Iraqi guerilla groups in Diyala Province have banded together to fight Al-Qaeda.
ADN Kronos reported:
Guerilla groups present in the volatile Diyala province in northern Iraq have decided to unite and combat al-Qaeda militants together, said Rostum Muhammad al-Sulukhi, the leader of a new alliance of these guerilla groups in an interview with the Arabic language Al-Hayat newspaper.
The new alliance, known as the “Direction of Revenge Operations”, will have as its aim to better coordinate the activities of Sunni militants that make up the 1920 Revolution Brigades of the Iraqi Hamas and the militias of the Shamr, Hamira, Zahirat, al-Baghada and al-Karikha tribes.
“We have chosen this name because we want to stop the overreaction and exaggerations of some members. Leaders will change every three months, allowing all guerilla leaders to actively participate in the fight against al-Qaeda,” said al-Sulukhi.
Elsewhere in Iraq… 1,000 Sunni and Shiite leaders met on Thursday to commit to unity and reconciliation.
MNF-I reported:
Approximately 1,000 sheiks and local leaders attended the second of a series of reconciliation meetings that have taken place between the Sunni and Shia sheiks in the 1st Cavalry Division’s area of operations.
Tribal and governmental leadership from Abu Ghraib, Fallujah, Tarmiyah and the Anbar province came together to meet with senior leaders from the Baghdad provincial government, national government and Iraqi Security Forces.
The meeting was recognized by representatives of the prime minister, councilmen, senior Iraqi tribal and military leaders as well as the national party, Iraq Awakening.
“This meeting is a great opportunity to bring together local leaders, tribal leaders and government leaders to speak with the national and provincial government to develop solutions to the problems in the area.” said Boulder, Colo., native Maj. Geoffrey Norman, executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. “It affords them the opportunity to exchange dialogue on how to move forward and rid the community of the cancer of extremism.”
