Iraq: A government of militias
azzaman: It seems the official statements about putting the militias under government control and integrating them into the armed forces are made for public consumption only.
The reality of the situation is that it is the militias and not the government who are in control. And it does not matter which time of the day these militias prefer to take the law into their hands.
Undoubtedly, the previous government backed the militias in a manner unprecedented in the history of a state that respects itself.
Therefore, there are real suspicions whether the authorities in charge of the new government will take the matter of dissolving the militias seriously.
Iraqis hope the new government will take a decisive stand vis-a-vis the militias even if those leading it have links to them.
Once part of the new government, the officials must bear in mind that their loyalty should be to the country and not the militias or factions they belong to.
When part of the government, the officials must think differently. Their duties differ and they will need to act in a responsible and independent manner.
It is indeed strange to hear Iraqi officials saying that militias are part of the Iraqi reality.
The government says there are 11 militia armies in Iraq. That figure is disputable. In the current chaotic conditions there may be many more such armies. It all depends on how you define the word 'militia'.
Perhaps we have officials who would think of creating a new cabinet post for these militias in the new government. They believe their armed groups are as important as electricity, fuel, education, health and public works.
This is why some of these officials are keen to have their militias included in the armed forces register.
What kind of army we will have if all the militias are brought into its umbrella?
As we enter into the fourth post-U.S. invasion year, we have seen militia leaders assuming ministerial jobs and other high-ranking posts.
Militia-linked violence has encouraged the various Iraqi groups and even tribes to put their members under arms.
There are currently more militia groups in Iraq than one could imagine.What will happen if all these groups asked for their armed men to be 'integrated' into the armed forces?
It is a weird situation the like of which the country has never seen. It ushers the age of 'armed democracy' in Iraq. Link
The reality of the situation is that it is the militias and not the government who are in control. And it does not matter which time of the day these militias prefer to take the law into their hands.
Undoubtedly, the previous government backed the militias in a manner unprecedented in the history of a state that respects itself.
Therefore, there are real suspicions whether the authorities in charge of the new government will take the matter of dissolving the militias seriously.
Iraqis hope the new government will take a decisive stand vis-a-vis the militias even if those leading it have links to them.
Once part of the new government, the officials must bear in mind that their loyalty should be to the country and not the militias or factions they belong to.
When part of the government, the officials must think differently. Their duties differ and they will need to act in a responsible and independent manner.
It is indeed strange to hear Iraqi officials saying that militias are part of the Iraqi reality.
The government says there are 11 militia armies in Iraq. That figure is disputable. In the current chaotic conditions there may be many more such armies. It all depends on how you define the word 'militia'.
Perhaps we have officials who would think of creating a new cabinet post for these militias in the new government. They believe their armed groups are as important as electricity, fuel, education, health and public works.
This is why some of these officials are keen to have their militias included in the armed forces register.
What kind of army we will have if all the militias are brought into its umbrella?
As we enter into the fourth post-U.S. invasion year, we have seen militia leaders assuming ministerial jobs and other high-ranking posts.
Militia-linked violence has encouraged the various Iraqi groups and even tribes to put their members under arms.
There are currently more militia groups in Iraq than one could imagine.What will happen if all these groups asked for their armed men to be 'integrated' into the armed forces?
It is a weird situation the like of which the country has never seen. It ushers the age of 'armed democracy' in Iraq. Link
posted by exoplanet at 11:16 PM
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