Islamic State of Iraq

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The Islamic State of Iraq is an Islamist umbrella organization established in 2006 "to protect the Sunni Iraqi people and defend Islam, by the Pact of the Scented People". It is composed of a variety of insurgency groups, including the Mujahideen Shura Council in Iraq, Conquering Army (Jeish al-Fatiheen), Army Squad of the Prophet Muhammad (Jund al-Sahaba), Brigades of Al-Tawhid Wal Sunnah, and Sunni tribes. It claims a presence in the governorates of Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, Ninawa, and parts of Babel and Wasit, and is headed by the Emir of the Believers, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi. It aims to establish a caliphate from the Sunni Arab dominated regions of Iraq. The Islamic state of Iraq and its allies possess de facto control over the Anbar and Diyala governates forming the majority of its local governments. ^{[1][2][3] [4]}

[edit] Recent events

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

CNN reported on 2007-03-09 that organization leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was arrested. They reported the following evening [1] that the man caught in the action was not Abu Omar but instead was another religious leader of the group.

[edit] Source

1. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001204.html?nav=rss_email/components Washington Post, 9/11, 2006 Situation Called Dire in West Iraq
2. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/27/AR2006112701287.html 11/28, 2006 Washington Post, Anbar Picture Grows Clearer, and Bleaker
3. ^ http://onthescene.msnbc.com/baghdad/2006/12/reporting_under.html#posts
4. ^ http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/17/32969.aspx

• Islamic State of Iraq proclaims a new flag