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Former Saddam aide seeks to reshape Sunni insurgency
Source: Reuters
World | Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:25am EDT
Former Saddam aide seeks to reshape Sunni insurgency
BAGHDAD | BY MAHER CHMAYTELLI
A rallying cry to Iraqi Sunnis from former President Saddam Hussein's top surviving aide aims to bolster the old ruling Baath party's appeal with Sunni Muslims fearing new reprisals by Shi'ite militias, experts said.
The footage purportedly featuring Ezzat al-Douri was released on Thursday, the anniversary of the fall of Saddam's Sunni-led rule when U.S. troops stormed Baghdad in 2003. Reuters could not authenticate it but analysts said it seemed genuine judging by his appearance and speech.
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This time Douri called on the "sons of Iraq ... to rally behind the flag of the Arab coalition led by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to avoid being burnt by the Persian fire."
The latest message follows major gains by the government and its U.S.-led backers against Islamic State and coincides with a push to drive the hardline militants from Mosul, the largest city in their self-proclaimed caliphate.
"Douri and the Baath have no military importance now, but as Daesh (Islamic State) is weakening, the Baath appears to see a role as part of the Saudi-led alliance against Iran," said Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based security analyst.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Former Saddam aide seeks to reshape Sunni insurgency
BAGHDAD | BY MAHER CHMAYTELLI
A rallying cry to Iraqi Sunnis from former President Saddam Hussein's top surviving aide aims to bolster the old ruling Baath party's appeal with Sunni Muslims fearing new reprisals by Shi'ite militias, experts said.
The footage purportedly featuring Ezzat al-Douri was released on Thursday, the anniversary of the fall of Saddam's Sunni-led rule when U.S. troops stormed Baghdad in 2003. Reuters could not authenticate it but analysts said it seemed genuine judging by his appearance and speech.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
This time Douri called on the "sons of Iraq ... to rally behind the flag of the Arab coalition led by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to avoid being burnt by the Persian fire."
The latest message follows major gains by the government and its U.S.-led backers against Islamic State and coincides with a push to drive the hardline militants from Mosul, the largest city in their self-proclaimed caliphate.
"Douri and the Baath have no military importance now, but as Daesh (Islamic State) is weakening, the Baath appears to see a role as part of the Saudi-led alliance against Iran," said Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based security analyst.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-douri-idUSKCN0X70L6
