Skip to main content

Sunni clerics key to resolving Anbar conflict

Many Sunni clerics in Anbar have fundamental disagreements with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and thus may play a key role in resolving the battles there.
A man reacts over a coffin of a soldier, who was killed during the clashes in Ramadi, during his funeral in Najaf, 160 km (99 miles) south of Baghdad, February 17, 2014. Sunni militancy has been on the rise over the past year, especially in the western province of Anbar, where the army is besieging the city of Falluja, overrun by insurgents on Jan. 1. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani (IRAQ - Tags - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTX18Z5D

When hostilities broke out in Anbar province at the beginning of the year, many wondered why prominent Sunni cleric Abdul-Malik al-Saadi had chosen to keep quiet. Saadi became known during the Sunni demonstrations in 2013 as the spiritual mentor of the leaders of the clans’ demonstrations.

However, Saadi’s role in the recent battles has been unclear. He also did not give an opinion about the initiatives put forward over the last two months aimed at resolving the crisis.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.