Part 2: Mosul, Iraq and ISIS, Sunni, Shiite

It's been awhile since I last wrote about Mosul/Iraq. I was curious what might come across the news in terms of Sunni and Shiite relations (Mosul is largely Sunni while Baghdad is Shiite). In Part 1 of this 2 part blog series, I did find an interesting article from Foreign Policy on ex-ISIS members joining the Shiite militia group, PMF.   

Though some ex-ISIS have joined up with the PMF. There are still ISIS attacks around Mosul. This Part 2 looks at some of the articles that discuss recent ISIS events around Mosul.

Al Jazeera had this snippet of news:

At least six people have been killed and 30 others wounded in a car bomb blast south of Mosul, police and medical sources said. A vehicle packed with explosives was parked near a restaurant and a crowded market area in the northern Iraqi town of Qayyara, police said on Tuesday.



Though no group claimed responsibility at the time the article was published, blame was placed on ISIS.

Iraq News had the following:

Six Islamic State members have been arrested in Mosul, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Thursday . . . “Three of them used to work for the group’s security department. They used to confiscate houses of the Christians and security conscripts.”

Note the words "used to work."  Based on Part 1, a lot of money is exchanging hands between ex-ISIS and the PMF. One has to wonder if those 3 just couldn't put together the bribery money to buy their freedom.

Iraq News also had this:

Col. Thamer Abdullah said “Islamic State members executed five civilians after being previously abducted.” They were executed for gathering information about the militant group and cooperation with the Iraqi army in west of Mosul . . . "

So even though ex-ISIS members have defected to the PMF, there is still ISIS attacks going on around Mosul. ISIS is also still intimidating anyone from working with the Iraqi army (and by default, I assume the PMF, as well). Based on what I read in Part 1 of this 2 part series, I have to wonder if any of the five civilians that were executed were currently ex-ISIS, working for the PMF. Admittedly, speculation.

Though I don't blog much on Iraq, I do think the dynamics between Sunni, Shiite and Kurds is one to always keep an eye on.