesters in Iraq

A wounded protester is carried during clashes with security forces in Fallujah, 50 km (31 miles) west of Baghdad, January 25, 2013. At least three people were killed on Friday when Iraqi troops opened fire during clashes in Falluja city with Sunni protesters rallying against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, officials and witnesses said. REUTERS/Mohanned Faisal (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3CXG6

Iraqi Army Clashes With Protesters Spark Tribal Unrest

An Iraqi policeman watches as he stands guard during the funeral of victim killed in clashes with security forces in Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, January 26, 2013. Thousands of mourners attended on Saturday a funeral procession for protesters killed on the day before in Falluja during clashes with Iraqi soldiers in the wake of protest against government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. At least three people were killed on Friday when Iraqi troops opened fire during clashes with Sunni

Iraqiyya Bloc Seeks to Gain From Sunni Unrest in Iraq

Sunni Muslim men pray over the bodies of eight out of 12 fellow Iraqis, who were reportedly kidnapped on October 17 and later some of them found shot dead, during their burial ceremony in the Farhatiya area of the Balad region, located 70 kilometres (around 45 miles) north of Baghdad in the Salaheddin province, on October 18, 2020. - Local sources said the four other kidnapped men have not been found and the identity of the assailants remains unknown in the mysterious crime. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/A

Iraqi Sunni politicians organize a new political front

Shelly Kittleson

Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics