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Baghdad: In addition to being anti-Baathist Al Qaida members dislike Sunni Islamic Party members, led by vice-president Tariq Al Hashimi, they also condemn the awakening organisations whom they say aim to assassinate their members and do not deal with the Islamic party. This is the situation in most Sunni neighbourhoods in Baghdad, many Iraqi Sunnis said.
"I do not exaggerate when I say that in the Sunni Al Fadhil neighbourhood that I am living in, there are streets for each party, one for Islamists, another for Al Qaida supporters, a third for the awakening forces and a fourth for Baathists," Sadiq Al Izi told Gulf News.
"Even in one family members are divided. I am affiliated to the Islamic party, my cousin joined the awakening forces, my nephew is a Baathist and my brother in law is an Al Qaida member. It is an unbearable situation," he added.
In the relatively large Sunni neighbourhood of Saydia in west Baghdad, there is an area along a main street which is controlled by the Sunni Islamic party; this area is close to the Al Thobat district where Al Qaida fighters are on the street, while Baathists control the Saydia residential buildings,m which is opposite an area that is witnessing growing activities by the awakening forces supported by the US army.
Faris Al Qaragoli, a former police office during Saddam Hussain's regime, who now works as a taxi driver, told Gulf News: "Fortunately, there is a truce between the Islamists, Al Qaida members and the Baathists, and another truce between the Awakening forces and the Islamists. This truce allows me to visit my brother's house in Saydia which is under Al Qaida control. Despite being affiliated to the Sunni Islamic Party, I do not face any danger when I go there."
However, in some Sunni neighbourhoods, this truce does not seem to operate. Neighbourhoods such as Hay Al Adel witnessed killing between Al Qaida, awakening fighters and Baathists. There were also religious Fatwas prohibiting marriage and trading between Al Qaida and the awakening followers.
Amer Al Jibouri, a shopkeeper told Gulf News: "Baathists often mediate between members of Al Qaida, the Islamic party and the awakening forces in order not to ignite the situation in Sunni neighbourhoods. In the Al Dora district, Baathists succeeded in securing citizens' movements on streets which are divided under Al Qaida, the Awakening forces and Islamic party control. Yet this truce does not last long because the US and Iraqi government forces urge the awakening fighters to confront Al Qaida".
Future provincial or general elections in these neighbourhoods may witness division between voters.
"Sunni voters will be divided between the Awakening organisations and the Islamic and the Baath Party as it is in Sunni neighbourhoods in Baghdad," said Fakhri Al Soudani, an independent political activist.
'Positive negotiations': Return to government
An official from Iraq's main Sunni Muslim political bloc says the group has agreed in principle to return to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki nine months after quitting the Cabinet.
A return of the Sunnis would be a boost to Al Maliki, who has struggled to keep together the disparate factions of his government and attempt to reconcile between Iraq's feuding Shiite and Sunni politicians.
Salim Abdullah is a lawmaker and spokesman for the Sunni Accordance Front He said yesterday the front has agreed in principle to return to five ministries after "positive negotiations" with Al Maliki's government. Abdullah said he expected the new ministers to be named next week.
- AP
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