Sunni Iraqi Leaders Call to Fight "Invading" Government Forces

Several Sunni Iraqi leaders have recently made belligerent statements against the Iraqi government forces. On January 7, Sunni Mufti of Iraq Rafi' Taha Al-Rifa'I Al-Anim said, in a statement broadcast by the Al-Jazeera network: "Oh people of Samarra and Tikrit... Let us hear the whistling of your bullets." On January 3, in a statement broadcast by the Iraqi Al-Fallujah TV, Ali Hatem Suleiman, the Emir of the Dulaym Tribes, said: "We have decided to fight to protect our people from invading [government] forces."

Following are excerpts:

Al-Jazeera Network, January 7, 2014

Sunni Mufti of Iraq Rafi' Taha Al-Rifa'I Al-Anim: Oh sons of the six rebelling governorates, we want you to act like real men, as your forefathers always did. As for the peaceful [demonstrations] that some people keep blabbering about – that chapter has been closed, and should not be mentioned anymore, at a time when the cannons of the militia-army are bombarding the cities. Revolt against the oppressors, demonstrating your might to them, in a way that would delight the believers, and disgrace the unjust apostates.

Where are you, oh people of Samarra and Tikrit? Where are you? Let us hear the whistling of your bullets. Such slumber does not become you. Show us your might!

[...]

Al-Falluja TV January 3, 2014

Sheik Ali Hatem Suleiman, Emir of the Dulaym Tribes: We have decided to fight to protect our people from invading forces. This is a fight to defend people's honor and lives. Al-Maliki came to Al-Anbar under the pretext of fighting Al-Qaeda in the western desert, which is located some 400 kilometers from Ramadi. But he stopped his progress in Ramadi, where he is an unwelcome and unhonored guest. Thus, he has betrayed us, as well as the Iraqi army – especially the wretched soldiers, whom he led astray, and into a battle against the sons of Al-Anbar.

Secondly, it was Al-Maliki who decided to wage war, but the decision to end the war will not be his.

[...]

We will not allow any banner whatsoever, under any pretext, to be raised in Al-Anbar, except for the banner of the tribes. I address this to whoever tries to hijack this honorable and pure revolution against the attack of Al-Maliki's forces on Al-Anbar.

Let me stress that we will treat anyone who raises the banner of the so-called Jihad, or any other banner, just like we treat enemies. This decision was made by consensus of all the sons of Al-Anbar.

[..]

I call upon all the men of the Sunni region, without exception, to prepare to be reunited, and to avoid the elections altogether, because these elections will bring nothing but disgrace upon the Sunnis. Finally, I call upon all those who disparage our religious symbols: We will cut off your tongues, whoever you may be.

[...]