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.