The Sunni Backlash

After holding their fire during the national elections, Iraqi insurgents unleashed a volley of car bombings, shootings and kidnappings across the country last week, leaving U.S. officials with the distinct impression that Sunni political leaders can turn the violence on and off at will. Abu Abdullah al-Anbari, a field commander of insurgents, told TIME that he had been given orders by unnamed superiors not to attack Iraqis during the four days surrounding the Dec. 15 balloting to allow the vote to go forward. The goal, he said, was to get Sunnis to the polls in order to "create a balance between political...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!