Islamic State attack sparks sectarian bloodletting in Iraq’s Diyala
An Islamic State attack has triggered a crescendo of acts of violence against and displacement of Sunnis in Iraq’s Diyala province, which borders Iran and has long suffered the presence of cells operating in its dense orchards and parts of the Hamrin Mountains.
An Islamic State (IS) attack against members of a prominent Shiite-majority tribe in Iraq’s eastern region of Diyala in late October was followed by retaliatory violence against local Sunnis, sparking fears of a return to the years of massive sectarian bloodshed.
An operation conducted by Iraqi security forces Nov. 3 as well as additional security forces sent to the area have failed to quell widespread concerns and indignation.
At least 11 people from the Bani Tamim tribe were killed Oct. 26 in the village of al-Rashad and over a dozen injured. Reportedly three (some reports state two) men were abducted and killed first, followed by more of their relatives after they had been called to collect the bodies.
Armed men subsequently attacked the nearby Sunni-majority village of Nahr al-Imam, reportedly killing people and burning and destroying homes and farms in an act of retaliation for assumed “collusion” by the entire local Sunni community with IS.
