Allies fought allies today in Iraq. The Shi’ite-led government tried to arrest a Shi’ite cleric, but they only managed to have a violent clash with his followers. Meanwhile, Naqshabandiya Army militants fought with ISIS/DAASH members. Although the two militant groups have tried to combine forces, they frequently quarrel. Overall, at least 138 people were killed and 75 more were wounded across Iraq.
Politics:
In his weekly address, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki counseled the nation to be patient because forming the government will take time. He does not believe that Iraq will collapse in the interim.
Maliki also offered Sunni militants amnesty — so long as they have not "drawn blood" — but he rejected Kurdish claims on disputed territories. He criticized the Kurds for using the crisis to expand their territory. They claim that Iraq has ignored their right for a referendum on these oil-rich and traditionally Kurdish areas.
Fighting:
In the holy city of Karbala, clashes between security forces and a Shi’ite faction left 45 dead, five of them police. About twelve soldiers were wounded. As many as 25 of the followers were wounded.The fighting broke out when troops arrived to arrest Shi’ite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi. His followers had set up illegal checkpoints in Karbala after the cleric criticized Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s plea for Shi’ites to fight alongside Iraqi force. Later, followers attacked a police station in Diwaniya and clashed in Basra. The cleric has long been critical of Baghdad.
In Baghdad, a suicide bomber killed five people and wounded 13 more in the Jihad district. A civilian was gunned down.
At least 11 people were killed, including women and children, during helicopters air strikes in Shirqat.
In Mosul, a rocket killed two civilians. Fifteen Shabak civilians were kidnapped.
Gunmen wounded a policeman at a checkpoint in Qadisiya.
One Naqshabandiya Army fighter and three ISIS/DAASH militants were killed when the two groups clashed in the Himreen Mountains. The two groups are attempting to join forces against Baghdad, but haven’t found much success. Security forces killed a Naqshabandiya leader.
Security forces killed three militants and wounded 10 more in Tikrit.
Clashes in Saqlawiya left four militants dead and 11 more wounded.
In Jurf al-Sakhar, 60 militants were killed.
Tribal fighters killed two militants at al-Waleed.
A militant recruiter was killed by security forces in Anbar.
