New Islamist faction defies Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq

Sulaimaniya, Iraq Press, Sep. 11 - A newly formed Islamist faction, vying for power and
influence, has spread terror in some areas of the Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq.

The hitherto little-known party of Jund al-Islam (Soldiers of Islam) is mainly active in
border areas close to Iran. In two weeks since its establishment, the party has apprehended
and tortured members and supporters of other political factions in its areas.

Jund al-Islam is also said to be hampering development projects undertaken by the Kurdish
factions in control of northern Iraq, namely the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Even Islamist factions in northern Iraq have been complaining about Jund al-Islam's hostile
activities.

The sudden emergence of the new political and military faction comes as the KDP and PUK
were nearing agreement to solve their outstanding issues after years of internal fighting.

The relative peace has brought about an economic boom after long stagnation. No
information is vailable whether the new faction has any grassroots support in Iraqi Kurdistan
or who is behind its appearance on the Kurdish political scene.

But its growing hostile activities were high on the agenda of a surprise visit to Sulaimaniya
on Sunday by Hushyar Zeibari, an enovy of KDP leader Massoud Barzani and PUK's Jalal
Talabani.

The KDP and PUK share power in the semi-independent Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq
with the former in control of Dahouk and Arbil and the latter of Sulaimaniya.

A senior PUK official said after the meeting that views of both parties regarding Jund
al-Islam were identical. He did not elaborate.
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