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Sunni Iraqi Leaders Accused Of Supporting Terrorism

As tribal leaders and other prominent Sunnis in Iraq defend themselves against accusations of supporting terrorism, sectarian tensions rise in Iraq, writes Ali Abel Sadah.
Sunni tribal leader Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha attends an anti-government demonstration in Ramadi, 100 km (62 miles) west of Baghdad, February 15, 2013. Thousands of Sunni Muslims protested after Friday prayers in huge rallies against Shi'ite Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, demanding that he step down. REUTERS/Mohammed Al-Kubaisi (IRAQ - Tags - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3DUGT
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The Intelligence Directorate of the Babil province, south of Baghdad, revealed on March 9, 2013, the arrest of a cell made up of 12 al-Qaeda affiliated members in the province. According to the directorate, the elements of the cell admitted to having received support from both Ali Hatem al-Suleiman — the emir of the al-Dalim tribes — and the former leader of the al-Sahwa forces in Iraq.

Al-Dalim is a large tribe in Iraq, mostly made up of Sunnis. It has its origins in the Anbar province, with the young Sunni leader Suleiman as its emir.  Suleiman has sparked controversy in Iraq’s Sunni circles because of his caustic positions toward Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government. He supported Maliki’s government from 2008 up until the 2010 elections, but then turned against it, accusing it of working for Iran. Suleiman is currently fiercely opposed to Maliki,  participating in the Sunni protests in the city of Ramadi (in Anbar province, west of Baghdad).

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