Anbar Headed Towards Isolation

Ahmed al-Jumaili, a tribal leader in the city of Fallujah, told Al-Monitor, “The people of Fallujah sympathize with ISIS militants because of their anger toward the Iraqi army, which is known as 'Maliki’s forces.'”

While fears of the expansion of ISIS power are growing, the prime minister believes that a military initiative should not be delayed any longer. “Frankly, there is not much time left if we are going to enter Fallujah and settle the matter,” Maliki said in the same address.

Thus, ever since the Sunnis took to the street in open-ended protests again Maliki’s government, the troubled city of Fallujah has found itself at a crossroads. Repeating the Syrian scenario will not be the best choice to make.

In parallel with the military operations, Sunni oppositionists have declared the formation of what have come to be known as “military councils” in several Sunni regions. In early January 2014, it was announced that such a council has been formed in the Baghdad province.

A security source told Al-Monitor, “The arrival of rebel groups to areas near Baghdad will result in significant momentum due to sectarian differences among the people. Violent confrontations are likely to occur.”

Many political analysts prefer to say that an ongoing war of attrition in Anbar is likely to distance the province from the upcoming parliamentary elections in April. The Political Council for Iraqi Action — which is a group of Iraqi political forces — warned against the same thing. In a statement, which Al-Monitor obtained a copy of, the council said “the crisis in Anbar is designed to isolate the province from Iraq.”