The battle between Sunni and Shia Muslims for control of Baghdad has already started, say Iraqi political leaders who predict fierce street fighting will break out as each community takes over districts in which it is strongest. 'The fighting will only stop when a new balance of power has emerged,' Fuad Hussein, the chief of staff of Massoud Barzani, the Kurdish leader, said. 'Sunni and Shia will each take control of their own area.' He said sectarian cleansing had already begun.
Many Iraqi leaders now believe that civil war is inevitable but it will be confined, at least at first, to the capital and surrounding provinces where the population is mixed. 'The real battle will be the battle for Baghdad where the Shia have increasing control,' said one senior official who did not want his name published. 'The army will disintegrate in the first moments of the war because the soldiers are loyal to the Shia, Sunni or Kurdish communities and not to the government.' He expected the Americans to stay largely on the sidelines.
3/19/2006:
Cheney: Iraq not in civil war, predicts success.
Former Iraq PM: 'We Are In Civil War' - CBS News
3/14/2006:
Iraq Edges Closer to Open Civil Warfare
3/11/06:
Bush Confident Iraq Will Avoid Civil War
3/1/06:
Fox News: Iraq Civil War “Made Up By The Media?”
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