In rare alliance, Shi'ites join Sunnis to defend Iraqi towns

[flamingdem]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/03/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-dhuluiya-insight-idUSKCN0HS0RE20141003

(Reuters) - When Islamic State fighters tried to storm the Tigris River town of Dhuluiya north of Baghdad this week, they were repelled by a rare coalition of Sunni tribal fighters inside the town and Shi'ites in its sister city Balad on the opposite bank.

The assault, which began late on Tuesday and ran into Thursday, was one of several major battles in recent days in which Sunni tribes joined pro-government forces against the militants, in what Baghdad and Washington hope is a sign of increasing cooperation across sectarian lines to save the country.

Further north, another powerful Sunni tribe fought alongside Kurdish forces to drive Islamic State fighters from Rabia, a town controlling one of the main border checkpoints used by fighters pouring in from Syria.

http://s4.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20141003&t=2&i=980656669&w=580&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=LYNXNPEA920ER

[babylonsister]

1. That's what it is going to take-cooperation. I'm glad it's happening, thanks. nt

[CaptainTruth]

2. Another example of why I think Obama is handling this in a smart way.

His critics keep saying ISIS can't be defeated without boots on the ground. I agree, but I also believe those boots don't have to be American, they should come from the countries in the region. The ideal solution is for all the various factions to come together & realize they all have a common interest in the stability of the region, & they can work together to achieve that.

It's sad that the situation had to get so dire for this to start happening, but for these opposing groups to come together they have to set aside decades (even centuries) of animosity toward each other. Sometimes having your back against a wall & realizing you're all going to die if you don't work together can make you set aside past differences in a big hurry.

I just hope this new cooperation lasts after the shooting stops.

[quadrature]

3. replace ISIS with what? (should they be defeated)

Assad?
somebody worse?