Insurgency and Militias (irregular or para- military forces)

The sources of instability in Iraq

Security vacuum led to two (related) problems

An insurgency;

A failed state.

Major insurgent groups in Iraq (in addition to al-Qaeda of Mesopotamia):

1. Ansar Al Islam; 2. Ansar Al Sunna; 3. Islamic Resistance Movement in Iraq (1920

Revolution Brigades); 4. Iraqi Resistance Islamic Front (JAMI); 5. Islamic Army in Iraq.

Slow start in dealing with insurgency (loss of momentum):

Lack of focus on the police;

Insufficient number of advisers;

Poor coordination.

Major militia groups in Iraq

The Mahdi Army; The Badr Brigade. Sunni militias; Kurdish peshmerga.