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February 23, 2006
Iraq's Civil War
Some of you may have noticed that Iraq is in a civil war.
(It's strangely comforting to know that I'm not alone in thinking this)
Is there really any point in denying this anymore? No one seems to talk about it. There is plenty of discussion about 'how to keep Iraq from sliding into civil war' but who are we kidding? Iraq is in its civil war but, ssshhh, don't tell anyone.
Now, I'll admit, this is strange because the vast majority of attacks are still directed toward US and other occupation forces. However it's attacks like the one from the 22nd (2), which I find perhaps one of the most tragic to date, that suggest Iraqis are simply using US forces for target practice in gearing up for the important struggle, the one against each other.
I think this attack may be, as much as I hate to use this now cliche phrase, the tipping point. This is because I've just begun to understand how important that shrine was within the religious system.
First a little background
As we're all vaguely aware there are at least two main divisions of Islam, Sunni and Shi'a. The division between the two religions deals roughly with who should be the head of Islam. Way back in the day, when the prophet Muhammad died, a bunch of Muslim big wigs all got together and tried to decide who was the new leader. The split was between Muhammad's father-in-law (who was acting as a kind of transitional leader) and Muhammad's son-in-law. The big wigs decided to go with the flow and let Muhammad's Father-in-law, Abu Bakr, take the reigns.
Problem being that, as with all religious decisions, those who disagreed weren't just going to wait around for the next election (following the improper leader would be heresy and they'd end up damned), they rejected Abu Bakr's authority (and the two that followed, I'm still reading about the rest) and broke off. The ones that broke off we now know as Shi'a.
How the Mosque fits in.
The Shi'a had their own leaders these are known as the Caliphs. There were 12 of them. When the 11th died his son (the 12th) promptly disappeared, it is believed that he was recalled to heaven by God and would return. The Caliphs led Shi'a islam and two of them, the 10th and 11th, are buried at the al-Askari shrine. The al-Askari shrine is the one that was largely destroyed yesterday. Lastly, when the 12th Caliph returns from kickin' it with God he will be returning to the al-Askari shrine.
So now we kind of understand how this might be a big deal, it's kind of like blowing up Jesus' intergalactic helicopter pad.
Why?
So why blow up the dome? There are likely two reasons, first it's just a really great way to stir things up. An insurgency bent on getting the US out of the middle east (and potentially starting a holy war of the end times variety) would be greatly helped by an enormous, exceedingly brutal, civil war.
Secondly, it has to do with the return of that 12th caliph. You see when the 12th Caliph returns he's not coming back for cake and coffee. The 12th Caliph is returning to, in the mind of (at least some) Shi'a, cleanse the world. This will likely entail killing all the Sunni (who are heretics which is worse than being a non-believer) and converting as much of the rest of the planet as possible; the rest of the planet will naturally be killed.
So now it all starts coming together, this is one of them thar 'pre-emptive strikes'. Difference being this may be a pre-emptive strike not just for a holy war but for the holy war.
Sunshine, smilin' at me
oh, nothin' but blue skies
Do I see.
Posted by cak19 at February 23, 2006 12:57 AM
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