The Sunni-Shi’ite enmity predated the U.S. presence in the Middle East, and the establishment of the State of Israel, and everything else that mainstream analysts point to in order to explain it away. And as long as there are Sunnis and Shi’ites, it will continue. The U.S. government would be foolish and self-defeating to try to pacify it — but of course, the U.S. government is foolish and self-defeating, so it may try.
“Al Qaeda-linked group claims Beirut bombings,” by Erika Solomon for Reuters, February 19:
(Reuters) – The al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed a twin bomb attack in Beirut on Wednesday, saying such attacks would continue until Hezbollah forces withdrew from the fighting in Syria and its own fighters were released from Lebanese jails.
The radical Lebanese group, which claimed the attack on its Twitter account, also said it was responsible for a November 19 attack on the Iranian embassy that killed 23 people, using the same tactic of twin suicide bombs. In both cases, most of the victims were civilians.
Hezbollah is a powerful Shi’ite Muslim political and militant group in Lebanon that is funded by Iran. The group has sent hundreds of fighters to neighboring Syria, giving a boost to its ally President Bashar al-Assad against mainly Sunni rebels seeking to topple him.
“We will continue – through the grace of God and his strength – to target Iran and its party in Lebanon (Hezbollah) in all of their security, political and military centers to achieve our two demands: One, the exit of all fighters from the Party of Iran in Syria. Two, the release of all our prisoners from oppressive Lebanese prisons,” the statement said.
The three-year uprising in Syria, which began as popular protests but descended into civil war, has increasingly been taken over by Sunni Islamist groups. Some rebel groups have affinities or direct links to al Qaeda or militant groups in neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Iraq.
The Abdullah Azzam Brigades have strong links to Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps as well as connections with the Gulf. One of its senior military leaders, Majid bin Muhammad al-Majid, was a Saudi national. He was arrested by Lebanese authorities last December, who said he died from kidney failure while in their custody….
Bettina says
Off-topic: I keep having trouble loading JW pages after clicking on the pic or title of an article. Are we still fending off cyber attacks here? I’d sure like to know if you guys’ experiences are similar…
gravenimage says
Bettina wrote:
Off-topic: I keep having trouble loading JW pages after clicking on the pic or title of an article. Are we still fending off cyber attacks here? I’d sure like to know if you guys’ experiences are similar…
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Bettina, I have the same trouble with the new design. But there is an easy work-around—just click on “Continue Reading” at the bottom of the article on the home page, and it will take you right to the page.
Bettina says
Look at how many words are used: “Hezbollah is a powerful Shi’ite Muslim political and militant group in Lebanon that is funded by Iran” instead of saying “Hezbollah is a powerful Shi’ite Muslim terrorist group…” The “political” and “militant” adjectives give these murdering thugs a veneer of legitimacy. Reuters, you disappoint, again!
Salah says
Al-Qaeda against Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia against Iran, Sunni against Shi’te, terrorists against terrorists.
It’s amazing to watch the implosion and seff-destruction of Islam!
“And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?” Matthew 12:26
Salah says
@Bettina
I don’t have this problem, everything is smooth here. A little slow, but all is working fine.
Defcon 4 says
Sunnis killing Shiites? Yawn. I guess there weren’t any Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians or Baha’i to kill so they had to go w/the next best thing.
Atticus says
the shunni shite conflict is absolute poetry. I wish it would spread world wide and increase 1 million fold.
Jerry says
“Hezbollah is a powerful Shi’ite Muslim terrorist group…”
Can be simplified further:
“Hezbollah is a powerful Shi’ite “
gravenimage says
Lebanon: Sunni jihadis claim Beirut bombings, vow more jihad attacks against Shi’ites
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More internecine Muslim savagery—sickeningly predictable.