Originally Posted by
KalashniKEV
As already pointed out, this conflict is not "ISIS vs. the Iraqi Government."
ISIS is spearheading a Sunni coalition with the goal of separating from Maliki's corrupt Shi'ite regime.
Many of the towns they "conquered" welcomed them with a parade. A lot of the IA that threw down their weapons and uniforms in flight have trickled back in and are taking denunciation oaths for their time served under the New Iraqi Flag.
The Kurds have pushed the Green Line south of Kirkuk, and are obviously hoping more for fracture than unity.
I partnered with a Sunni, AQI infiltrated unit in '05-'06.
As that city was among the first to "fall," I can guarantee you right now that most of those soldiers are fighting with the Sunni coalition of tribes against the Maliki regime.
(Probably right next to Safwa forces/SOI that bled themselves out expelling AQI during those same years)
I partnered with a Shia, JAM infiltrated unit in '08-'09.
I can also guarantee you that at least a chunk of those soldiers left the IA to go fight in the JAM.
(Probably all the best ones...)