If they hate the UK and USA troops why do the Iraqis kill each other?

Question

A bomb blast has ripped through a crowd of labourers in a square in Baghdad's Shi'ite Sadr City district, killing at least 31 people and wounding around 50 others. Iraqi interior ministry sources said the labourers were gathering to wait for job offers.

Meanwhile, the death of a marine on Sunday took US losses for October to 100, making it the fourth deadliest month of the war.

And suspected Sunni gunmen killed 17 policemen in the predominantly Shi'ite southern city of Basra.

There was no immediate indication who was responsible for the bomb in Sadr City but it is a stronghold of radical Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who heads the powerful Mehdi Army militia.

Jack, you say
"when Europeans drew the borders of these new areas, they did so without regard for local, historical and ethnic divisions."
So why do these countries do not redraw the borders themselves through mutual agreement?

Agree with majority of what you say 'sweet-cookie'.

Answer 1

Iraq, like a great many other places, was once colonized by Europeans. Unfortunately, when Europeans drew the borders of these new areas, they did so without regard for local, historical and ethnic divisions. That's why so many countries in Africa and Asia have so much ethnic turmoil. They are in effect, artificial states. This is the case with Iraq.

The three main groups (Shiia, Sunni and Kurds) have centuries of animosity toward one another. Then The British came along and threw them all together in one country. To make a long story short, it was a resounding failure. The ethnic rivalries and mistrust built up over centuries prevented them from becoming one nation. And we're seeing the effects of that now.

The real source of the violence isn't because of Al Qaeda, or the Americans. As you point out, far more Iraqis have died by their own hands. What's at stake is a division of the resources of the land. The oil rich regions in Iraq are in the Kurdish north, and the Shiia south. The Sunni's in the middle fear that the Shiia who dominate the government will take all of the nation's wealth and use it for the betterment of the Shiias, and the Kurds will do the same -- leaving the Sunnis (who oppressed both groups during the years of Saddam Husein) out in the cold.

Each side is now armed to the teeth. The Shiia and Kurds to protect their gains, and the Sunni to try and see they're not forgotten. These fears are unfortunately based in fact, as the current Shiia government is very unwilling to let the Sunnis in on the goods.

So what's at stake in Iraq is who controls the natural resources, and how they arrive at a formula for sharing. And this has to be worked out by people who basically hate each other, and have centuries of mistrust to overcome. They're not doing a good job, because deep down inside, none of these people thinks about Iraq -- they're still stuck in their tribal modes of thought.

Iraq isn't really a nation. It's a series of tribes masquerading as one. And this is the crux of the problem.

Hope this answer helps to clarify.

Answer 2

It seems to me that,
to the Muslim life itself is of no importance ,
They do not care whether they kill men women or children or even the elderly.
Just as long as there is someone left to kill ,they will continue .

They are murderers and totally out ,of any human control.
To even consider, Iraq becoming a democracy
is absolutely impossible , with this mindset ; the rate of slaughter will not stop .
These are not people you can discuss peace with ., they do not know what that word means
I think the only way is to get tough and really force the population, to give up all there arms
now and quickly
( sealing the borders to prevent them being smuggled back in .)

The only cure would be to take all their arms away , and to shoot any ,who so mucjh as picks up a rock , to throw at anyone

I fear our troops will be there for a very long time .
Sadly there will be more casualties .

I wish it was not so

Answer 3

Racism. Sunnies hate shi'ites (sorry for the spelling) and vice versa and have for some time. The war just catalysed the whole situation and now the sunnies are fighting the shi'ites, the shi'ites are fighting the sunnies, they're both fighting the UK and the US, and the US seems to be fighting everyone!!! Friend or Foe! In fact some of the time the US troops are fighting themselves.

In the first gulf war more allied troops were killed by american friendly fire than by iraqi forces. Nothing changes

PS bryn you dont know what you are talking about. Go back to sleep mate

Answer 4

The flawed human race & their ability to hate without logic & reason.
Over the years the Irish killed the Irish because of religion & bigotry - the same is probably true of Iraq & elsewhere.
Though many other human failings would have also made a contribution.

Answer 5

Hang about? Why did Protestants and Catholics kill so many people in Northern Ireland?

Let's face it, Saddam would never been in cahoots with el Qaeda, because he's a Sunni Muslim and el Qaeda are Shiites.

Answer 6

Religion

Answer 7

Because the US and UK soldiers are trained killers. Cowards do not like their victims to fight back

Answer 8

The Iraqis muslim religion is all about hate. They hate EVERYBODY that opposes their sadistic religion. So they just kill each other, too.

Answer 9

Because they've benn doing it for centuries.

Answer 10

i think all UK forces and American troops should get the hell out of the country and leave them to kill each other.